“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
May 3, 2009
The biblical image of shepherd – used to describe both God and Jesus – is one of steadfast love and faithfulness. The focus text and psalm invite us to imagine God’s ultimate care for humankind through the essential qualities of a good shepherd: caring, rescuing, feeding, protecting, and guiding. Such love enfolds us as we journey as disciples of the Risen One.
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: As we enter into this sacred place, put away the pressures of the world that ask us to perform, that would have us put on masks.
All: Silence the voices that ask us to be perfect.
One: This is a community of compassion and welcoming.
All: We bring all that we are and all that we yet can be, to this safe and holy place.
May we be empowered to look to the future with hope: unafraid of our dreams, realistic about our limitations, yet never losing hope in our potential to live courageously today and tomorrow. Amen.
Hymn #605 “Jesus Teacher Brave and Bold”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School Children & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
If there are times when we feel alone and despairing, may we be lead from our dark valley and be given confidence. If we have no wish to join in, but try to go it alone, may we be lead back to community and the joy and satisfaction of working with others. If we refuse to meet a challenge or to get involved in a just cause, may we be lead from the place of denial and given the courage to stand with the oppressed. If we forget we have a faithful community to help us in our times of need, may we be lead back into the love that surrounds us in that community . . . (time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
We will never be left on our own feeling helpless. Holy Love will lead us into a new way of life. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Psalm 23 and Acts 4:5-12.
Hymn #582 “There’s a Spirit in the Air”
Mission Moment
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Prayer of Dedication (One)
We are grateful that these gifts enable us to share in the lives of others. May we be empowered by the Spirit, to share more deeply in both sorrows and joys. Amen.
Hymn #703 “In the Bulb There is a Flower”
Commissioning (One)
May our lives be blessed according to the depth of our love, the persistence of our faith, our willingness to forgive and be compassionate, and in proportion to our yearning to be free.
Choral Amen
Hymn #964 “Go Now In Peace” (x2)
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (May 3-9)
|
Sun. |
Music & Worship |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Worship & Local Food Needs |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Ministry & Personnel |
12:00 p.m. |
Shalom Room |
|
|
UCW Executive |
12:00 p.m. |
Nursery |
|
Mon. |
Property |
7:00 p.m. |
Westminster Room |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
|
Wii Fun |
2-4:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
|
Square Circle UCW |
7:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (May 10-16)
|
Sun. |
Christian Family Sunday Worship/Jane’s Farewell |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
|
Board of Elders Meeting |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
|
Thurs. |
Electra |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Thurs. |
Senior 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 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 may be obtained.
We are seeking volunteers from the congregation to form a support choir to assist/lead the singing of hymns for funeral services. No rehearsal time is required. If this is of interest to you, please contact the office with your contact information.
Please check in the kitchen, by the microwave, for containers which may belong to you.
Edith Hewitt’s regular unit meeting will be held Wednesday, May 6th at 2:00 p.m. at the home of Grace Roth, 2611 McCuaig Cr SE.
The Westminster Plant and Garage Sale will be held this Saturday, May 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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], and plants need to be in containers. Please contribute to this Mission & Service sale. Any questions, call Linda at 403-527-7005.
Sunday, May 10th, Westminster United Church is extending an invitation to all children and youth to share their talents during this worship service for Jane’s last Sunday. Please contact Jane if you are willing to share in the ministry of this day.
Our Spring Brunch, with “free will” offering is Sunday, May 10th after worship in Memorial Hall. Signup sheets for food donations, setup, servers, and cleanup are on the bulletin board on the way to Memorial Hall.
Membership Sunday is tentatively set for May 24. If any one is interested in membership (by transfer or reaffirmation of faith) please speak to James as soon as possible.
Birthdays: Edna Silverthorne, Glen Allan, Marilyn Link, Myrtle Bangs, Peggy Smith, Alex Shand, Mike Jantzie, Joan Jantzie, Irene Leidal and Ralph Clarkson
Anniversaries: Steve & Melanie Rattai, Kevin & Cheryl Carleton, and Al & Marilynn Piotrowski
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in memory of Past Members, by Electra UCW
South Alberta Presbytery
This week’s prayers are requested for Foremost Pastoral Charge and Marie Barr.
Sunday School Co-ordinators Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers Leota Steele, Anne Bailly and Wally & Vivian Bergstreser
Acting Nursery Convenor Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts Mattson Family
Scripture Reader Lorraine Scott
Elder-in-Charge Dawn Skogen
Next Week’s Readings from: Psalm 22:25-31; John 15:1-8; Acts 8:26-40; and 1 John 4:7-21
Stewardship Thought For Today
Through God’s shepherding love, good stewards respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters by loving one another.
by Sheila Campbell