“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”
January 24, 2010
This morning we welcome Rev. Leroy Angle as our worship leader.
The teaching of God’s good ways brings good news to those whose lives have not experienced good. Such ways and news cry out to be heard and done today. The past may instruct; the future may beckon; today is when these ways and this news need to be lived and fulfilled. This is the day the Spirit empowers us with boldness and trust.
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 ovoid 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: The Medicine Hat Community Orchestra
“Five Dances in the Baroque Style” Leo Delibes 1836-1891
Sharing Announcements / A Time of Greeting
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Nothing we can do will make God love us more.
All: Nothing we can do will make God love us less.
One: In this quiet place we come to rest our minds.
All: In this quiet place we come to make room for God.
One: In this place of worship we are reminded that there is more.
All: In this time set apart, we seek to let go into that greater Being.
One: We come to be recipients of God’s grace.
We come to be grounded in God’s abundant love.
All: Let us worship God, for in God we live and move and have our being.
Gracious God, who is greater than we can ever fully know, we thank You that You know us. You know us, not in the way that a fact is known, but in the way that we are known by a beloved. Help us to know You, so that in our neighbours we see You and in our neighbours we love You. Help us to see and love and come to know that You are no idol whose life must be manufactured for the many. Rather, You are the One God, through whose life the many are made, through whose life the many are made one. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Hymn #87 “I Am the Light of the World”
Conversation Time
Sunday School & Youth leave for classes.
O Lord, as we ponder Your love, we are reminded of our calling to become it’s agents. This call has often fallen on deaf ears and hard hearts. We have not loved others as Christ loves us. When adversity strikes, others may hear from us cries of lament rather than hymns of fortitude. When opposition mounts, they may see us fleeing the scene rather than standing our ground. But they may be surprised, when we are afforded the chance to speak the truth in love; we are willing to take the risk.
We realize, Lord, that when we have failed others, we have also failed You, not only in good deeds we could have done and failed to do, but also in the good deeds we have done primarily for our own benefit. We trust in Your forgiveness and ask for grace to forgive ourselves, Lord, and await the peace of Your spirit …(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (Responsive)
One: Now let us be comforted by the good news of the Gospel—those who truly recognize and accept their weaknesses and transgressions will find the peace of God’s grace. Thanks be to God.
All: Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; and Psalm 19.
Hymn #330 “Jesus Shall Reign”
Mission Moment – Kim Sherring
“Preludia and Danzetta” by Arcangelo Corelli 1653-1713
Prayer of Dedication (One)
May our gifts, our talents, our community, be blessed and strengthened for service. Amen.
Hymn #660 “How Firm a Foundation”
Commissioning (One)
Let us go as far as our courage takes us. Give as extravagantly as we may. Care as lavishly as we are able. Keep journeying as a friend, for the Holiness, in which we live, will always be with us.
Choral Amen
Hymn #649 “Walk with Me” (Chorus)
Postlude: The Medicine Hat Community Orchestra
“Old English Dance” Walter Kramer Opus 32, #2
Welcome to Westminster this morning. Please gather for coffee in Memorial Hall, following worship.
This Week at Westminster (January 24 – 30th)
Sun. |
Worship: Leroy Angle |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Staff Meeting Cancelled |
||
Prayer Shawl |
1:30 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 |
Next Week at Westminster (January 31 – February 6th)
Sun. |
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
UCW Executive |
12:00 p.m. |
Nursery |
|
M & P |
12:00 p.m. |
Shalom Room |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
Willing Gardener’s |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
Mission & Outreach |
1:30 p.m. |
Unisphere |
|
Wii Fun |
2:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Thurs. |
Senior Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning.
Thank you to The Medicine Hat Community Orchestra for sharing your gifts and talents at Westminster today.
The freezer is empty!—The Congregational Life Committee is appealing to the congregation for Sunday morning coffee time goodies. Please place donations (dated) in the large freezer in the auxiliary kitchen.
Your 2010 offering envelopes are available in the Narthex. The cost of the Observer is $20.00 this year. 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.
Birthdays: Mickey Staples, Larry Henderson, Melanie Rattai, and Florence Gardner.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of, all departed family members by John & Betty Sidlick.
South Alberta Presbytery:Our prayers this week are requested for Milk River, New Dayton, Coutts Pastoral Charge and Mary Young.
S.S. Co-ordinators |
Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson |
Nursery Convenor |
Jackie Carlson |
Greeters & Ushers |
Mary Robertson, Jean Pfeifer, Gladys Schlenker, May Cooper, Phyllis Schorr |
Coffee Hosts |
May Cooper, Phyllis Schorr, Grace Roth, Sharon Clay |
Scripture Reader |
Grace Roth |
Elder-in-Charge |
Pat Connell |
Next Week’s Readings from: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; Luke 4:21-30; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Generosity sometimes means sharing our knowledge as well as our more tangible gifts. by Katie Murphy
HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
In response to the humanitarian crisis provoked in Haiti by the serious earthquake on Tuesday, January 12, The United Church of Canada is appealing for donations to support relief and reconstruction efforts. The church has already committed $20,000 to relief efforts by partners in the region.
Members of ACT Alliance ACT Alliance (the network of churches and Christian aid agencies that enables global responses to emergencies) are already in place, assisting those affected by the earthquake. The ACT Secretariat in Geneva is coordinating the relief operations of its members, and more details will follow in the coming days. For further information see the United Church of Canada website.
You may make a donation in either of three ways: Funds collected will be shared directly with networks in the region.
1. Support the Emergency Response Fund of The United Church of Canada; or
2. Cheques should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked "Haiti Appeal" and mailed to: United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4 or brought into the office for weekly mailing. The funds will be treated as “designated gifts.” Please note: Designated gifts cannot be counted as M&S Fund credits. However, they are eligible for tax receipts; or
3.Online at www.strategicprofitsinc.com/unitedchurch/donate