“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
January 25, 2009 – World Leprosy Day
This Sunday: Our 2009 Congregational Meeting
Who is the Leprosy Mission? The Leprosy Mission Canada models the love of Jesus as he reached out to those who suffered. With the touch of compassion, we serve the men, women and children who suffer the horrible scars of leprosy and other similar diseases, offering them a cure and the courage and dignity to live among their community.
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: We join together with open hearts and minds.
All: May we be filled with faith and courage.
One: Let us continue to travel together on our faith journeys.
All: As we travel together may we do so with trust.
We can feel within ourselves, each of us, our creativity awaiting life. Its voice whispers to us, forming that vision which is so intimately our own, yet asks to be shared. The words that require a page, the forms of colour hugging a canvas, the motion needs to be danced, or the patter of sound which may breathe only through a flute. May we recognize these voices in ourselves and be challenged to realize them to life, in beauty. May we feel the presence of the Holy in their whispers. Amen.
Jr. Choir Sings “We Will Bring Your Peace”
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)
Luke 17:11-19 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 103
Reflection “World Leprosy Day”
Hymn # 563 “Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication (One)
These gifts are the seeds of discipleship. May they be blessed as we, disciples of Jesus, seek to make them effective. Amen.
Hymn # 713 “I See a New Heaven”
Commissioning (Responsive)
One: Here is the call,
All: We will listen to it.
One: Here is the journey,
All: We will travel it.
One: Here is the world,
All: We will live in it.
One: He is the time,
All: We will fulfill it.
Choral Amen
#298 “When You Walk From Here
When you walk from here, when you walk from here, walk with justice; walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (January 25 – January 31)
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Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
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Worship – M & O Service |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
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Jr. Choir Sings |
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Annual Meeting |
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Mem. Hall |
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Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (February 1 – February 7)
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Sun. |
Music & Worship |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Hymn Sing |
10:15 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Local Food Needs Sunday |
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|
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Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practise |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
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Mon. |
Property |
7:00 p.m. |
Westminster Rm. |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
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.)
The Annual Congregational Meeting is today beginning with a potluck lunch immediately following worship. This is the time that we take to review the past year’s work, show our appreciation to those who contributed to that work and make plans for the coming year.
We are in need of ushers, greeters and coffee hosts. If you can make a commitment, please volunteer your time on the sign-up sheets by Memorial Hall.
Due to the increased number of homeless and people living in poverty in our city, the Post is seeking donations for men’s winter coats, gloves and toques. These items will be distributed to those in need. Please drop off at The Post, 410 South Railway Street SE, 9 to 5, Monday to Saturday.
The Journey Through Grief – A Drop-in Program Starts January 7th until May 13th 2009. For more information, please see bulletin boards.
Your 2009 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex. The cost of the Observer is $14.00. When you pick up your envelopes, please confirm the 2009 number is the same as number you had in 2008. Please destroy your old unused 2008 envelopes. Thanks for your cooperation. ~ Murray Bell.
PAR Subscribers—Or anyone in the congregation, if you wish to receive THE OBSERVER magazine, please pick up a donation envelope in the Narthex.
After Suicide Support Group is presenting a Hope & Healing session January 27th to March 24th, 2009. See bulletin board by Memorial Hall for more details.
Come and join Dr. Sue Higgins as she shares her experience as a trainee of Al Gore and his promotion of awareness of climate change on January 28th from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon or 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as Jane conducted the funeral service for Heather Keith and James conducted the funeral service for William Solley.
Birthdays: Mickey Staples, Larry Henderson, Melanie Rattai, Florence Gardner, Kristen Skogen.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers this week are requested for Milk River, New Dayton, Coutts Pastoral Charge and Rev. Mary Young.
Sunday School Co-ordinators........................................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ UCW Electra
Acting Nursery Convenor................................................................. Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... UCW Electra
Scripture Reader.............................................................................. Grace Lemon
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Gordon Schneider
Next Week’s Readings from: Mark 1:21-28, Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Proclaim the good news! Believe in the good news!
Let us be good stewards of God’s good news.
By
Sheila Campbell