Westminster United Church

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

to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

October 5, 2008

World Wide Communion / Local Food Needs Sunday

Today’s readings reveal glimpses of a world where God’s wisdom shapes all patterns of human living. We are called to live into this vision. What is it like to live our lives according to Divine wisdom? What might we see happening in our communities when we live in these wise ways?

If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.

We Gather To Worship God

Prelude

Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One: We gather today in the spirit of unity as we share communion with the world.

All: We join together in word and song and share the symbols of the communion meal this Worldwide Communion Sunday.

One: We are a community of faith.

All: We are a diverse community. Let us celebrate now with the faith communities the world over.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

We join together with family, friends and companions in this our faith community. May our songs, prayers and reflections be filled with spirit connected love with others around the globe. Amen

Hymn # 222 “Come, Let Us Sing”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance

We celebrate the life which we have. We have experienced broken lives made whole, old wounds of alienation healed over, and tired spirits rejuvenated with new vision. May we be grateful for the purpose and possibilities that have been placed before us. Yet there may have been times when doubt has overcome hope, cynicism has replaced dedication, the world’s values have captured us. May we let go of the past that we might move joyfully into a new future that points to love and justice… (time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

We Listen For God’s Word

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

Philippians 3:4b-14 From the Epistle Pg. 246

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Hebrew Scriptures, Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Isaiah 5:1-7 & from the Psalms – Psalm 19 or Psalm 80:7-14.

Anthem “Come to the Banquet” by J. Martin

Matthew 21:33-46 From the Christian Scriptures Pg.32

(Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

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

Reflection for WWC Sunday: "We Are They"

Hymn # 330 “Jesus Shall Reign”

We Respond In Giving And Gratitude

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #227 “For the Fruit of All Creation” vs 2

In the just reward of labour, God's will is done.

In the help we give our neighbour, God's will is done.

In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,

in the harvests we are sharing, God's will is done.

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Invitation to the Table

God’s banquet is coming. A time when all will gather from north, east, west and south. A banquet where the rich and powerful will sit with the weak and poverty-stricken. A table where young and old will learn from each other. A time when all will sit together in peace, “And the wolf will lie down with the lamb.” Here at this table we get a foretaste of God’s banquet. This is indeed God’s table, not the church’s, and so all who seek to follow The Way are welcome to eat and drink from it. Come and taste the grace eternal, come and see that God is good.

Hymn # 467 “One Bread, One Body”

Thanksgiving

One: The Spirit of God be with you.

All: And also with you.

It is time to give thanks to God. Let us pray. God of the table, as we gather to taste your banquet, we offer prayers of thanksgiving. In this season of harvest, we give thanks for the fruit of the earth and for the food on our tables. In this global village, we give thanks for our brothers, sisters and neighbours both near and far. In this world of strife and broken relationships, we give thanks for your hope, for the ways you draw us together.

God of the banquet, we give thanks for your witness and work in the world across the ages. We remember Moses and Miriam and the people they led to freedom. We remember the prophets who arise over and over again to call your people back to the narrow path. We remember the countless saints who have gone before us, preparing the path, and we join our voices to theirs in hymns of thankfulness and praise. Amen.

And in the midst of our thankfulness we remember the one in whose name we gather, Jesus, child of Mary.

We give thanks for his witness, for his commitment, for the way he brought healing to broken spirits and broken bodies. Thankfully we remember his death, his resurrection, and his promised return for the banquet of grace.

And now, as we gather at the table, we remember the last meal he shared with his friends. How they gathered in an upper room to celebrate the story of liberation and freedom. How he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and passed it among them saying " Take, eat. This is my body broken for you. When you eat this, remember me and look for the hope in your world.”

Then later he took the cup. He blessed it and passed it saying, “This cup is the cup of the new covenant, made in my death. Whenever you drink from it, remember.”

And so, God of cross, empty tomb, and banquet, we remember the life and death of Jesus and we give thanks for the love he poured out on all he met: sinner and saint, leper and clean, Jew and Gentile. We remember and we share that great and terrible mystery:

All: Christ has died, Christ has Risen, Christ will come again. Amen.

Transforming

God, you call us to eat and drink together. You call us to let the Spirit wash through our lives. As we eat and drink, may we feel the fire of the Spirit in our bellies, the wind of the Spirit in our hair and the love of the Spirit in our hearts. May the Spirit’s presence make this meal one that changes us and, through us, the world.

God of the banquet that is and is to come, we gather with your people all around the world, this day, to remember and share this meal. Creator, Source of Love, Christ, Love incarnate, Spirit, Love’s flowing power; we pray even as Jesus taught us to by saying: “Our Father…”

Fraction and Distribution

The Bread we break is the bread of life.

The cup we share is the cup of love.

