“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
April 8, 2007
The Easter story is the centre of Christian faith. Our lives orbit the mystery of Jesus alive and the tomb empty like the earth around the sun. In the Resurrection, the God of new things transforms reality and offers hope and life to all.
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 “Easter Morn” by E. Higgins
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Easter takes us by surprise, early in the morning. The obstacles we expect to face are removed. Where once death and despair laid locked in time, now the bright light of hope sprouts wings to fly from emptiness.
All: Where have you laid him?
One: When faced with a miracle, our first reflex is to run.
All: Be not afraid. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He is risen;he is not here: see the place where they laid him. But go your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see him.
One: Suddenly the realization dawns. It may rise as quietly as the sun creeping over the horizon, or it may explode like fireworks, painting the world with dazzle. We recognize the One who was dead as he comes to life in us.
All: Christ is risen, risen indeed! Alleluia!
One: And all who encounter the Risen One whether gently roused by the sunrise or surprised by the sudden burst of joy will join the Resurrection Procession one by one, slipping into step, some of us singing, some of us silently soaking it in, and all of us feeling like dancing!
All: Alleluia! Christ is risen, risen indeed!
Giver of new life, we come this morning with our alleluias, our banners and flowers and trumpets and song. We come to worship in beauty and in truth because we have faith that Jesus Christ is raised from the dead, because we have hope that the resurrection will enter into each of our lives and transform them, and because, through Christ’s spirit, we have come to love one another. Amen.
Hymn # 157 “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
Conversation Time
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
You bring us out from the tombs in which we have been buried.
From the tomb of apathy you bring us to action, from the tomb of
guilt you bring us to fresh start, from the tomb of uncaring you
bring us to compassion, from the tomb of self-focus you bring us
generosity, from the tomb of fear you bring us to faith.
(Time for silent reflection)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Isaiah 65:17-25 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 727
The New Creation
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 118:1-2,14-24 & From the Christian Scriptures -1 Corinthians 15:19-26 or Acts 10:34-43.
Luke 24:1-12 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 115
The Resurrection (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Hymn # 166 “Joy Comes With the Dawn”
Mission Moment Janice Neigum
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory “I Know That My Redeemer Livith” by Handel arr. Smith
Piano Tanya Hoffarth
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.
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Hymn # 586 “We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection”
Commissioning (Responsive)
One: The risen Spirit of Jesus is with us as we leave this church,
All: Renewing our worship, binding us in Christian community, encouraging us to use our varied gifts, calling us to stand up and be counted.
One: In the spirit of Christ, everything is possible!
All: Fear and death are defeated. Alleluia!
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 “The Strife Is O’er” arr. Wilson
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (April 8 – April 14)
Sun. Easter Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
No Jr. Choir Practice
Tues. Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Board of Elders Mtg 7:00 p.m. Lounge
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs. Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
UCW – Electra 1:30 a.m. Lounge
Next Week at Westminster (April 15 - April 21)
Sun. Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
No. Jr. Choir Practise
Tues. Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs. Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Ladies Night Out 7:00 p.m. 5th Ave Mem.
Friday Friday Night at Movies 7:00 p.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 nearly empty. On Sunday mornings many 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, Kim Sherring, or Yvonne Hole or call the church office. 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.
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.
Friday Night at the Movies: April 20, 7p.m. in the Lounge. A tale of a young boy's journey to return his pet cheetah to the wild, Duma is both a thrilling adventure and a moving tale about the power of love, set against the extraordinary landscape of Southern Africa. This film helps us to understand the great mysteries and tragedies of life, while still being entertaining. Popcorn will be provided, please bring your own beverages.
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.
Birthdays: Jaci Fox, Tanya Hoffarth, Claude Skogen, Shantele Smith, Howard Widmer
Anniversaries: Shantele and Troy Smith
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning by UCW and Senior Choir
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Duchess Pastoral charge, Yvonne Terry, Pastoral Charge Supervisor, George Edmonds, Educational Supervisor, Catherine Pace, Educational Consultant,
Jan Craig, & the Lay Supervision Team.
Sunday School Co-ordinator............................................................
Greeters & Ushers............................................ Stan and Pat Bohnet,
...................................................... Curt, Barb, Megan and Eric Moll
Nursery Attendant..................................................... Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts............................................ Barb Grozell, Grace Roth,
........................................................... Eilene Marchand, Jim Neigum
Scripture Reader........................................................... Barb Grozell
Elder-in-Charge............................................................... Darcy Fox
Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150, Revelations 1:4-8, John 20:19-31
Stewardship Thought For Today
Stewardship is about resurrected lives – running, weeping, letting go – for active, faithful action.
By Barbara Fullerton