Westminster United Church
March 22, 2009 “Lent IV”
“We are journeying together in God’s love...to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
God is rich in mercy, bringing healing and wholeness to our lives. The psalmist recalls God’s steadfast love in bringing the people of Israel back from exile – seen as God’s action to save. As Christians, we also see God’s saving action through Jesus the Christ. We turn to God in faith and praise. God loves and cares for us, no matter what!
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Need 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: This time is for us.
All: We step inside the sacred circle.
One: We see our lives as part of the continually astonishing mystery of life.
All: We know our lives are always lived connected with other people, wider communities, the eternal humanity.
One: This time is for us
All: to come closer to Creativity God.
May this be a place to celebrate each other. May we tell stories of being found when we are at our lowest, of being reached when we feel excluded, of being held when everyone else has let go, of being brought in when we feel apart, of being touched when we feel broken, of being called when we feel unworthy. May this be a place to celebrate holy presence, and show the world steadfast love for all. Amen.
Hymn #112 “O God, How We Have Wandered”
Conversation Time / Sunday School children and Youth leave for class.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Let us listen to the depths of being: our busyness calling for quietness, our emptiness calling for renewed strength, our sadness calling for some consolation, our joy calling for some celebration. May we touch again that strength and wisdom that helps us to know again the helping resources that are always given to us … (time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
The Holy peace is here to stay. Amen.
Biblical Notes
Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: from the Psalms, 107:1-3, 17-22; and from the Epistles, Ephesians 2:1-10
Anthem “I Carry You in My Heart”
Mission Moment
We Respond In Giving and Gratitude
Offertory
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Through these offerings may we become a more open people. With thanks for all gifts, we present a portion of our substance and the whole of ourselves. Amen.
Hymn #371 “Open My Eyes, That I May See”
Commissioning (One)
Fall in love with living; wrestling with the chaos and the pain within yourself and within the world. And may the Source of peace and joy, who is continually making all things new, embrace you as a partner in the divine creativity. [adapt. J. Boyce]
Choral Amen
Hymn #649 “Walk with Me”
Postlude
This Week at Westminster (March 22- 28)
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Sun. |
Worship: Lent IV |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
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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 29-April 4)
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Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship: Lent V |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Sunday School Drumming |
10:30 a.m. |
Allan Hall |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
M & P Committee |
12:00 noon |
Shalom Room |
|
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.)
Ushers, Greeters, and Coffee hosts: If you can make a commitment, please volunteer your time on the sign-up sheets by Memorial Hall. And please remember to mark the date on your calendar! In the event that you cannot keep the commitment, please contact Lil Iwanicki at 403-527-8430 and Sharon Clay at 403-527-5681, so replacement volunteers can be obtained.
Please check the kitchen for any containers that may be yours to take home.
Please check the office for Lost & Found items. We are gathering a varied collection again.
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.
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!
The 2009 South Alberta United Church Youth Rally is March 27-29th at Knox United Church, Taber. This year’s theme is “Church in Popular Culture.” Registration deadline is TODAY. Further information and registration forms can be found on the bulletin board on the way into Memorial Hall.
On Saturday, Elnora Heine is celebrating being 80-years young. A “Come & Go” tea will be held for her in Memorial Hall from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
The United Church of Canada is asking all congregants to observe Earth Hour "in the dark" on Saturday, March 28th beginning at 8:30 p.m.
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 next Sunday, March 29th
A workshop for Sunday School Teachers is Saturday, April 4th at Knox United Church in Taber. The theme this year is “More Than a Story and a Craft.” Registration deadline is Thursday. Further information and registration forms are posted on the bulletin board on the way into Memorial Hall.
On Saturday, Gordon Memorial United Church (401-2 Street SE, Redcliff) will be holding a Roast Beef Supper. Sittings will be at 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. Call Rita at 403-548-3517 for tickets and more information. Also, the Annual Palm Sunday Ham and Sausage Supper at Peace United Church in Irvine will be held on Sunday, April 5, 2009, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Adults $10.00, children (5-12 years) $5.00 and children under 5 years are free. Everyone is welcome.
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 ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this week as James conducted a celebration of life service for Janice Elaine Kalmring. Our condolences and prayers go out to her family.
Birthdays: Lana Blatz, Anna LeClair, Elnora Heine, Glen Grozell, Brooke Gardiner, Joyce Carlson
Anniversaries: Barb & Glen Grozell, Daisy & Wayne Adams, Corlaine & Rob Gardner
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of Bill Lamb by Helen and Family
and in loving memory of Gunster & Ruth Bruins by Gordon & Anne Bruins & Families
South Alberta Presbytery
This week’s prayers are requested for Redcliff-Irvine Pastoral Charge and Blaine Schaufele.
Sunday School Co-ordinators....................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers....................................... Lil Iwanicki, Mary Roberts
................................................................. Carol Bell, Gladys Schlenker and Jean Pfeifer
Acting Nursery Convenor............................. Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts............................................... Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit
Scripture Reader......................................... Yvonne Hole
Elder-in-Charge........................................... Pat Evans
Next Week’s Readings from: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16; John 12:20-33 and Hebrews 5:5-10
Stewardship Thought for Today
Stewardship practices allow God’s love to act in our lives,bringing us out of our wilderness experiences.
by Sheila Campbell