Welcome to Westminster United Church

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Welcome to Westminster United Church We are a faith community building relationships with God, all people and our world 101 6 Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1G7 Phone: 403-526-5247 Fax: 403-526-5983

1 Welcome to Westminster United Church We are a faith community building relationships with God, all people and our world Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1G7 Phone: Fax: reception@westminsteruc.com Web: LENT 2 Teach Us to Pray March 12, 2017 The Peace Candle is lit as a reminder to Christians to pray for and work for world peace. South Alberta Presbytery requests your prayers this week for Taber Pastoral Charge & Mokowad Paymann T deve Basele Help us keep the air we share healthy and fragrance-free. The chemicals used in scented products can make some people sick, especially those with asthma, allergies and other medical conditions. Please do not wear perfume, cologne, aftershave and other fragrances. (When you see this symbol, please rise in body or spirit, as you are able) Clergy: Rev Jan Stevenson and Rev. Chelsea Masterman Director of Music: Chris White Book Keeper: Sara Stickel Jr. Choir Leader: Anna Marie Hancock Worship Leader: Rev. Jan Stevens Ministers: All the People Secretary: Cheryl Finnie Custodian: Chris White Security: Kelly Grozell We Gather Prelude LIFE AND WORK: SHARING THE PEACE: One: May the peace of Christ be with you all. ALL: And also with you. One: Let us share a sign of peace with each other. PROCESSION OF THE CHRIST CANDLE: Stay With Us Through the Night (VU 182) 1 Stay with us through the night. Stay with us through the pain. Stay with us, blessed stranger till the morning breaks again. 2 Stay with us through the night. Stay with us through the grief. Stay with us, blessed stranger till the morning brings relief. 3 Stay with us through the night. Stay with us through the dread. Stay with us, blessed stranger till the morning breaks new bread. CALL TO WORSHIP: ALL: Holy One, we are at home within your loving arms

2 My children, you say. And we cry to you Mother, Father! Holy one, you appear farther than the eye can see, Deeper than we will ever hear. You wait beyond our life. One: Come, let us worship God. OPENING PRAYER: (Unison) God, we pray to you: Breathe through us all that you are: Your name upon our lips Your way in our hearts Your dwelling amongst us. Into the world, breathe your call to live again. Today as we worship, let us breathe in your will, Let it flow out through our feet, our hands, our words That you may no longer seem so far away. Amen.. HYMN: Spirit of the Living God (VU 376) 1 Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. 2 Spirit of the living God, move among us all; make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love: humble, caring, selfless, sharing. Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love! CHILDREN S TIME: HYMN: Deep in Our Hearts (MV154) vs 1&2 1 Deep in our hearts there is a common vision; deep in our hearts there is a common song; deep in our hearts there is a common story, telling Creation that we are one. 2 Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose; deep in our hearts there is a common goal; deep in our hearts there is a sacred message, justice and peace in harmony. PRAYER OF CONFESSION: One: God, our prayer of confession today is simple: ALL: Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. WORDS OF ASSURANCE: One: Be assured, the God of love forgave us before we even asked forgiveness. In confessing our pain and broken places, we release them and offer all of ourselves to God. Through the healing power of the Holy Spirit,

3 the incarnation of divine love in Christ Jesus, we are made whole free to watch and pray and act and forgive in love. All: Thanks be to God! PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison): All: Creator, please shine your light on today s scripture, keeping us alert for signs of your Living Word. And as we prayerfully listen, nudge us to respond in Spirit-filled action. Amen. BIBLICAL NOTES: Scripture: Genesis 12: 1 4a 12 Now the Lord said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your father s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. RESPONSE TO THE WORD: One: This is the witness of Israel. ALL: Thanks be to God for the Word. Psalm 121 (VU 842) 1 Unto the hills around do I lift up my longing eyes: O whence for me shall my salvation come, from whence arise? From God the Lord doth come my certain aid, from God the Lord who heaven and earth hath made. 2 God will not suffer that thy foot be moved; safe shalt thou be. No careless slumber shall those eyelids close who keepeth thee. The One who sleepeth not, who slumbereth ne'er shall guard thee, Israel, with most holy care. 3 Jehovah is indeed thy keeper true; thy changeless shade; Jehovah thy defence on thy right hand, thine own true aid. And thee no sun by day shall ever smite; no moon shall harm thee in the silent night. 4 From every evil shall God keep thy soul, from every sin: Jehovah shall preserve thy going out, thy coming in. Above thee watching, God whom we adore shall keep thee henceforth, yea, for evermore. Scripture: Matthew 6: Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

