Change for the good may come when we listen with care, speak with compassion, and enact our faith. Such wisdom sees that the persistent practice of mercy, like love, comes as gift and called from God. As we continue in the Season after Pentecost, hear the invitation to be open to the welcome God extends to all by responding to the presence and needs of others.
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.
A Time of Greeting: Cancelled until further notice, as the H1N1 virus is transmitted from hand contact to the mouth, nose, and eyes. For this reason we are asked to wash our hands frequently, thoroughly, and avoid direct hand contact with others. If you are feeling flu like, please stay home until better. If we all do our part in eliminating the spread of this virus, hopefully it will be a short lived health concern.
Prelude / Sharing Announcements
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: This is a place of thanksgiving.
All: We are glad that we are here.
One: This is a time to sing and pray and be together.
All: We are glad for this opportunity.
One: These are friends who have become our church family.
All: We are glad they are persons to trust and support.
One: This is where we come to talk about the example and inspiration that Jesus’ example is to us.
All: We are glad that Jesus’ inspiration will always be here for us to follow.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
The beauty of the sunset, the colours of hill and harvest can leave us breathless. The wonder and mystery and peace of Holy presence in and around us, is known to us in times of deepest joy and in times of sorrow. May we always be aware of this presence that is made known within and all around us. Amen
Hymn #427 “To Show by Touch and Word”
Conversation Time
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
May our faith community never lack vision or enthusiasm. May we always be mindful and hear the needs of those we don’t know, whose distress does not touch us. May we be open to new ways of thinking and fresh sources if inspiration … (time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Eternal source of hope, we rejoice that new beginnings are always open fur us. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections: Psalm 125; Mark 7:24-37; James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17.
Hymn #595 “We Are Pilgrims”
Mission Moment: General Council
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Dedication (One)
May these gifts be blessed so that the way of Jesus may be advanced in this community and beyond. Amen.
Hymn #647 “Travel On, Travel On”
Commissioning (One)
Go forth in the name of Jesus to feed the hungry, comfort the sick and those who mourn, encourage the timid and challenge the complacent.
Choral Amen
Hymn #224 “Sing a Happy Hallelujah” (vv. 1 & 4)
Postlude
The Life and Work of the Congregation
This Week at Westminster (September 6 – September 12)
| Sun. | Music & Worship | 9:00 a.m. | Lounge |
| Hymn Sing | 10:15 a.m. | Sanctuary | |
| Worship
Local Food Needs |
10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary | |
| Tue. | Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m. | Lounge |
| Thu. | Sr. Choir Practise | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (September 13 – September 19)
| Sun. | Trustees | 9:00 a.m. | Shalom |
| Worship / Recovenanting | 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary | |
| Sunday School
Registration
Jr. Choir Registration |
10:45 a.m. | Westminster | |
| UCW Executive Meeting | 12:00 p.m. | Lounge | |
| Tues. | Prayer Shawl Ministry | 1:30 p.m. | Lounge |
| Wed. | Bible Study | 9:30 a.m. | Nursery |
| Square Circle UCW | 7:00 p.m. | Lounge | |
| Thurs. | Electra UCW | 1:30 p.m. | Lounge |
| Sr. Choir Practise | 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.)
If you are interested in Greeting and Ushering, please sign up on the way into Memorial Hall.
Everyone is invited to Alice Felesky’s 90th birthday celebration, being held today from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
Westminster 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 the church office by this Friday. It includes a catered lunch, Northern Lights Drumming and much, much more. All women are invited to attend.
The UCW Executive meeting has been rescheduled to September 13th, with Square Circle meeting on September 16th and Electra meeting on September 17th.
Prayer Shawl Ministry resumes on Tuesday, September 15th at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to knit prayer shawls. As supplies are very low, either donations of yarn or cash to purchase yarn would be greatly appreciated.
Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, September 16th at 9:30 a.m. in the Nursery. Everyone is welcome!
Anyone interested in Fall Adult Confirmation Classes, please speak with James immediately.
Sunday School Registration & Junior Choir Registration will be held after Conversation Time on September 13th in the Westminster Classroom.
Please get all your Fall/Winter Events Calendar items into the office by September 9th. DON’T MISS HAVING YOUR EVENT INCLUDED.
The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as James officiated at the wedding ceremony of Sarah Harrison and Michael Kapusta.
The funeral service for Bob Porter was conducted on August 14, 2009 at Maple Creek, SK. Our condolences go out to Juanita and family.
Birthdays: Maggie Harrison, May Schlenker, Brian Taylor, May Cooper, Alice Felesky, Anna-Marie Hancock, Irene Fekete, Katie Patterson, Bertha Harrison, Matraca West, and Al Pols.
Anniversaries: Don & Ann Lonson. Linda & Gary Kinvig celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary August 29th.
South Alberta Presbytery
Our prayers this week are requested for Fifth Avenue Memorial Pastoral Charge, the Reverend Gary Goran and Gloria Angle.
| Sunday School Co-ordinators | Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson |
| Acting Nursery Convenor | Jackie Carlson |
| Greeters & Ushers | Larry & Vera
Henderson,
Gordon & Anne Bruins |
| Coffee Hosts | Joyce Shannon,
Glen Rosa,
Adair Prouty & Sharon Clary |
| Elder-in-Charge | Ray Yanke |
Next Week’s Readings from: Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; Mark 8:27-38 and James 3:1-12.
Stewardship Thought for Today
Offering
hospitality to the stranger challenges us to see everyone as God’s
chosen.
by Sheila Campbell