“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
June 24, 2007
First Nations Sunday
There are times when life overwhelms us and we despair. What questions come to us in such “deep down” moments? God nourishes and sustains us when we allow quiet moments in God’s presence to heal and restore us. God sends us back to continue our discipleship in our daily lives. In God’s love, we find truth, promise, and hope.
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
Sharing Announcements
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: We open ourselves to the One who gave us life. We bring ourselves before God, our Creator.
All: We come to pray, we come to sing, and we come to dance for the Spirit of God has called us.
One: We come seeking insight, teaching, and hope for our community and our lives.
All: You, O God, are the centre of our circle. You are the centre of our lives. We enter into worship with grateful hearts.
God of all life, through the Elders we have been taught to walk in this world in a gentle way, always respecting the life you have given to the animal and the plant world, and respecting the ways of other human beings. We come this morning with respect in our hearts for all that is yours and all we will come in contact with today. Help us to share in a good way with each other and to know fully that you are with us in all we do. Meegwetch (Thank you).
Hymn: “Oh Lord My God”
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander, I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. R
Conversation Time
The Sunday School leaves for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
One: As we think of who we are on this First Nations Sunday, let us reflect on who we say we are as we share together A New Creed as found on the worship bulletin reverse… (A time for silent reflection).
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
What is love?
Anthem #229 “God of the Sparrow”
Approaching the Altar (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Hymn: #684 “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Mission Moment: Margaret Smith
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)
Hymn #808 “Psalm 91, On Eagle's Wings”
Commissioning (One)
Go now, as the Spirit of life has called you: to be a people of grace; to be a people of truth; to be a people who pursue peace; to be a people who forgive; to be a people who remember; to be a people who love; to be a people who honour others in the pursuit of right relations, and may God go with you.
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
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (June 24 – June30)
|
Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship |
10:25 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Ministry & Personnel |
12:00 |
Jane’s Office |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (July 1 – July 7)
|
Sun. |
Joint worship with FAM |
10:30 a.m. |
WUC 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.)
Westminster United Church is seeking a Music/Choir Director for the adult choir and to share in the music ministry at Westminster United Church. This position is from September 1 to June 30. Sealed resumes marked “Chair, Ministry & Personnel Committee” must be mailed or delivered to Westminster United Church, 101 - 6th St. SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 1G7 no later than July 3, 2007 or emailed to adair.prouty@gmail.com.
As Carol Henderson, our church custodian, prepares to explore new directions in her life, the job of Church Custodian (15 hours/wk) becomes available. Interested parties should share their interest with Ministry and Personnel committee through our chair Adair Prouty at 529-5234 or adair.prouty@gmail.com.
Thank you to Al
Piotrowski for organizing the painting of the downstairs hallway leading to
Adoption 2000. Thank you to all who came out to help Al on Friday.
It looks fabulous!
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.
Summer Worship Schedule: Again this summer the congregations of Fifth Avenue Memorial and Westminster United Churches shall gather in shared worship. The services in July will be held at WUC and begin at 10:30 a.m. The services in August will be held at FAM and begin at 10:00 a.m.
The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as James conducted the wedding ceremony for Kendra Lee and Richard Jaeger.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning
In memory of
Melvin F. Herter
March 3, 1937 to June 25, 1997
Lovingly remembered by Sonja and family
Celebrations This Week
Birthdays: Jade Spruyt, Corri-anne Rattai, Gordon Bruins, Bonnie Spruyt, John Robertson, Margaret Shirkie, Jocelyn Walters, Mary Skjenna, Mary Anne Hayward, Marlo Martin.
Anniversaries: Morgan & Andrea Judge, Norman & Violet Rud, Hector & Vi Schneider, Peter & Beatrice Hirsch, Ted & Kim Sherring, Brian Walters & Shauna Kohls-Walters.
July Celebrations
Birthdays: Derrick Adams, Kamara Adams, Boyd Alcock, Shanon Armstrong, Aidan Barrett, Shannon Bergstreser, Kayhlee Blatz, Sydney Blatz, Ethan Campbell, Jackie Carlson, Mina Carlson, Taylor Croissant, Frank Fekete, Irva Fleming, Laurel Gardner, Josie Hoffarth, Wilbur Lemon, Lydia Maier, Eileen Marchand, Trevor Nabe, Sandra Oancia, Rylee Rattai, Colleen Sherring, Florence Schafer, Hector Schneider, Dawn Skogen,
Margaret Smith, Lenora Stein, Betty Wudrich, Andy Wudrich.
Anniversaries: Boyd & Grace Alcock, Alex & Mary Becker, Stan & Pat Bohnet, Stuart & Theresa Hardiker, Sid & Maggie Harrison, Larry & Vera Henderson, Scott & Tara Johnson, Wilbur & Grace Lemon, Bob & Vicki McCaig, Todd & Darlene O’Reilly, Albert & Violet Park, Bill & Lorraine Scott.
August Celebrations
Birthdays: Ron Becker, Carol Bell, Debbie Bitz, Cheryl Carleton, Kate Cave, Clarke Croissant, Amanda Denning, Maude Dubeau, Pat Evans, James Farrell, Grayson Henderson, Marshall Henderson, Rose Hubbard, Mike Jantzie, Helen Lamb, Emilie LeClair, BJ Maddaford, Brittany Martinez, Bob McCaig, Mike McOuat, Sarah McOuat, Marion McNeill, Roz Medlicott, Bertha Mehrer, Eric Moll, Megan Moll, Olive Pringle, Shirley Riedmueller, Mary Robertson, Tim Sanders, Jessica Schnell, Joyce Shannon, John Sidlick, Lauren Toogood, Jim Wallace, Kim White, Hazel Yeast.
Anniversaries: James Farrell & Jane Clarke, Albert & Tanya Hoffarth, Gary & Linda Kinvig, Vern & Beth Miner, Jim & Janice Neigum, Ken & Bonnie Spruyt, Jim & Thea Toogood, Jim & Grace Wallace.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for St. Andrews College, Saskatoon, St. Stephen’s College, Edmonton.
Sunday School Co-ordinators......... Kim Hanson & Jackie Schlenker
Greeters & Ushers.................................... Barb Grozell, Lesley Berg
........................................................ Charlene Andreas, Linda Kinvig
Nursery Attendant..................................................... Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts.............................................. Larry & Vera Henderson
................................................................ Linda Kinvig, Jean Riggins
Scripture Reader........................................................... Linda Kinvig
Elder-in-Charge............................................................. John Sidlick
Stewardship Thought For Today
Stewardship is how we
“declare how much God has done for [us]”
after we are healed of the demons of consumerism.
by Barbara Fullerton