Westminster United Church

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

November 8, 2009 Remembrance Sunday 
 

The texts this Sunday invite us to consider what puts survival at risk, and what is received and offered through community as God’s people choose to take action on behalf of another’s 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 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 - Psalm 146 (Responsive)

One: The Lord upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.

All: The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the  blind.

One The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.

All:  The Lord watches over the stranger and sustains the  fatherless and the widow.

One: But He frustrates the ways of the wicked.  The Lord reigns forever, for all  generations.

All: We gather here in worship to praise the Lord!  Amen.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Generous God, we are here to worship you, and to experience your abundant grace again this day. You desire a world of peace and plenty, a world where vulnerable people are taken care of, not exploited. You ask us to support those who are weak and powerless, to share what we have, that all might be fed. Lord, help us to listen! Teach us we pray, and show us your incredibly compassionate love. Challenge us until we are uncomfortable enough to really listen. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hymn #333 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

Conversation Time

The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.

Prayer for Transformation (Responsive)

One:  For those who were killed in battle;

All: For those who gave up their lives to save others,

One: For those who fought because they were forced to;

All: For those who died standing up for a just cause,

One: For those who said war was wrong;

All: For those who tried to make the peace,

One: For those who prayed when others had no time to pray;

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination

1 Kings 17:8-16 From the Hebrew Scriptures Pg. 357

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

Anthem: “Because I Have Been Given Much”

Mark 12:38-44 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 64 (NRSV)

Reflection: “Giving Your All”

Hymn #506 “Take My Life and Let It Be”

Mission MomentBarb Grozell

Our Church Tithes and Offerings / Offertory

Dedication Hymn #540 “Grant Us, God, the Grace”

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn #633 “Bless Now, O God, the Journey”

Commissioning (One)

Choral Amen

Hymn #884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy”

Postlude

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

This Week at Westminster (November 8-14)

Sun. Worship 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary
  Jr. Choir Practice 11:45 a.m. Lounge
Tues. Prayer Shawl 1:30 p.m. Lounge
  Board of Elders Meeting 7:00 a.m. Lounge
Wed. OFFICE CLOSED    
Thurs. Electra UCW Meeting 1:30 p.m. Lounge
  Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary

Next Week at Westminster (November 15-21)

Sun. Trustees 9:00 a.m. Shalom Room
  Worship 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary
  Jr. Choir Practice 11:45 a.m. Lounge
Tues. Prayer Shawl 1:30 p.m. Lounge
Wed. Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Nursery
  Wii Fun 2:00 p.m. Memorial Hall
  Confirmation 7:00 p.m.  
  Senior Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary
Sat. UCW Poinsettia Tea   Memorial Hall

Deadline for printed announcements is Thursday at Noon each week.

Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning.

The Life and Work of the Church continues ... 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 UCW Poinsettia Tea will be on November 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.  The men will be serving.  Bake table.

The UCW Cookie Sale will be on December 13 following the service.  Donations of homemade cookies will be appreciated.

Hatterland Children's Theatre presents Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (musical) from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21 at 7:00 pm with a matinee on Sat. Nov. 21 at 2:00 pm.  The place is the Cultural Center Black Box Theatre. Tickets are on sale at Our Flower Shop.

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

Fifth Avenue Memorial will be holding a “Gifts & Goodies Gala” on Saturday, November 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See the poster on the way to Memorial Hall for more information.

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. Cheques may be dropped into the collection plates. The UCW asks for a good response from the congregation.

Celebrations This Week

Funeral:  The ministry of WUC was extended into the community this past week as James conducted the funeral service for Helen Stein. Our condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Stein family.

Birthdays: Ted Sherring, Joe Grindley

Anniversaries: Larry & Julie Brown, Garnet & Florence Leech

Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in honour of all veteran by Ted & Kim Sherring.

South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for Chaplains within the Canadian Armed Forces, especially Yvonne Mills and Lara Bowditch.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Sunday School Co-ordinators Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
A/Nursery Convenor Jackie Carlson
Greeters & Ushers Gordon & Brenda Wallsmith, Sandra Plank, Al Olson
Coffee Hosts John & Betty Sidlick, Bev & Ken Empey
Scripture Reader Al Olson
Elder-in-Charge Dawn Skogen

 
Next Week’s Readings from: 1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; or Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Mark 13:1-8;Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25.

Stewardship Thought for Today

Telling our stories helps shape a culture of generosity
.