Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

February 3, 2008

Holy work takes shape in ministry with those in our communities and outside our circles.  Holy work is shown by words and actions that wipe away tears, restore life, and testify when we open our lives to the Spirit and follow God’s leading. Holy work is done by those who see need and respond in Jesus’ example.

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 (One)

People of God, look around and see the faces of those we know and love— neighbours and friends, sisters and brothers—a community of kindred hearts. People of God, look around and see the faces of those we hardly know—strangers, visitors, forgotten friends—the ones who need an outstretched hand. People of God, look around and see all the images of God assembled here.  In me, in you, in each of us, God’s spirit shines for all to see.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Gracious One, we enter into your holy presence giving thanks and praising you. We come seeking transformation and renewal. Without you, we are not whole; we lack completeness.  Touch us in this time of worship, O God, that we may become your new creation, rooted in Christ and open to the Spirit.  Amen.

Hymn # 415 “God, We Praise You for the Morning”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

God of all creation, you love us into being, yet we often flee our rightful place in your creation.  We confess that we exploit the gifts you place around us, and dominate the richness of the natural order.  Forgive our greedy grasping. We confess our part in the devastation of our planet home, mirrored in the violence of cities, and the brokenness of hearts.  Forgive and restore us, O God. Nurturing God, remind us of other ways to live and of a place called home, where creation reflects your goodness and each thing lives in balance with all others. Come and find us, set us right again, and take us home…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Take comfort in the assurance that even those things that are hidden from memory, or are too deep for our words, are not beyond God’s forgiving love. God, who knows us completely, bestows pardon and peace.  Amen

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Exodus 24:12-18 from the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 86

       Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are:      From the Psalms:  Psalm 2 or Psalm 99, From the Christian scriptures:2     Peter 1:16-21.

Anthem  “I Feel the Spirit”

Matthew 17:1-9  From the Gospels (NRSV)

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

Reflection

Hymn # 376 “Spirit of the Living God”

Mission Moment: Marg McCulley

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #539 “God of All Good” vs 1.

God of all good, our gifts we bring to you,

Use them your holy purpose to fulfill;

Tokens of love and pledges brought anew

That our whole life is offered to your will

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 512 “Lord, You Gave the Great Commission”

Commissioning (Responsive)

One:  May we be both flexible and wise in our work.

All:   As we walk in hope together.

One:  May we spread stories of hope that change the world,

All:   As we talk in hope together.

One:  May we spread hope of peace on earth,

All:   As we love in hope together.

One:  Go in peace to love and serve the world.

All:   Amen.

Choral Amen

#649 “Walk with Me”

Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned where love shines through. Through.

Postlude

          The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster  (February 3 – February 9)

Next Week at Westminster (February 10 – February 16)

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.)

During this coming week, please call the Rev. Gary Goran at 526-2237 for emergent needs.

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.

Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit - Monthly meeting Wednesday, February 6th at 2:00 pm at home of May Cooper, 24 Violet Court, SE.

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.

St. Andrews College Fundraising Event in South Alberta, Saturday, April 5^th, 2008, McKillip United Church, Lethbridge (2329 – 15^th Ave., South). Event begins at 5:30 pm. Guest Speaker Rev. Lorne Calvert, $100.00/person. ($75.00 receipted donation to St. Andrew’s) Tickets: Available in church office.

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.

The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as Jane conducted the funeral service for Sharon Welling.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays:   Jim Neigum, Rob Henderson, Ken Empey, Holly Johnson, Samantha Richard, Mia Glasser, Alvin Cruickshank, Julie Contreras, Laurier LeClair, Kimberly Hanson.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of departed loved ones,Love Doreen Lyon

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................           Gordon & Anne Bruins

...................................................................................           Doug & Velma Pearson

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           Florence Leech Charlene   ................................................                                                 Andreas, Jackie Carlson, Alice Felesky

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Murray Bell

Elder-in-Charge............................................................           John Sidlick

Next Week’s Readings from: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11.

“Good stewards are like fishers who keep on fishing after a futile day and find their nets overflowing.”

Stewardship Seconds 2007