Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

October 21, 2007

God’s people are called to persistence in discipleship—persistence in prayer and meditation, proclaiming God’s word, and seeking justice. In the readings this week, the longing for justice and the coming of God’s reign are palpable. In such times, Jesus urges us to stand firm, with bold confidence that God will prevail.

 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:      In a world where many are hungry,     

All:        May we be truly thankful for the abundance we have.    

One:      In this part of the world where our harvests are usually plentiful,

All:        May we be truly thankful.

One:      We join here today to work toward bringing a change so all may be fed.

All:        We have been touched by the example of Jesus and we will be inspired to follow.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

May we be persistent in our endeavour to help those who have less than we do. May we show generosity in sharing what we have so no one goes hungry. May this be our prayer now and always so we can see change happening in our world. Amen.

Jr. Choir Sings “Joy For You and Me”

 Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

Divine Mystery, whose image lies in the hearts of all people, we live among peoples whose languages are different from our own, whose faiths are foreign to us, whose ways we may fail to understand. May we remember that we are all equal and embrace one another. May we recognise words of truth and things of beauty, and actions of love about us…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Genesis 32:22-31 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 38

            Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Jeremiah 31:27-34, From             the Psalms – Psalm 119:97-104 or Psalm 121 & From the Epistle  - 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.

Hymn # 642 “Be Thou My Vision”

Luke 18:1-8 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 103 (NRSV)

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

A Message: “Praying for Justice”

Hymn # 611 “Out of the Depths, O God, We Call To You”

Mission Moment: Barb Grozell

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

 Offertory

 Dedication #227 vs 2 “For the Fruit of All Creation”

In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done. 

In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done. 

In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,

In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 684 “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

Commissioning (One)

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

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

 This Week at Westminster (October 21 – October 27)

Next Week at Westminster  (October 28 – November 3)

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.)

The UCW will be serving chili and buns following today’s worship service. Please consider this luncheon a free will offering.  This is our fund-raiser for new card tables.

Bible Study: Every Wednesday morning 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 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.

Youth Fun Night (Grade 7-12) Come join us for a night of fun and games as Westminister and Fifth Avenue  Memorial churches join youth together in an evening of fun. On October 26, meet at Westminister from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. All youth welcome!

Emerging Spirit is a major outreach initiative of the United Church. It's Wondercafe website and provocative magazine ads have generated  more than a little public comment over the past year. Here's a chance to explore the Emerging Spirit program in a bit more detail. Next Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, you are invited to join several Medicine Hatters who have attended the Emerging Spirit training program and would like to share their learning at  Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. Contact David or Martha Gue (526-2226) for more information.

A Halloween Party will be taking place on Saturday October 27^th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Everyone is welcome. There will be games, pumpkin carving and snacks and a lot of fun. Kids and parents are encouraged to wear costumes, bring a pumpkin and a snack for the goodie table. Free for all. Any questions or if you can volunteer, please contact Jackie Schlenker at 526-6221 or Kim Hanson at 528-4970.

FALL SUPPER. Westminster United Church will be hosting our annual Fall Supper on Saturday, November 3^rd. Meal times will be at 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Ticket prices are: Adults - $10, Children 12 and under - $5, Families - $25. Tickets can be purchased in Memorial Hall following today’s service. If you can help, please indicate on the sign-up sheet in the hallway to Memorial Hall.

November 11^th  will be our Presbytery Pastoral Oversight Visit. South Alberta Presbytery has scheduled the triennial Pastoral Oversight Visit for Westminster United. It is the Presbytery’s responsibility to keep in touch with all Pastoral Charges through this visit every 3 years for support in times of struggle and to celebrate and encourage achievements. The visiting team will meet with all members of the Board at 7:00 p.m. and committees/congregation from our church at 8:00 p.m. – everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. The discussion will cover a wide range of topics including worship, sacraments, Christian development, leadership, resources, mission and outreach, stewardship & future planning and everyone’s input is valuable. Please mark this date on your calendar and plan on attending this important meeting.

Ladies, please consider yourselves personally invited to Western Women’s Conference 2007, at the Delta Lodge, Kananaskis, Alberta, November 2^nd – 4^th, 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: Thea Toogood, Kelly Sanders, Leota Steele, Marlon Croissant, Bob Bildfell, Joan Jantzie, Allison Scott, Glayds Leitch, John Fowler.

The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as James conducted the funeral services for Darrell Grant Mendryk, Amelia Widmer, and Christine MacKay.

 South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for South Alberta Japanese Pastoral Charge, and Aldeen McKay.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers ……………………………………   Clayton, Vicki, Jeffrey, Evan Gunn

………………………………………………… …Everett & Clara White and Don Lonson

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

Coffee Hosts ………………………………………………………Barb Grozell, Pat Evans,

…………………………………………………………………Sandra Plank, Adair Prouty

Scripture Reader ……………………………………………………………….Murray Bell

Cantor …………………………………………………………   …  ………Grace Alcock

Elder-in-Charge ……………………………………………  ……………….Doug Pearson

Next Week’s Readings from: Joel 2:23-32 or Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 or Sirach 35:12-17, Psalm 65 or Psalm 84:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 and Luke 18:9-14.

Board Report for October 9, 2007

The Church re-roofing is all completed including eave troughs. The UCW is planning to buy new card tables to replace the old. There was a discussion planning the details for the fall supper. The Presbytery Pastoral Oversight Visit will be happening November 11. This occurs once every three years. The Board encourages your participation in this event. You will be hearing more on this shortly.

Respectfully submitted,

Alvin Cruickshank, Board Chair