Sunday, July 20, 2008 – 10:00 a.m.
A Combined Summer Service for
The United Churches of Medicine Hat.
Today’s worship leader is Rev. James Farrell
Prelude Julia McClung (Flute)
Announcements—Time of Greeting
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Come in, come into this place which we make special by our presence.
All: When the ordinary is sanctified, sacred celebration emerges, compassion springs to life.
One: Together we make this a holy place with our every act of worship.
All: Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of sacred life together.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
Let there be joy in our coming together this morning. Let there be compassion heard in the words we speak, and love in songs we sing. Let there be silence for the voice within us and beyond us. Let there be sincere joy in our being together. Amen.
Take your stalk of grain and hold it in your hands. As you hold and observe the stalk, consider these questions: What tender new grain may be growing in your heart, your inner life, quietly cracking open and reaching for the sun? Now turn your attention to that which might compete for the nourishment of the wheat you hold in your hand. First, give thanks for the times others in your life have let your weedy tendencies live together with your glorious grain. Now consider the weed seeds that lie in your heart robbing you of energy for living. Ask for the patience to focus on the good grain that you have growing in your life… (A time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 From the Christian Scriptures – Pg. 20.
Anthem "A Time For All Things"
Our Church Tithes and Offerings
Offertory Julia McClung (Flute)
Dedication #540 “Grant Us God, the Grace”
Grant us, God, the grace of giving,
with a spirit large and free,
that ourselves and all our living
we may offer faithfully.
Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer
One: We go out into holy creation to tend the mysteries of our lives with courage and compassion
as we actively seek justice toward those things that we know cause suffering.
All: We seek to share mercy with the help of the Spirit within as we are sent forth. Amen.
#884 “We 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
Welcome to Westminster this morning. Please join us for refreshments after worship.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in memory of my husband, David and his parents, Emil & Hilda Schorr By Phyllis Schorr.
South Alberta Presbytery: Your prayers this week are requested for retired ministry personnel, especially those in South Alberta Presbytery.
Thanks Julia McClung for playing today.
The duty rosters for Ushers & Greeters, Bulletin Folders and Coffee Hosts are on the peg board by Memorial Hall.
Summer Worship Schedule: Again this summer the congregations of Fifth Avenue Memorial and Westminster United Churches are gathering in shared worship. The service next week will be held at WUC. The services in August will be held at FAM and all remaining summer services will begin at 10:00 a.m. The WUC church office will be closed from July 29 – August 19th.
Women’s Retreat (Taking Care Of Ourselves And Others) - Saturday, September 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Westminster Church Hall. The Westminster UCW invites all women to a day of Inspiration in the form of song, skit, spiritual drumming, and more. Lovely noon-time lunch. Registration of $15 is due by Wednesday September 3rd. Registration can be made at the church office 403-526-5247.
Catch The Spirit – Great Escape for Women, Sept, 19 – 21, 2008 at Elkwater Girl Guide Camp. Come and join us for a fun, spiritual weekend. Relax in the soothing atmosphere of the Cypress Hills surrounded by friends, old and new. Cost: $70.00, register at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. For more information, call Gloria or Maureen at 403-526-2237. Limited to the first 30 paid registrations.