Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

March 16, 2008

Palm/Passion Communion Sunday 

Local Food Needs Sunday

Today, on Palm Sunday, we shout our praises before quieting our voices to enter into the passion. This Holy Week, as we reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross, what words of praise and lament do you long to release from the depths of your heart?

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:           Gather with the crowds to await the coming of Jesus.

All:            We have taken his words to heart; we are moved by  his compassion.

One:           Rejoice with the disciples, that Jesus has courageously chosen to enter the city.

All:            We recognize the evil forces Jesus will encounter; we will stand with him.

One:           Cheer with the crowd, “Blessed is he who comes in God’s   name.”

All:             Blessed indeed! “Hosanna in the highest!”

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Hosanna, we wave our palms and sing our praise as we remember Jesus’ triumph entry into Jerusalem. May we sense the Spirit entering the heart of our worship this day giving us the strength to continue the journey which is ahead. Amen.

Hymn #124 “He Came Riding on a Donkey”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

One:      Palms waved, joyful shouts, Jesus royally acclaimed!

All:       May we strive for faithful enthusiasm.

One:      A towel and basin taken, a need seen clearly, the                                  disciples’ feet washed by Jesus.

All:        Let us serve the needy.

One:      Jesus at prayer, deeply troubled, needing his friends with                      him.

All:        May we not miss the opportunity to be at the right                    place and the right time.

One:      Jesus deeply wounded, yet deeply forgiving.

All:        May we be slow to judge and quick to forgive…(time               for silent reflection).

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Isaiah 50:4-9a From the Hebrew Scriptures pg. 714

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 31:9-16 or Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; From the Christian Scriptures – Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54; From the Epistle – Philippians 2:5-11 .

Anthem “On the Road to Jerusalem”

Matthew 21:1-11 From the Christian Scriptures pg. 31

Palm Sunday Reflection

Hymn #127 Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!”

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)

Companionship at the Table on the Journey

Hymn #402 “We Are One”

Our Palm Sunday Communion Litany

We thank you God, for in the beginning, you set the world on its course; you led your people into freedom, and gave them a way to walk in peace and justice.  And so we say with all who have travelled this road before.

Holy, holy, holy God, Power of life and love!

Heaven and earth are full of your glory!

Hosanna through the ages!

Blessed is the One who comes to bring your justice to the earth!

When we were lost, you came in Jesus, our companion and guide, who shows us your way and invites us to follow.  Before his last journey, to the cross and death, Jesus gathered his friends for supper, he took bread, and after giving thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to those who sat with him, saying:

“Take, eat.” 

“Do this in remembrance of me”.

In the same way he took the cup, saying:

“This cup is the new covenant”.

“Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”

Remembering your boundless love for us in Jesus Christ, we offer you our praise, as we proclaim the mystery of faith:  We remember Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who yet comes.  We pray to you, God of Love, send your Spirit on these gifts, food for the journey. Bless our way together, until we and all your creation arrive at the home you have prepared. Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, God most holy, now and forever. In you, with Jesus, we meet the one Jesus knew as ABBA and following his lead we pray…Our father…

Sharing of the Bread and the Cup

Prayer after Communion (unison)

We thank you God for your presence here at this table and for your companionship on all our journeys.  Sanctify the commitments we have made.  Bless us on our way through this Lenten Season, to the cross, and beyond.  We pray in the name and in the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth. Amen

Commissioning (Responsive)

One:      Let us go from this church with the sound of hosannas ringing in our ears.

All:        We will take heart; Jesus is honoured and accepted.

One:      The palms are waved, the sights of celebration are around us.

All:        We will rejoice.

One:      The disciples are in solidarity with Jesus.

All:        We are determined to strengthen our faith community.

Choral Amen

#884 You Shall Go Out With Joy

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;

the mountains and the hills will break forth before you;

there'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field

will clap, will clap their hands!

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)

the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)

the trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)

while you go out with joy.

 Postlude

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster  (March 16 – March 22)

Next Week at Westminster (March 23 – March 29)

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 23 (Next Sunday).  Anyone wishing membership by transfer, reaffirmation or baptism please speak with James.

Meditation Group will resume this Tuesday.

The UCW will be holding their annual Easter Program and Easter Bonnet Parade, followed by Tea and Hot Cross Buns in the Hall this Wednesday, at 1:00 p.m. All woman of the church are welcome.

Medicine Hat Friends of Medicare Inaugural Meeting Wednesday, 7:00 p.m., Veiner Centre:  See Poster on the bulletin board by the hall.

We will be decorating the sanctuary for Easter on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Everyone welcome!

People in the United Church are invited to turn off your lights for one hour at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, as part of the KAIROS Re-Energize: Time for a Carbon Sabbath campaign. This campaign is being carried out

in every time zone.

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 food or clothes, plants are welcome). If you would like to rent a table, please contact Linda at 527-7005.

Planned Giving – On April 6^th Kathryn Hofley (Gift Planner for Prairie Region) will present a seminar on planned giving after the church service. All are invited to learn about wills, power-of-attorney, living wills and creative ways to make a gift to Westminster United.

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 appeals to you, please call Anne at the office at 526-5247.

Canyon Church Camp: Camping Season is approaching. For more information, registration forms and camp dates are posted on the bulletin board for the Summer Program.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Lachlan Hardiker, Amber Countryman, Garrett Ramage, Trish Richard, Violet Park, Jean Jans.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of, Bill Lamb,By  Helen and family  & In loving memory of, father and grandfather, David Wartman, From Boyd & Grace Alcock and family.

 Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................           Lesley Berg, Barb Grozell,

...................................................................................           Adair Prouty

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           Sandra Plank, Donna Scharf,

...................................................................................           Jean Riggins, Janice Croissant

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Sandra Plank

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

Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 10:34-43,  or Jeremiah 31:1-6, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10.