“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
February 1, 2009
Jesus astonishes us. So different from our expectations for a Messiah, so beyond our ability to manage or control, so self-evidently God with us – Jesus manages to keep astonishing us. Here is a faith that begins and ends in amazement, in signs and wonders, in the astonishing presence of God near us as the One from Nazareth.
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 (One)
Prepare to be astounded! Jesus is in our midst. Prepare to be amazed! This is no trick. Jesus is the teacher, healer, leader, example, worker of great wonders, saviour and servant. Listen with the ears of a child, see with the eyes of one newly healed, praise with the voice of one who’s just been rescued, pray with the fervour of one who truly believes! Come together, God’s people, for Jesus is in our midst today.
Will you, Lord, once more move in our midst? Will you let your Word become flesh and dwell among us? May we see, once more, what you have shown again and again – your mercy, your grace, your patience, your forgiveness? Restore us, revive us, renew us in your name. These things we pray as one family in Christ, Amen.
Hymn #589 “Lord Speak to Me”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Why are we so startled by the work of the gospel? Why are we, who profess to believe in Jesus, surprised by the great works of the saviour in the world today? Why do we take a step back when confronted by wonder, afraid to commit ourselves or to let emotion show? Why do we protect ourselves from amazement, chanting the familiar words of the Bible without letting us see them anew as if for the first time, that we might share the astonishment of those who saw Jesus. We confess, today, to you God who made us, that we are guilty of complacency. Help us to hear your word today as if it were freshly written, as indeed it is when we tear down our defences and allow you to write directly upon our hearts. Bless us with wonder as we read once more from your book…(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from todays
Lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 111 & From the Epistle1 Corinthians 8:1-13.
(Read from the New Revised Standard Version).
Hymn # 388 “Spirit Dancing”
Mission Moment
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
God of all good, our gifts we bring to you,
use them your holy purpose to fulfil;
tokens of love and pledges brought anew
that our whole life is offered to your will.
Prayer of Dedication (One)
We gratefully praise you for the opportunity we have to share in this ministry. Grant the wisdom of your Spirit to those who will administer these funds, and the joy of your salvation to those who will receive our shared good works. These things we pray as partners in the kingdom. Amen.
(responsive)
Hymn # 686 “God of Grace and God of Glory”
Commissioning (One)
The Lord our God has raised up for us a prophet, the Lord Jesus, one of our own! In our living each day, we shall heed that prophet.
May the love of God buoy you in the midst of life’s storms. May the peace of God calm you in the midst of controversy that we may return once more to this sanctuary after having shared the gospel of our saviour through our words and actions this coming week.
Choral Amen
# 964 “Go Now in Peace”(x2)
Go now in Peace, go now in Peace.
May the love of God surround you
everywhere, everywhere you may go.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (February 1 – February 7)
|
Sun. |
Hymn Sing |
10:15 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Local Food Needs Sunday |
|
|
|
|
Jr. Choir Practise |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
UCW Executive |
11:45 a.m. |
Shalom |
|
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 |
|
|
Square Circle UCW Meeting |
7:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (February 8 – February 14)
|
Sun. |
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practise |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Board |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Electra UCW Meeting |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
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.)
Jane and James are away from January 30th to February 9th inclusive. In case of emergency, contact Gary Goran at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church at 403-526-2237.
Tickets for the cork “Outhouse” donated by Hector Schneider will be on sale in the hall after today’s service. The winner will be announced on February 21st at the spaghetti dinner.
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.
Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit meeting – 1:30 pm Wednesday February 4th at home of Carol Bell, 11 Rossmere Cr. SE.
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.
The Board is hosting a Spaghetti Night on February 21st at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices are: Adults $10, Children under 12 $5, Family of 4 or more $35.00. Jennifer Oster will be selling tickets in Memorial after worship today.
The following books have been added to the Church Library: Wild East: Travels in the New Mongolia by Jill Lawless; Centering Prayer and inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault; The Grief Recovery Handbook by John W. James & Frank Cherry; Sharing the Darkness by Sheila Cassidy; Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda. Contact: Jacquie Heard 403-527–1090.
The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as James conducted the funeral service for Mary Edith Wallace.
Birthdays: Danielle Skogen, Shirley Christian, Julie Brown, Jim Neigum, Rob Henderson, Ken Empey, Holly Johnson, Samantha Richard, Mia Glasser, Alvin Cruickshank, Julie Contreras.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of my mom, Edith Clay by Sharon Clay.
South Alberta Presbytery
This weeks prayers are requested for The Moderator and the General Council Staff, The Right Rev. David Guiliano.
Sunday School Co-ordinators.......................................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ Alice Felesky, Carol, Sabrina,
........................................................................................................ & Amber Henderson
Acting Nursery Convenor................................................................. Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... Mattson Family
Scripture Reader.............................................................................. Lenora Stein
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Ted Sherring
Next Week’s Readings from: Mark 1:29-39, Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Great are the works of the Lord. As stewards of God’s creation, we delight in them.
by Sheila Campbell