“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
April 13, 2008
God shepards by providing all that we need, which is not the same as all we may want. The good Shepard does not abandon us in times of suffering and danger. God stands with those who enter and dwell in such places. Even there, especially there, God leads us as a companion whose presence may still our fears. God’s steadfast love is trustworthy. Always.
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 (One)
Come into this place as you are: come as friend or stranger; come as seeker or teacher; come as old or young; come as lost or found; come as you are. You are a person who is loved and gives life as the Good Shepard does. Come as you are to worship, and be folded into green pastures.
In this place and time, we ought to feel welcomed. In this place and time we ought to be welcoming. May we be led by the Divine within to know how welcomed we truly are and in that knowledge courageously walk this journey of faith together. Amen.
Hymn # 226 “For the Beauty of the Earth”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Listen to this story of the early church; as a Christian community are we faithful? Do we study and participate in the community? Do we use our talents, do we share generously? Are we thankful and joyful, do we pass on the Good News enthusiastically?…(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 23 and from the Epistles – 1 Peter 2:19-25.
John 10:1-10 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 131
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Hymn # 344 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds”
Mission Moment: Sean Wilkinson
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,
and the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Hymn # 352 “I Danced in the Morning”
Commissioning (One)
As we go from here we go giving thanks, challenged to live justly, rejoicing that we have shared here with others and knowing peace within.
Choral Amen
#647 “Travel On, Travel On” vs 1
Travel on, travel on, there's a spirit that is flowing, a spirit that is flowing night and day.
Travel on, travel on, with the spirit that is flowing, the spirit will be with us all the way.
Travel on, travel on, with the river that is flowing, the spirit will be with us all the way.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
Next Week at Westminster (April 13 – April 19)
|
Sun. |
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
M & P |
12 noon |
Shalom Room |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practise |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (April 20 – April 26)
|
Sun. |
Trustees |
9:00 a.m. |
Shalom Room |
|
|
Worship/Volunteer/Appreciation Sunday |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Sings |
|
|
|
|
Sunday School Teachers Mtg. |
11:45 a.m. |
Youth Room |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Senior 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.)
There will be a Sunday school teachers meeting on April 20th after worship in the Youth Room.
Medicine Hat College Adult Choir with Joanne Collier, conductor, presents “Sunday Serenade”, Sunday April 27th at 2:30 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. Tickets at the Esplanade for $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
The Westminster Plant and Garage Sale will be held Saturday, May 10th. Items can be brought to the church on Friday, May 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We need your donations of goods; (no clothing or perishables or broken items, plants are welcome). 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. A successful sale depends on your donations. 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 opportunityto 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.
Birthdays: Juanita Porter, Shantele Smith, Howard Widmer, Albina Jackson, Kevin Carleton.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning by the Shand Family, In loving memory of Marion & In loving memory of, Milly Widmer by Lee Stephens .
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Pincher Creek Pastoral Charge (Fishburn-Marr, Mountain Mill) and the Rev. Brent Woodard.
Sunday School Co-ordinators...................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers....................................................... Doreen Lyon, Joyce Shannon
................................................................................... Marg & Alvin Mattson
Nursery Convenor....................................................... Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts............................................................... Elnora Heine, Marian Bauer
................................................................................... Dale & Lenora Stein
Scripture Reader.......................................................... Mina Carlson
Elder-in-Charge............................................................ Jennifer Oster
Next Week’s Readings from: John 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Stewards share God’s dream of a community of people who truly look after one another.
2008 Stewardship Seconds
Board Summary April 8, 2008
Our Presbytery representatives, Grace and Boyd Alcock, discussed their report of the last presbytery meeting. They will both be attending conference at the end of May in Sherwood Park. James shared that the Planned Giving presentation on April 6th led by Kathryn Hofley was well attended and a great opportunity to share and gather information. Westminster Spring brunch will be held this year on May 11. Watch for ticket and participation announcements. We still need volunteers to coordinate our weekly coffee hosts & greeters/ushers rosters. The board discussed these being shared positions. Ministry & Personnel shared that we are in the process of advertising the vacancy of a janitorial position. Property updated the board on many projects and are looking into costs and timelines for the same.
Respectfully submitted,
Lesley Berg