Sunday, July 29, 2007 – 10:30 a.m.
A Combined Summer Service for
The United Churches of Medicine Hat.
Today’s worship leader is Rev. James Farrell
Prelude
Announcements—Time of Greeting
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Life is a series of questions, heard within the depth of being or sometimes shouted from the rooftops.
All: Each step ahead offers us choices and the road we walk stretches out into an unmarked future.
One: We are not as leaves blowing in the wind. We walk the way in faith and make our judgments as we go.
All: May we be guided toward truth and wisdom. Amen.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
Love and friendship, welcome us here. May we shed the worries of this day and the distractions of our lives. May we center on the truth of love. May we be strengthened in this time together that we may leave with the courage and confidence to be people of faith. May we find the energy of Martha and the focus of Mary, that we may be disciples who both know and live in love. Amen.
Prayer for Transformation (Unison)
Let us take this moment to pause, and think of those times when we were too busy for one another, and for ourselves. When we are too busy to notice the needs of others and ways in which we can be present with them. When we are too busy to stop what we are doing and help one another, or laugh with one another, or simply even notice one another. When life becomes overwhelming, and we do not even take time for our own needs, may we continue to learn to listen to the voice within our hearts, calling us back to centre our lives… (A time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
From the Christian Scriptures – Luke 10:38-42
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10 or Genesis 18:20-32, Psalm 85 or Psalm 138, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19).
Our Church Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free,
that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.
Prayer of Thanksgiving & Intercession & Lord’s Prayer
#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
Welcome to Westminster this morning.
Please join us for refreshments in Memorial Hall after worship.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Waterton United Church and Pastoral Charge Supervisor, George Ward.
Are you on PAR (Pre-arranged Remittances)? One monthly deduction for your church donations. It continues even if you are away. Applications can be filled out and put in 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 includes a canoe trip on Lakeland Provincial Park, August 3-6. For more information, see the bulletin board by Memorial Hall.
There will be a Congregational Meeting for the congregation of Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church following worship on August 12 to receive the report and recommendations from the Search Committee relative to the appointment of a half-time ministry person.
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 have been held at WUC. The services in August will be held at FAM and begin at 10:00 a.m.