“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
April 20, 2008
Volunteer Appreciation Sunday
In word and deed and character, Jesus shows us God. In that revealing, Jesus assures us we have a safe place with God. That promise remains secure in times of joyous presence and of troubled absence. Such hope takes shape in the psalmist’s trust of God as rock and fortress, and in Stephen’s dying graciousness. This is the way, and the One, we follow.
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: As the darkness of night makes way for the dawn of a new morning,
All: as the dreams of our sleeping are folded into the activity of our waking,
One: as the hopes for our living are made known in the presence of families and friends,
All: so may this time of worship be a time to strengthen, to bless, to comfort, and to prepare us for life’s joys and struggles in the world. Amen.
We follow Jesus example: the challenging way discovered by the disciples, the way made glorious by the saints, the way we follow. The truthful way that has stood the test of time that has empowered and encouraged, the truth we make our own. Jesus showed us how to live the life that combines commitment with adventure, the life that is wholly satisfying, the life we have chosen. Amen.
Jr. Choir Sings "Without Seeing You"
Chorus: Without seeing you, we love you; without touching you we embrace; without knowing you we follow; without seeing you, we believe.
1. The sparrow will find a home near to you, O God; How happy we who dwell with you, forever in your house. (Chorus)
2. Forever we sing to you of your goodness, O God; Proclaiming to all the world, of your faithfulness and love. (Chorus)
3. For you are our shepherd, there is nothing that we need; green pastures will we find our rest, near the waters of peace? (Chorus)
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
When we are caught up in our own importance, may we have a vision of Peter, who was humbled in Pilate’s courtyard. When we are lacking in self-confidence, may we have a vision of the disciples in the Upper Room, revived when Jesus walked among them. When we will only see one point of view, may we have a vision of Saul on the Damascus Road, encountering Jesus, whose followers he persecuted. When our loyalty wavers, may we have the courage of Stephen, who knew what it was to have Jesus with him when he was being killed…(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 31:1-5, 15-16 & From the Epistles – 1 Peter 2:2-10.
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Hymn #686 “God of Grace & God of Glory”
Mission Moment: Anna Marie Hancock
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 #274 “Your Hand, O God, Has Guided”
Commissioning (One)
Choral Amen
#647 “Travel On, Travel On” vs 3
Travel on, travel on, there's a spirit that is playing,
the spirit plays like music every day.
Travel on, travel on, with the spirit that is playing,
the spirit will be with us all the way.
Travel on, travel on, with the music that is playing,
the spirit will be with us all the way.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This 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 |
Next Week at Westminster (April 27 – May 3)
|
Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship/Camp Sunday with the Selah Singers |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
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 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.)
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.
There will be a Sunday school teachers meeting today after worship in the Youth Room.
Westminster’s Spring Brunch will be held Sunday, May 11th following worship. (Tickets available in the hall following worship today, April 27th, and May 4th and from the office beginning April 22). Brunch Tickets are: Adults $5, Children $3, Families $15. There are helper sign-up sheets in the hallway leading to Memorial Hall.
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 are available at the Esplanade for $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
Unisphere presents: The MH Skateboarders, who will show pictures and tell of their experience in Nigeria, Wednesday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m. at Unisphere Global Resource Centre. Everyone welcome.
Medicine Hat Palliative Care is sponsoring a free evening public lecture: “Inspired By Hope”, Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lecture Theatre, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Guest speaker: Wendy Edey. Each of us can find the way to make our lives more vibrant by paying attention to what we know about hope. Come out to hear a practical presentation and the world from a hopeful perspective.
F.A.M. CHORAL CONCERT: “Billeting Needed” The award-winning University of Victoria Chamber Singers (current & alumni) on Sunday, May 4th at 3 p.m. are presenting a concert at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church (along with the Selah Singers) as part of a 3-week cross-Canada concert tour. Tickets are $10 and available at the door or in advance at Cafe Caprice. Host families are needed May 3rd & 4th (2 nights) for the 30+ singers. Please contact Mark or Pat Ward (527-5011) if you can assist.
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.
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.
Camp Shagabec: Registration forms and camp dates are on the bulletin board. There are also summer job opportunities available for this camp. Applications for these opportunities are available in the office.
Birthdays: Judy Herring, Kennedy Blatz, Dorothy Wilkinson, Joan Kajewski, Jaxon Franz & Vi Schneider.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of husband, Ed Heine by wife Elnora & daughters Debra and Sharon & their families.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers are requested this week for Empress Pastoral Charge, and Pastoral Charge Supervisor, Rev. Leroy Angle.
Sunday School Co-ordinators........................................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ Maureen Oster, Ruth Patrick
........................................................................................................ Clint Houston & Marg Laing
Nursery Convenor............................................................................ Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... Rae Wahl, Pat Marshall
........................................................................................................ Albina & Norman Jackson
Scripture Reader.............................................................................. Murray Bell
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Darcy Fox
Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:8-20, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Stewards care passionately, humbly, and graciously about God’s vision for the world.
Stewardship Seconds 2008