Westminster United Church

 “We are journeying together in God’s love . . . to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”

February 22, 2009 “Transfiguration Sunday”

In the Season after the Epiphany, the church explores signs of God’s glory shining in the world.  Mark describes Jesus’ transfiguration and, with the disciples, we sense the sacred moment; we will see things in a new way from this time forward.  We catch Elisha’s vision of the sacred as Elijah is caught up to heaven.  With Paul and the psalmist, we give thanks that God’s light shines forth through us.

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

Sharing Announcements

A Time of Greeting

A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:      In the beauty of a snow-covered forest, sparkling with sunlight; in the beauty of a fast flowing stream, sparkling with sunlight;

All:      Artist and Source of all is revealed to us.

One:      In the smile of a newborn baby, in the love of parents for their child,

All:      vulnerable, miraculous, and in family, God is revealed to us.

One:      In the laughter of children on the school bus, in joy-filled evenings in the park, at the rink,

All:      friendly, enthusiastic, and happy God is with us.

One:      In the silence of a meditating moment, in the quiet of an evening prayer,

All:      gently, confidently, God’s will comes clear to us.

Opening Prayer (Responsive)

One:      Take us to the mountaintop; we will see things differently.

All:      We will see the great faith figures of the past and value their influence.

One:      Take us to the mountaintop; we will be amazed.

All:      We will see Jesus, and know he has words for us to hear.

One:      Take us to the mountaintop; we will be awed and afraid.

All:      We will know the mystery of The Holy and be ready to worship.

One:      Bring us down from the mountaintop and prepare us for service.

All:      We will go about the work of Jesus in our church, in this neighbourhood, and in our suffering world.  Amen.

Hymn #299 “Teach Me, God, to Wonder”

Conversation Time

Sunday School & Youth leave for classes. 

By listening to the Holy within, we can transform the everyday routine.  We can transform the ordinary with fresh insights and new ways of looking at people we know. We can transform the church through rededicated leaders and a burning desire to make the gospel come alive around us.  We can be transformed through a willingness to acknowledge our flaws, but also to accept our hidden talents and to put them to work in Christ’s service.  We can transform the world through a series of small steps to promote peace, justice, and freedom, which start with us and with our faith community … (time for silent reflection) 

Biblical Notes

Prayer of Illumination

2 Kings 2:1-12 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 367

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: From the Psalms – Psalm 50:1-6 & From the Epistles – 1 Corinthians 4:3-6.

Anthem: “Whisper to My Heart”

Mark 9:2-9 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 57 (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)

Reflection:

Hymn 679 “Let There Be Light”

Mission Moment: Janice Croissant  

Our Church Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Dedication #539 “God of All Good” v 1

Prayer of Dedication (One)

As we bring our gifts forward, may our whole life move forward, in good faith, with good feelings, and with a good belief about the future.  Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn #296 “This Is God’s Wondrous World”

Commissioning (Responsive)

One:      Not on the mountaintop,

All:      but into the world, we will take a sense of the sacred.

One:      Not in the memorialized story,

All:      but in the work of today, we will live a sense of the sacred.

One:      We go to let the glory out

All:      and to bring the love of Jesus into the world and transfigure it.

Choral Amen

 #964 “Go Now in Peace”(x2)

Postlude 

 This Week at Westminster (February 22 –  February 28)

Sun.	Christian Development	9:00 a.m.	Lounge
	Worship	10:30 a.m.	Sanctuary
Tues.	Prayer Shawl	1:30 p.m.	Lounge
	Pancake Supper/Mardi Gras	5:30 p.m.	Memorial Hall
Wed.	Bible Study	9:30 a.m.	Nursery
Thurs.	Sr. Choir Practise	7:00 p.m.	Sanctuary

 Next Week at Westminster  (March 1 – March 7)

Sun.	Music & Worship	9:00 a.m.	Lounge
	Hymn Sing	10:15 a.m.	Sanctuary
	Worship/Lent I/Communion	10:30 a.m.	Sanctuary
	Jr. Choir	11:45 a.m.	Lounge
Tues.	Prayer Shawl	1:30 p.m.	Lounge
	Lenten Study	7:00 p.m.	Sanctuary
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.)

We are recurrently 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.

Please be mindful of those who suffer from allergies and let us keep WUC a perfume, cologne, and SCENT FREE place for worship.

Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras: Westminster will be hosting the pancake supper at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24^th.  We are also having a Mardi Gras party.  You are invited to wear a costume.  Come  have fun!

Join us for a presentation of Burkina Faso on Wednesday, Feb. 25^th at 7:00 p.m. at Unisphere.

Let’s Do Lunch!  – at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church on Saturday, February 28.  Lunch served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets $7.50.  Includes soup, bunwiches, coffee, tea, and cake.  Check out the bake table and white elephants!  Tickets available at the church office.

World Day of Prayer will be held on at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6^th at Holy Family Parish.

Canadian Mental Health Association is once again offering the Family and Friends Support Group for those who have someone in their lives with a mental illness.  For details, please see the posters in the Narthex or on the way into Memorial Hall.

PAR Subscribers—Or anyone in the congregation, if you wish to

receive THE OBSERVER magazine, please pick up a donation envelope in the Narthex.

PAR (Pre Authorized Remittance) Westminster started on PAR in 2001 with five families.  In 2002, twelve more families signed up.  Now we have close to 70 families and one family said "what's not to like?"  In December there were two glitches, which are now satisfactorily concluded.  We are sorry for this and will now do a double check with Murray to audit any changes.  PAR is very confidential, only the treasurer gets the sheet of bank remittances, no one else in the church. Please contact Donna Scharf for information or to sign up.

Celebrations This Week

Birthdays: Andrew Weiss, Carol Olson, Gordon Schneider,  Harvey Staples

Anniversaries: Bertha & Hugh Harrison

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of Beloved Family and Friends

by Doreen Lyons

South Alberta Presbytery

This week’s prayers are requested Joyce Sasse and her mission to the Rural Churches.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

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

Greeters & Ushers.......................................... Beth Minor, Irene Fekete

................................................................. Doreen Lyons, Barb Grozell

Coffee Hosts........................................................... Ken & Bev Empey

................................................................ Barb Grozell, Velma Pearson

Scripture Reader................................................................ Lesley Berg

Elder-in-Charge................................................................. Lesley Berg 

Next Week’s Readings from:   Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; Mark 1:9-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22.