“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
Welcome Back!
September 7, 2008
Local Food Needs Sunday
Community is formed in ritual, learning, service, and worship. The Hebrew people experienced God’s grace and compassion in the gift of their Passover understanding. Today followers of Jesus continue to remember and celebrate God’s grace in loving, disciplined, worshipping communities.
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)
One: How wonderful it is to be able to join together in this place.
All: It is good to meet in this community after the summer.
One: We gather to give thanks for each one here.
All: May we be truly thankful for the joy we find in each other.
Out of grace beyond imagining, we have been created. With the needs of family, friends, and the vulnerable, we have been challenged. Through the words of leaders, prophets, and Jesus Christ, we have been spoken to. In the midst of this community of faith, we have been given a church family. In a world where inequality reigns, and the powerless struggle, we have been called to act; we rejoice in the privilege to serve, as Jesus has served before us. Amen.
Hymn # 264 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for special activities.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
When we are tempted to evade the accusations of others, may we have the courage to face the issues directly. When we are tempted to take advantage of our power or position, may we have the courage to walk in the shoes of the powerless. When we are tempted to compromise the truth, may we have the courage to stand for what we know to be right. When we are tempted to ignore the demands of our Christian faith, may we have the courage of Jesus, who was ever faithful…(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Hebrew Scriptures – Exodus 12:1-14 & From the Psalms – Psalm 149.
Matthew 18:15-20 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 26
Message: “It Only Takes a Spark”
Hymn # 427 “To Show by Touch & Word”
Mission Moment: Sandra Plank
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today
to serve your cause and share your love with all along life's way.
O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son,
teach us to give ourselves each day until life's work is done.
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Hymn # 647 “Travel On, Travel On”
Commissioning (One)
Let us leave this place eager to live in love and gratitude. May the Spirit residing within us be active through us, this day and always.
Choral Amen
#224 “Sing a Happy Hallelujah” vv 1 & 4
Sing a happy hallelujah; sing it out with heart and style,
we're the echo of God's laughter, we're the image of God's smile.
Hallelujah, all creation, hallelujah everyone!
Hallelujah, all creation, hallelujah everyone!
Every day sing hallelujah! We are loved, though so absurd,
human, foolish, chosen people, God still takes us at our word!
Hallelujah, all creation, hallelujah everyone!
Hallelujah, all creation, hallelujah everyone!
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
Week at Westminster (September 7 – September 13)
|
Sun. |
Music & Worship |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Hymn Sing |
10:15 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Worship Sunday School Registration Junior Choir Registration |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
UCW Executive Meeting |
11:45 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Ministry & Personnel |
12 noon |
Shalom Room |
|
Mon. |
Property |
7:00 p.m. |
Westminster Room |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Board Meeting |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Edythe Hewitt UCW Meeting |
2:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
UCW Square Circle Meeting |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Thurs. |
UCW Electra Meeting |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (September 14 – September 20)
|
Sun. |
Worship/Recovenanting |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Junior Choir Practise |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
Adult Confirmation |
7:00 p.m. |
James’ Office |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. 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.)
Sunday School Registration is today following worship. Children can register in their designated classrooms. Classes will begin on Sunday, September 14th.
Now that summer is over, the Congregational Life Committee is appealing to the congregation for more goodies for Sunday morning coffee time. Please drop off donations in the large freezer in auxiliary kitchen.
Our Church is in need of a replacement volunteer to look after the co-ordination of the nursery on Sunday mornings. This volunteer is needed immediately. If anyone is interested, please contact Jackie Carlson at 403-528-4072.
We are in need of four volunteer counters for the weekly Sunday offering. Two people are needed for each Sunday. This would enable a rotation method so the same people would not have to count every Sunday. If you feel this is a ministry you could offer, please call the church office or speak with Murray Bell.
Commune-I-Care will be making their autumn “call-out” September 7th – 13th.
The Women's Shelter has a Wish List for this fall. The clients would make use of the following: Journals, alarm clocks, City Transit Passes, Grocery Gift Cards, Long Distance Phone cards, and New children's bathing suits. A more extensive list is on the bulletin board in the hall. Items can be left in specially marked boxes.
UCW Executive will be meeting today following worship in the lounge.
Wednesday, September 10th Edythe Hewitt Unit of UCW will meet at 2:00 pm in the church lounge. Jean Pfeifer is the hostess.
UCW Square Circle meeting will be held September 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the lounge.
Anyone interested in Fall Adult Confirmation Classes, please speak with James.
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. Cost of retreat is $15. Registration can be made at the church office 403-526-5247.
You are invited to Unisphere Global Resource Centre’s 32nd AGM Celebration on September 13th. Open house at 4:30 p.m., potluck supper at 5:30 p.m. Speaker will be Dr. Isobel Simpson, founder of the local Chapter of Amnesty International. For more information, phone 403-529-2656 or email unispher@memlane.com. New members welcome!
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.
Birthdays: Norma McLennan, Cameron Walters, Rae Wahl, Matt Maier, Al Piotrowski, Maggie Harrison, May Schlenker, Brian Taylor, May Cooper, Alice Felesky, Anna Marie Hancock, Irene Fekete, Katie Patterson, Bertha Harrison, Stuart McLennan, Matraca West, Al Pols, Eleanor Townsend.
Anniversaries: Don & Anne Lonson, Eileen & Ernest Marchand.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of Ken & Gwen Kinvig, love Linda, Gary, Ken & Keith Kinvig.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Fifth Avenue Memorial Pastoral Charge and the Rev. Gary Goran and Gloria Angle.
Sunday School Co-ordinators........................................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ Jeanette Zollner & Family
........................................................................................................ Marg Smith, Rae Wahl, Mary ............................................................................................... Skjenna
Acting Nursery Convenor................................................................. Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... Velma & Doug Pearson,
........................................................................................................ Janice Croissant,
........................................................................................................ Charlene Andreas
Scripture Reader.............................................................................. Barb Grozell
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Doug Pearson
Next Week’s Readings from: Exodus 14:19-31, Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Stewards have the courage to take risks, to speak up so that others may be free to use their gifts.
By Kathie Murphy