Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

Recovenanting Sunday & Sunday School Registration

September 9, 2007

“Easier said than done” is a phrase that can be said about many things, including loving God and following Jesus. On this recovenanting Sunday, we are asked to make a fresh commitment to journey together as the Whole People of God. Today’s passages help us to understand what that might mean for our lives.

 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 Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

 Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:       This is a new day.                                             

All:        Let us rejoice and be glad. 

One:       This day we join together in community.

All:        Let us be thankful for this community. Amen.

 Opening Prayer (Unison)

This is the first day of a new week. We celebrate the new life which is ours. We are thankful for this new season. We have laughed and played in the sunshine of summer. Now we turn to a time of change and harvest in our land. This is a new time in our lives. We have left our vacations behind us. We have returned to our classrooms and jobs, to new challenges and new joys. Let us rejoice in new beginnings. Amen.

Hymn #395 “Come In, Come In and Sit Down”

 To build a community, we must be ready to appreciate the gifts and talents of some very different persons. To build a community, we must be ready to listen to the deepest concerns of our friends. To build a community, we must be ready to listen to new truth and act courageously on what we hear. To build a community, we must be ready to follow the example of Jesus…(time for silent reflection) 

Conversation Time

One:     During the weeks of summer, people from this congregation have had many experiences. Today, we celebrate these experiences. As our congregation re-gathers for a new season, we bring new stories to share with others. Stories about our vacation time; whether that be playing outside; taking a trip; attending summer camp; visiting family & friends, to name only some of the things.

All:     Our lives are a journey filled with new experiences. As we grow in our faith, may we share our gifts with one another. May we help each other to learn and to love.

One:     As we gather together again, may we be blessed and guided into the days to come.

The Covenant

One:     Let us now make a covenant with each other…into this community we offer the gifts of music, shared by the musicians, choir director, choir & everyone  whose hearts sing of the joy of music that touches young and old.

All:      We promise to support you with love.

One:     Into this community we offer the gifts of those who  lead youth groups, mid-week programs or study groups; and everyone who travels in life and faith.

All: We promise to support you with love.

One:     Into this community we offer the gifts of those who give their time and wisdom by serving on committees that help make decisions about the life and witness for the church; those who offer their money for the work of the church; and everyone who offers their dreams and visions for how the church might be in the world today.

All:     We promise to support you with love.

One:     Into this community we offer the gifts of those who read and greet and make coffee; those who take care of our church building; those who look after and prepare the things we use in worship; and everyone who worships with us.

All:     We promise to support you with love.

One:     We also make covenant with each other, to make sure that in our community everyone is welcome and that no one is excluded, and everyone’s gifts are received with love.

All:     We promise to be loving, respectful and welcoming of all people.

Presentation of the Teachers

Statement of Purpose (One)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, each of us is called to ministry, and called to offer gifts as we are able. Today we recognize those in our midst who have heard the call to serve as teachers. Teaching and supporting the work of teaching are ministries of Christ among us. Those called to these ministries need our prayers and faithful support.

Covenant Questions and Promises (One)    

Teachers, you have answered your call. Will you seek to develop your gifts for teaching, and for sharing the Christian faith? Will you love and care for the students and participants in your group? Will you honour your commitment of time and talent? Will you also take seriously your role as a learner, studying the scriptures and teachings of our faith?

Teachers Respond:

Yes, we will. We have recognized a need in this congregation, and feel called to respond. We will teach – trusting in the Spirit to support and guide us; cherishing the faith and spiritual well-being of our students, relying upon this congregation to uphold us in this ministry.

One:     Students of all ages, as disciples of Jesus, will you do your best to learn together? Will you respect and help your teachers? Will you do your part to help make this church a place where all can learn and grow?

Students Respond: Yes, we will.

Congregational Pledge:

We remember the promise we make at baptism to provide Christian nurture and example for all. We celebrate the response of these teachers. We will be partners with them in the ministry of Jesus Christ. We will pray for them, and for the education ministry of our congregation. We pledge to be learners with studying the scriptures and the faith of our church. United in the Spirit, we are the Body of Christ.

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Jeremiah 18:1-11  From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 750

Jeremiah at the Potter’s House

     Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm     139:1-6, or Psalm 1 & From the Epistle Scriptures – Philemon 1-21.

 Anthem “Row Together to the Kingdom” by Pepper Chopin

 Luke 14:25-33 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 100

The Cost of Being a Disciple (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

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

 Message

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

 Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #544 “In Gratitude & Humble Trust” (tune 530)

In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today

to serve your cause and share your love with all along life’s way. 

