“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
May 18, 2008
Baptism & Membership Sunday
As a community shaped by an ongoing relationship with God, we celebrate the mystery of the many ways God is revealed to us as we live and grow together. What does it mean to you to be created in God’s image?
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: We gather today, people of all ages, to join together to pray, to sing, and to worship in community.
All: We gather to continue to learn more about how to live at peace in this world.
One: We gather to learn more about the people in this community of faith.
All: We come to share our faith stories.
The Spirit stirs within us. As it awakens in us we become aware of how we are connected to everything and everyone. The Spirit breathed into this planet in the beginning and we feel that Holy breath in our worship today. We feel joy and service within the faith community, may we use this time to be encouraged to build a better neighbourhood and world. Amen.
Hymn # 644 “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry” (vv. 1-3)
(During the hymn, those sharing in the baptism gather on the chancel.)
Darcy Fox: On behalf of the Board of Westminster United Church, I present the following children for initiation into the body of Christ through Baptism:
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Nash Andrew Anton, Son of Stacy and Kara Anton |
Gavin Vincent Stein, Son of Vincent and Nicole Stein |
You come to this place bringing your child. You speak for him. His care and nurture is entrusted to you. You bring him here to commit both him and yourselves to a life of faith, a journey with ever new experiences and challenges.
Do you see the act of baptism as a symbol of our celebration of the life of your child, filled as he already is with the spirit of the Divine? If so, please say, “I do.”
I do.
Do you believe that as we share the stories of life, yours, ours, those of our children and those of people of wisdom and faith who have gone before us, that we come to know the Divine more fully? If so, please say “I do.”
I do.
Do you commit yourself and your child to a journey of the spirit within the faith community, seeking to find and nurture the wholeness within yourself, your child and the world? If so, please say “I do.”
I do.
Baptismal Promises of the Congregation (Please stand)
We gather at this font to celebrate the Spirit of Life that connects us all and through which we come to love ourselves, one another, and the whole of creation.
This font and the water in it, are our symbols of community and symbols of our common need for the refreshing waters of the Spirit.
Through water we are born, of water we are made, by water we are sustained. Each of you, whole and loved knows the need for support and care upon the spiritual journey. As these individuals gather to commit to this journey through baptism, let us pledge our care to them.
We stand as witnesses to the commitment these people make to the journey of faith and pledge ourselves, through the symbol of this water, to their love, support, and care as they discover the ways that the Spirit unfolds for them. (Please be seated)
Let us Pray
May we be thankful for the gift of life and within it, the gift of water. Over its unshaped promise the Spirit hovered at creation; by water comes the growth of the earth. Through water the children of Israel were led to freedom; in the waters of the Jordan, Jesus, was baptised. May this water be a sign for all of new life. Amen.
The water is poured.
The Baptism (All relatives and friends of Nash and Gavin are asked to stand where they are seated in the pew when each is being baptised).
_______, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. You are baptised in the name of love: its beginning and its end, its commitment and its challenge, its peace and its power.”
People Respond: “Amen”
Laying on of Hands
(The family and minister place their hands on Nash and Gavin to indicate the action of the Holy Spirit.)
________, “may the Spirit work within you, that being born of water and Spirit, you may be a faithful witness of Jesus.”
People Respond: “Amen.”
The Declaration
In the name of Jesus, who was baptised as you are now, you are welcomed into the household of faith with joy and thanksgiving.
Hymn #644 “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry” (vv. 4-7)
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
We know the challenge of being a disciple of Jesus. We know that means to follow his example of love and justice. May we have the courage to uphold what we believe in. May we enjoy our participation in the life of the Church where we find friends and are supported by others so we may go out from here to make a difference…(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’slections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 8 & From the Epistle – 2 Corinthians 13:11-13.
Hymn # 248 “When Long Before Time”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
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 # 313 “God, Whose Almighty Word”
Commissioning (One)
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 18 – May 24)
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Sun. |
Trustees |
9:00 a.m. |
Shalom Room |
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Worship/Baptism/Membership |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
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No Jr. Choir Practise |
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Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
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Thurs. |
No. Senior Choir |
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Sat. |
Blossom Time Tea |
2:00 p.m. |
Hall/Kitchen |
Next Week at Westminster (May 25 – May 31)
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Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
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Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
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Jr. Choir Sings |
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Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
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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.)
The following books have been added to the Church Library: Mealtime Prayers by Mildred Tengbom; God for Beginners by Ralph Milton; A World of Faith by Carolyn Pogue; Home with a Heart by Dr. James Dobson; The Veil is Torn: Pentecost to the Destruction of Jerusalem (Vol. 1 of the series: The Christians: Their First Two Thousand years). For further information contact Jacquie Heard at 527-1090.
The Bulletin Folders Roster is on the peg board.
The garage sale for Mission and Service held on May 10th was a success. The current total is $912.33 with a few dollars to be added from items sold at the antique auction (May 25). Thank you to all the generous donors and to the many volunteers.
Westminster’s Blossom Time Tea & Bake Sale is this Saturday, May 24th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Admission is $3.50/person, come and bring a friend.
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.
Congregational Picnic & Sunday School Wind-up will be held following worship on June 1st. Theme: Hawaiian; come enjoy!
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.
Birthdays: Lorraine Scott, Garth Maier, Norman Rud, Jean Whiting, Don Lonson.
Anniversaries: Dawn & Claude Skogen, Judy & Doug Miller.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of, Shirley Bell by Jody Davison.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers are requested for the Fort MacLeod Pastoral Charge, Eramus Johannes VanZyl and Pastoral Charge Supervisor, Elizabeth Brown.
Sunday School Co-ordinators...................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers....................................................... Al & Marg Mattson
................................................................................... Pat Marshall, Betty Sidlick & Jean Whiting
Nursery Convenor.......................................................... Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts............................................................... Ken & Bev Empey
................................................................................... Grace Roth & Phyllis Schorr
Scripture Reader.......................................................... Lesley Berg
Elder-in-Charge............................................................ John Sidlick
Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 49:8-16a, Psalm 131, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34.
Stewardship Thought For Today
When we consider God’s creation, how will we use the portion loaned us for this lifetime?
By Stewardship Seconds 2008
Board Report for May 13, 2008.
The Pastoral Oversight Visit report was received with positive comments. A summary will be included in the 2008 Annual Report and is available through the office. Once all the technology is in place, the Sunday liturgy will be displayed on the screen. The Spring Brunch realized $673 and was a success. Thanks to all who donated and volunteered.
Respectively submitted, Lesley Berg, Board Secretary