Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

February 24, 2008

Lent III

 Is God with us? Listen to these stories’ witness of water and word. Water flows from need to gift. Words shift from misunderstanding to revealing. The confluence of water and word in the Samaritan woman’s story witnesses to who Christ is and who we can be. Our need for living water is quenched by the God who is within us.

 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:      There is a time for everything in creation:    

All:        A time for light and a time for darkness,

One:      a time for sound and a time for silence.

All:        A time for action and a time for reflection,

One:      a time for others and a time for oneself.

All:        Now is the time to be aware of these times as we  uphold our connection to the Source of all life.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

We offer thanks for the opportunities we have to celebrate the Holy presentness in life this day. May we be surrounded with a very real sense of this presentness as we spend this time together. Amen.

Hymn #248 “When Long Before Time”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

May we have the ability to speak words that calm, with an attitude that encourages, and brings peace. May we have the ability to understand the reasons for disharmony, and the willingness to bring change. May we have the courage to follow where our conscience leads, and the patience to persevere. May we have the determination to learn and grow in faith, and to work with others to make clear the significance of Jesus for today…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Exodus 17:1-7 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 78

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 95 & From the Epistle Scriptures –Romans 5:1-11.

Anthem “In the Whisperings”

John 4:5-7, 9-15, 19-26, 39-42 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 122 (Inclusive Text)

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

Reflection

Hymn #703 “In the Bulb, There Is A Flower”

Mission Moment: Marilynn Piotrowski

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)

May these gifts be blessed and used as they are needed. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn #331 “The Church’s One Foundation”

Commissioning (One)

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.

Postlude

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster  (February 24 – March 1)

Next Week at Westminster  (March 2 – March 8)

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.)

Membership Sunday will be on March 16.  Anyone wishing transfer of membership or reaffirmation of faith please call James.

 During Lent, there will be “Soup and a Bun” lunches at noon on Wednesdays at St. Barnabas Church. The $5 fee will be donated to the Grandmothers of Africa who are looking after their orphaned grandchildren. Everyone is welcome to share lunch on Wednesday’s in February and March at St. Barnabas Church, 635 4^th St. S.E.

The UCW will be serving Hamburger Soup on Sunday, March 2^nd, following worship. Everyone is welcome. Free will offering.

 Food Grains Bank Dinner will be held this year on March 7, at 6.00 p.m. at the Chinook Village at 2801 -13th Ave SE. We have had a table donated, (seats eight) and if there is anyone interested in going, please let the office know. The guest speaker from Africa is a partner of the United Church of Canada.

 World Day of Prayer 2008, March 7^th, 7:00 p.m., St. Peter Lutheran Church, 758-8^th Street S.E., Medicine Hat.

 South Alberta Presbyterial Annual meeting, March 8^th, 9:45 a.m. registration, Brooks United Church 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 March 11 to May 6, 2008.  There is a $5 registration fee. Call Heather or Debbie at Canadian mental Health Association 504-1811 to register.

Meditation Group will be cancelled until March 18^th. (after the Lenten Study).

Our spring garage sale is approaching. This year the sale will be  May 10, 2008.  The Mission and Outreach Committee would like you to think about items for donation for the upcoming sale (no plants, food or clothes). If persons wish to rent a table to “staff” themselves, these tables will be on a “first come – first serve” basis. Income from the rental tables remains at the discretion of the renter.  Please contact Linda for further information at 527-7005.

Our church family is in need of two replacement volunteers; one to look after the co-ordination of greeters and ushers, and one to organize coffee hosts for Sunday mornings. These jobs give you an opportunity to get to know more of the congregation.  Greeters and ushers co-ordinator is needed immediately, and the coffee host co-ordinator is needed by this June. If either of these appeal to you, please call Anne at the office at 526-5247.

Earlier in February while James and Jane were away, Rev. Gary Goran conducted the funeral service of long-time member, Edith Clay here at Westminster. Our condolences and prayers go out to Sharon and Edith’s extended family.

Celebrations This Week

 Birthdays:   Chad Allen, Gordon Schneider, Harvey Staples, Joan Anderson, Paul Mehrer.

 Anniversaries: Norman and Albina Jackson.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of, Susan Hubbard by  Husband John, Mother-In-Law, Rose and families. 

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................           Carol & Murray Bell, Jean                                                                                                  Pfeifer Gladys Schlenker, Lil                                                                                                   Iwanicki, Fran Cove

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

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

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

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

Next Week’s Readings from: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1 -41.

Board Report for February 12, 2008.  Present:  James Farrell, Ray Yanke, Lesley Berg, Pat Evans, Doug Pearson, Darcy Fox, Jane Clarke, Dawn Skogen, Jennifer Oster, and Presbytery Reps, Grace and Boyd Alcock. Dawn Skogen and Jennifer Oster were welcomed to the Board. Grace and Boyd Alcock presented their report from the last Presbytery meeting. Property committee is looking into having the ceiling in the hall tested for presence of mold.  They are also looking into the feasibility of renovations for the ladies washroom adjacent Memorial Hall. 

Respectively Submitted,

Lesley Berg,

Board Secretary