Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

September 16, 2007

Baptism Sunday

When Jesus was criticized for eating and drinking with sinners, he replied that he had come to seek and to save the lost. He had come as a light to everyone. The church must learn and relearn the challenging, wonderful, affirming  truth – Jesus Christ came to preach to, receive, love, and welcome all persons.

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 “Soft Edged” by Christopher Norton

Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:      Come let us join together in community.  

All:        We come with stories of our faith, ready to share.   

One:      Come let us share with others.

All:        We come with open hearts.

One:      Come, let us show show our love.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

We gather in the morning of this new day. We are thankful for this time of being together with one another on our journey of learning. May we be conscious of the Devine Mystery within each of us.  May the windows of our souls be opened to work together in peace and harmony. Amen.

Hymn # 644 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” (vv. 1-3)

(During the hymn, those sharing in the baptism gather on the chancel.)

Sacrament of Baptism

Darcy Fox: On behalf of the Board of Westminster United Church, I present the following child for initiation into the body of Christ through Baptism:

Carter John Owen Richard

Son of

Clayton and Kathleen Patricia Richard

Baptism Vows

You come to this place bringing your child. You speak for him. His care and nurture is entrusted to you. You bring him here to commit both him and yourselves to a life of faith, a journey with ever new experiences and challenges.

Do you see the act of baptism as a symbol of our celebration of the life of your child, filled as he already is with the spirit of the Divine? If so, please say, “I do.”

   I do.

Do you believe that as we share the stories of life, yours, ours, those of your children and those of people of wisdom and faith who have gone before us, as we share those stories, we come to know the Divine more fully? If so, please say “I do.”

   I do.

Do you commit yourself and your child to a journey of the spirit with this community of faith, seeking to find and nurture the wholeness within yourself, your child and the world? If so, please say “I do.”

   I do.

Baptismal Promises of the Congregation (Please stand)

We gather at this font to celebrate the Spirit of Life that connects us all and through which we come to love ourselves, one another, and the whole of creation.

This font and the water in it, are our symbols of community and our common need for the refreshing waters of the Spirit.

Through water we are born, of water we are made, by water we are sustained. Each of you, whole and loved knows the need for support and care upon the spiritual journey. As these individuals gather to commit to the journey through baptism, let us pledge our care to them.

We stand as witnesses to the commitment these people make to   the journey of faith and pledge ourselves, through the symbol of    this water, to their love, support, and care as they discover the      ways that the Spirit unfolds for them.

(Please be seated)

Let us Pray

May we be thankful for the gift of life, and, within it, the gift of water.  Over its unshaped promise Spirit hovered at creation; by water comes the growth of the earth.  Through water the children of Israel were led to freedom; in the waters of the Jordan, Jesus, was baptised.  May this water be a sign for all of new life. Amen.

The water is poured.

The Baptism (All relatives and friends of Carter are asked to stand where they are seated in the pew).

Carter John Owen, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. You are baptised in the name of love: its beginning and its end, its commitment and its challenge, its peace and its power.”

People Respond:    “Amen”

Laying on of Hands

(The family and ministers place their hands on Carter to indicate the action of the Holy Spirit.)

Carter, “may the Spirit work within you, that being born of water and Spirit, you may be a faithful witness of Jesus.”

People Respond:  “Amen.”

The Declaration

In the name of Jesus, who was baptised as you are now, you are welcomed into the household of faith with joy and thanksgiving.

Hymn #644 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” (vv. 4-7)

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

In the rush of daily living may we continue to find time to be still. May we always try and see the good in every person and discover their skills and values of lasting worth. There are always people who are in need. May we be those who share our resources. As we continue to do these things were all following Jesus’ example…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

1 Timothy 1:12-17 From the Epistle Pg.260 

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 14 or Psalm 51:1-10 & From the Hebrew Scriptures – Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 or Exodus 32:7-14.

Hymn # 595 “We Are Pilgrims”

Luke 15:1-10 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 100

(Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

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

Reflection “Closer Than Somewhere Out There”

Hymn # 271 “There’s A Wideness”

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory  “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

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 # 641 “Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song” (vv.1, 2, 4)

Commissioning (One)

Choral Amen

# 298 “When You Walk From Here” x2

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 (September 16 – September 22)

Next Week at Westminster  (September 23 – Sept. 29)

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.)

Part 2 of “Living The Questions” will begin Wednesday, September 19^th at 7 p.m. in the lounge. 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 .

Congregational Life and Work Committee is appealing to you, the congregation. The freezer is near 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 it in the Auxiliary Kitchen freezer. Thank you.

Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up is Saturday, Sept. 22 @ 9:00 a.m.  Please see the neon blue poster on the bulletin board by Memorial

Hall for more info.

Treasurer’s Report to August 31, 2007

During the summer months we have fallen behind our budgeted amount on Envelope giving by about $15,500.  Thankfully, we have 62 members on PAR, and many folks whose contributions continued unabated during the lean summer months.  Please prayerfully consider the above shortfall during the remaining four months of our fiscal year.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Pete Hirsch, Andrew Maier, Janice Neigum, Joy Biko, Liz Fox, Evan Harrison, Rob Gardner, Bea Iverson.

Anniversaries: Al & Peggy Smith.

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are request for South Alberta Presbytery and its executive who meet this Wednesday in Coaldale.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers....................................... Wilbur & Grace Lemon,

............................................. Doug & Velma Pearson, Alice Felesky

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

Coffee Hosts............................................ Irene Fekete, Ruth Patrick

................................................................... Norm & Albina Jackson

Scripture Reader........................................................... Lenora Stein

Guest Musician……………………………Shauna Kohls-Walters

Elder-in-Charge......................................................... Albert Hoffarth

Next Week’s Readings from: Jeremiah 8:18 -9:1, or Amos 8:4-7, Psalm 14 or Psalm 113, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13.

Bible Study: Every Wednesday morning 9:30 to 11:00 in the nursery. Invitation to anyone interested in the lectionary readings used each Sunday. Regular attendance not necessary as each study is different.

Waterton Park United Church will be holding a dedication service

to celebrate the completion of their renovations. The service is to be held next Sunday, September 23, 2007, beginning at 3:30 p.m. with  a light lunch and celebration to follow.

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 in for 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. Please drop off your donations in the basket in Memorial hall and the delivery will be taken care of.

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Somewhere Out There,

From the film: An American Tail

Music: James Horner

Performed by Phillip Glasser (Fievel) & Betsy Cathcart (Tanya)

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight,

someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight.

Somewhere out there, someone's saying a prayer,

that we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there.

And even though I know how very far apart we are,

it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star.

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby,

it helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky.

Somewhere out there, if love can see us through,

then we'll be together, somewhere out there,

out where dreams come true.