“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”
January 10, 2010
The Baptism of Jesus
Expectations and questions swirl around those who speak of the drawing near of God’s promises and Promised One. Spirit and baptism become the signs of God’s affirmation of Jesus. But the grace of the words spoken “from heaven” are not restricted to Jesus. In Christ, we are those whom God calls beloved and with whom God is pleased. Such love affirms us as God’s own.
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
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: As we settle into this sacred place, put away the pressures of the world that ask us to perform, to take up masks, to put on brave fronts. Silence the voices that ask you to be perfect. This is a community of compassion and welcoming.
All: We bring all that we are and all that we yet can be, to this safe and holy place.
May we look to the past with gratitude and to the future with hope, unafraid of hopes and dreams, yet realistic about our limitations. May we realize the significance of these moments together. May we also gather courage for today and tomorrow. Amen.
Hymn #409 “Morning has Broken”
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
One: We remember the willingness of Jesus to choose a life of courage, compassion, faithfulness, and concern for the downtrodden.
All: We reflect on the life choices we have made, and the choices which lie ahead of us.
One: We remember the willingness of Jesus to choose a committed life with a community of disciples, very different in viewpoint, background, and ability.
All: We reflect on the choices we have made within our family and our faith community, for good or ill, and the choices which lie ahead of us.
One: We remember the willingness of Jesus to confront the corrupt practices, the stagnant traditions, and the evil powers of his time.
All: We reflect on the choices we have made for justice and right, and the choices which lie ahead of us …(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
To choose service rather than apathy, freedom rather than dependence, community rather than going it alone. As the faithful way comes home to us, so the need for peace is strong within us. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Psalms 29; and Acts 8:14-17.
Hymn #100 “When Jesus Comes to Be Baptized”
Mission Moment – Betty Sidlick
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Joined as builders, as those who shape the faith community, we offer our gifts. May they be blessed. Joined as those who have been richly blessed, we are confident that we too can be a blessing. Amen.
Hymn #375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” (vv 1&2, Chorus, vv 3&4)
Commissioning (One)
Let us depart showered in abundant blessings, seeking the reflection of Christ in all we meet, and being a reflection of Christ to all we greet.
Choral Amen
Hymn #649 “Walk with Me” (Chorus Only)
Postlude
Welcome to Westminster this morning. Please gather for coffee in Memorial Hall, following worship.
This Week at Westminster (January 10-17)
Sun. |
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
Board Meeting |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
JNAC Meeting |
7:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
Wii Fun |
2:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Thurs. |
Senior Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (January 17-24)
Sun. |
Trustees |
9:00 a.m. |
Shalom Room |
Worship (Membership, Baptism, Confirmation) |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
Willing Gardener’s Seminar |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
Wii Fun |
2:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Thurs. |
Senior Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
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 you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary to remember or celebrate a loved one or a special occasion, please sign up on the Flower’s Calendar in the Narthex or phone Sharon Clay at 403-527-5681. The flowers will be ordered for you and payment ($35.00) may be made to the UCW before the end of the month. Following the service in which your flowers are used, you may choose to either take them home or ask Sharon to delivery them to a shut-in or to a hospital patient from our congregation.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Christmas Decoration Removal this past week.
Your 2010 offering envelopes are available in the Narthex. The cost of the Observer is $15.00. People on PAR are not issued envelopes. Please destroy your old unused 2009 envelopes. Thanks for your cooperation.–Murray Bell, Treasurer
PAR Subscribers – If you wish to receive THE OBSERVER magazine, please pick up a donation envelope in the Narthex.
The Edythe Hewitt UCW Unit will meet on Wednesday, January 13th at 12:00 noon at Humpty's for lunch and their meeting.
The Events Calendar Deadline is January 12. Please let the office know of any events you wish to have included in this calendar.
Commune-I-Care will be making their “call-out” January 24-30. These calls provide each family with regular opportunities to receive information; notices of upcoming activities or events; and to allow families to give information regarding celebrations in their lives and provide information regarding possible needs they may have.
Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 7, 2010. It will begin with a potluck lunch immediately following worship. Instructions will follow.
Funeral: The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community last week as James conducted the funeral service for Alice Faulkner. Our condolences and prayers go out to her family.
Birthdays: Toni Carlson, Marilynn Piotrowski, Darcy Fox, Bea Hirsch, Reese Adams, Anne Maier, Stan Bohnet, Brent Carlson, Vera Henderson, Pat Marshall, Joyce Scott, Flora Gaub.
Anniversaries: Bill & Boo Thompson
South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for McKillop Pastoral Charge, Cathy Coates, and Trevor Potter.
Sunday School Co-ordinators |
Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson |
A/Nursery Convenor |
Jackie Carlson |
Greeters & Ushers |
Keith & Joyce Scott, Wally & Vivian Bergstreser |
Coffee Hosts |
Pat & Stan Bohnet, Doug & Velma Pearson |
Scripture Reader |
Al Olson |
Elder-in-Charge |
Dawn Skogen |
Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalms 36; 5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and John 2:1-11.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Good news! We have gifts to share!
by Kathie Murphy