Westminster United Church

“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

       April 22, 2007

Volunteer Appreciation Sunday 

Encountering Christ calls, restores, and commissions Christian community. The forms those encounters take may vary widely, but they all lead to renewal. For they remind us in whose presence we live and in whose name we serve. In what ways, and through what persons, have you encountered Jesus? What trust is required for you to risk changing, especially in your places of brokenness, so that God’s Spirit may work renewal and restoration? 

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 “Melody in G” by Ira Wilson

Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:     Saul came travelling,

All:      he had a job to do.

One:     Ananias went forgiving,

All:      he had a job to do.

One:     Many creatures came praising,

All:      they had a job to do.

One:     The disciples went fishing,

All:      they had a job to do.

One:     Jesus came calling,

All:      with a job for us to do.

One:     You and I answered Jesus’ call

All:      we have a job to do: Let us continue to serve with love.

Opening Prayer (Responsive)

One:     God, you call us from family life, from school, and from work.

All:      To the joy and inspiration of worship.

One:     God, you call us from concern about our world, and concern about ourselves,

All:      To the joy and inspiration of Jesus Christ, the peace-bringer.

One:     God, you call us from dwelling on our yesterdays, from dreading the future, from counting our losses,

All:      To the joy and inspiration of this supportive faith community.

One:     Bless our praise, bless our prayers, bless our reflections on your Word;

All:      That we may know new life in Jesus Christ, and bring new life to others.                                      Amen.

Hymn # 340 “Jesus, Friend of Little Children”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes. 

 One:     When we are caught up in our own importance.

All:      May we have a vision of Peter, who was humbled in Pilate’s courtyard.

One:     When we are lacking in self-confidence,

All:      May we have a vision of the disciples in the Upper Room, encouraged by the Risen Jesus.

One:     When we feel disheartened, and without hope,

All:      May we have a vision of disciples fishing on the lake, elated when Jesus brought success to them.

One:     When we can only see one point of view, when we are closed to new truth,

All:      May we have a vision of Saul on the Damascus Road, encountering Jesus whom he had persecuted…(A time for silent reflection). 

Assurance of Pardon (One)

 Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Acts 9:1-6 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 161

The Conversion of Saul

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 30 & From the Christian Scriptures – Revelation 5:11-14.

Anthem “My God Sees Me” by Parker and Lantz

John 21:1-19 From the Gospel Pg. 146

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Reflection “Pulling Together”

Hymn # 510 “We Have This Ministry”

Mission Moment: Barb Grozell 

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

 Offertory  “Take My Life and Let It Be” by Malan

 Dedication #538 “For the Gift of Creation”

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.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 600 “When I Needed a Neighbour”

Commissioning (Responsive)

One:   Find Jesus unexpectedly!

All:    We find him at the moment of greatest  aloneness.

One:    Find Jesus joyfully!

All:    We find him in the midst of a family celebration.

One:    Find Jesus gratefully!

All:     We find him when calm comes in the midst of crisis.

One:    Find Jesus in faith community!

All:   We find him as we work with others for justice and freedom.

Choral Amen

#964 “Go Now In Peace”

Go now in peace, go now in peace. May the love of God surround you everywhere, everywhere you may go.

 Postlude “Postlude in B Flat” by c. Rinck

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster (April 22- April 28)

Next Week at Westminster (April 29 –May 5)

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.

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.

Baptism Sunday will be tentatively May 13th. Anyone wishing baptism please call Jane at the office before April 29th.

Westminster’s Spring Brunch will be held Sunday, May 13^th. (Tickets available in the hall following worship and from the office during the week). Adults $5, Children $3, Families $15. There are helper’s sign-up sheets in the hallway leading to Memorial Hall.

Westminster Plant & Garage Sale – Saturday May 26^th. 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. Job Opportunity: A head cook and an assistant cook are needed. Both of these are paid positions, the head cook’s salary starting at $500/wk and the assistant cook $300/wk for a forty hour week.  Starting date is July 1. The camp is open until Sept. 8. This would be a great opportunity for partners to work together. If people cannot commit for the entire period, we would consider appointing for two separate week periods. We are still looking for Resource Staff (craft leaders, nature leaders, camp parents, etc.) These are unpaid positions which offer free room and board. Contact Leone Johannson 403-223-2710 or email: leonemj10@hotmail.com.

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.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Judy Herring, Kennedy Blatz, Dorothy Wilkinson, Joan Kajewski, Vi Schneider, Evan Gunn, Kenny Sanders, Gail Thompson, Edna Forsythe.

Anniversaries:  Darcy & Jaci Fox, Ralph & Grace Roth.

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for Empress Pastoral Charge.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Sunday School Co-ordinator............................................................

Greeters & Ushers........................................ Lil Iwanicki, Fran Cove

.............. Jean Pfeifer, Gladys Schlenker, Phyllis Schorr, May Cooper

Nursery Attendant..................................................... Tanya Hoffarth

Coffee Hosts................. Mary Robertson, Grace Roth, Phyllis Schorr

Scripture Reader............................................................. Lil Iwanicki

Elder-in-Charge...................................................... Norman Jackson

Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30.