Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

June 17, 2007

Christian Family Sunday

We encounter God’s grace-filled hospitality in our lives, amazed at God’s generous outpouring of forgiveness, salvation, and healing. We respond through our own ministries of hospitality, so that we may welcome and forgive others, thus extending the gift of God’s grace and empowering ministry. In what ways does our community of faith extend grace-filled hospitality to those whom Christ places in our midst?

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 “Selections” by Chris White

Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:      Life rises in our midst:

All:       sometimes hard-won life.

One:      It surprises us when it blossoms forth at unexpected times:

All:       and in unexpected places.

One:      It comes with power stronger than death:

All:       life born of faithfulness, life born of courage, life born of  God.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Surprising God, whose love leads us to new experience, may we be open to your presence among us and within. Let us sense your glory in the sights and sounds of this day.

Hymn: #82 “A Light Is Gleaming”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School leave for their classes.

 Look not at his divinity, but look, rather, at his freedom. Look not at the exaggerated tales of his power, but look, rather, at his infinite capacity to give himself away. Look not at the first-century mythology that surrounds him, but look, rather, at his courage to be, his ability to give, and the contagious quality of his love. Stop your frantic search! Be still and know that this is God: this love, this freedom, this life, this being; And when you are accepted, accept yourself; when you are forgiven, forgive yourself; when you are loved, love yourself. Grasp that Christpower and dare to be yourself! That is, I believe the pathway to God, the God whom I have encountered in the profoundly human Jesus. Shalom! “Christpower” by John Shelby Spong 

… (A time for silent reflection).

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

1 Kings 21:1-10, 15-21a From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 363

Naboth’s Vineyard

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 5:1-8 & From the Christian Scriptures – Galatians 2:15-21.

Anthem “Let Everything Praise God”

 Luke 7:36 – 8:3 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 86

Jesus at the Home of Simon the Pharisee (Inclusive Text)

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

 A Message

 Hymn: # 677 “O God of Every Nation” (tune #331)

Mission Moment:  Sean Wilkinson

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory  

Dedication #537 “Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands”

Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere, and some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share.  Because we love you and your work, our offering now we make:  be pleased to use it as your own, we ask for Jesus sake.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn: #509 “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”

Commissioning (One)

Choral Amen

#298 “When You Walk from Here”

When you walk from here, when you walk from here, walk with justice; walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.

Postlude

   This Week at Westminster (June 17 – June 23)

Next Week at Westminster (June 24 – June30)

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.)

Blessing of the Animals Service, this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in Central Park.  Bring your pet or a photo to this service of celebrating the divine which animals cause us to see.

Summer Worship Services shall be as follows: For the month of July joint services shall be here at Westminster starting at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. August worship services will be held at Fifth Avenue Memorial with worship beginning at 10 a.m..

If you feel you would like to offer your gifts for the ministry of Sunday School Teaching, we are still in need of four Sunday School Teachers. Please call Jane or leave a message with Anne in the office.

Are you on PAR (Pre-arranged Remittances)? One monthly deduction for your church givings. It continues even if you are away. Applications can be filled out and put on the collection plate with a void cheque or contact Donna Scharf at 526-1555.

“Adventures in Wilderness and Faith” for young adults ages 18 – 30 years. July 20 – 22, Camping and day hikes, Waterton National Park, and August 3 – 6, Canoe trip Lakeland Provincial Park.  For more information, and brochure, see bulletin board by Memorial Hall.

Ladies Night Summer Book Read:  “A Jest of God”, by Margaret Laurence. Enjoy the book over the summer, and join us in September for a discussion. There are multiple copies of the book available at the Public Library.

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.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Rev. Lowell Hubbard & daughter, sister-in-law & aunt, Betty Hull by Rose Hubbard & family

Celebrations This Week

 Birthdays: Sharon Clugston, Marlyn Baker, Tyler Schnell, Andrew Scott, Lawrence Pfeifer, Clare      Crews, Tom Pragnell, Murray Bell.

 Anniversaries:  Frank & Irene Fekete, Gordon & Maureen Oster.

 South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for First United Pastoral Charge, Elizabeth Brown.

 Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Sunday School Co-ordinator        Kim Hanson & Jackie Schlenker

Greeters & Ushers                      Dale & Lenora Stein, Irene Fekete

                                                                        Ron & Donna Scharf

Nursery Attendant                                                     Tanya Hoffarth

Coffee Hosts                                           Adair Prouty, Doreen Lyon,

                                                         Alice Felesky, Donna McIntyre

Scripture Reader                                                                   Joy Biko

Elder-in-Charge                                                           Norm Jackson

Next Week’s Readings from: 1 Kings 21:1-10, Psalm 5:1-8, Galtians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36-8:3.