Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

Remembrance Day, November 11, 2007

On this day in 1918 armistice was signed in what was then called the Great War.  By that point 9 million soldiers had died, millions had been wounded, and millions more returned home with horrors from the trenches encroaching on mind and soul.  Post-war despair and confusion battled with idealism and hope as people tried to sort out what had happened and what could be rebuilt.  Some of that same tension can be seen in the readings for today, readings of other times also struggle with what is lost and what is yet alive in God?

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:      Past struggles shape us.

All:        We are called to remember their impact.

One:      The heroism of ordinary men and women challenges us.

All:        We are called to honor their memory.

One:      The dark side of conflict influences us.

All:        We are called to recognize its power.

One:      The sacrifice of military personnel and civilians, humbles us.

All:        Greater love has no one than this, that one lays down one’s life for another.

Opening Prayer (Responsive)

One:      Giving without counting the cost -

All:        We come remembering those who gave up freedom, livelihood, even life, for their country and for their friends.

One:      Fighting for a just cause –

All:        We come alert to the needs of a hurting  world, aware of our choices to bring healing.

On:        Prepared to resist evil -

All:        We come knowing the darkness of greed, apathy  and self-interest, yet confident in the power of        loving light. Amen.

Hymn # 242 “Let All Things Now Living”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

Sometimes our words hurt and harm. Lives have been broken, communities turned against each other, and nations gone at war, because of hurtful words. Words can build, yet they can also destroy: truths twisted in self-interest, stories told based on gossip, rumours begun with no truth attached, because of hurtful words. How easy it is to destroy with words; religion twisted to suit a cause, terrorism joined for lack of debate, fear unfolded by narrow vision, because of hurtful words. Through this silence, let us name our fears, breaking the cycle, with honest words…(time for silent reflection) Amen.

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Haggai 1:15b—2:9 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 917

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Hebrew Scriptures Job 19:23—27a,   From the Psalms – Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 & From the Epistles     2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17.

 Anthem  “Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands”

 Luke 20:27-38 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 108

 (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

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

 Remembrance Reflection

Hymn # 581 “When We Are Living”

Mission Moment Sean Wilkinson

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory  “A Thursday in November”  Cam Lockerbie, Trumpeter

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)

A Prayer of Remembering and Hoping

Hymn # 586 “We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection”

Commissioning (Responsive)

One:     Remember the sacrifice, and pray for an end to war.

All:      We remember, and we will strive to foster peace.

One:     Remember the suffering, and pray that enemies will  be reconciled.

All:       We remember, and we will help to bring antagonists together.

One:      Remember the disturbed lives and terrorized person.

All       We remember, and we will give, to bring calm and security.

One:     Remember the hatred, and pray that love will replace it.

All:     We remember, and we will banish the hate that  holds us bound.

Choral Amen

# 298 “When You Walk From Here”

When you walk from here, when you walk from here, walk with justice, walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.

Postlude

* At 11:00 a.m. we will observe two minutes of silence framed by the  playing of the “Last Post” and “Reveille” – The Trumpet is played today by Cam Lockerbie. *(as close to eleven as possible)

          The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster  (November 11 – November 17)

Next Week at Westminster  (November 18 – November 24)

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.)

Once again, Thank You to all who participated in the Fall Supper in any way. Your efforts allowed the dinner to realize a profit of $2,958.83 which includes what was gifted on Sunday at lunch.

Later today is 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 attend this important meeting.

Poinsettia Tea (Silver Bells), to be held on November 17^th  (this Saturday) 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. Men, please see the signup sheet on the bulletin board ☺

Membership Sunday will be next Sunday, November 18^th.  Anyone wishing to transfer membership or join by reaffirmation of faith please call Jane.

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. Donations appreciated.

Celebrations This Week

 Birthdays: Jean Pfeifer, Faith Buckholz, Alvin Paul, Kira Gerhardt, Brenda Denning, Linda Millington, Andrew Lofgren.

Anniversaries: Florence & Garnet Leech, Blake & Lisa Dykema, Orrin & Peggy Hungerford.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning

by

Ted & Kim Sherring

to honour the

Veterans from yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

 South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers are requested for Chaplains within the Canadian Armed Forces, especially Yvonne Mills.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................          Dale and Lenora Stein,

...................................................................................           Barb Grozell, Lil Iwanicki

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           Ken & Bev Empey,         ......................................................................                             Eileen Marchand

...................................................................................           Karen Knibbs

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Ted Clugston

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

Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 65:17-25 or Malachi 4:1-2a, Isaiah 12 or Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19. 

Financial Report to October 31, 2007. We thank you for your continued contributions to your church as we journey together in God’s love to discover, nurture and share our gifts. We are $13,600 behind in our General giving if we are to meet all budgeted expenses. However, historically we have not spent every cent that was budgeted. Our Mission & Service gifts are approximately $2,000 behind last year.  Please consider these shortfalls prayerfully as we near the end of the church year. With your continued faithful giving, we are confident that our church will end the year financially healthy.

Al Pols

Treasurer