These are the gifts of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer following Communion

We have eaten, we have drunk, we have tasted your goodness. May this meal we have shared here today fill our souls with love. May the meal we share with all the world fill the world with hope. May we leave this table refreshed and replenished, ready to be recipients and agents of grace. Amen.

Commissioning (One)

Let us love sincerely, love genuinely, love wholeheartedly, love deeply and hold fast to what is good.

Choral Amen

#298 “When You Walk from Here”

Postlude

The Life And Work Of The Congregation

This Week at Westminster ((October 5 – October 11)

Sun.	Music & Worship	9:00 a.m.	Lounge
	Hymn Sing	10:15 a.m.	Sanctuary
	World Wide Communion	10:30 a.m.	Sanctuary
	Ham & Pancake Brunch	11:30 a.m.	Mem. Hall
Mon.	Property	7:00 p.m.	West. Room
Tues.	Prayer Shawl Ministry	1:30 p.m.	Lounge
Wed.	Bible Study	9:30 a.m.	Nursery
	Edythe Hewitt UCW Meeting	2:00 p.m.	Lounge
	Adult Confirmation	7:00 p.m.	James’ Office
Thurs.	Electra Unit	1:00 p.m.	Lounge
	Sr. Choir	7:00 p.m.	Sanctuary

Next Week at Westminster (October 12 – October 18)

Sun.	Worship	10:30 a.m.	Sanctuary
	Jr. Choir Practise	11:30 a.m.	Lounge
Tues.	Prayer Shawl Ministry	1:30 p.m.	Lounge
	Board Meeting	7:00 p.m.	Lounge
Wed.	Bible Study	9:30 a.m.	Nursery
	Adult Confirmation	7:00 p.m.	James’ Office
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 or being a Coffee Host 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.

The Meditation Group will meet at Pat Owens’ house. For more information, please contact Pat at 403-526-1393.

We will be decorating the sanctuary for Thanksgiving on Oct. 8^th at 1:00 p.m. If you have any decorations you would like to lend us for a couple of weeks, that would be great, or; if you could bring pumpkins or gourds that would be much appreciated. Please come & help. Questions, call Jane.

Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit will meet Wednesday, October 8^th at 2 p.m. in the church lounge. Special guest is Jami Evans, Public Education speaker from the Women's Shelter at 3:00 p.m.. Invitation open to all.

Square Circle UCW meeting will be held on October 8^th, 7:30 p.m. at Beth Miner’s House.

World Food Day Dinner. October 15^th, tickets are $8, available at Unisphere and at the church office. All proceeds go to the Canadian Foodgrain Bank. This event is hosted by Unisphere/KAIROS. Speakers: Charlie Redpath on the local CFB Grow Project and Marcia Stodalka, community nutritionist on Food Security in Medicine Hat and District.

The United Church Banff Men’s Conference is October 17^th to 19^th. 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.

The UCW is planning several fund raisers in the next few months. October 19^th: Chilli & 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.

FALL SUPPER; Westminster United Church will be hosting our Annual Fall Supper on Saturday, November 1^st. Meal times are 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Ticket prices are: Adult $10, Children 12 and under $5 or family $25. Tickets can be purchased after the service in Memorial Hall or from the office. Sign up sheets have also been posted for food donations and volunteers.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Warren Hanson, Ethan Cradduck, Desiree Leonard, Dakota Leonard, Travis Nabe, Jean Riggins, Mary Warnell, Debi Hoefling, Walter Link.

Anniversaries: Jen Bergstreser & Kelly Kirkpatrick, Mina Carlson & Rory Sehn, Mia & Sean Glasser, Janice & Wes Archer.

The Ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community Friday, Sept. 26^th, as James conducted the memorial service for long time adherent Bob Marsh. He will be missed.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning

in memory of our loved ones,

Al & Marilynn Piotrowski

South Alberta Presbytery

Your prayers this week are requested for all churches celebrating World Communion Sunday, the World Council of Churches.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ Joan Dolman

........................................................................................................ Elnora Heine, Karen Knibbs

........................................................................................................ Betty Sidlick, Lenora Stein

Nursery Attendant............................................................................ Charlene Andreas

Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... The Board

Scripture Reader.............................................................................. Boyd Alcock

Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Gordon Bruins

Next Week’s Readings from: Philippians 4:1-9, Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Matthew 22:1-14.

Stewardship Thought for Today

Stewardship asks us to share God’s love with all God’s people, not just a select few.

by Kathie Murphy

Treasurer’s Report to September 30, 2008

During the summer months we have fallen behind our budgeted offering amount by about $18,500. By comparison, at this time in 2007, we had fallen behind our budgeted offering amount by $15,500. We were able to finish 2007 by reaching 99% of our projected goal.

With the experience of last year and previous years, we know our budget amount is an obtainable goal. Please consider the above shortfall during the remaining three months of our fiscal year.

Many thanks, Murray Bell, Treasurer.