Westminster United Church

“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .

to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.” 

April 11, 2010 

This morning we welcome Lisa Waites as our Worship Leader. 

God’s loving ways cannot be contained. Like the ripples made when a stone is tossed into calm water, the Spirit works through people and communities whose words and deeds bear witness to God, who raised Jesus to life. God calls all such witnesses to accountability and forgiveness. God still speaks, inviting all to receive the Spirit and follow Christ. 

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

A Time of Silent Preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship—Psalm 16 (Responsive)

One: Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.

All: Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.

One: I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

All: even at night my heart instructs me.

One: Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

All: my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave,

One: nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life;

All: you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Almighty God, we praise you this morning, and thank you that you did not let your Holy One see decay. We have gathered in this place to worship you with the glorious thrill of Easter still fresh in our minds. However, we also acknowledge that doubt and discouragement often drain our sense of Resurrection joy. Please help us to encounter you in a fresh and powerful way as we worship, and dissolve our fear in the warmth of your peace. We ask these things in Christ’s name, Amen.

Hymn #173 “Thine is the Glory”

Conversation Time

Coloring packets for the children are available in the first pew on the pulpit side of the church.

Prayer for Transformation (Unison)

Risen Lord, we confess with the hymn writer that all glory and honour belong to you. You do indeed greet us lovingly; you scatter fear and gloom. And yet, we know that often when we leave your presence, we gather those fears and doubts up again, and carry them home with us. We know that many times we have failed to receive your love, choosing instead to cling to bitterness and hatred. We fail to get it right, and then we sink into discouragement and disbelief. In your tender mercy Lord, would you remind us again that you do not expect perfect faith from us, and that you invite us to touch your wounds, and believe. Where there is doubt, please restore faith. Where there is unrest and discord, breathe your Holy Spirit. By changing our hearts, you are able to change the world, and so we gladly open ourselves in faith to what you are doing this day in our community. Transform us we pray, Amen.

Words of Assurance (One)

Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination

Psalm 150 Pg. 621—Clint Houston

Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are:

Psalm 118:14-29; Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-8.

Anthem “We Will Glorify”

Scripture John 20:19-36 from the Christian Scriptures Pg. 146

Reflection

Hymn #642 “Be Thou My Vision”

Mission Moment—Sean Wilkinson

Our Church Tithes and Offerings / Offertory

Dedication Hymn #538 “For the Gift of Creation”

Prayer of Dedication (One)

Prayer of Thanksgiving, Intercession & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn #575 “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”

Commissioning (One)

Choral “Amen”

Hymn #884 “You 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 11th – 17th)

Next Week at Westminster (April 18th - 24th)

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.

Thank you to Ted Sherring for installing the new bench outside the Sanctuary doors. This will be a wonderful resting spot for those waiting for taxis or the Handibus.

Thank you to all the volunteers who worked diligently to clean up the church yard. It looks great!

This evening at 7:30 p.m., St. John’s Presbyterian 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.

Our guest musicians for Camp Sunday on April 25th will be Gas Town Riot, the lively Dixieland band with Cam Lockerbie.

St. Patrick’s Catholic and Westminster United church choirs proudly present “Duelling Keyboards” Organ and Piano Concert featuring the Alhborn/Gallant Organ with local artists: Vicki Tellman, Darrel Maier, Chris White, and introducing guest organist Jamar Jensen. The concert is scheduled for Sunday April 25th at 7:00 p.m. at the Historic St. Patrick’s Church. Admission: $5/person, $15/family, and/or food items for the local food bank. Proceeds will be used to support our local musicians.

Garage Sale Reminder – Please remember to drop off your donations on Friday, May 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (No clothing, food or broken items, please.) Can you volunteer? Please call Linda at 527-7005 if you can help.

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 & Work of the Church continues ... and we have some vacancies. If you are able to Greet & Usher, Host Coffee, Read Scripture during worship, or volunteer in the Nursery, please sign up on the way into Memorial Hall.

Celebrations This Week

The ministry of Westminster United Church was extended into the community this past week as Rev. Blaine Schaufele conducted the funeral service for Bea Iverson. Our condolences and prayers go out to Bea’s extended family.

Birthdays: Dr. Sidney Harrison, Howard Widmer, Albina Jackson, and Blair Foster.

Anniversaries: Rae & Earl Wahl.

South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for Pincher Creek Pastoral Charge, Fishburn-Marr, Mountain Mill and Brent Woodard.

Our Order of Ministry This Morning

Next Week’s Readings: Psalm 30; John 21:1-19; Acts 9:1-6, (7-20); Revelation 5:11-14.

Stewardship Thought For Today: Christians are ones who cannot keep silent and cannot keep their gifts to themselves. by Terry Shillington