Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

November 4, 2007

Peace/Food Bank Sunday

Today is Peace Sunday—may we work together as contrasting colours. Let us join together across the divides of differences, bound together with loving connections, United together combining our strengths, Knit together in patterns of worship. Let us pull together demolishing our barriers, moulding us together retaining our personhood. May we cement ourselves together softening our bitterness, designing together to be communities of peace.

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: We come together on this Peace Sunday our hearts wide open with love.

All: We come ready to nourish our spirits and renew our commitment to peace.

One: We come together as peace bearers and peacemakers.

All: May we bear peace in our hearts and be peacemakers in our communities.

One: Come, let us celebrate the presence of the Holy within us, an unending source of peace and compassion.

All: We are called to pursue peace for the benefit of all creation.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Through the Elders we have been taught to walk in this world in a gentle way, always respecting the life you have given to the animal and the plant world, and respecting the ways of other human beings. We come this morning with respect in our hearts for all that we will come in contact with today. May we share in a good way with each other and to know fully that the creator is with us in all we do. Amen.

Hymn # 232 “Joyful, Joyful”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

How difficult it may be for us to be humble and caring. Sometimes we may forget the teachings of just and right relationships that we are to have with each other, as brothers, and sisters, in this land. At times we may forget that our responsibility carries from generation to generation for all those who are hurt and oppressed and denied their justice and peace. May we remain humble as we walk the road of life. May we find peace so that we might share peace that is genuine and real, and help others to know peace within. Spirit of life, let us walk the road of integrity back to the circle of life, where we will be truly joined by all our brothers and sisters…(time for silent reflection) Amen.

Prayer of Illumination

Micah 6:8 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 903

Romans 12:18-21 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 201

(Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

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

 Anthem  “Give Us Peace”

Reflection “United for Peace” Marilynn Piotrowski

                  “Peace Among 1^st Nations Peoples” Janice Neigum

                  “Middle East” Margaret Smith

Hymn # 598 “When Pain of the World”

Mission Moment: Karen Hauber

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

 Offertory

 Dedication # 538 “For the Gift of Creation”

For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,

and the gift of the Spirit by which we live,

we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.

May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

We lift up these gifts as symbols of our commitment to the ministry of peace with justice in our world. May these gifts work to challenge systems that exploit people and the larger community of creation. May these gifts nurture alternatives to hate, violence and abuse. May we continue to gift our world with creativity, commitment, and compassion as we live with love when we leave here today. Amen. Jennifer Watts

Prayer of Peace & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 713 “I See a New Heaven”

Commissioning (One)

May we strive to achieve the peace that cares for the wellbeing of the people; the peace that rebukes injustice and violence; the peace that seeks freedom for all; the peace that heals the hurts of the past; the peace that enables for today and releases the potential for tomorrow; the peace that is new life in Christ.

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  (November 4 – November 10)

Next Week at Westminster  (November 11 – November 17)

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.)

Sunday School Teachers – there will be a meeting on November 4, 2007 following worship in Youth Room.

Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit: Wednesday, November 7^th meeting at 2 p.m., at the home of Mary Robertson, 102 Connaught Drive SW..

Square Circle UCW Unit: Wednesday, November 7^th meeting will be held at the home of Velma Pearson at 7:30 p.m..

November 11^th  (next Sunday) will be our Presbytery Pastoral Oversight Visit. 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.

Poinsettia Tea (Silver Bells), to be held on November 17 at 2:00 p.m. The ladies of the UCW would like to invite any women of the church to participate in our tea. If you would like to donate baking for the bake sale table or help in any way please contact Yvonne at 504-1249.

There is a supply of Westminster Stationary Paper still available for the congregation.  They are handy for Christmas letters.  If you are interested, please see Barb Grozell in Memorial Hall during coffee, after worship on Sunday. Donations appreciated.

Thank You to all who participated in the Fall Supper in any way. Your contribution is to be celebrated!

Celebrations This Week

 Birthdays: Jason Hanson, Hilda Welling, Adrianna West, Heather Allen, Harvey & Mickey Staples, Ted Sherring.

Anniversaries: Julie & Larry Brown.

The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as James conducted the funeral service for Elvina Hehr and Jane conducted the funeral service for Elaine Dyck.

 South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for Cardston-Magrath Pastoral Charge and George and Rose Ward.

 Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers ……………………………………………………….Ralph and Lois Clarkson

…………………………………………………………….Gordon Schneider, Alvin Cruickshank,

………………………………………………………………………………….Ken & Bev Empey

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

Coffee Hosts ………………………………………………………………………Board Members

Scripture Reader ……………………………………………………………………….Lesley Berg

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

Next Week’s Readings from: Haggai 1:15b—2:9 or Job 19:23-27a, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98 or Psalm 17:1-9, Luke 20:27-38.