Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

September 30, 2007

Follow Jesus. This directive sounds so simple, but there are many “nitty-gritty” details that challenge our journey as disciples. The readings for today focus on our attitude towards wealth and poverty, and how we use our resources. The letter to Timothy warns against setting our hopes on uncertain riches, encouraging us rather to serve with a generous spirit.

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:      Travellers on the way, bring with you your burdens and  your joys.    

All:        Explorers of life, bring your stories to this place.

One:      Bent over with hurt, bring your brokenness here.

All:        We come here to meet and experience the Holy within  each of us.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

May we always be open to love, a love shaped by justice a love grounded in life, a love that transforms a love that speaks out, a love that is revealed in the life of Jesus. May we always be open to the love that may be revealed in our living. Amen.

Hymn #226 “For the Beauty of the Earth”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

May we be content with what we have, and question what we pursue. May we be aware if we weep too much for ourselves, if we find priority in the wrong things, if we hold on to those things which hurt others. May we be enabled to live within truth, to walk beside justice, to practise kindness, to seek out forgiveness, and to pursue love…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

1 Timothy 6:6-19 From the Epistles Pg. 263

False Teaching and True Riches

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Hebrew Scriptures Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 or Amos 6:1a, 4-7 & From the Psalms – Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 or Psalm 146.

Anthem “On Eagle’s Wings”

Luke 16:19-31 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 102

The Rich Man and Lazarus (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

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

The Message: “Us—Not Us.”

Hymn # 703 “In the Bulb There Is A Flower”

Mission Moment: Sean Wilkinson

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 #264 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

Commissioning (One)

May our hope be Spirit framed. May our choices be justice shaped. May our faith be truth inspired. May our journey be love breathed.

Choral Amen

#647 “Travel On, Travel On”

Travel on, travel on, there’s a spirit that is flowing, a spirit that is flowing night and day.

Travel on, travel on, with the spirit that is flowing, the spirit will be with us all the way.

Travel on, travel on, with the river that is flowing, the spirit will be with us all the way.

Postlude

This Week at Westminster (September 30 – October 6)

Next Week at Westminster (October 7 – October 13)

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.)

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

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 pyjamas (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.

UCW Executive will meet Sunday, October 7^th at 9:30 a.m. in Memorial Hall.

Square Circle UCW Unit will meet at 7:30 p.m. October 10^th at the home of Vera Henderson, #20 Begonia Court.

Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 10^th at the home of Gladys Schlenker, 146 Park Meadows Dr. SE at 2:00 p.m..

World Food Day Dinner, 5:30 p.m. October 17, 2007, St Patrick¹s Church Downstairs. Tickets:  Unisphere 529-2656. Proceeds to Canadian Food Grains Bank. See poster on bulletin board towards Memorial Hall.

2007 Banff Men’s Conference Oct 12 – 14, 2007 in beautiful Banff, Alberta. Theme speaker is Allan Saunders. Everyday is a new day and this year’s theme celebrates the new beginnings that each day brings. Check it out at: www.banffmen.org . For more information, contact Herb Klassen at hklassen@accesscomm.ca.  See blue brochures are available on bulletin board going into Memorial Hall.

Ladies, please consider yourselves personally invited to Western Women’s Conference 2007, at the Delta Lodge, Kananaskis, Alberta, November 2 – 4, 2007. Brochures are available on bulletin board going into Memorial Hall. Those wanting to go and wishing to car pool, call Anne at the office for more information.

Celebrations This Week

 Birthdays:   Connor Harrison, Nadine Schwengler, Lil Iwanicki, Harold Leitch, Warren Hanson, Elena Esteban.

Anniversaries: Ken & Bev Empey.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of my dad,G. W. (Pete) Findlay from Anne, Paul & Kent

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for Rolling Hills Pastoral Charge, and Ari Langstraat.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers....................... Brian, Cameron & Jocelyn Walters

...................................................................... Shauna Kohls-Walters

............................................. Rae Wahl, Adair Prouty, Boyd Alcock

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

Coffee Hosts.................................................... Jim & Janice Neigum

.......................................................... Doreen Lyon & Lorine Liebelt

Scripture Reader............................................................. Jim Neigum

Cantor........................................................................ Grace Alcock

Elder-in-Charge......................................................... Sarah McOuat

Next Week’s Readings from: Lamentations 1:1-6 or Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4, Lamentaitons 3:19-26 or Ps 137 or Psalm 37:1-9, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10.