Westminster United Church  
 “We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.” 
November 1, 2009—Peace Sunday 

This week we move from Bartimaeus, who left his former life to follow Jesus, into today’s readings, which call us to affirm and assert that wherever we go, we go with God. 

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: Our sensitivity to the realities of the H1N1 virus, which is transmitted from hand contact to the mouth, nose, and eyes, encourages each of us to observe good hand hygiene. It is also important for us to avoid public gathering if we feel unwell. 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 Greeting

A Time of Silent Preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:  We come together on this Peace Sunday, our ears wide open with love.

All:  We come ready to nourish our spirits and renew our commitment to peace.

One:  We come together as peace bearers and peacemakers.

All:  May we bear peace in our hearts and be peacemakers in our communities.

One:  Come, let us celebrate God’s presence among us, an unending source of peace and compassion.

All:  Praise be to God, who calls us to pursue peace for the benefit of all creation.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Through the Elders we have been taught to walk in this world in a gentle way, always respecting the life that has been given to the animal and the plant world, and respecting the ways of other human beings. We come this morning with respect in our hearts for all that we will come in contact with today. May we share in a good way with each other and to know fully that the Creator is with us in all we do. Amen.

Hymn #684 “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

Conversation Time

Prayer for Transformation (Unison)

May our eyes be opened to enable us to see the cost of injustice, as well as the fruits of prosperity. May we be enabled to see the hopes and dreams of loved ones, as well as our own defined goals. May we be enabled to see our own faults, as clearly as the faults of others. May we be enabled to see how our faith community can meet neighbourhood needs and serve the global church. May the example of Jesus light our way with truth and call us to action … (time for silent reflection) 

Words of Assurance (One)

With eyes open to the truth, with minds resolved to bring change, with hearts afire with the zeal of Jesus, we will make a new start. Peace will be ours. Amen. 

Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 from the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 177

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

  Ruth 1:1-18; Psalm 146; Psalm 119:1-8; and Hebrews 9:11-14.

Anthem “Peace is Flowing Like a River”

Mark 12:28-34 from the Christian Scriptures Pg. 63 (NRSV)

Reflection; “Love of God, Love of Neighbour”

Hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth” 

Mission Moment

Our Church Tithes and Offerings / Offertory

Dedication Hymn #538 “For the Gift of Creation”

Prayer of Dedication (One)

May these gifts and the lives of those who give in service to the world be blessed. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn #316 “Praise Our Maker” 

Commissioning (One)

In all we say and do let us seek the kindness of Jesus and follow with our whole heart. As we are lead into daily challenges may we allow the Spirit within to guide us. Let us go in peace, and live into wholeness, now and always. 

Choral Amen 

Hymn #298 “When You Walk from Here” 

Postlude 

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

This Week at Westminster (November 1-7)

Next Week at Westminster (November 8-14) 

 Deadline for printed announcements is Thursday at Noon each week.

 Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning.

 Offering Counters are needed to assist on Sundays on a rotating basis immediately following worship. Please contact the office to be added to the schedule.

 Please check your mail slots for Annual Report requests. Deadline for submission is November 15^th.

 THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for your food donations and hard work. The Fall Supper realized a profit of $3,336.05.

 The Unisphere Global Resource Centre is pleased to report the proceeds from their World Food Day Dinner (October 16, 2009) amounted to $1,004.73 for the Canadian Food Grains Bank, plus food donations to the Family Support Centre. Also, donations from Westminster’s Thanksgiving envelopes totalled $335.00 and were sent to the Canadian Good Bank.

 The Willing Gardeners Workshop, November 7th from 9 a.m. to Noon, is based on the book by Rev. Bruce Sanguin "The Emerging Church.” The book documents how Bruce and his congregation, Canadian Memorial Church in Vancouver, evolved from a membership based congregation to one where ministry is "Ministry Anywhere, Anytime, by Anybody.” To register please contact the office.

Edythe Hewitt UCW will be in charge of “Campus Care Project” under the sponsorship of All Saints Anglican Church.  Twice a year an appeal is made for single person-sized food portions for college students.  Posters are in the Narthex and on the bulletin board in the hallway.  The last day for drop off is Sunday, November 22.  Donations of money will be receipted and should be made out to All Saints Anglican Church – Campus Care Project.  The UCW asks for a good response from the congregations.

Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit meeting on Wednesday, November 4, at 2:00 will be at the home of May Cooper, at 24 Violet Court, SE

Celebrations This Week

 The ministry of WUC was extended into the community as James officiated at a graveside service for Marie Kelly last Saturday. Our sympathy goes out to the family.

Birthdays: Bill Scott, Viola Foster, Bill Taylor, Garth Campbell, Alexis Judge, Stefan Judge, Jason Hanson, Hilda Welling, Adrianna West, and Heather Allan.

Anniversaries:  Leonard & Esther Klaudt and Harvey & Mickey Staples.

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of Florence and Ed Schaffer, by Lenora & Dale Stein, Ted Stein.

South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for Crowsnest Pass Pastoral Charge, Bill Irvine and Pastoral Charge Supervisor, Kathy Yamashita.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning 

Next Week’s Readings from: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28 and Mark 12:38-44.

Stewardship Thought for Today

Trusting God’s abundance, even in perceived scarcity, helps generate a culture of generosity.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        by Andrew Richardson

 JNAC (Joint Needs Assessment Committee) Report:

      The Joint Needs Assessment Committee held two meetings and our focus has begun to take shape. Our committee consists of Stacey Oster (chair), Charlene Andreas (secretary), Sheila McLeod (presbytery), Stewart Thomas (presbytery), Lenora Stein, Doug Henderson, and Kara Anton. 

      We are currently in the information gathering stage, and have discussed a few methods in which we may complete this. We have started collecting the statistical information we require, which not only includes church related areas but also community assessments. As well, both James and Jane have agreed to meet with us to discuss their perspectives on the needs of our church. As a committee, we believe that in order to obtain a comprehensive assessment, we would like to meet with all Westminster’s groups and committees. 

Prior to our meeting with committees, we would like each group to discuss two items: 

1. Why does our congregation exist?
2.  What does your group determine to be the top three needs of our church?

We are asking that a representative from each group/committee contact us to plan a meeting time to discuss these two items. Please call Lenora Stein at 527-7237 or Doug Henderson at 526-9422. – Kara Anton