July 19, 2009
A Combined Summer Service for the United Churches of Medicine Hat.
Today’s worship leader is Rev. James Farrell
Prelude / Sharing Announcements / A Time of Greeting
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: We give thanks for the life that pulsates within us,
All: breath and heartbeat, joy and sorrow, dance and stillness.
One: We give thanks for the life that ebbs and flows between us
All: loving, understanding, creating, embracing, and letting go.
One: We give thanks for the web of life that surrounds and sustains us
All: feeding, protecting, teaching, inspiring mutual care.
One: We give thanks for the source of all life,
All: this living universe, of which our lives are an expression.
May our hearts be opened to be attentive: that seeing, we may perceive, and hearing, we may understand, and understanding, we may act. Amen.
Hymn #708 “My Lord What a Morning”
Colouring packets for the children are available in the first pew on the pulpit side of the church.
The Nursery is available, although it is unsupervised during July services.
Prayer of Transformation (Responsive)
One: Let us dare to believe in the future: a future when people shall have learned to live…
All: by freedom and not by compulsion, by love and not by fear, by adventure and not by jealously guarded security.
One: They shall live in peace and shared respect and “none shall make them afraid.” They shall be continuously hungry for knowledge, and none shall say it is forbidden them.
All: They shall live in trust, and none shall do them hurt. They shall explore without fear of what they may find, and the difficulties they meet shall be stepping stones upward . . .
One: This could be the future of humanity if we dare:
All: That people seek to master themselves instead of others and rejoice in the fruits of disciplines they choose for themselves … (time for silent reflection) (adapt. R.T. Wesson)
Words of Assurance (One)
The Holy makes peace within us. Let us claim it. The Holy makes peace between us. Let us share it. Amen.
Prayer of Illumination
Hymn #307 “Touch the Earth Lightly”
Prayer of Dedication (One)
The spirit in which we offer our gifts is the spirit of thanksgiving, it is the spirit of sharing, and the spirit of discipleship. Amen.
Hymn #87 “I Am the Light of the World”
Commissioning (One)
Let us go in hope to discover the fragile and strong hopes all around us.
Choral Amen
Hymn #884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy” (x2)
Postlude
The Life and Work of the Congregation
Welcome to Westminster this morning.Please join us for refreshments after worship.
The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as James officiated at the wedding ceremony of Adriane Schafer and Mark Terrio-Cameron.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of husband, David and Hilda & Emil Schorr by Phyllis Schorr.
South Alberta Presbytery:Our prayers are requested this morning for Retired Ministry Personnel; especially those in South Alberta Presbytery.
Summer Worship Schedule: Again this summer the congregations of Fifth Avenue Memorial and Westminster United Churches continue to gather in shared worship. Next Sunday is our last worship service at Westminster. Services in August will be held at FAM and will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Westminster United UCW is sponsoring a “Women's Retreat” entitled Around the World and Then Home on Saturday, September 12, in Memorial Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The registration fee of $20 should be in to the church office by Friday, September 4th. It includes a catered lunch, Northern Lights Drumming, and much, more. All women are invited to attend.
St. John’s Presbyterian Church is hosting “A Day with John Bell” on September 25. Meeting Jesus in the Psalms: Explore new insights on Jesus’ hymn and prayer book in a series of participative workshops. View the posters on the way to Memorial Hall; registration forms are in the office.
This Sunday’s Elder-in-Charge is Gordon Schneider. He will be available to assist with congregational needs.