“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”
April 18, 2010
We welcome Rev. Bob Cruickshank, as our Worship Leader this morning.
Christ calls and restores disciples through times of dramatic turning and times of quiet unfolding. In the midst of uncertainty and risk, the Risen Christ stands over and above all rival claims to allegiance. The Spirit shows the way forward, commissioning individuals and communities to this witness.
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: Through this time of celebration, we leave for a time, the daily sequence of events, to examine life in its eternal dimensions and consequences:
All: asking questions about our values our directions, our goals, and our relationships.
One: Let us spend this time in the presentness of the Sacred One.
All: Let us be thankful for this gathered community in this sacred place, for all people.
We are called from family life, from school, and from work to the joy and inspiration of this time together. We are called from concern about our world, and concern about ourselves, to the joy and inspiration of Jesus the peace bringer. We are called from dwelling on our yesterdays, from dreading the future, from counting our losses, to the joy and inspiration of this supportive faith community. May all our actions in community be blessed. Amen.
Hymn #713 “I See a New Heaven”
The Sunday School leave for their classes.
One: When we are caught up in our own importance,
All: may we have a vision of Peter, who was humbled in Pilate’s courtyard.
One: When we are lacking in self-confidence,
All: may we have a vision of the disciples in the Upper Room, encouraged by the Risen Jesus.
One: When we feel disheartened, and without hope,
All: may we have a vision of the disciples fishing on the lake, elated when Jesus brought success to them.
One: When we can only see one point of view, when we are closed to new truth,
All: may we have a vision of Saul on the Damascus Road, encountering Jesus whom he had persecuted … (time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
A change in attitude, a change in perspective, a change from inaction, a change to faithfulness, a renewal of community, are all possible. May peace be ours. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Other lessons for your personal consideration from today’s lections are: Acts 9:1-6, (7-20); Revelations 5:11-14.
Hymn #703 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”
Mission Moment—Grace Alcock
Prayer of Dedication (One)
The landscape of life is filled with the nearness of God: a daffodil in bloom, a single green leaf, the red breast of a robin. May we too be a people of adventure and life, grace-filled companions, offering courage and hope in ordinary places. May our gifts be blessed. Amen.
Hymn #563 “Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”
Commissioning (One)
Let us walk well on our journey in peace and in justice. May we be wrapped in the shawl of God's loving. May we be cherished. May we be blessed… this day, and for ever.
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 18th – 24th)
| Sun. | Trustees | 9:00 a.m. | Shalom |
| Worship: Rev. Bob Cruickshank | 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary | |
| Jr. Choir Practice | 11:45 a.m. | Lounge | |
| Tues. | Prayer Shawl | 1:30 p.m. | Lounge |
| Willing Gardeners’ Series | 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 |
| Fri. | Camp Sunday Decorating | 10:00 a.m. | Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (April 25th – May 1st)
| Sun. | Christian Development | 9:00 a.m. | Nursery |
| Worship: Camp Sunday
Jr. Choir Sings |
10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary | |
| Tues. | Staff Meeting | 9:00 a.m. | Lounge |
| 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 |
| JNAC | 7:00 p.m. | Lounge |
Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning.
Our worship guests for Camp Sunday on April 25th will be Dave & Kat Fletcher from Camp Shagabec and musicians, Gas Town Riot, the lively Dixieland band with Cam Lockerbie.
The Choirs of St. Patrick’s and Westminster United Churches are pleased to present “Dueling Keyboards”, an “Organ and Piano” concert on April 25, 2010 at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church. Featured will be Darrel Maier, a notable local pianist and organist; Vicki Tellmen, organist/pianist at St. Patrick’s Church; and, Chris White, Music Director, Westminster United Church. We are also pleased to be introducing Jamar Jensen, a 15 year old Medicine Hat prodigy performing in his first public concert on St. Patrick’s Alhborn Gallanti 3 manual organ.
“It doesn’t matter what it is for Jamar sports... scouting.... piano...organ! Nothing is beyond him!” says his organ teacher, Chris White. Jamar started piano at the age of nine, graduated to the organ at age eleven and by fifteen is the Assistant Organist of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints (LDS) Stake Center.
Also featured will be the massed choir of St. Patrick’s and Westminster Churches to create what will certainly be a most enjoyable evening for all.
Admission is $5.00 per person or $15.00 per family and/or an item for the Food Bank. Proceeds to local musicians. For more information, call Chris White at 403-952-0792.
On Sunday, April 25, join us for EarthBeat - Finding the Rhythms of Life from 7-9 pm at St John's Presbyterian Church. Led by an ecumenical team, we will explore God's call to live in rhythm with the seasons in this patch of creation. A great theme to mark the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day this year. There will be speakers to help us plan our gardens well here in the dry prairie. Our worship will draw on the traditions of the Four Directions from plains First Nations in conversation with Biblical wisdom. How can we keep in rhythm with the earth and God's most vulnerable creatures? Join in the conversation - and celebration. Refreshments,too!
All Saints Anglican Church presents: Thomas Merton: Mon, Mystic & Spiritual Guide with guest speakers, Dr. Ron Dart and Rev. Judith Hardcastle. Friday April 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday May 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets $50.00—includes Friday evening reception and catered lunch (with refreshments) on Saturday. Registration and information contact Judy Howe at 403-527-7090 or email howej@shaw.ca
Sign up sheets for our Annual Spring Brunch on May 9th are now hanging up in Memorial Hall on the bulletin board. Please consider food donations or your time to help the Board with this fundraiser.
There will be an E-waste Roundup on May 15th in the old Wal-Mart parking lot. If you have any old computers or other electronics to drop off, they will appropriately dispost of them for you.
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.
Birthdays: Judy Herring and Les Ruggles.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of
Ed Heine by Elnora & family.
South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for Empress Pastoral Charge and Pastoral Charge Supervisor, Leroy Angle.
| Sunday School Co-ordinators | Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson |
| Nursery Attendant | |
| Greeters & Ushers | Larry & Vera Henderson,
Dub & Gwen Henderson |
| Coffee Hosts | Rose Hubbard, Sharon Clay,
John Hubbard, Mabel Schafer |
| Scripture Reader | Lesley Berg |
| Elder-in-Charge | Gordon Bruins |
Next Week’s Readings from: Psalm 23; John 10:22-30; Acts 9:36-43; Revelations 7:9-17.
Stewardship Thought For Today
In our culture of excess,
in our climate of entertainment and cynicism,
does the Risen Christ ask us too,
“Why do you persecute me?”
by Terry Shillington