“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .to discover, nurture, and share our gifts.”
June 6, 2010
85th Anniversary – Birthday of The United Church of Canada
Volunteer Recognition / Annual Congregational Picnic
This morning we welcome Rev. Bob Cruickshank as our Worship Leader.
Union Sunday Prayer
God in whom we live and move and have our being: From sea to sea to sea we gather in prayer; from generation to generation we sing; on this anniversary we give thanks for your care, guidance, and correction.
In this heritage of trust, we pray for this United Church and for faithful living on this land, Our Source of Life, Living Word, and Bonding Love: Amen. – Catherine MacLean, 2008. © The United Church of Canada. Permission is given for congregations to copy for use in worship.
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.
At this time, we would like to acknowledge our longest standing members of Westminster United Church—Fran Cove and Eleanor Townsend. Both are entered into the Historic Roll, April 12, 1936.
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Welcome! We are so pleased that you have chosen to worship and celebrate with us today.
All: Welcome guests, visitors, and members!
One: Welcome believers and doubters, saints and sinners!
All: Welcome followers of Christ and seekers after truth! Here in this place, we offer everyone the welcome of Jesus, the blessing of unconditional love, a love with no barriers.
One: God of the heavens and the earth, with joy we praise you, we thank you, we honour you.
All: Because you have made us like yourself, made us to be creative in your world, we praise you.
One: Because you have freed us through Jesus, freed us to be people of light and love, we thank you.
All: Because your Spirit is present with us, present to guide and renew, we honour you. God of the heavens and the earth, with joy we praise you, we thank you, we honour you forever. Amen.
Jr. Choir sings “We Give Thanks”
Sunday School Presentations
The children leave for their activities.
Gracious God: Your Son called disciples, and prayed for their unity. Forgive divisions. Help us to confess our lack of charity towards people whose customs are different, or whose creeds conflict with what we believe. Forgive arrogance that claims God’s truth; that will not listen or learn new ways. Heal broken fellowship in your mercy, and draw the church together in one faith, loyal to one Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ … (time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Eternal God: You have called us to be members of one body. Bind us to those who in all times and places have called on Your name, so that, with one heart and mind, we may display the unity of the church, and bring glory to Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Biblical Notes / Prayer of Illumination
Hymn #747 “Psalm 23—The Lord’s My Shepherd”
Hymn #331 “The Church’s One Foundation” (vv. 1, 2, 4, 5)
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Lord, we bring who we are, our best intentions, and our gifts. For 85 years, this United Church has been a gift in our communities and our world. May Your church continue to be a witness, with brothers and sisters in every time and place. Accept our mission and service for our neighbours’ good, and in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Communion: “The Common Loaf” Service of the Table
Invitation (One)
And now we respond through what is in many ways the heart of worship and our life as Christians. We gather around the Table.
This is ordinary eating—bannock bread and juice (wine). But it is no ordinary meal. If anyone says they totally understand what’s going on in this communion, don’t believe them! Holy Mystery always embraces this Table. We are not simply eating with one another; we join with those who came before and those who come after us. We are also sharing this Table with Jesus Christ, with God. This sharing forms us into church, and it is communion—oneness—with God. We don’t really know how it happens, but we do know that, from generation to generation, this oneness happens.
It is a Table of welcome, of grace, and of covenant. This Table looks back to meals with Jesus, especially one particular meal, just before he gave up his life. This Table looks forward to the heavenly banquet, where the last are first and the greatest are the least. And the Table lives in the present, for all who gather around it become family.
Jesus was well-known for eating with all kinds of people—rich and poor, society’s elite and society’s outcasts, saints and sinners. Jesus was very clear in his call to his followers, as well—they are to extend the widest possible invitation. And so, on Jesus’ behalf, I invite you to this feast.
Believers and doubters, members and visitors, saints and sinners, young and old, there is no entrance exam. This is Jesus’ Table. If you wish to share his bread and join your life with his—however you may understand that—come and be fed!
The Great Thanksgiving (One)
Let us pray. We do give you thanks, loving God, and remember the stories of Jesus’ meals. There were wedding banquets and picnics; there were meals with church folk and meals with tax collectors. But Jesus always welcomed everyone, so we dare to believe that we, too, are welcome here. More than a welcome, though, people like us found healing, meaning, hope, and purpose in his presence. May we also find our true selves here, and our true calling.
We give you thanks as we look forward to the heavenly banquet. We hope for justice at last, peace at last, freedom at last, love at last, wholeness at last. May it be so! But most of all, we give thanks for this present moment. By our side at this banquet are our old enemies Pain and Trouble. But you are also here, your goodness and mercy always able to overcome. You are here, nearer than our breathing, and closer than our hands or feet. You are here always loving us. Truly, we are blessed.
Loving God, we pause in gratitude before this Common Loaf. We are mindful of all the people of our denomination who prepared it for us, especially Pat Connell who baked it for us. This Common Loaf unites us with every United Church across our land, that we may be one body partaking of one bread. Thank you, generous God!
Loving God, we remember another loaf of bread: that of the upper room. We remember how, at his last supper with the disciples, Jesus took some bread, broke it, and gave it to them. “Take and eat,” he said, “This is my body.” We are also called the body of Christ. And like your bread, we are also broken. That is how we must be, for only then can we become your food and your strength for the world.
