“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
June 22, 2008
First Nations Day
There are times when life overwhelms us and we despair. What questions come to us in such “deep down” moments? God nourishes and sustains us when we allow quiet moments in God’s presence to heal and restore us. God sends us back to continue our discipleship in our daily lives. In God’s love, we find truth, promise, and hope.
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)
Opening Prayer (Responsive)
One: You are with us as we encourage each other to risk new paths, O God.
All: In the challenging times, your love is gracefully given and received.
One: You confront us with unforeseen opportunities, fresh avenues of service.
All: In the midst of self-doubt, and when we question our new motives, you secure us, O god.
One: You challenge us with a call to faithful discipleship, O God.
All: In the use of our best gifts and talents, your Realm comes closer.
One: You identify with the troubled and distressed, O God.
All As we are aware of the lowly and serve the needy, we are caring for Christ.
One: You are the Good News for our time, O God.
All: A note of hope amid the despair, a sense of truth when it seems that nothing can be trusted. Amen.
Hymn # 339 “When Morning Gilds the Skies”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
One: The community of faith welcomes newcomers and makes them feel at home.
All: Where our welcome is half-hearted or superficial, O God, forgive us.
One: The community of faith is sensitive to the youngest, sustains in times of hectic parenthood, and is there in
the challenging later years.
All: Where our care is unfeeling, or ignores the vulnerable, O God, forgive us.
One: The community of faith searches out the talents of members old and new.
All: Where we refuse to try out new skills, where we ignore offers to help or to take responsibility,
O God, forgive us.
One: The community of faith looks beyond its own fellowship to the wider church, and to the downtrodden
of other nations.
All: Where our service is short-sighted, and our giving limited to the needs of our own fellowship,
O God, forgive us.
One: The community of faith is not afraid to disclose new truth about the gospel, or listen to today’s prophets.
All: Where we cling to well-worn ways of interpreting scripture, and close our ears to new words of
justice, mercy, and peace, O God, forgive us.
…(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Genesis 21:18-21 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 23
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From Psalms – Psalm 84:1-10, 16-17 & From the writings of Paul – Romans 6:1b-11.
Matthew 10:24-39 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 15
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Hymn # 229 “God of the Sparrow”
Mission Moment: Marilynn Piotrowski
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere and some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share.
Because we love you and your work, our offering now we make: be pleased to use it as your own, we ask for Jesus' sake.
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Loving God, we present these gifts, pleased to be part of your mission and excited to share with those around us. May they speak to the world of your love in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn # 595 “We Are Pilgrims”
Commissioning (One)
Let us leave this place eager to learn more, to try again to fulfill our promise to follow, and to live out the word of God in the world. May the God who is above all be the centre of our lives. May the Lord, who is the Risen Jesus, lead us. May the Holy Spirit who resides within us be active through us, this day and always. Amen.
Choral Amen
#884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy” x2
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills will break forth before you;
there'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands!
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
while you go out with joy.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (June 22 – June 28)
|
Sun. |
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry Windup |
1:30p.m. |
Lounge |
Next Week at Westminster (June 29 – July 5)
|
Sun. |
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Tues. |
Canada Day/Office Closed |
|
|
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.)
James is away this Sunday for his spring weekend off. Thank you Lesley Berg for leading this morning’s worship.
The duty rosters for Ushers & Greeters and Bulletin Folders are on the peg board by Memorial Hall.
Summer Worship Schedule: Again this summer the congregations of Fifth Avenue Memorial and Westminster United Churches shall gather in shared worship. The services in July will be held at WUC. The services in August will be held at FAM and all services will begin at 10:00 a.m. The WUC church office will be closed from July 29 – August 19th.
The UCW are in need of more good china tea cups and saucers for use at their teas. If you have any you would like to donate, we would appreciate having them.
Are you on PAR? Are you are interested in the Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) system for your offerings? Your donations are deducted once a month just like your mortgage, etc. It is convenient for both YOU and YOUR church. Contact Donna Scharf at 526-1555 for more information.
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.
Would you like to sponsor a child for Camp Shagabec? At present, there are more children needing sponsorship to attend camp than there is money available to cover their cost. If you are interested, please contact Anne in the church 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: Lawrence Pfeifer, Clare Crews, Tom Pragnell, Murray Bell, Jade Spruyt, Corri-anne Rattai, Gordon Bruins, Bonnie Spruyt, John Robertson, Margaret Shirkie.
Anniversaries: Andrea & Morgan Judge, Norman & Violet Rud.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning In loving memory of Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Rev. Lowell Hubbard & daughter, sister-in-law & aunt, Betty Hull by Rose Hubbard & family.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers are requested this week for St. Andrews College, Saskatoon, and St. Stephen’s College, Edmonton.
Sunday School Co-ordinators........................................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ Clare Crews,
........................................................................................................ Florence Leech
........................................................................................................ Albina Jackson, Bette Frisch
Nursery Convenor............................................................................ Tanya Hoffarth
Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... Electra UCW
Scripture Reader.............................................................................. Grace Lemon
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Jackie Carlson
Next Week’s Readings from: Genesis 22:1-14 or Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 13 or Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42.
Stewardship Thought For Today
When stewards venture out in faith, God provides what is needed.
Stewardship Seconds 2008