“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”
April 4, 2010
This morning we welcome Angie Irvine as our Worship Leader and Linda Gayle, Executive Director, Saamis Immigration as our guest.
John and the other gospel writers place the first news of the Resurrection in the hands of women – and, in John’s case, in Mary Magdalene’s hands alone. The surprise of resurrection prepares disciples for surprising witness. Christ is among us. So said Mary, so say those who follow her lead. Christ is risen. Alleluia!
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.
Prelude / Sharing Announcements / A Time of Greeting
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Life is a gift for which we are grateful.
All: We gather in community to celebrate the glories and mysteries of this great gift.
One: Today we celebrate: new life, new joy, new possibilities.
All: We give thanks for the Spirit of Life visible in Jesus, visible in us, visible in people in all walks of life.
Opening Prayer (Unison)
How good it is to be alive! Yes, we feel the beat of our own hearts, the pulsing of life in our veins, the rhythm of our breathing. We come into this time with gratitude for this day. We come with our needs. And we come because we have gifts to share. In our coming and in our going may we be strengthened in our bonds of love and peace. Amen.
Hymn #157 “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”
Coloring packets for the children are available in the first pew on the pulpit side of the church.
Prayer for Transformation (Unison)
Easter takes us on a new journey. The narrow paths we followed, the restricting patterns of life, no longer bind us. The limits that held us back, the deadening opinions of others, no longer have power over us. We have escaped from the groove of tradition, broken free from the hold of prejudice. Our reluctance to work justly, our reluctance to stand beside the powerless, is over for good. Now we can experience the love shown to us in the example of Jesus in action. Now we can feel love transforming each day for ourselves … (time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Our journey continues as we walk together in love and peace. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26.
Hymn #166 “Joy Comes with the Dawn”
Mission Moment—Danielle Skogen
Dedication (One)
May we give thanks for our life and the courage we are given to live it. Let our gratitude for life be expressed in our generosity. Let our faith be expressed in good causes. Let our belief in the future find full expression in our daily attitude of mind. May these gifts be blessed. Amen.
Hymn #179 “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks”
Commissioning (One)
Let us go from this place to our daily journey through life. Fashioning relationships of inclusion and reconciliation, and a life-style that loves and treats people and the earth gently, as the Creator does. And may the Holy One surprise us on the way.
Choral “Amen”
Hymn #884 “We Shall Go Out with Joy”
Postlude
Welcome to Westminster this morning. Please gather for coffee in Memorial Hall, following worship.
This Week at Westminster (April 4th – 10th)
| Sun. | Easter Hymn Sing | 10:15 a.m. | Sanctuary |
| Local Food Needs | 10:30 a.m. | Narthex | |
| Worship: Easter Celebration | 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary | |
| No Sunday School | |||
| Mon. | Property | 7:00 p.m. | Westminster |
| Tues. | Prayer Shawl | 1:30 p.m. | Lounge |
| Willing Gardeners’ Series | 7:00 p.m. | Lounge | |
| Wed. | Bible Study | 9:30 a.m. | Nursery |
| Mission & Outreach | 1:30 p.m. | Unisphere | |
| Thurs. | Electra | 1:30 p.m. | Lounge |
| Senior Choir Practice | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary | |
| Fri. | Church Yard Spring Clean Up | Yard |
Next Week at Westminster (April 11th – 17th)
| Sun. | Trustees | 9:00 a.m. | Shalom |
| Worship: Lisa Waites | 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary | |
| No Sunday School | |||
| Tues. | Prayer Shawl | 1:30 p.m. | Lounge |
| Board of Elders | 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 |
| JNAC | 7:00 p.m. | Lounge |
Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning.
Please be mindful of the two 5-minute designated parking zones. They are not handicapped parking areas and are to be left open as drop off zones and for the Handibus.
The Visitation & Membership committee need more volunteers to assist with hospital visits. For more information on what this entails, please speak to Lenora Stein. If this is something that is of interest to you, please contact the office.
The Life and Work of the Church continues ... and we have some vacancies needing to be filled. 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.
Annual Spring Church Yard Clean-up, this Friday, April 17th at 1:00 p.m. and/or Saturday, April 18th at 9:00 a.m. until finished. We would appreciate you bringing your own tools and lots of muscles. Interested persons can phone Doug Pearson at 403-504-1938.
Next Sunday, April 11th at 7:30 p.m., St. John’s Presbyterians Church will be hosting their annual “Spring Sing.” Five choirs will be participating including our own Westminster Church choir. Everyone is graciously invited to come enjoy and support our Senior Choir.
Celebrations This Week
Funeral: The ministry of Westminster was extended into the community this past week as James conducted the funeral service for Alex Shand. Our condolences and prayers go out to the Shand family.
Birthdays: Daniel Maier, Jamie Hancock, Lesley Berg, Ruth Patrick, Derek Skogen, Corlaine Gardner, Jaci Fox, and Claude Skogen.
Anniversaries: Janice & Marlon Croissant, Jackie & Brent Carlson, Walter & Marilyn Link.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in celebration of Easter by Westminster UCW’s.
South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for Duchess Pastoral Charge and Yvonne Terry, LPM.
Our Order of Ministry This Morning
| Sunday School Co-ordinators | Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson |
| A/Nursery Convenor | Jackie Carlson |
| Greeters & Ushers | Al & Marg Mattson, Dale & Lenora Stein |
| Coffee Hosts | Sharon Clay, Jennifer Oster, Maureen Oster, Stacey Oster |
| Scripture Reader | Linda Kinvig |
| Elder-in-Charge | Dawn Skogen |
Next Week’s Readings from: Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150; John 20:19-31; Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-8.
Stewardship Thought for Today:
Jesus Christ finds us, as we wander to the tomb—and invites us to live in Easter power and energy. by Terry Shillington