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(Missing from photo: Barb Penton)
“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
March 23, 2008
Membership Sunday
The Easter story continues to be told in the words and deeds of the faithful. Mary started the procession. We are invited to continue it. When have you found yourself “named” and called by Christ? By whom might Easter’s gift and news be most needed—how might you or your faith community bear that witness?
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
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Easter is here.
All: Alleluia!
One: Hope is alive.
All: Alleluia!
One: Community is restored.
All: Alleluia!
One: Christ is risen.
All: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Worship comes alive, and resounds with joy and thanksgiving. The lonely find friends, and join in caring community. The dejected ones find peace, and celebrate enthusiastically. Good News is proclaimed, and breaks down all barriers. Amen.
Hymn # 166 “Joy Comes With The Dawn”
Conversation Time
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
We move from cruel cross to empty tomb; the routines of life have deadened us, but we believe that joy and creativity lie ahead. We have faced the harsh realities, but we believe that life will laugh and dance again. Injustice is no longer acceptable to us, and we believe the powerful ones will be confronted. Our faith has been marked by apathy, but we believe our spirits will sing as we go about continuing Christ’s work…(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
(Those sharing in the service of membership please join on the Chancel.)
Norma McLennan Bob Porter, Juanita Porter, Barbara Penton.
(Missing from photo: Barb Penton)
Membership Address
The Affirmations:
One: Norma, Bob, Juanita and Barbara, desiring the freedom of new life in Christ, I ask you before God and this congregation: Do you profess anew your faith in God your Creator, in Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, and in the Holy Spirit, God with us? And, as you make this affirmation, do you declare your intention to continue with the people of Westminster United Church as we seek the presence of God among us through worship, study and prayer together supporting this church with our gifts as we share in its mission to all people?
Answer: I do, God being my helper.
One: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are welcome to share the privileges and responsibilities of membership within Westminster Congregation.
Congregation (standing): As God has called us, we pledge to you our friendship, our help, and our prayers.
One: Let us pray:
All: Teach us, God to serve You as You deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to be spiritually vulnerable for you,
to be willing to “be” as well as willing to “do”,
to give gifts of our being without seeking a reward,
save that of knowing that we walk in your presence,
through Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh. Amen
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Acts 10:34-43; Jeremiah 31:1-6, –Colossians 3:1-4,& John 20:1-18.
Hymn # 157 “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
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)
Hymn # 586 “We Shall Go Out With Hope of Resurrection”
Commissioning (One)
Choral Amen
#884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy” (x2)
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 23 – March 29)
|
Sun. |
Easter Worship/Membership |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
No Jr. Choir |
|
|
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Meditation |
7:00 p.m. |
Nursery |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Fri. |
Youth Event |
7:00 p.m. |
Mem. Hall |
Next Week at Westminster (March 30 – April 5)
|
Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
No Jr. Choir |
|
|
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Meditation |
7:00 p.m. |
Nursery |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
M & O |
10:00 a.m. |
Jane’s Office |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
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.)
Annual Spring Clean-up, Friday, 3:00 p.m. and/or March 29th 9:00 a.m. until finish. Would appreciate you bringing your own tools and lots of muscles. Interested persons can phone Al Piotrowski at 527-3229.
On Friday, March 28th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. there will be a Youth Fun Night at the church. Let Jane know if you plan on attending.
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.
UCW will be holding a Spring Weekender Wear Fashion Show, April 4th @ 12:30 p.m. in the lounge. All women are welcome.
St. Andrews College Fundraising Event in South Alberta, Saturday, April 5th, 2008, McKillop United Church, Lethbridge (2329 – 15th Ave., South). Event begins at 5:30 p.m. Guest speaker: Rev. Lorne Calvert, $100.00/person. ($75.00 receipted donation to St. Andrew’s) Tickets: Available in church office.
Planned Giving – On April 6th Kathryn Hofley (Gift Planner for Prairie Region) will present a seminar on Planned Giving after the church service. All are invited to learn about what Planned Giving is and the types of gifts that can be made to Westminster United.
Beginning April 6th, and the first Sunday of every month, we will have a hymn sing before worship, starting at 10:15 a.m.
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.
Birthdays: Fred Riedmueller, Lana Blatz, Anna LeClair, Elnora Heine, Glen Grozell, Brooke Gardiner, Joyce Carlson.
Anniversaries: Daisy & Wayne Adams, Barb & Glen Grozell, Ernie & Jeanette Zollner-Mylymok.
Tulips are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in memory of Carol Pols from the Senior Choir.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of, Gunster & Ruth Bruins by Gordon & Anne Bruins & Families.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Redcliffe-Irvine Pastoral Charge Blaine Schaufele.
Sunday School Co-ordinators...................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers....................................................... UCW Electra Unit
Nursery Convenor....................................................... Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts............................................................... UCW Electra Unit
Scripture Reader.......................................................... Wally Bergstreser
Elder-in-Charge............................................................ Lesley Berg
Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 2:14a, 22-32, Psalm 16, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Generous people live expectantly, not holding
on too tightly, freeing their gifts for resurrection miracles that bring hope into the world.
Stewardship Seconds 2008
Board Summary March 12, 2008
WUC Spring Brunch will be May 11, 2008. An informational meeting will be held on Sun. April 6 following church for Planned Giving. The agenda for the board meetings will be distributed one week prior to the meeting. Committees are encouraged to submit items for the agenda. We welcome Gordon Schneider to the Board as our 12th Elder. Jennifer Oster will be the Board Rep. on the Congregational Life Committee.
Respectively Submitted by Lesley Berg, Bd Sec.