Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

Pentecost Communion Celebration

May 11, 2008

Christian Family Sunday and Spring Brunch

On this Pentecost Sunday, celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit that blesses each child of God and all creation. This Spirit, which sustained Jesus in the wilderness as the Season of Lent began, makes possible our journey as disciples. The Spirit forms community from a variety of God’s gifts. What signs of God’s Spirit are growing more visible in your own life and in the life of your church?

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:      A breath in the stillness.

All:        The breath of God surprisingly stirs within us.

One:       A breeze to sway the treetops.

All:        The Spirit brings us together to strengthen the faith community.

One:       The strong wind sends the clouds flying.

All:       The Spirit sends us out with the strength of Christian justice; and the compassion of Christ’s              love.

One:      The force of the gale leaves nothing untouched, changing everything.

All:        With awe and wonder we rejoice, for we have allowed our Spirits to be awakened.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

We are people of the Spirit; we are different in personality, in background, in age, and in status, but we worship as one. We have different needs, different fears, different hopes, but we know that we are accepted. We are aware of crying injustice, unequal wealth, and loneliness, but we are determined to be workers for good. We are different in faith, in church background, in our spiritual lives, but we find inspiration in Jesus. Amen.

Hymn # 556 “Would You Bless Our Homes & Families”

Conversation Time

At times we shiver from the chill of a world frozen by disbelief. May we warm our hands of discipleship in the Spirit’s fire. Cringing from a world which abuses self giving, may we open our hearts to the vulnerability of new life. Puzzled by and perplexed by an ever-changing world, we page through stories of faith-walking saints. Together may we find peace…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

1 Corinthians 12:3-13 From the Epistles Pg. 215

Other lessons for your personal consideration are: Numbers  11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Acts 2:1-21 & John 7:37-39.

Anthem “I Carry You in My Heart”

John 20:19-23 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 146

Reflection for the Day

Hymn #375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #518 “As Those of Old Their First Fruits Brought” vs 3

With gratitude and humble trust we bring our best to you,

not just to serve your cause, but share your love with neighbours too.

O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your son,

help us to give ourselves each day until life’s work is done.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Hymn #469 “We Gather Here”

The Service of the Table

Invitation to the Service of the Table

Parthian, Mede, Elamite, and Judean; those from Capadocia, Pontus, Phrygia, and Pamphylia; peoples of Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian and Arctic oceans; First Nations, Immigrant, residents of Medicine Hat, friends of Westminster: the Spirit calls you to gather, to come by this place and meet.

Thanksgiving

This bread and wine lie silently on the table, harmless, still, gentle in the quiet of this place. Yet voices of every language have cried aloud because of it. Throats have been cleared in protests, inspired by its content. Proclamations roared in response to its message. Cries of anguish have been raised because of its consequences. Pain and distress result from its politics. We join the voices rising from the saints in every time and place; saying:

     Holy, holy, holy,

    God of power and might.

    Heaven and earth are full of your glory,

    Hosanna in the highest.

    Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God,

    Hosanna in the highest.

 The quietest of places now becomes the loudest message to the world. As we remember you breaking bread, spilling with destiny and light, by Spirit, surrounded by promise, as you ask us to eat and join together in the journey through death to life. We recall you, lifting the wine, alive with covenant, invested with eternity, as you invite us to experience and share. We do this, alive to your Spirit, full of mischief and intrigue, mystery and intent. As we gather, the story breaks open again for all the world. Send your Spirit to transform these ordinary elements of bread and the fruit of the vine into agents of your presence in our lives, that they may nourish us, and challenge us to be the body of Christ in our world.  This, we pray, in the name of the same Jesus who imaged you as Father and taught us to pray by saying…

 (Distribution of the Elements.)

Prayer After Communion (Unison)

Spirit God, from this meal, awaken the promise gathered. Envelop this holy space endowed in love, and allow this sacred moment to unnerve the world through our involvement with heaven. Amen.

Commissioning (One)

In the power of the Spirit, nothing is impossible! With the Spirit we can find fulfillment, and live faithfully.

Choral Amen

#964

Go now in peace, go now in peace. May the love of God surround you everywhere, everywhere you may go.

Postlude

          The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster (May 11 – May 17)

Next Week at Westminster  (May 18 – May 24)

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.)

Bulletin Folders Needed on Friday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. in the lounge. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board going into Memorial Hall.  Informal and fun gathering time for everyone.

Westminster’s Spring Brunch following worship. (Tickets available in the Hall directly following worship today). Brunch Tickets are: Adults $5, Children $3, Families $15.

Paint and Stain Party on the outside of the Sanctuary on Saturday, May 17^th at 10:00 a.m.  Phone Al Piotrowski at 527-3229 or Doug Pearson at 504-1938 for more information.

FAM Fair – Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, will hold their annual garage and rummage sale on Friday, May 30, 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 31, 9-2 p.m. Silent Auction, bake table and food will be available.

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.

Does anyone collect Canadian Tire money? If so, would you like to donate it to Camp Shagabec? Please drop off donations at the church office, knowing your donation will offset camp expenses.

Yesterday's Mission & Outreach garage sale was a great success. Thank you to all those who volunteered, contributed your time or donated goods. Thank you also to the Mission & Outreach committee for organizing this event for important mission needs.  

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Vicki Gunn, Sonja Herter, Clayton Richard, Evan Gardner, Donna McIntyre, Arleigh Marsh.

Anniversaries: Noel & Penita Schnell, Ed & Faith Buckholz, Dale & Lenora Stein.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of our mother & Granma, Carol Pols on Mother’s Day, love your family.  And  in loving memory of,Stella & Raymond Clark by Brenda, Sandra and family .

South Alberta Presbytery Your prayers are requested for Bow Slope Pastoral Charge and Ari Lanstraat.

 Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................           Don Lonson, Larry                   ....................................................................                             Henderson,

...................................................................................           John Hubbard, Boyd Alcock

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           Mother’s Day Brunch               ..................................................................... Committee

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Sean Wilkinson

Elder-in-Charge............................................................           Ted Sherring

Next Week’s Readings from: Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20.