Westminster United Church

 

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

 

May 20, 2007

St. Andrew’s College, a theological school of the United Church of Canada, seeks to proclaim and embody Jesus Christ’s message of compassion, justice, and hope in a radically inclusive way by working in a prairie context, in partnership with others, to prepare persons for Christian leadership, ordered and lay.

If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.

 

We Gather To Worship God

Prelude

Sharing Announcements

 A Time of Greeting

 A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

 Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:      Christ has risen!

All:       Christ has risen indeed, Hallelujah!

One:      Leaving his disciples he promised the gift of the Spirit.

All:       We are the flowers who have bloomed from  that bulb.

One:      He asked that they work together to build a world of love and peace.

All:       We still struggle today to build that world.

One:      He left them, promising that he would come again.

All:       We wait with hope of resurrection his coming again in Glory.

      

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Mighty God, by your power you raised Jesus Christ to rule over us.  We praise you that he puts down tyrannies that threaten to destroy us, and unmasks powers that claim our allegiance.  We thank you that he alone commands our lives, and gives us freedom to love the world.  Glory to you for the gift of his life!  Glory to you for his saving death!  Glory to you for Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our risen Lord. Amen.      

Hymn    #365 “Jesus Loves Me”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

We Listen For God’s Word

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination 

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 209

Paul warns against immorality among the Corinthians. 

       Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are:       From the Psalms –         Psalm 97  &  From the Christian Scriptures – Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, Acts 16:16-34 

Anthem “Treasurer Each Moment” by  Joseph M. Martin

 John 17:20-26 From the Gospel Pg. 141

Jesus prays that they all may be one. (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

 One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 All:  Thanks be to God.

 Reflection: “The Bread Maker” 

Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance

 Merciful God, take my yeast.  Make me the person I was born to be, with true Christian love in my heart.  When I fall short, O God, Forgive me.  When I judge others for their failings, forgive me.  I want you in my life every day, not just Sunday.  I am truly sorry, and I humbly repent… (A time for silent reflection). 

Words of Assurance (One)  

Hymn # 266 “Amazing Grace” 

We Respond In Giving And Gratitude

Mission Moment:  An Appeal from St. Andrew’s College (Taylor) 

Our Church Tithes and Offerings 

Offertory   

Dedication #226 “For the Beauty of the Earth” (tune 81)

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies, God of all, to you we raise, these our gifts and thankful praise.  

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Take our offerings, O God, and make our giving a joyous song of praise, that its music may transform the hearts of the powerful, bringing unity and liberty to our world. Amen. 

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer 

Hymn # 896 “Blest Are They” 

Commissioning (One)

Friends, Sisters and Brothers in Christ, we have heard the Good News of the empty tomb.  Go from here with the blessing of the Risen Christ to love and serve others.  Christ has risen!  Christ has risen indeed!  Hallelujah! 

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

                                        This Week at Westminster (May 20  – May 26)

Sun.

Trustees Meeting

9:00 a.m.

Shalom Room

 

Christian Development

9:00 a.m.

Lounge

 

Worship

10:25 a.m.

Sanctuary

 

Jr. Choir Practise

11:30 a.m.

Lounge

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.

Sr. Choir Practise

7:00 p.m.

Sanctuary

 

                                        Next Week at Westminster (May 27  – June 2)

Sun.

Worship

10:25 a.m.

Sanctuary

 

Junior Choir Sings

 

 

Tues.

Mission & Outreach

11 :30 a.m.

Champion Ctr  Cafe

 

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.

Sr. Choir Practise

7:00 p.m.

Sanctuary

Sat.

Blossom Time Tea

2:00 p.m.

Mem. Hall

 

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.)

James is away on study leave in Montreal, returning on May 22nd

We are needing a Sunday School Co-ordinator. If you feel you would like to offer your gifts for this ministry, please call Jane or leave a message with Anne in the office.

The WUC Meditation Group has wrapped up their sessions for the spring/summer.  If you are interested in managing the chaos in your life, through various methods of Meditation, watch for a notice in mid-September of when we will reconvene.  New participants are always welcome. 

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. Please drop-off your items to Memorial Hall on May 25th between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Contact Linda Carney at 527-7005 if you are able to volunteer on May 25th to help with pricing or if you have any questions.  

You are invited to join us for the Celebration of Ministry Service,  At this service Jane will be recognized as a Lay Pastoral Minister. Saturday, May 26, 2007, 2:00 p.m., Robertson-Wesley United Church, 10209 123 Street, Edmonton. Reception to follow. There is no parking at the church, Shuttle buses will be available at these locations. Amiskwaciy Academy, 101 Airport Road: Shuttle departs: 12:45, 1:00, 1:15, 1:30 Shuttle returns: (15 minute intervals) 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Oliver School , 10227 118 Street: Shuttle departs: 12:55, 1:10, 1:25, 1:40 p.m. Shuttle Returns: (15 minute intervals) 4:05 to 5:35 p.m. Robertson-Wesley United Church, 10209 123 Street: Shuttle departs: (15 minute intervals) 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.  

Congregational Picnic is June 3rd. Hot dogs, veggies, fruit, freezies and beverages will be supplied.  Please bring chips or cookies. Races to follow outside.  

Square Circle UCW will have a supper meeting on June 6, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Alberta Room at the Callaghan Inn.  

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. 

 

Additional flowers in the Sanctuary this morning are in memory of Carol Pols.

 

The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community as Jane conducted the funeral services of Carol Pols and Josephine Barsness  this past week.  Our prayers are with the families.

 

Ministry was also extended into the community as Jane conducted a wedding for Michael Leismeister and Yvonne Thesen.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Garth Maier, Norman Rud, Jean Whiting, Don Lonson, Violet Rud, Al Mattson.

Anniversaries:  Doug & Judy Miller.

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for Fort MacLeod Pastoral Charge, Eramus Johannes VanZyl. Pastoral Charge Supervisor, Elizabeth Brown.

 

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers                Barb Grozell, Elnora Heine      

                                                    Al and Marg Mattson

Nursery Attendant                                  Tanya Hoffarth

Coffee Hosts                        Irene Fekete, May Cooper,

...........................................................           Rae Wahl      

 .....................................................    and  Karen Hauber

Scripture Reader                                Marilyn Piotrowski

Elder-in-Charge                                         Doug Pearson

  

Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 104:24-34,35b, Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17. (25-27)