“We are journeying together in God’s love . . . to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
April 12, 2009 “Easter Sunday”
Women were last at the cross; now they are first at Jesus’ tomb. The news of the Resurrection fills them with “terror and amazement.” How can anyone take in such amazing, alarming news? What will happen now? Later, the disciples proclaim the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This Easter Day we join them, and rejoice in God’s saving work.
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: Life is a gift for which we are grateful.
All: We gather in community to celebrate the glories of this great gift.
One: Today we celebrate new life, new joy, new possibilities.
All: We give thanks for the Spirit of Life visible in Jesus, visible in us, visible in people in all walks of life.
How good it is to be alive! We feel the beat of our own hearts, the pulsing life in our veins, the rhythm of our breathing. We gather into the silence of this time with gratitude for this day. We come with our needs. And we come because we have gifts to share. In our gathering and in our going, may we be strengthened in our bonds of love and peace. Amen.
Hymn #59 “Joy to the World”
Conversation Time
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
We have seen the face of the Risen Christ: bewildered, angry, despairing, among those who have suffered loss. We have seen the face of the Risen Christ: worried, unsure, lacking confidence, downhearted, among those close to us. We have seen the face of the Risen Christ: not welcomed, searching, unchallenged, in our faith community. We have seen the face of the Risen Christ: discouraged, powerless, defeated, among the disadvantaged of our world. Where we have failed to recognize Christ, may we be forgiven … (A time for silent reflection.)
Words of Assurance (One)
As we recognize the face of Christ in our family members, in our friends, and in the stranger, may we have the will to be with them, as we would be with Jesus. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 from the Psalms Pg. 605
Other lessons for your personal consideration for today are: Isaiah 25:6-9; Mark 16:1-8; Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Anthem “Joy In the Morning”
John 20:1-18 from the Christian Scriptures Pg. 145
Hymn #173 “Thine Is the Glory”
Mission Moment
Prayer of Dedication (One)
May these offerings be blessed, for through them, the spirit of the Risen Christ is at work in our day and generation. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer
Hymn #586 “We Shall Go Out with Hope of Resurrection”
Commissioning (One)
Go out from this place to your daily journey through life. Take with you the example of Jesus for strength and sustenance for the journey. Remember always we are members of the body of Christ. Today and always, may the Holy One embody surprise along the way.
Choral Amen
Hymn #884 “You Shall Go Out with Joy”
Postlude
This Week at Westminster (April 12-18)
|
Sun. |
Easter Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Board of Elders |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
Wii Fun |
2-4 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (April 19-25)
|
Sun. |
Worship / Earth Sunday |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
Wii Fun |
2-4 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
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. Please 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 may be obtained.
Congregational Life and Work Committee is appealing to you, the congregation. The freezer is empty. On Sunday mornings most of us enjoy snacks with our coffee. We are asking for donations of loaves, muffins, cookies and fruit bread (only suggestions). Bring baking to the church anytime and place items in the Auxiliary Kitchen freezer. Please mark all items with ‘date’ and as ‘Sunday coffee’. Thanks to all of you.
Palliser Friends of Medicare presents Dr. Tim Doty, Profit vs. People health care and the drug industry: A fresh perspective on conflict of interest in family medicine and medical education, Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Multicultural Folk Arts Centre.
Annual Spring Yard Clean-up - Friday, April 17th at 1:00 p.m. and/or Saturday, April 18th at 9:00 a.m. until finish. We would appreciate you bringing your own tools and lots of muscles. Interested persons can phone Doug Pearson at 403-504-1938.
On April 19, at 7:30 p.m., St. John’s Presbyterians Church will be hosting “Spring Sing.” Five choirs will be participating including our own Westminster Church choir. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The Westminster Plant and Garage Sale will be held Saturday, May 9th. Items can be brought to the church on Friday, May 8th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. We need your donations of goods [no clothing, perishables, or broken items], plants need to be in containers. Please contribute to this M & S sale. Any questions, call Linda at 403-527-7005.
Birthdays: Howard Widmer and Albina Jackson
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in memory of Mom, Dad and sister, Leslie, by Yvonne Hole and in memory of Florence Henderson by the Henderson Family
South Alberta Presbytery
This week’s prayers are requested for Pincher Creek Pastoral Charge, Fishburn-Marr, Mountain Mill, and the Rev. Brent Woodard.
Our Order of Ministry This Morning
Sunday School Co-ordinators. . . . . . . .Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bev & Ken Empey, Al & Marg Mattson
Acting Nursery Convenor . . . . . . . . . Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Marshall, Kim Sherring, Rae Wahl and Julia Taylor
Scripture Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janice Croissant
Elder-in-Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer Oster
Next Week’s Readings from: Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1:1-2.2 and John 20:19-31
Stewardship Thought for Today
As stewards, how do we respond to the good news of Easter, remembering the angel’s words “Be not afraid”? by Sheila Campbell