Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

Epiphany

January 6, 2008

Communion/Food Bank Sunday

Wise ones and powerful ones ask “Where is the child?” for different ends. Epiphany, the name for the season we enter, comes from a Greek word that means “manifestation.” Epiphany celebrates the revelation of Christ to the world. It reveals God’s coming in unexpected places and people. It reveals that God’s coming is for all who would follow the light.

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:      People of the world, it is time to seek out the light in each of us.

All:        Arise, shine, for our light has come.

One:      People of Medicine Hat it is time to respond to the signs of hope.

All:        Arise, shine, for our light has come.

One:      People of Westminster it is time to revel in the mysteries of light.

All:        Arise, shine, for our light has come.

One:      It is time to worship in this place.

All:        Arise, shine, for our light has come.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

As we come to worship, may we see through the wrapping paper, the festive trees, and the glass ornaments, to see the Christ child among us, born as one of us. May we discover the child in all the epiphany moments of our lives and in our worshipping here; and may we share those moments with others. Amen.

Hymn # 82 “A Light is Gleaming”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School and Youth leave for their classes.

Sometimes we encounter things in life that cause us to feel less than thankful. Those times of troubles that shape and sharpen our patience, for doubts that let faith moments shine and for confusions that keep our lives from being rigid. For sufferings that help us share another’s grief, for conflict that helps us understand another point of view; for sorrows that join our hands to hope and for loneliness that leads us to community. For moments of vulnerability that waken us to the many blessings in our lives. For all these gifts that help us become more human and holy, we dare to be thankful…(silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Isaiah 60:1-6 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 59

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; From the Epistles: Ephesians 3:1-12

Anthem “When Heaven’s Bright with Mystery”

Matthew 2:1-12 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 4 (NRSV)

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

Reflection: “Who Are These Kings?”

Hymn # 87 “I Am the Light of the World”

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #79 “Arise, Your Light Is Come” vv 1-2

Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey,

show forth the glory of your God, which shines on you today.

Arise your light is come! Fling wide the prison door,

proclaim the captive’s liberty, good tidings to the poor.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

The Service of the Table

 An Epiphany Hymn – See back of Bulletin (tune #222)

 Invitation to the Table

   Our shared past and our hoped for future welcome you to the table of all our eternities. What we have been and what we will be meet here with the people who have their eye on something beyond this world and have tasted a mystery, a promise of what will be.  Welcome.  Your place is here. A place of birthing and rebirthing, of unlearning and relearning, of losing and finding ourselves again.

God’s place.

   A place of creation and imagination, where bread and wine become past and future, and a meal becomes the portal of the new realm.

God’s place.

   A deep down place where we come to our senses and touch the mystery again. 

God’s place.

   Most holy God, thank you for the gift of this new year and for the call to be your faithful people. You know our thoughts, you love us into being. You walk beside us and in your grace we are strengthened.

   With all your faithful people we dare to proclaim:

Holy, holy, holy are you, God of love and gentleness.

Thank you for Jesus the Christ, the supreme example of love at all costs, who proclaimed your word by the way he lived, through the words he spoke, in the        way he cared for others, even at personal risk.               For his life and teachings, we give thanks.  We remember how, on the very night in which one of his own betrayed him, he took bread, gave thanks, and broke the bread saying, “This is my body, which is broken for you.  When you eat of this, remember me.”   He also took the cup, passed it among his disciples, even to the one who betrayed him, and said, “This is a cup of new beginnings.  Whenever you drink it, remember me.”

   With all your faithful people, we dare to proclaim:

Holy, holy, holy are you, God of love and gentleness.

   God has blessed us upon our journey. God calls us into being and faithfully walks beside us. God cares for us and asks us to care for one another.

Let us Pray…

   One: Creator and Preserver of all humankind, we give you thanks for the gift of your son Jesus, in whose life we see love for all people.  We give thanks for the power of these ordinary elements, the bread and the cup, that refresh us and renew us in our faith.  In being set apart for this special use, we pray this bread and wine remind us that you transform our world through ordinary things and through the most ordinary of people even as we pray as Jesus imaged you as Father and taught us to pray by saying “Our Father…”

Empowered through your Spirit, we give you thanks.  Amen.

Sharing at God’s Table

 Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion (Unison)

Almighty God, we give thanks that at this table we have been reminded once again of your love for us.  Refreshed by the power of your Spirit, let us go now to strive for peace and live out your love in our homes, communities, work places, and world.  Amen.

Commissioning (One)

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

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

        This Week at Westminster (January 6 - 12)

Next Week at Westminster (January13 – January 19)

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.)

Meditation Group resumes this Tuesday, Jan. 8^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Adoption 2000 space.

Square Circle UCW supper meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9^th at 6:00 p.m. at the Callaghan Inn.

Christmas Decoration Removal will take place this Wednesday, Jan. 9^th at 10:00 a.m. Anyone who would like to help is very welcome.

Sunday School classes resume next Sunday, January 13, 2008.

Congregational Life and Work Committee is appealing to you, the congregation. The freezer is empty.  On Sunday mornings most of us enjoy snacks with our coffee. We are asking for donations of loaves, muffins, cookies and fruit bread (only suggestions).  Bring baking to the church anytime and place items in the Auxiliary Kitchen freezer. Thank you.

Your 2008 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex. The cost of the Observer is $14.00. When you pick up your envelopes, please check the number on your label with the envelope number to be sure they are the same. People on PAR were not issued envelopes and their number has been changed. Destroy your old unused envelopes. Thanks for your cooperation. – Al Pols

PAR Subscribers—If you wish to receive THE OBSERVER magazine, please pick up a donation envelope in the Narthex.

 Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 27.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Toni Carlson, Marilynn Piotrowski, Darcy Fox, Bea Hirsch, Reese Adams, Anne Maier, Stan Bohnet, Brent Carlson, Ernie Mylymok.

Anniversaries: Bill and Boo Thompson.

The ministry of Westminster and the United Church was shared as Rev. Blaine Schaufele conducted the funeral service for Paul Merrick on December 29, 2007 here at Westminster.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Sunday School Co-ordinator.....................    Jackie Schlenker,

..................................................................    Kim Hanson

Greeters/Ushers........................................    Stan & Pat Bohnet

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

Nursery Coordinator.................................    Tanya Hoffarth      

Coffee Hosts.............................................    Mattson Family

Scripture Reader.......................................    Boyd Alcock

Elder-in-Charge........................................    Gordon Bruins

Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17.