Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

March 30, 2008

Christ greets fearful disciples with the word of peace and the gift of Spirit. Easter joy results. Even Thomas’ doubt becomes faith’s stepping-stone rather than stumbling block. What kind of faith does God Seek? God seeks trust that witnesses to a living hope; joy that celebrates God, who opens paths that lead to life.

 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:      When doors were shut and the world was kept out,

All:        resurrection found the disciples.

One:      When the church gathers and the world waits outside,

All:        resurrection finds us.

One:      When fear grew and new questions were found,

All:        resurrection found the disciples.

One:      When faith leads us into new questions about life,

All:        resurrection finds us.

One:      When suffering remained and the city was hostile,

All:        resurrection found the disciples.

One:      When we gather with his followers in living worship,

All:        resurrection finds us.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

We bring our doubts and our questions. May we turn them into adventures. Let us create a moment of glory where we may experience resurrection from our fears. Amen.

Hymn # 173 “Thine Is The Glory”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

The Easter message is of fresh courage for the downhearted; we will no longer be bound by fear and anxiety. We will no longer place limits on our abilities and talents. We will no longer believe that loss and failure have the last word…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Acts 2:14a, 22-32 From the Epistle Pg. 151

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 16 & From the Epistle – 1 Peter 1:3-9, & From the Christian Scriptures John 20:19-31.

Anthem  “This Is The Day of Rejoicing”

Alternate Reading: “Let Us Have Laughter”

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

Reflection: “Laughter Is the Best Medicine”

Hymn # 624 “Give To Us Laughter”

Mission Moment: Joyce Carlson & Marilynn Piotrowski

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 # 182 “Stay With Us Through the Night”

Commissioning (One)

Let us create a faith community of hope; serve a faith community of compassion; work for a just faith community; strive for a faith community that looks and works beyond its own walls. Let us continue in community with joy and a sense of humour.

 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 30 – April 5)

Next Week at Westminster  (April 6 – April 12)

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.)

UCW will be holding a Spring Weekender Wear Fashion Show, April 4^th @ 12:30 p.m. in the lounge. All women are welcome.

St. Andrews College Fundraising Event in South Alberta, Saturday, April 5^th, 2008, McKillop United Church, Lethbridge (2329 – 15^th 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 6^th Giving is always a heart decision informed by the head. Come and listen to Kathryn Hofley (Gift Planner for Prairie Region). You’ll hear about wills, power-of-attorneys, living wills, and the eleven different ways you can use God’s gifts to make a Planned Gift to Westminster United Church!

St. John's Presbyterian Church is hosting a Choir Spring Sing on Sunday, April 6th at 7:00 P.M.  Come and hear the beautiful voices of Westminster United, Fifth Ave. Memorial United, Unity Lutheran, Riverside Presbyterian and St. John's Church choirs.  A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow the program.  EVERYONE WELCOME!

Beginning April 6^th, 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.

A reminder to support the United for Peace Campaign. As a community of faith, we are called to participate together with others in the struggle for the right to a just peace with dignity for all God’s people. The United Church of Canada is committed to pursuing peace. One expression of this commitment is the United for Peace Campaign. This is a 2 year campaign. Please find donation envelopes and brochures with more information about this project in the Narthex or on the ramp.

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:   Grace Alcock, Ron Scharf, Herb Frisch, Brian Walters, Ken Taylor, Diane Minor, Charlie Thompson, Lorine Liebelt, Ken Playford, Daniel Maier, Jamie Hancock.

Anniversaries: Anne & Garth Maier, Janice & Marlon Croissant, Brent & Jackie Carlson.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of our parents,from Elmer & Gladys Schlenker & Lawrence and Jean Pfeifer. 

South Alberta Presbytery

Yours prayers this week are requested for Crowsnest Pass Pastoral Charge Bill Irvine.

 Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................           Kim Sherring

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           The Mattson Family

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Ted Sherring

Elder-in-Charge............................................................           Gordon Bruins

Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35.

Stewardship Seconds 2008