“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
April 1, 2007
Palm/Passion Communion Sunday
Food Bank
There are cries of anguish, trust, thanks, and hope as we follow Jesus into Jerusalem. God hears them all! Faithful servants today experience Holy Week through many traditions and rituals. Which Holy Week traditions are most meaningful to you? If you could begin a new tradition for Holy Week, what would it be?
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude “The Palms” by Faure
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Joyous, enthusiastic!
All: We join the crowds who welcomed Jesus.
One: Supportive, friendly, encouraging!
All: We join the disciples who came with Jesus.
One: Wondering, reflective, in awe!
All: We look towards the cross-hill of the city.
One: Amen. All: Amen.
God of love, we come today shouting our praises. Yet we know that we will probably leave here with different emotions. Continue to be with us throughout this time or worship, and this coming Holy Week. As we read again the story of Jesus’ suffering and death, help us to embrace what it means for our lives; today, tomorrow, and beyond. Amen.
Hymn #123 “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
See back of bulletin.
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From Isaiah, 50:4-9a, From the Psalms – Psalm 31:9-16; From the Epistles – Philippians 2:5-11
Hymn #124 “He Came Riding on a Donkey”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory “Hosanna To The King” by Ellson
For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,
and the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.
Companionship at the Table on the Journey
Hymn #402 “We Are One”
Our Palm Sunday Communion Litany
We thank you God, for in the beginning, you set the world on its course; you led your people into freedom, and gave them a way to walk in peace and justice. And so we say with all who have travelled this road before.
Holy, holy, holy God, Power of life and love!
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna through the ages!
Blessed is the One who comes to bring your justice to the earth!
When we were lost, you came in Jesus, our companion and guide, who shows us your way and invites us to follow. Before his last journey, to the cross and death, Jesus gathered his friends for supper, he took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to those who sat with him, saying:
“Take, eat.”
“Do this in remembrance of me”.
In the same way he took the cup, saying:
“This cup is the new covenant”.
“Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
Remembering your boundless love for us in Jesus Christ, we offer you our praise, as we proclaim the mystery of faith: We remember Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who yet comes. We pray to you, God of Love, send your Spirit on these gifts, food for the journey. Bless our way together, until we and all your creation arrive at the home you have prepared. Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, God most holy, now and forever. In you, with Jesus, we meet the one Jesus knew as ABBA and following his lead we pray…Our father…
Sharing of the Bread and the Cup
Prayer after Communion (unison)
We thank you God for your presence here at this table and for your companionship on all our journeys. Sanctify the commitments we have made. Bless us on our way through this Lenten Season, to the cross, and beyond. We pray in the name and in the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth. Amen
Commissioning (Responsive)
One: The joy of Jesus, welcomed into Jerusalem.
All: We leave this church with joy, ready to inspire joy
One: The pain of Jesus, rejected and abused, crucified.
All: We leave this church feeling the pain, ready to relieve deep hurt.
One: The hope of Jesus, who says, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”
All: We leave this church with hope, ready to create a climate of hope.
Choral Amen
#884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy” (x2)
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills will break forth before you;
there'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands!
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)
while you go out with joy.
Postlude “Hosanna” by Ellacombe
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (April 1 – April 7)
Sun. M & W 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Jr. Choir Practise 11:30 a.m. Lounge
M & P 12:00 noon Jane’s Office
Sunday School Mtg after worship Shalom Room
UCW after worship Youth Room
Tues. Prayer Shawl Min. 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
UCW Easter Bon. Par. 1:00 p.m. Memorial H.
Thurs. Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Friday Office Closed
Good Friday Service 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Next Week at Westminster (April 8 – April 14)
Sun. Easter Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
No Jr. Choir Practise
Tues. Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Board of Elders Mtg. 7:00 p.m. Lounge
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs. UCW – Electra 1:30 a.m. Lounge
Friendship Rosters: Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning. It is a helpful record of your worship presence and a way to share special concerns (ie. Prayer requests, name tag requests, etc.)
Congregational Life and Work Committee is appealing to you, the congregation. The freezer is empty. On Sunday mornings most of us enjoy snacks with our coffee. We are asking for donations of loaves, muffins, cookies and fruit bread (only suggestions). Bring baking to the church anytime and place items in the Auxiliary Kitchen freezer. Please mark your items for Sunday coffee and the current date. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah McOuat, Lil Iwanicki, Barb Grozell, Kim Sherring, Yvonne Hole or Marion Shand. Thanks to all of you.
Anyone wanting to use up left-over wool: We are helping the Girl Guides by knitting or crocheting squares to make blankets The blankets will be used in shelters and given to the homeless throughout Canada. For a pattern, please call Jane 526-5247.
The Senior Choir will be taking part in a community choir this evening at 7:00 p.m. at St.John’s Presbyterian Church. You are welcome to attend.
Peace United Church in Irvine would like to invite everyone to their Annual Ham & Sausage Supper. Sunday, April 1, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
The UCW will be holding their annual Easter program, featuring the “Easter Bonnet Parade” followed by Tea and Hot Cross Buns in the Hall on April 4th, at 1:00 p.m., all woman of the church are welcome. There will be no Square Circle meeting on the 4th. Next meeting in May. Edythe Hewitt will be meeting April 4th at 3 p.m. in the lounge.
Ladies Night Out, Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 p.m. We will meet at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church to walk the Labyrinth. Any questions, please call Jane.
Jesus Seminar on the Road: Jesus in the First & Twenty-first Centuries, Lecture, Friday April 27 at 7:30 p.m., and Workshops Saturday April 28 at 9:30 a.m. till 4 p.m., at All-Saints Anglican Church. For more information, please see poster on bulletin board by hall.
Canyon Camp: Registration forms and camp dates are posted on the bulletin board.
Camp Shagabee: Registration forms and camp dates are on the bulletin board. There are also summer job opportunities posted for this camp.
Celebrations This Week
Birthdays: Ken Taylor, Diane Minor, Charlie Thompson, Lorine Liebelt, Ken Playford, Danial Maier, Lesley Berg, Ruth Patrick, Derek Skogen, Corlaine Gardner.
Anniversaries: Marlon & Janice Crossiant, Brent & Jackie Carlson,
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Crowsnest Pass Pastoral Charge – Bill Irvine.
Sunday School Co-ordinator...... Tara Johnson
Greeters & Ushers................. Gordon & Anne Bruins, Bob & Marg Bildfell
Nursery Attendant....................... Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts............................... Ruth Patrick, Joyce Shannon,Charlene Andreas, Jackie Carlson
Elder-in-Charge......................... Alvin Cruickshank
Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 or Acts 10:34-43 John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12
Stewardship Thought For Today
In a Consumer society, good stewards may look like fools.
by Barbara Fullerton
Treasurer’s Report to March 31, 2007 by Al Pols
Our envelope offerings to date are $6,017.00 short of the budgeted amount. The Mission and Service amount is about $96 over target. We ask that you consider helping us improve the $6,017 shortfall especially as the lean summer months will soon be upon us.