Westminster United Church

“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”

September 20, 2009

Baptism Sunday

Jesus calls us to receive and practice this wisdom about those who are great in God’s reign: God’s wise children are called to welcome and care for “little ones” among us. Wise ones reach out with encouraging presence to those who are vulnerable. Wise ones live close to God by living justly with neighbour. Wise hands do good.

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 Silent Preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:    Fountain of life...Pulse of life...Breath of life...

All:      Earth is filled with the presentness of God.

One:        Our’s is a planet filled with the presence of God

All:   a living green blue planet, peoples from every corner of creation, the vast reaches of space above us, and the rocks and hills and wonders of the wild.

One:        Together this day, let us sense the face of God in all our encounters with life.
 

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Creativity God, whose renewing breath fills our planet, may we discern your vibrant, creative presence among us. And may our spirits be lifted as we celebrate with the clouds, the winds, the dusk and the dawn. We stand in awe before the vast reaches of space above us and give thanks for the fragile piece of stardust we call Earth. Amen.

Hymn #644 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” (vv. 1-3)

 
(During the hymn, those sharing in the baptism gather on the chancel.)

Jackie Carlson: On behalf of the Board of Westminster United Church, I present the following child for initiation into the body of Christ through Baptism:

Baptism Vows

You come to this place presenting your child. You speak on your child’s behalf. The care and nurture of your child is entrusted to you. You are here to commit both your child and yourselves to a life of faith, a journey with ever-new experiences and challenges.

Do you see the act of baptism as a symbol of our celebration of the life of your child, filled as he or she already is with the spirit of the Divine? If so, please say, “I do.”

     I do.

Do you believe that as we share the stories of life, yours, ours, those of our children and those of people of wisdom and faith who have gone before us, that we come to know the Divine more fully? If so, please say, “I do.”

     I do.

Do you commit yourself and your child to a journey of the spirit within the faith community, seeking to find and nurture the wholeness within yourself, your child, and the world? If so, please say, “I do.”

     I do.

Baptismal Promises of the Congregation (Please stand.)

We gather at this font to celebrate the Spirit of Life that connects us all and through which we come to love ourselves, one another, and the whole of creation.

This font and the water in it are our symbols of community and symbols of our common need for the refreshing waters of the Spirit.

Through water we are born, of water we are made, by water we are sustained. Each of you, whole and loved knows the need for support and care upon this spiritual journey. As these individuals gather to commit to this journey through baptism, let us pledge our care to them.

We stand as witnesses to the commitment these people make to this journey of faith and pledge ourselves, through the symbol of this water, to their love, support, and care as they discover the ways that the Spirit unfolds for them. (Please be seated)

Let us pray. (One)

May we be thankful for the gift of life and within it, the gift of water. Over its unshaped promise the Spirit hovered at creation; by water comes the growth of the earth. Through water the children of Israel were led to freedom; in the waters of the Jordan, Jesus, was baptized. May this water be a sign for all of new life. Amen.

The water is poured.

The Baptism (All relatives and friends of [Crue, Austin, Avery, Alexander, Benjamin, Adelynn] are asked to stand where they are seated in the pew as he/she is being baptized).

[Crue Matthew, Austin Connor, Avery Grace, Alexander Richard, Benjamin Michael, Adelynn Dionne], “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit. You are baptized in the name of love: its beginning and its end, its commitment and its challenge, its peace and its power.”

People Respond:    “Amen.”
 

Laying on of Hands (The family, Jackie, and our minister place their hands on [Crue, Austin, Avery, Alexander, Benjamin, Adelynn]  to indicate the action of the Holy Spirit.)

[Crue, Austin, Avery, Alexander, Benjamin, Adelynn], “may the Spirit work within you, that being born of water and Spirit; you may be a faithful witness of Jesus.”

People Respond:  “Amen.”

The Declaration

In the name of Jesus, who was baptized as you are now, you are welcomed into the household of faith with joy and thanksgiving.

Crue, Austin, Avery, Alex, Ben, and Adelynn are greeted by the children.

Hymn #644 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” (vv. 4-7) 

The Sunday School leave for their classes. 

Prayer for Transformation (Unison)

Were there a clear goal to our lives we would be able to set our sights on it and walk a sure path in that direction.  Were we aware of the purpose of our existence, we should be able to live it out humbly and completely.  Were we wise to the ways of the universe, we could find and use the secrets it holds and fulfill our destinies more completely. But we do not know.  As we meander through life, we walk with the Holy. As we struggle with meaning and purpose, we are held by the Divine. As we search our world and others for clues and answers, Divine Life abides with us and gives us reign to find reason … (time for silent reflection)

Words of Assurance (One)

As we open our hearts to the stirring of holiness we allow peace to be ours.  Amen

Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination

James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a Pg. 286

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are:

Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 or Psalm 54.

Anthem “We Are One”

Mark 9:30-37 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 58 (NRSV)

Reflection for Baptismal Sunday

Hymn #357 “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”

Our Church Tithes and Offerings / Offertory

Dedication #544 “In Gratitude and Humble Trust” (tune #530)

Prayer of Dedication (One)

The riches of Divine gracious love have been entrusted to us.  May we share the beauty of Holy Love with all who walk with us in caring service.  May these gifts be blessed.  Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn #236 “Now Thank We All Our God”

Commissioning (One)

May the God you see in all the colours of creation

arouse in you a sense of awe and wonder.

May the God who is a sacred presence be real to you.

May the God who is a source of inspiration and courage

keep calling you forward.

May your God go with you, and bless you. (FMcNabb)

Choral Amen

Hymn #424 “May the God of Hope Go with Us”

Postlude

Welcome to Westminster this morning. Please gather for coffee in Memorial Hall, following worship.

            This Week at Westminster (September 20 - 26)

            Next Week at Westminster  (September 27 – October 3)

Deadline for printed announcements is Thursday at Noon each week.

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.)

The Life and Work of the Church goes on . . . if you are interested in Greeting & Ushering, Hosting Coffee, Reading Scripture during worship, or volunteering in the Nursery, please sign up on the way into Memorial Hall. If counting the Offering is more to your liking, please contact the office to be added to the schedule.

The Trustees will be hosting a Chilli Celebration TODAY. Donations will be gratefully received and will be used to offset the cost of the Memorial Hall floor and washroom renovations from last summer/fall.

“Giving Voice to Our Faith” is this year’s theme for the 54^th Annual Banff Men’s Conference, occurring October 16-18^th. For more information and registration details, please view the poster on the way into Memorial Hall.

Losing someone to suicide can often leave us feeling confused, angry and alone. You are not alone. A Hope & Healing Memorial Gathering will be held this evening at Miywasin Society (517 – 3 Street SE) at 6:30 p.m.  Please see the poster on the way to Memorial Hall for more information.

 
            Celebrations This Week

The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community as James officiated at the marriage of Sherry Sheck and Jorey Marchand on September 19^th.

Birthdays: Joy Biko, Liz Fox, Evan Harrison, Rob Gardner, Bea Iverson, Marian Bauer, Ryan Neigum, Katelyn Richard, Darlene O’Reilly, Myra Gerhardt, Al Olson.

 Anniversaries: Bruce & Michele Gardiner

 South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for Coaldale-Raymond Pastoral Charge and the Reverend Bob Wallace.

              Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Next Week’s Readings from: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22; Psalm 124 or Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 or Psalm 19:7-14; Mark 9:38-50; James 5:13-20.