O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son,

teach us to give ourselves each day until life’s work is done

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 639 “One More Step Along the World I Go”

Commissioning (One)

We are a people ready for adventure! We venture forth to risk life-giving experiences. We venture forth to challenge clear evidence of injustice. We venture forth to meet the needs of troubled loved ones. We venture forth with Christ’s example before us. We venture forth with God’s inner peace to secure us.

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 (September 9 – September 15)

Next Week at Westminster  (September 16 – September 22)

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.)

Anyone wishing infant Baptism or Membership Transfer, please call Jane.  Baptism and membership Sunday is September 16^th.

Prayer Shawl ministry will begin for the fall this Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Lounge.

The Medicine Hat Women's Shelter has been running at or near our full capacity of 18 women and children for many months now. We are finding the shelter in need of some essential items we provide to the women and children when they come into shelter.   Items needed are: women's pajamas (all sizes, including plus sizes),    children's pajamas (sizes 7 & up, boys and girls),  shampoo & conditioner (regular sized bottles please), body wash, hair spray, gels and mouse, hair brushes, ladies underwear (new) & bras. If anyone is able to help provide us with these items or if you have any questions, please call our office Monday-Friday before 4:30 p.m. at 527-8223.

Commune-I-Care call out will take place Sept. 9 - 15. These calls provide each family with regular opportunities to receive information and notices of coming activities or events and to allow families to give information regarding celebrations in their lives and provide information regarding possible needs they may have.

Part 2 of "Living The Questions" will begin Wednesday, September 19^th at 7 p.m. This is a reminder to those who participated in sessions 1-6 and an invitation to those who would like to take part in last 7 sessions. Please let James know if you plan to attend so material can be emailed to you or printed for you. jkfmx5@gmail.com .

A Choral Smile—Choir Positions Open.

Positions open in soprano, alto, tenor and bass. No others need apply. Physical Qualifications: Must be able to carry light musical notes part way across the sanctuary. Must have sufficient vision to see the director. Experience: No applications will be accepted from persons who have not sung, hummed, or whistled in the bathtub or shower at some time. Beginning Wage: Increased satisfaction and joy in the service of God. Fringe Benefits: Social Security. We promise you the security of social fellowship with other choir members. Hours: Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. & Sunday mornings. There is occasional opportunity for overtime. Retirement: Generally determined by the printed notes getting too small, the hymnal too heavy, notes too high, the sanctuary too hot or too cold, or the organist unable to play the notes you sing.  We are an equal opportunity employer!

Congregational Life and Work Committee is appealing to you, the congregation. The freezer is empty. On Sunday mornings most of us enjoy snacks with our coffee. We are asking for donations of loaves, muffins, cookies and fruit bread (only suggestions).  Bring baking to the church anytime and place items in the Auxiliary Kitchen freezer. Thank you.

Everyone is welcome to the 90^th Anniversary Celebration of Peace United Church, Sunday September 16, 2007, at Irvine.  Hymn sing at 10:30 – 11:00 a.m., Worship 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., fellowship 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and Lunch at 1:00 p.m.  Lunch is a hot potluck

Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up is Saturday, Sept. 15 @ 9:00 a.m. and part 2, Saturday, Sept. 22 @ 9:00 a.m.  Please see the neon blue poster on the bulletin board by Memorial Hall for more info.

Waterton Park United Church will be holding a dedication service to celebrate the completion of their renovations. The service is to be held on Sunday, September 23, 2007, beginning at 3:30 p.m. with a light lunch and celebration to follow.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Bertha Harrison, Matraca West, Al Pols, & Eleanor Townsend.

Anniversaries: Ernest & Eileen Marchand, Warren & Kim Hanson, Doug & Margaret Henderson.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning

in loving memory of,

Bob Patterson

by

Pat Connell & family

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for Fifth Avenue Memorial Pastoral Charge, Gary Goran & Gloria Angle.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Sunday School Co-ordinators......................................           Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................          Bob & Arleigh Marsh,

...................................................................................           Al & Marilyn Piotrowski

Nursery Convenor.......................................................           Tanya Hoffarth

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           John & Betty Sidlick

......................................................................            Wally & Vivian Bergstreser

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Donna Scharf

Elder-in-Charge............................................................           Ted Sherring

Next Week’s Readings from: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10.

By Pat Bourque and Ellinor Townend