4 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. RESPONSE TO THE WORD: One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ. ALL: Praise to Christ, the Living Word. SERMON: Jan Stevenson HYMN: Are You a Shepherd? (MV 126) 1 Are you a shepherd, good shepherd who leads us safely through danger, while calming our fears? Are you a father who shelters and feeds us, shares in our laughter and wipes away tears? Refrain Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher, but you are greater than all that we know. Holy and living, loving and giving, God, you are with us wherever we go. 2 Are you a mother, good mother who bears us, comforts, protects us and helps us to rest? Are you a teacher who daily prepares us, challenging students to offer their best? Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher, but you are greater than all that we know. Holy and living, loving and giving, God, you are with us wherever we go. 3 Great, gentle shepherd, forever beside us, lead all you children in paths that are right. Great, loving parent, wise teacher, you guide us. We want to love you and bring you delight. Yes, you are shepherd, parent and teacher, but you are greater than all that we know. Holy and living, loving and giving, God, you are with us wherever we go. MINUTE FOR MISSION: Helping Refugees (Video)

5 OFFERTORY: DOXOLOGY: God of All Good (VU 539, v2) (Tune VU436) 2 We give our mind to understand your ways, hands, eyes and voice to serve your great design; heart with the flame of your own love ablaze, till for your glory all our powers combine. DEDICATION: God, as you feed our bodies and our souls, in your name may we feed all who hunger. Through these gifts, your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. INVITATION TO PRAYER: Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying (VU 400) Lord, listen to your children praying, Lord, send your Spirit in this place; Lord, listen to your children praying, send us love, send us power, send us grace! PRAYERS OF GOD S PEOPLE: (Worshippers are invited to light a candle and share a prayer concern with the congregation.) Response after each prayer: One: God of Love, ALL: Hear Our Prayer THE LORD S PRAYER: A Paraphrase Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be. Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of you name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen. HYMN: Like a Healing Stream (MV 144) 1 Like a healing stream in a barren desert, Spirit water bringing life to dusty earth, God is trickling through our lives as in a dream unfolding, promising revival and rebirth like a healing stream 2 Like a gentle rain on a thirsty garden,

6 Spirit water come to nourish tiny seed, God is bubbling through the soil to coax a new creation yearning for an end to want and need like a gentle rain. 3 Like a river strong with a restless current, Spirit water rushing on to distant shore, God is carving out a channel in a new direction, calling for an end to hate and war like a river strong. 4 Like a mighty sea reaching far horizons, Spirit water with a love both deep and wide, God is working in our hearts to shape a new tomorrow: God will always challenge and provide! Like a mighty sea, like a river strong, like a gentle rain, like a healing stream. BENEDICTION: One: Beloved, may the love of the Father whose name is hallowed, the wisdom of the Christ who teaches us to pray, the Spirit who gives birth to spirit be with each and every one of us, now and always.. CHORAL AMEN: VU 968 Amen, Amen, amen. COMMISSIONING: One: All: One: ALL: As we go into the world, may we be nourished with forgiveness measured in the bowls we offer others. As we move toward the Cross, God being our helper we will watch over Jesus. When faced with the inevitable choice to extend peace or destruction Let the choice not be so riddled with fear or pride That we fall victim to ourselves And with us, God s world. For this is your world, God. Open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will pray with our lives. Called to do everything we can to communicate the love of God to this world God so loves, we will act in faith. We surrender to your vision, O God. The glory is yours, now and forever. Amen. SENDING FORTH: May the Peace of God Be Your Peace (MV 222) May the peace of God be your peace. May the love of God be the love you show. May the joy of God be the joy you know, and may the world that God would see be found in you.

