“We are journeying together in God’s love...to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”
March 15, 2009 “Lent III”
Author C. S. Lewis described God’s law as “luminous, severe, disinfectant, exultant.” God’s law is certain and everlasting, instructing us in life-giving ways. The law is God’s sweet word that enlightens us and calls us to account, leading us to be what God has created us to be. It enables us to live together in community, set apart as God’s people.
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Needing a refuge? Our Nursery is located off Memorial Hall, has a speaker system through which to hear the service, and exists for all who may need this space – Memorial Hall approach is via the Pulpit side exit.
Prelude / Sharing Announcements / A Time of Greeting
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: We gather in community to rest from our labours, to greet our neighbours.
All: and to open our being to insight and intuition of that greater reality of which we are a part.
One: May we find in our time together, inspiration and renewal. May we touch the holy in each other and be touched by the graciousness of life.
All: And may we find here a calm peacefulness that will carry us through the days ahead.
Throughout the ages we have been called to journey in faithfulness along the Lenten way. May we have a sense of adventure, even in this Lenten season, that we may move toward the new life of Easter with confidence and hope. We pray in Jesus’ name, who is our Companion and Guide. Amen.
Hymn #651 “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
Conversation Time / The Sunday School children & youth leave for class.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
The Holy Source of us all is with us. We see signs of this presence in every place, in every generation. The beauty of creation, in all its wonder, is not the only dwelling place of creativity. We find the Divine in holy places like the supermarket, we sit with the Holy in coffee shops and on the streets. The Spirit dances on concrete and holds in comfort those who walk with briefcase or shopping bag. The God who is more than we can name or know is beside us in every workplace and every hidden home of our body, mind and soul … (Silent Reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
The awareness of the Divine within gives us strength and wisdom to walk the journey of faith. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: from the Hebrew Scriptures, Exodus 20:1-17; and from the Epistles,
1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
Anthem “You Raise Me Up”
John 2:13–22 from the Christian Scriptures Pg. 120
Hymn #571 “Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round”
Mission Moment
Prayer of Dedication (One)
May the gifts we bring and the gift we are to one another be blessed and be a blessing to this world. Amen.
Hymn #703 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”
Commissioning (One)
In the world outside these doors are many tempting moments. Let us go, and resist the occasions that tear apart. Let us go, and seize the occasions that lead to peace, and do this in the strength of Jesus.
Choral Amen
Hymn #649 “Walk with Me”
Postlude
This Week at Westminster (March 15-21)
|
Sun. |
Worship: Lent III |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
Lenten Study |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (March 22- 28)
|
Sun. |
Worship: Lent IV |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
Lenten Study |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practice |
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.)
Nomination forms for Leaders of Tomorrow Awards are available on the bulletin board. This program recognizes young people who’ve made outstanding contributions to their community through volunteerism.
Fifth Avenue Memorial Church is holding a series of discussions on peace. The sessions will be from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday until Easter. On Tuesday, March 24, there will be a very short program and then a walk to the Public Library at 8:00 p.m. to see the movie, “FLOW; For the Love of Water.” It explores the results of privatization on water…surely a peace issue!
Beginning March 18th, Wii Fun will occur every Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and again from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Come and join the fun! For more information contact Bev Empey at 403-527-6403.
UCW is again sponsoring “Campus Care” to help college students with quick fix meals during exam time. Boxes are in the Narthex and Memorial Hall. Donations will be picked up March 29th.
The 2009 South Alberta United Church Youth Rally is being held from March 27-29th at Knox United Church, Taber. The theme this year is “Church in Popular Culture.” Registration deadline is March 22nd. Further information and registration forms can be found on the bulletin board on the way into Memorial Hall.
A workshop for Sunday School Teachers is being held on Saturday, April 4th at Knox United Church in Taber. The theme this year is “More Than a Story and a Craft.” Registration deadline is March 26th. Further information and registration forms are posted on the bulletin board on the way into Memorial Hall.
Families are invited to attend Generations 09 Conference, April 1-4 in Red Deer. See pamphlets on ramp and poster on bulletin board for more info.
The following books have been added to the Church Library: “Caring for Ourselves While Caring for our Elders” by Maren C. Tirabassi, I. Maria Tirabassi & Leanne McCall Tigert; “The Healing Oasis: Guided Meditations for Mind, Body, and Spirit” by Sharon Moon; “Self-Care for Caregivers: A Twelve Step Approach” by Pat Samples, Diane Larsen & Marvin Larsen; “Meditations from Conversations with God” by Neale Donald Walsch; “McClure: The China Years of Dr. Bob McClure” by Munroe Scott. Contact person: Jacquie Heard 403-527-1090.
Birthdays: Edwin Maier, Lachlan Hardiker, Amber Countryman, Trish Richard, Violet Park, and Jean Jans.
Flowers are placed today by Edith Hewitt UCW in memory of Past UCW Members, Mary Wallace, Thelma Dooley, and May Schlenker.
South Alberta Presbytery
This week’s prayers are requested for Taber Pastoral Charge, Frank Lewis and the transitional teams.
Our Order of Ministry This Morning
Sunday School Co-ordinators.............................................................. Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers.............................................................................. Adair Prouty, Lana Blatz, Ray Yanke & Emma Nelson Yanke
Nursery Convenor................................................................................. Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts....................................................................................... Mattson Family
Scripture Reader.................................................................................. Clint Houston
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................... Pat Connell
Next Week’s Readings from: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21
Stewardship Thought for Today
Stewardship begins with hearing God’s Word for us. Stewardship grows with our living these words in our actions.
by Sheila Campbell
March Board Meeting Summary
It is with regret that the Board accepted the resignation of Jane Clarke effective May 24, 2009. We wish her well at Elk Valley Pastoral Charge in Fernie, BC. The spaghetti dinner was a huge success. We realized $839.93 after expenses. The sale of the cork outhouse from Hector Schneider realized $293. The winner was Al Piotrowski. All proceeds will be put toward the building renovations.