“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”
Companions are those with whom we find and share bread on our journeys. Even in places of solitude and wilderness, companions draw near. Word and Spirit offer the presence and guidance of God. Remembrance and ritual extend traditions that sustain and comfort. In our Lenten wandering and wondering, we may trust God to bear us up.
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: In hope and in longing
All: we are happy to gather together.
One: In trust and in community
All: we are happy to gather together.
One: In many moods, in many shapes and sizes
All: we are happy to gather together in this Lenten season.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
During this Lenten journey may we be reminded that life is worth living. May we be reminded that the struggle for justice is worth undertaking. And may we be reminded that love and action are One. Amen.
Hymn #289 “It Only Takes a Spark”
Children and youth remain in the Sanctuary. Coloring packets for the children are available in the first pew on the pulpit side of the church.
Prayer for Transformation (Unison)
The journey we make is sometimes a journey into the unknown—deeper and deeper into a landscape full of reflection and searching for truth. Sometimes the journey of faith may frighten us. In silences we wonder what we will learn about ourselves and what others will see in us. The emptiness can make us feel anxious as we tread into the unknown. As we journey may we let go of any excess baggage that we may have so we can travel lightly. May we know that we do not journey alone and may we feel that ever abiding love that comes from Creator God…(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Calling us, leading us, guiding us, the Sacred gather us in compassion and grace. This Sacred Presence is our map, our way and our destination. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8b—13.
Hymn #808 “On Eagle’s Wings”
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Communion Hymn #467 “One Bread, One Body”
Invitation to the Service of the Table
Jesus invited all to the feast of peace and new life.
Jesus risked everything in compassion.
Jesus promised to make himself known in the breaking of the bread.
Thanksgiving (Responsive)
One: We give thanks and praise for all that is good in the world.
For the love we name Creativity God, and all that is.
For the person we name Jesus and his message of peace, justice and inclusiveness that is the realm of God.
For the renewing strength and freedom of the Spirit always present on the breath of life.
All: We give thanks for the presentness of God in the midst of life.
Celebration (One)
We remember the stories…How Jesus gathered with friends and foes to tell them of a re-imagined way of living and being. A way that did not conform to the standards of the Roman Empire or any other system of governance that suppressed people until starvation and deprivation resulted in death. In this way, the issues of life and death, justice and injustice, conflict and peace, goodness and evil were talked through and made real to ordinary people.
Bread and Wine (One)
So in our time and in this place, with today’s issues before us, let us continue the tradition: to break bread together. We remember what that tradition says...
At the end of a journey, among friends, gathered around a table...Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it: ‘This bread is broken, as my body will be.’ And he handed it to his friends, and invited them to eat: ‘Remember all that I have been to you.’ We remember...Jesus poured a cup of wine, offered thanks for it, and gave it to his friends: ‘This wine is poured out as my life will be. As you drink, give thanks for all I have given.’
The bread of life.
The fruit of celebration.
One: May the Spirit of Life within us
All: be a source of healing and consolation.
One: May the Spirit of Love within us
All: strengthen us when we feel weak, warm us when we are cold-hearted, bend us when we are stubborn, move us when we are uncaring, guide us in the way of love.
One: May the Spirit of Peace within us
All: shine in all we do.
Communion
By eating this bread and drinking this wine we become One in hope.
Prayer after Communion
May the celebration of the wonder and the mystery of the Holy Presence, within and around, strengthen and enable us to continue the work of Jesus in the church and beyond.
Commissioning (One)
As we journey; may the love that gives to life its beauty, the reverence that gives to life its sacredness, and the purposes that give to life its deep significance be strong within each of us and lead us into ever deepening relationships with all of life.
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 (February 21st – 27th)
Sun. |
Trustees |
9:00 a.m. |
Shalom |
Worship: Lent I Communion |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
No Sunday School |
|||
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
Joint Needs Assessment Committee |
7:00 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
Wii Fun |
2:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Lenten Study |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Thurs. |
Senior Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (February 28th – March 7th)
Sun. |
Christian Development |
9:00 a.m. |
Nursery |
Worship: Lent II |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Jr. Choir Practice |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Ministry & Personnel |
12:00 p.m. |
Shalom |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
The Willing Gardener’s Series |
7:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Wed. |
Bible Study |
9:30 a.m. |
Nursery |
Wii Fun |
2:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall |
|
Lenten Study |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Thurs. |
Senior Choir Practice |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
Fri. |
World Day of Prayer |
2:00 p.m. |
St. Barnabas |
Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning.
Our 2010 Lenten Study began on Wednesday, February 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary covering the second six of 12 DVD sessions of First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom; a study of the historical Jesus and the Kingdom of God; featuring John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg on location throughout the Galilee and Jerusalem. If you wish to participate, please contact the church office or speak to James to ensure you receive the pre-study reading materials.
The World Day of Prayer service is being held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church.
Birthdays: Maureen Oster, Bill Thompson, Andrew Weiss, Carol Olson, Scott Irvine, Mary Daku-Walker and Gordon Schneider.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of Susan Hubbard by John & family and by Rose & family.
South Alberta Presbytery:Our prayers this week are requested for Joyce Sasse and her mission to the Rural Churches.
Sunday School Co-ordinators |
Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson |
Nursery Convenor |
Jackie Carlson |
Greeters & Ushers |
Kara Anton, Boyd Alcock, Janice Croissant, Irene Fekete |
Coffee Hosts |
Mike & Joan Jantzie, Ken & Bev Empey |
Scripture Reader |
Angie Irvine |
Elder-in-Charge |
Gordon Bruins |
Next Week’s Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36.