7 Postlude Please join us in Memorial Hall for refreshments and fellowship! Announcements: The funds that are contributed at coffee time this month are donated to the Champion Centre. Vera Runions from Fifth Avenue Memorial Church sends her thanks to all the members of your church who participated in the World Day of Prayer service. If you attended the service, please accept her thanks as well. A Fundraising Concert for the Medicine Hat Ecumenical Campus Ministry will be held on Sunday, March 26th at 2 PM hosted by Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church. This month s concert features local classical guitarists, Brian Walters and Bill Frank. Stair Glide: The stair glide located by the glass doors has been decommissioned because it no longer meets code. We have decided not to replace it at this time because of budget restrictions. For more information please speak to Pat Evans. Camp Shagabec We are collecting Canadian Tire money for Camp Shagabec. They use the money to buy supplies for the camp, Please save your Canadian Tire money for this great cause and deposit it in the envelope on the bulletin board by the kitchen. Thank you very much. Prayer Shawls If you or someone you know is in need of a prayer shawl, please talk to someone in the office, or Jan, Chelsea, or a member of the prayer shawl ministry team: (Betty Sidlick, Irene Fekete, Linda Kinvig, Vera Henderson, Bev Empey, Shirley Sutherland, Barb Grozell, Beth Miner and Sharon Clay.) They will arrange for the recipient s name to be recorded and a card and gift bag provided for the shawl. Ecumenical Lenten Series For the second year in a row, during the season of Lent, we are partnering with other local churches to offer Wednesday evening services at 7pm. The schedule is as follows: March 8 th : Fifth Avenue Memorial United March 15 th : St. Peter s Lutheran March 22 nd : St. John s Presbyterian March 29 th : Unity Lutheran April 5 th: Westminster United Spring Newsletter

8 It s newsletter time! The deadline for our Spring Newsletter is Monday, March 13, We welcome all submissions. Please your submission to Anna Marie Hancock at annah@telusplanet.net or drop off your submission to Anna Marie s mailbox in the office. Thank you for your anticipated contributions. Mission and Outreach Will you join us? The Mission and Outreach committee is looking for a board rep. This position involves attending board meetings (approx. 5 per year) on our committee s behalf. Ideally the representative would also attend our committee meetings but this is not mandatory as alternative arrangements could be made. The committee would also assist with elder in charge duties. If this position interests you, we would love to have you. Please speak to Sandra Oancia or Arlea Harper. Observer subscriptions 2017 Observer subscriptions fees are due in the amount of $ If you wish to receive the Observer please pay the church office or Jody Davison the $25.00 subscription by March 18, If you wish, you can place the payment in the church collection plate but please make sure it is clearly marked for payment for the Observer. Cheques are to be made payable to Westminster United Church. If you do not wish to continue your subscription or have any questions, please phone Jody at Fundraising with Flowers The Sunday School is doing a fundraising project, selling spring bulbs from Vessey s Bulbs Canada. A great assortment of bulbs, herbs, vegetables, at reasonable prices. New this year are seed mats, easy and fun to plant. If you are interested in adding to your garden this year, please check with one of the Sunday School students, teachers or parents to look at the catalogue. The Catalogue is also on the Bulletin Board by Memorial Hall. Deadline for placing your order is April 9, MHART Family Moving to the Former Manse The Al Mansoor family will be moving into the former manse next month, and are in need of a chesterfield, and perhaps a few other items of furniture. If you have anything you think might be suitable, please contact Sandra Oancia.

Welcome to Westminster United Church

Welcome to Westminster United Church We are a faith community building relationships with God, all people and our world 101 6 Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1G7 Phone: 403-526-5247 Fax: 403-526-5983 Email: