Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

November 25, 2007

Reign of Christ Sunday completes the church year. The readings today give us a variety of pictures of who Jesus is—first born of creation, righteous king, one who suffers and yet reigns over the world, the one who comes to show us what God is like. As individuals and as the church, we are learning as we journey with God towards the full reign of Christ.

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 “Barcarolle” by N. Coste, Guitarists Brian Walters & Bill Frank

Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:      Come, let us be with each other:

All:        and let us remember the example of Christ is for  us.

One:      Come, let us celebrate each other:

All:        and rejoice with the spirit of Christ who walks with us in our streets.

One:      Come, let us share the dance of life together: 

All:        as Christ dances along with us.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

In this time together may we be open to the truth about Christ’s reign and be led deeper into what that means for us. May our hearts and minds be open to the stories of love, the words of life and vision that Christ taught us. Amen.

Hymn # 339 “When Morning Gilds the Skies”

 We celebrate the life which we have. We have experienced broken lives made whole, old wounds of alienation healed over, and tired spirits rejuvenated with new vision. May we be grateful for the purpose and possibilities that have been placed before us. There may have been times when doubt has overcome hope, cynicism has replaced dedication, the world’s values have captured us. May we let go of the past that we might move joyfully into a new future that points to love and justice…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)  

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Jeremiah 23:1-6 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 755

 Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are:  From the Psalms – Psalm 46 & From the Christian  Scriptures: Luke 1:68-79. & From the Epistle – Colossians 1:11-20.

Anthem “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”

Luke 23:33-43 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 114

(Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

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

Reflection: “For Reign of Christ Sunday”

Hymn # 330 “Jesus Shall Reign”

Mission Moment: Sandra Plank 

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory “Preludie” by A. Vivaldi, Guitarists Brian Walters & Bill Frank

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)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 213 “Rejoice, the Lord is King”

Commissioning (One)

Go from this place to proclaim the Love of Christ! Where abuse goes unchecked, proclaim peace; where suffering is found, proclaim a healing peace; where guilt drags people down, proclaim forgiveness, where wealth and privilege meet poverty and powerlessness; proclaim justice and fair sharing.

Choral Amen

 # 647 “Travel On, Travel On”

Travel on, travel on, there’s a spirit that is playing, the spirit plays like music every day.

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

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

 Postlude “Voluntary VI” by J. Stanley

 The Life And Work Of The Congregation

 This Week at Westminster  (November 25 – December 1)

Next Week at Westminster  (December 2 – December 8)

Thank-you to Brian Walters and Bill Frank for sharing their music with us this morning.

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, address changes, etc.)

Thank you to everyone that contributed to the success of the Silver Bell Poinsettia Tea.

If you have ordered name tags, please check the blue boxes under the stained glass window in the Narthex.

Christmas Outreach – During Advent we are, again, collecting Birthday bags for the Food Bank ~ cake mixes, icing, candles, balloons, etc. Also for the Homeless Shelter ~ warm socks & personal hygiene items ~ mitts, hats & gloves are also welcome.

There will be a Weekender Clothing Party  this afternoon  at 2:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.  UCW is raising money to help pay for the new “Tea Tables”. All are welcome.

An Evening of Singing with Cheryl and Bruce Harding tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. Suggested donation $10 or what you can afford.

This Saturday, December 1^st at 10:00 a.m. we will decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. Call Jane if you are available to help!

Salvation Army Kettles—We  are doing our outreach to help with the kettles on the following dates- Dec.1^st  and Dec. 4^that Division Ave Safeway and December 22^nd  at Sobeys. The times are from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. If you have two hours tovolunteer please call Donna at 526-1555.

The shared Blue Christmas Service will be hosted this year by Westminster United Church. Again we shall gather on the second Sunday of Advent, which is Sunday, December 9^th at 2:00 p.m.. Christmas can be a painful time for some.  You may be approaching this season without the company of loved family members or friends who have recently died.  The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation – all can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending.  We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. Our hope is that this service will provide an opportunity for such reflection.

St. John’s Presbyterian Church presents Music of the Christmas Season, ‘A Spiritual Concert’, Sunday, December 9^th at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at 504 – 2^nd Street S.E., Medicine Hat.  Come and enjoy the sounds of Christmas with local artists.

 Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Edith Mitchell, Orrin Hungerford, Bob Herring, Katelynn Hancock, Fran Cove, Pat McFarlane, Marg Laing

Anniversaries: Elmer & Gladys Schlenker

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of departed members  by Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit.

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers are requested for The Bissell Centre, Edmonton.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers ......................................................          Joy Biko, Fran Cove & Lil  Iwanicki

...................................................................................           Phyllis Schorr, Jean Pfeifer,       ..........................................................                                       Gladys Schlenker,

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           May Cooper, Mary Robertson, Grace Roth

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Yvonne Hole

Guest Musician............................................................           Shauna Kohls-Walters

Elder-in-Charge............................................................           Ray Yanke

Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44.