Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

March 2, 2008

Lent IV

Rules and traditions intend to set helpful limits. Yet even the best-intentioned may be narrowly viewed so as to lose sight of what is needed: love. God sees and works beyond constricted perspectives so that opportunities to restore and anoint are not lost. Do we see and act that way? Or does fear of breaking with the old—or being open to the new—blind 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:      We are on a journey of faith.

All:        We travel with Jesus’ example as our guide.

One:      May we have patience on this journey.

All:        May we have the strength for our journey and uphold one another on this path.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

As we gather here may we find space enough to be gathered in love and to celebrate together. May we be aware of our inner Spirit in every act of love we welcome today. Amen.   

Hymn # 605 “Jesus, Teacher, Brave and Bold”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

May our eyes be open so we will be able to see the gifts and talents in ourselves, which others can see. May we enable others to see the gifts and talents in themselves, which we can see. May we be able to see the powerless in our neighbourhoods, and stand beside them. May we be able to see those struggling and fearful in our faith community, and give them compassionate support. May we be able to see those in our world denied basic necessities and freedom, and understand their suffering…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

1 Samuel 16:1-13 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 282

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 23 & From the Epistles –Ephesians 5:8-14.

Anthem “The King of Love”

John 9:1-41 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 130

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

The Message: "What Do You See?"

Hymn #371 “Open My Eyes, That I May See”

Mission Moment: Sandra Plank

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #219 “When All Your Mercies, O My God” vs 2

Ten thousand thousand precious gifts my daily thanks employ;

Nor is the least a cheerful heart that tastes those gifts with joy.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 79 “Arise, Your Light Is Come”

Commissioning (One)

Go forth, to transform existence, to bring consolation to the desperate, hope to the hungry and homeless, reconciliation to a community and world divided. And in Christ’s name, find a cause you can live for and a self you can live with.

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  (March 2 – March 8)

Next Week at Westminster  (March 9 – March 15)

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).

Today, the UCW will be serving Hamburger Soup following worship. Everyone is welcome. Free will offering.

If you have not renewed your subscription for the OBSERVER, please do so as the paperwork has to be mailed soon.  If you wish to receive the Observer it is $14 per year.  Please call Anne at the office, 526-5247 if you would like to subscribe.

Membership Sunday will be on March 23 (Easter Sunday).  Anyone wishing membership by transfer, reaffirmation or baptism please speak with James.

Square Circle UCW, will hold their next meeting March 5^th at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Helen Lamb. 

During Lent, Wednesday Noon Lunch, at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. 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.

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. The guest speaker from Africa is a partner of the United Church of Canada. For more information, or to reserve a seat, please contact Charlie Redpath at 527-6980.

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.

Please remember to “Spring Ahead” on Saturday night so we can gather together Sunday. Clocks go ahead one hour to reflect daylight savings time.

Saturday, March 15^th at 2:00 p.m. there will be Easter Egg decorating and an egg hunt at Westminster United Church.  Bring  hard-boiled eggs for you to decorate and a goodie to share.

You are invited to the Annual Palm Sunday Ham and Sausage Supper at Peace United Church, Irvine, on Sunday, March 16.  Supper served 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. ($10/adult, $5/child 5-12 yrs, 5 & under free).

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

Our spring garage sale is approaching May 10, 2008.  We would like you to think about any items for donation at this time only (no plants, food or clothes). If you would like to rent a table, please contact Linda 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.

The ministry of Westminster was extended into the community as Jane conducted the wedding of Rosalind Caskey and Jack Jenkins this past Friday. 

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays:   Lisa Jo Dykema, Carter Richard, Anne Bruins, Mildred Jex, Taylor Hanson, Janice Croissant, Norman Jackson.

Anniversaries:  Murray & Carol Bell.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of, Melvin Herter by  Sonja Herter & Family.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................           Ken & Bev Empey

...................................................................................           Mary & John Robertson

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           UCW Units

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Sean Wilkinson

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

Next Week’s Readings from: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45.

Stewardship Seconds 2008