Westminster United Church

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

 to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

May 25, 2008

The readings today proclaim that God cares for us and provides for our needs. The realm of God, which Matthew calls the “kingdom of heaven,” is now. We are formed by God’s ongoing and continual relationship with us. When we are distracted by the requirements and details of everyday living, Jesus invites us to entrust our lives to God’s Spirit and follow in God’s way.

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 “Sleeping Bells” by Danna

             “The Lotus Awakes” by McLean

Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:     We enter this worship, fragrant with the scents of God’s creation.

All:                  God, draw us closer to you.

One:     We enter this worship with our minds filled with the pictures of our lives.

All:                  God, draw us closer to you.

One:     We enter this worship with concerns on our hearts and tensions in our bodies.

All:                  God, draw us closer to you.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

God, we bring our sorrow and our laughing we bring our doubt and our faith. Help us to know your presence, so we may walk, roll, dance, crawl, wrestle, and rest inside our joy and our hard questions.

Jr. Choir Sings "Dance in the Circle"

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

God of joy and abundance, we bring to you our fears, our worries, and what we feel we have done wrong. Receive these concerns on our hearts and surround us with your goodness that we may trust in you and live more fully with one another…(time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Isaiah 49:8-16 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 713

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 131 & From the Epistle –  1 Corinthians 4:1-5.

Hymn # 624 “Give To Us Laughter”

Matthew 6:24-34 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 10

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

Reflection: “Living Free”

Hymn # 509 “I, The Lord of Sea & Sky”

Mission Moment: Karen Hauber

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory “Sarabanda in G-” by Zipoli

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)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn # 186 “Now The Green Blade Rises”

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 “Minuetto” by Scarlatti

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster (May 25 – May 31)

Next Week at Westminster (June 1 – June 7)

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 Bulletin Folders Roster is on the peg board by Memorial Hall.

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 1^st. Theme: Hawaiian; come enjoy!

Volunteers are required for clean-up following the picnic.

Square Circle UCW will meet at the Hats Restaurant at 5:30 p.m. on June 4. 

Shauna Kohls Walters, Ronelle Schaufele and Marie Grant, will be presenting a recital on Friday, June 6^th at 7:00 p.m. at Westminster United Church. Works by Bach, Schumann, Debussy and Brahms. Admission is by donation. Proceeds will go to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

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.

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.

For up-to-date information on relief aid for Burma and China and the United Church’s official response, please see www.united-church.ca or contact the Westminster church office.

The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as James conducted the funeral services for Carl Douglas Pearson, son of Doug & Velma Pearson and one of our congregational members, Joan Kajewski. We also lost Ed Buckholz, who was one of our long time attendees and a Canadian WWII veteran. Funeral is to be held at a later date.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays:       Violet Rud, Al Mattson, Samantha Henderson, Daisy Adams, Vicki McCaig, Breanna Gerhardt, Todd O’Reilly, Elmer Nieman.

Anniversaries: Anne & Dave Harris, Marg & Al Mattson.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning by UCW of Westminster.

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for Alberta and Northwest Conference Staff, Esp. Regional Development Officer Joel Den Haan.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................................           Carol & Murray Bell

...................................................................................           Jean Pfeifer, Gladys Schlenker

...................................................................................           Lil Iwanicki

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

Coffee Hosts...............................................................           Grace Roth, Phyllis Schorr

...................................................................................           May Cooper, Mary Robertson

Scripture Reader..........................................................           Yvonne Hole

Elder-in-Charge............................................................           Pat Evans

Next Week’s Readings from: Genesis 6:9-22, 7:24; 8:14-19, Psalm 46, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28, (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29.