Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

January 27, 2008

This Sunday:  Our 2008 Congregational Meeting

Following in God’s way is a journey that calls for choice and brings change. When Jesus calls ordinary fishers to follow, they choose to do so. Paul appeals to the church at Corinth to choose unity in Christ’s mission. As the call to follow in God’s way unfolds in our lives, such choice is ours each day.

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:      Jesus will not be defeated.

All:        In our moments of despair, he creates hope.

One:      The Spirit of Jesus gives us confidence for friendship.

All:        When we are alone, his memory encourages us towards community.

One:      Jesus is the strong foundation.     

All:        When our faith seems unfounded, his example enables us to trust.

One:      Jesus Spirit is our light in the darkness.

All:        When the journey fills us with fear, his Spirit  walks with us.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

This is the moment of community: community of those who profess their faith in Jesus Christ, in word and in compassionate work together. This is the moment of hope: hope for those in the midst of life’s storms, hope for those who feel the grip of despair, hope for those who fear the untried and the unknown. Amen.

Jr. Choir Sings

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

We are thankful that we have the example of Jesus to follow. May we be aware of the opportunities to bring closer to the kingdom of justice, love, and peace that Jesus proclaimed. Also, for the opportunity to learn, work, and worship with people of this faith community. May we be thankful for the resources and talents that are ours. May we continue to share our gifts with those poor in resources and opportunity…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Isaiah 9:1-4  From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 674

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 27:1,4-9 & From the Epistle – 1 Corinthians 1:10-18.

Hymn # 589 “Lord, Speak To Me”

Matthew 4:12-23 From the Christian Scriptures Pg.7

Reflection

Hymn # 600 “When I Needed a Neighbor”

Mission Moment: Anna Marie Hancock

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)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 581 “When We Are Living”

Commissioning (One)

As disciples let us follow Jesus, the hope of our calling. As disciples let us take the Way of Jesus seriously. As disciples let us speak of our faith with sensitivity. As disciples let us search out the needs that surround us. As disciples let us promote the just and generous sharing of basic human needs.

Choral Amen

#424 “May the God of Hope Go With Us” vs 1

May the God of hope go with us every day,

filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.

May the God of justice speed us on our way,

bringing light and hope to every land and race.

Praying, let us work for peace, singing, share our joy with all,

working for a world that's new, faithful when we hear Christ's call.

Postlude

        The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster (January 27 – February 2)

Next Week at Westminster  (February 3 – February 9)

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.)

The Upper Rooms are in. They are $1.00 because there is only one month left for this period.

The Annual Congregational Meeting is today beginning with a potluck lunch immediately following worship.  This is the time that we take to review the past year’s work, show our appreciation to those who contributed to that work and make plans for the coming year.

The Tuesday evening Meditation Group has moved their meeting location to the Nursery beginning Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Meeting times and dates will remain the same.

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

There will be a special UCW Executive Meeting on Tuesday, January 29^th at 1:30 p.m. in the Nursery.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be held at 5^th Avenue Memorial this year! Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. Come and celebrate Mardi Gras before Lent begins.

Hope & Healing After Suicide Support Group. This 9-week support group will provide you with an opportunity to explore and share your feelings with others who have also experienced a loss due to suicide.  Group will meet from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every Tuesday from February 5 to April 1, 2008.  There is a $5 registration fee. Call Heather or Debbie at Canadian mental Health Association 504-1811 to register.

You are invited to Kairos:  Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, on February 5, from 1 – 4 p.m., Unisphere Office (basement of Westminster Church). Speaker:  Ian Thomson, Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator for Kairos. Co-sponsored by some of the downtown churches and Unisphere.

You are invited to a Sweetheart Tea on February 9^th  from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. White elephants and bake table goods!

Lenten Study 2008: This year you are invited to participate in a study featuring Walter Brueggemann. Countering Pharaoh’s Production-Consumption Society Today. “It is a journey from slavery to covenant that we keep making over and over again…[because] Pharaoh has immense power always to draw us back to slavery.” The Study will begin February 13^th. You are asked to gather in the Lounge prepared to begin at 7 p.m.. This video study will run for 5 Wednesday evenings. Interested folks please speak to James so printed materials may be circulated to participants.

If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary to remember or celebrate a loved one or a special occasion, please sign beside the appropriate Sunday on the flower poster in the Narthex, or phone Sharon Clay at 527-5681.  The flowers will be ordered for you, and payment may be made to the UCW (via the office, Sharon, or Alice Felesky), before the end of the month.  The cost is $35.00. Following the service in which your flowers are used, you may choose to either take them home, or let Sharon know what you would like to have done with them.  Often the flowers have been delivered by Sharon to a shut-in or to a hospital patient from our congregation.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Larry Henderson, Melanie Rattai, Florence Gardner, Kristen Skogen, Danielle Skogen, Shirley Christian, Julie Brown.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning

in loving memory of

Beth Findlay

Love from

Anne, Paul & Kent

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................           Helen Lamb, Vera Henderson

...................................................................................           Beth Miner, Doreen Lyon,         ................................................                                                 Sharlene Andreas, Lesley Berg

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           UCW Square Circle

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Sharon Clay

Elder-in-Charge............................................................           Lesley Berg

Next Week’s Readings from: Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 2 or 99, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9.

“The greatest gift is love,

and love compels us to be generous.”