“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
September 21, 2008
Baptism Sunday
After the Hebrew people fled from Egypt, they were tested by unfamiliar territory, hunger, and lack of knowledge. In the midst of such tension, God’s provision was felt through nature. In Matthew, Jesus responds to a time of tension with a parable about God’s care and generosity.
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: Let there be joy in our coming together this morning.
All: Let there be compassion heard in the words we speak, and love in the songs we sing.
One: Let there be silence for the voice within us and beyond us.
All: Let there be joy in our being together.
Spirit of life, present within each of us, may we always sense Divine connection when we gather in this place. May all who enter here find comfort and wisdom in this community. 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.)
Sacrament of Baptism
Jane Clarke: On behalf of the Board of Westminster United Church, I present the following child for initiation into the body of Christ through Baptism:
Daughter of
Brad & Maureen Hauck
You come to this place bringing your child. You speak for her. Her care and nurture is entrusted to you. You bring her here to commit both her 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 she 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. (one)
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 Willow are asked to stand where they are seated in the pew as she is being baptised).
Willow, “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.”
Laying on of Hands
(The family and ministers place their hands on Willow to indicate the action of the Holy Spirit.)
Willow, “may the Spirit work within you, that being born of water and Spirit; you may be a faithful witness of Jesus.”
People Respond: “Amen.”
In the name of Jesus, who was baptised as you are now, you are welcomed into the household of faith with joy and thanksgiving.
Willow is greeted by the children.
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
May we be reminded how hard it is to forgive, when a friend or well-loved family member has betrayed our trust; when harsh words have been said that cannot be taken back; when a promise of support, challenge, or care has been broken; when harm is done to children or to the powerless ones … (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 Psalms – Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 & From the Christian Scriptures – Philippians 1:21-30.
Matthew 20:1-16 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 29.
(Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Reflection: “Holy Friendship is our Grace”
Hymn #299 “Teach Me, God, to Wonder”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
Dedication #544 “In Gratitude and Humble Trust” tune 530
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)
Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer
Hymn # 424 “May the God of Hope Go with Us”
Commissioning (One)
May we leave here with a desire to live in peace and harmony, knowing that we are not alone. The indwelling Spirit is ever present.
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
This Week at Westminster (September 21 – September 27)
|
Sun. |
Trustees |
9:00 a.m. |
Shalom Room |
|
|
Worship/Baptism |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. 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. |
Senior Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (September 28 – October 4)
|
Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practise |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
UCW Hamburger Soup |
|
Memorial Hall |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
Mission & Outreach |
10:00 a.m. |
Jane’s Office |
|
|
Adult Confirmation |
7:00 p.m. |
James’ Office |
|
|
Overcoming Anxiety & Panic |
7:30 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir |
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.)
Just a reminder, if you are interested in Greeting and Ushering please sign up on the roster by Memorial Hall.
Now that summer is over, the Congregational Life Committee is appealing to the congregation again, for goodies for Sunday morning coffee time. Please place donations in the large freezer in the 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 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 share in, please call the church office or speak with Murray Bell.
The Women's Shelter Wish List: Please see the extensive list on the bulletin board and the drop-off box in the hall.
Palliser Friends of Medicare Presents, Diana Gibson and Greg Flanagan "What's Going On?" - The Future of Medicare in Alberta. A discussion panel will follow. Tomorrow, 7:00 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Public Library Theatre.
The UCW is planning several fund raisers in the next few months. September 28th: Hamburger Soup after worship with a vegetarian soup for those who don’t eat meat. October 19th: Chili & Bun day plus a mild chilli and a meatless chilli. In November there will be Christmas cookie sale. We invite congregation members to donate their favourite cookie. Please place them in the fridge freezer and mark UCW. Thank you everyone for your generosity.
Do you struggle with Anxiety or Panic? Anxiety and depression are the #1 emotional illnesses in our country today. Mike Glugosh understands how debilitating anxiety and depression can be. Mike will be giving a seminar at Westminster United Church on October 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. See the poster on the bulletin board by Memorial Hall or call the church office at 526-5247.
The United Church Banff Men’s Conference is coming up soon, October 17th to 19th. Men of the congregation are invited to pick up a brochure from the ramp in order to register for the Conference. Guest Speaker: Dr. Amin Hussain will speak on Muslim – Christian relations.
Birthdays: Joy Biko, Liz Fox, Evan Harrison, Rob Gardner, Bea Iverson, Marian Bauer, Katelyn Richard, Darlene O’Reilly, Myra Gerhardt, Josephine Opp, Boo Thompson.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of our parents, Andreas and Katharine Mehrer & Irven and Cassie Chesley love Paul & Bertha Mehrer.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for the Coaldale-Raymond Pastoral Charge, Rev. Bob Wallace.
Sunday School Co-ordinators........................................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ Ray Yanke & Emma Nelson- Yanke
........................................................................................................ Wally & Vivian Bergstreser
Acting Nursery Convenor................................................................. Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... Mike & Joan Jantzie
........................................................................................................ Grace Roth, Phyllis Schorr
Scripture Reader.............................................................................. Mina Carlson
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Dawn Skogen
Next Week’s Readings from: Exodus 16:2-15 or Jonah 3:10-4:11, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 or Psalm 145:1-8, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16
Stewardship Thought for Today
Jealousy and grumbling over what we don’t have, and what we think we need, can never satisfy us. But as we share what we have with others, God will continue to give us what we need.
by Kathie Murphy