“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
April 15, 2007
We continue to encounter the God who will be God in our lives and our world. In the midst of our own unfolding experiences of God, the church remains a community called by the Spirit to witness. When is it a challenge to “put first things first” in terms of your faith and convictions? What might people in your community learn of the “God who will be God” from the witness of your life and the life of your church?
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 “Dona Nobis Pacem” by Mozart
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Binding us into community,
All: The Spirit of Christ is among us!
One: Banishing our doubts,
All: The Spirit of Christ is among us!
One: Ending our fears,
All: The Spirit of Christ is among us!
One: Bringing us hope,
All: The Spirit of Christ is among us!
We have not seen Jesus, but we believe! We believe he welcomes our questions and our doubts. We believe he calls us to create accepting communities. We believe he encourages us to act justly and to promote healing. We believe; he inspires us to spread the life-giving Good News wherever we go. Amen.
Hymn # 605 “Jesus, Teacher, Brave and Bold”
Conversation Time
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Composer of the galaxies and of our world. When we fail to honor your creation, when we fail to create harmony, when our words and actions are out of tune with your world, when we fail to practise compassion, when our discipleship does not resonate with your love, may we be forgiven. . . (A time for silent reflection)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150 & From the Christian Scriptures – Revelation 1:4-8.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Hymn # 359 “He Came Singing Love”
Mission Moment: Sean Wilkinson
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory “Prayer” by C. Kohlmann
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 # 187 “The Spring Has Come”
Commissioning (One)
We leave this church, with songs of new life on our lips, with a message of hope in our hearts, with determination to serve on our minds, with the love of Jesus Christ binding us together in faith community.
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 “Rejoice In The Light” by C. Kern
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (April 15 - April 21)
Sun. Trustees Mtg. 9:00 a.m. Shalom Room
Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
No Jr. Choir Practise
Tues. Prayer Shawl Min. 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adopt 2000
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs. Sr Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Ladies Night Out 7:00 p.m. 5thAveMem.
Friday Friday Night at Movies 7:00 p.m. Lounge
Next Week at Westminster (April 22- April 28)
Sun. C. D. Mtg. 9:00 a.m. Lounge
Worship 10:25 a.m. Sanctuary
Jr. Choir Practise 1:30 a.m. Lounge
Tues.Prayer Shawl Min. 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Meditation Group 7:00 p.m. Adoption 2000
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
Thurs.Sr Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
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.)
An update on the Screen Project: The screen and appropriate projector have been ordered. Their arrival is anticipated in the near future. Many thanks to everyone who has already contributed to the fund and at present, it would appear that our expenses should be able to be met from those gifts. As installation advances everyone will be made aware of the progress. Thanks for your patience.
Baptism Sunday will be tentatively May 13th. Anyone wishing baptism please call Jane at the office before April 29th.
Ladies Night Out, Thursday, April 19th 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, 7 p.m. in the Lounge. Duma is 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. Thisfilm 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.
Westminster Plant & Garage Sale – Saturday May 26th. Please select items to donate to the sale (no clothing or perishables, plant donations are welcome). Remember all income goes to the Mission & Outreach programs. We are counting on your donations for our success. Contact Linda Carney 527-7005.
Canyon Camp: Registration forms and camp dates are posted on the bulletin board.
Camp Shagabec: Registration forms and camp dates are on the bulletin board. There are also summer job opportunities posted for this camp.
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.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of our departed family members
By Vera and Larry Henderson
Birthdays: Albina Jackson, Kevin Carleton, Bert Hoogeveen
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Pincher Creek Pastoral Charge, Fishburn-Marr, Mountain Mill, Brent Woodard.
Sunday School Co-ordinator............................................................
Greeters & Ushers............................................ Sandra Plank, Murray Bell,
...................................................... ................Norman and Albina Jackson
Nursery Attendant..................................................... .........Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts............................................ ...................The Mattson Family
Scripture Reader....................................................... Anna Marie Hancock
Elder-in-Charge............................................................... ...Albert Hoffarth
Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalm 30, Revelations 5:11-14, John 21:1-19
Stewardship Thought For Today
Generosity is about forgiving, feeding and loving.
by Barbara Fullerton
April 10th Board Summary
Ten persons including James & Jane were in attendance. As both Chair and Vice Chair were unable to be present, James chaired the meeting. We discussed updated information about the Sanctuary screen project; the board committed the proceeds of one third of the good will offering received on Sundays during coffee time to the Champion centre hot dinner program (the Congregational Life committee and the UCW are also recipients of one third and use those gifts to provide coffee and goodies for gatherings in the church hall). The Spring Brunch (May 13th) was discussed and Ted Sherring, Norm Jackson & Doug Pearson volunteered to be the co-ordinators for this year and they are looking forward to help from other Board members and the congregation in general.
Respectfully submitted by James Farrell for the Chair