“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”
January 31, 2010
This morning we welcome Rev. R. (Bob) Cruickshank as our worship leader. He is an ordained minister of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, retired from St. John’s, Medicine Hat in 2007.
Prophetic voices borne of love call us to trust and practice God’s ways, even when those ways conflict with our own. Such voices may be difficult to hear or raise when the setting is what and who we have known as home. The edge of prophetic word and action comes in the challenge of discerning what will best serve God’s way of love for all.
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: Gathered as a worshipping community,
All: we respond to the Holy with prayers.
One: Gathered as a learning community,
All: we respond to the Holy by listening.
One: Gathered as a compassionate community,
All: we respond to the Holy with acts of caring.
One: Gathered as a serving community,
All: we respond to the Holy as we identify the powerless and stand beside them.
In the turmoil of our world, we come searching for calm and understanding. In the uncertainty of our faith community, we come searching for a confident way with Jesus as our example. In the ups and downs of family life, we come searching for joy together. In the time of individual challenge, we come searching for faithful resolution. Amen.
Hymn #333 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
In our busyness may we not forget the Holy presence deep within us. If we recoil from the harsh realities of life, may we be aware of the suffering around us. If we move on in a blissful ignorance, may we be awakened to a heart of compassion. If we are afraid to speak our minds, may we have the courage to speak words of justice. If we question the very thought of the indwelling Spirit in our lives, may we know that this is real through the abundant love we experience … (time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Before you were formed in the womb you were known. And before you were born you were set apart as belonging to the Holy. Let it be so. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Another lesson for your personal consideration from today’s lections is Psalm 71:1-6.
Hymn #509 “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky”
Mission Moment – Marilynn Piotrowski
Prayer of Dedication (One)
As we offer gifts, may we receive the awareness of giving with others for common goals. As we offer gifts, may we receive the awareness that needs can now be met – within this faith community and beyond. Amen.
Hymn #372 “Though I May Speak”
Commissioning (One)
Let us go from here knowing that we are called from our very different situations, as servants. We are called to serve with others within this lively faith community. We are called to serve in the Way of Jesus beyond the boundaries of this church. We are called to serve the downtrodden and confused, the lonely, sad, and misunderstood, the ones Christ served.
Choral Amen
Hymn #649 “Walk with Me”(Chorus)
Postlude
Welcome to Westminster this morning. Please gather for coffee in Memorial Hall, following worship.
This 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 |
|
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 (M&O) |
1:30 p.m. |
Unisphere |
|
Wii Fun |
2:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Square Circle UCW |
7:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Thurs. |
Senior Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (February 7th – 13th)
Sun. |
Music & Worship |
9:00 a.m. |
Lounge |
Local Food Needs |
10:30 a.m. |
Narthex |
|
Worship |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Potluck & ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING |
12:00 noon |
Memorial Hall |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
Board Meeting |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
Wii Fun |
2:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Thurs. |
Electra UCW |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
Senior Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
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.
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.
Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 7, 2010. It will begin with a potluck lunch immediately following worship. Food contributions for the potluck lunch will be as follows:
Rose Glen & Southridge – desserts
Crestwood, SE/SW Hill, Flats and
Crescent Heights – Sandwiches (1/2 a loaf)
Others – pickles or any of the above.
This is the time that we take to review the past year’s work, show our appreciation to those who contributed to that work and make plans for the coming year. Your contribution is most important, please plan on attending. Bring your copy of the Annual Report to this meeting (found at the back of the Sanctuary or on the ramp). Highlight your report for anything you wish to have clarified or for which you wish to share comment.
Birthdays: Danielle Skogen, Kirsten Skogen, Jim Neigum, Rob Henderson, Ken Empey, Holly Johnson, Mia Glasser, Alvin Cruickshank, and Peggy Hungerford.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of her parents, Edith & Earle Clayby Sharon Clay.
South Alberta Presbytery:Our prayers this week are requested for: The Moderator, Mardi Tindal, and the General Council Staff.
Sunday School Co-ordinators |
Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson |
Nursery Attendant |
Kara Anton |
Greeters & Ushers |
Janice Croissant, Bette Frisch, Clare Crews, Lesley Berg |
Coffee Hosts |
Larry & Vera Henderson, Dub & Gwen Henderson |
Scripture Reader |
Sharon Clay |
Elder-in-Charge |
Ray Yanke |
Next Week’s Readings from: Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13); Psalm 138; Luke 5:1-11; and 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
Stewardship Thought for Today
What in our lives prevents us from being as generous as we are called to be?
By Kathie Murphy