And we remember how Jesus took a cup of wine and said, “This is my very life.” Poured out for us, he added. And so, like your wine, our love is meant to pour out and be shared with the entire world. Thus we sing/say together: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Send your Holy Spirit upon us, and on what we do here, that this may indeed be communion—a making-one with you, and with none left out, no one left behind. Amen.
Sharing the Feast
At this time, we would like acknowledge our newest members of Westminster United Church—Scott & Angie Irvine and Gordon and Brenda Wallsmith, by asking them to come forward and serve the elements.They are entered into the Historic Roll, January 17, 2010.
Prayer after Communion (Unison)
Gracious God, it is done—we are Yours, and You are ours, even our broken bodies and our poured-out lives. Not only we who are gathered here and the saints who surround us and who bequeathed this denomination to us. Not only our presbytery, our global partners, and the courts of our church. Not only our denomination and our sister denominations. Not only humanity. All creation and all of us, we are Yours, and You are ours. May we truly be Your blessing, in all we do and are, because we and creation are all one, in Christ’s name. Amen.
Go forth now, rejoicing in the love of God. You are bearers of wonderful news! Don’t keep it in! The reign of God is at hand—look, it’s right here! Breaking in, becoming reality! Go, shout, and point when you see it! Uncover it for all to see!
Choral Amen
Hymn #884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy”
Postlude
Welcome to Westminster this morning. Please gather in Memorial Hall, following worship, for our Annual Congregational Picnic and where we will continue the celebrations of our 85th Anniversary.
This Week at Westminster (June 6th – 12th)
| Sun. | Christian Development | 9:00 a.m. | Nursery |
| Music & Worship | |||
| Local Food Needs | 10:30 a.m. | Narthex | |
| Worship—Jr. Choir Sings | 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary | |
| Annual Congregational Picnic | 11:45 a.m. | Memorial Hall | |
| Mon. | Property | 7:00 p.m. | Westminster |
| Tues. | Board Meeting | 7:00 p.m. | Lounge |
| Thurs. | UCW Potluck | 12:00 p.m. | Memorial Hall |
| Senior Choir Practice | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary |
Next Week at Westminster (June 13th – June 19th)
| Sun. | Worship | 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary |
| Thurs. | Senior Choir Practice | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary |
Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning.
The Common Loaf used in our communion this morning is bannock. This simple unleavened bread is very much a part of our Canadian heritage, from First Nations to early settlers and fur traders to today’s wilderness campers. For this anniversary service, flour to make bannock was gathered from each of the 13 Conferences of the United Church. Wilmot United Church in Fredericton, New Brunswick, blended all the flour with other ingredients. Starter packets of this mixture were sent to every pastoral charge to bake into their bannock. Thus, our communion bannock is a fitting symbol of our unity as The United Church of Canada, of our unity with the Christian church, and of our oneness with God.
Financial Report: Westminster has received $71,140 in the General Fund to the end of May 2010. For the same period in 2009, we received $74,257 realizing a current shortage in contributions of about $3115. Westminster has received $10,103 for the Mission & Service Fund to the end of May 2010. For the same period in 2009, we received $10,928 realizing a current shortage in contributions of about $825. Although we are grateful for and appreciate the contributions already gifted, we invite you to consider, if able, in helping eliminate the shortfall. Thank you. Murray Bell, Treasurer
If you wish to join in the Leadership in the Emerging Church seminar with, Bruce Sanguin, author of The Emerging Church: A Model for Change and a Map for Renewal at Calling Lakes Centre, Fort Qu’Appelle, SK from June 23-25, please see the poster on the bulletin board leading into Memorial Hall.
Western Women’s Conference in September – “Rich, satisfying, uplifting,” “Meaningful – a beautiful setting.” Join women of faith from BC, Alberta and beyond to sing, laugh, pray, learn, and explore the theme Centrepoint and Promise at Naramata Centre. Omega Bula, Donna Sinclair, Keri Wehlander, and Barb Myers will be featured. Price still $375 (plus tax). Visit www.naramatacentre.net for more info and to register. Thinking of putting together a group from your congregation? You are all welcome!
Birthdays: Carol Henderson, Tara Johnson, Amber Henderson, Lois Chambers, Emma Nelson-Yanke, Kim Sherring, and Dorothy Smith.
Anniversaries: Gordon & Anne Bruins, Doug & Velma Pearson, and Edwin & Lydia Maier.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in honour of Westminster’s two longest standing members,Fran Cove & Eleanor Townsend.
South Alberta Presbytery: Our prayers this week are requested for Vauxhall Pastoral Charge and Alana Johnson.
| Sunday School Co-ordinators | Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson |
| Nursery Attendant | Kara Anton |
| Greeters & Ushers | Joy Biko, Janice Croissant, Myra & Dave Gerhardt |
| Coffee Hosts | Christian Development & Congregational Life |
| Scripture Reader | Janice Croissant |
| Elder-in-Charge | Doug Pearson |
Next Week’s Readings from: 1 Kings 21:1-10, (11-14), 15-21a or 2 Samuel 11:26—12:10, 13-15; Psalm 5:1-8 or Psalm 32; Luke 7:36—8:3; Galatians 2:15-21.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Happy birthday United Church of Canada! Spread the Word! Glorify the Lord.
by Sheila Campbell