Chilliwack United Church Fifth Sunday of Epiphany 10:30 a.m.

Transcription

1 Chilliwack United Church Fifth Sunday of Epiphany 10:30 a.m. Prelude Welcome & Greeting Gathering Song & Lighting the Christ Candle No. 87 VU I Am the Light of the World 'I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me!' If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery of what you were meant to do and be. To bring hope to every task you do, to dance at a baby's new birth, to make music in an old person's heart, and sing to the colours of the earth! 'I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me!' If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery of what you were meant to do and be. Call to Worship Come, all those who feel faint of heart. In God we will find energy! Come, all those who feel powerless. In God we will have strength! Come, all those who feel weary. In God we will fly like the eagles

2 Prayer of Approach (In Unison) Holy God, you are indeed our source of power and energy and we are in awe of your magnificence. We give thanks for the promise that your strength is available to us when we seek you out. We come now, perhaps weary of living, perhaps feeling overwhelmed, humbly asking that we be blessed with the energy of your healing spirit that will enable us to face whatever we must and rise above our feelings of inadequacy. Amen. Hymn No. 391 VU God Reveal Your Presence Prayer of Confession (In Unison) Holy God, how many times have we tried to rely on our own strength? How many times have we forgotten that your power is available to us for the asking? We contemplate now, the areas of our lives in need of your strength and lay them before you in silent prayer... Silent Prayer (time to sit in God's Loving and Forgiving presence) Assurance of Pardon Thank you God, for the promises you made to your people. We rise in spirit now, being lifted by the assurance that this promise is for us. Thanks be to God! Amen. Anthem On the Wings of a Dove Theme Conversation Hymn No. 357 VU (Verses 1, 2) Tell Me the Stories of Jesus - 2 -

3 Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 40:21-41 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless

4 Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Responsive Psalm No. 147 Page 868 VU (Part 1) Gospel Reading Mark 1:29-39 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, Everyone is searching for you. He answered, Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do. And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God. Amen. Reflection Hymn of the Month No. 150 MV Spirit God, Be Our Breath Life & Work of the Church - 4 -

5 Presentation of Our Offering Offertory Hymn No. 581 VU When We Are Living (Verse 2 Sung Once) Through all our living, we our fruits must give. Good works of service are for offering. When we are giving, or when receiving, we belong to God, we belong to God. Prayer of Dedication (In Unison) We give thanks for the many blessings we have received and, in return, willingly offer these gifts to the work of your church. Grant that you might use them as a way of your power into the community and into the places of need around the world. Amen. Hymn No. 400 VU Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying 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 The Lord's Prayer (Sung) No. 959 VU Hymn No. 313 VU God, Whose Almighty Word Commissioning & Blessing - 5 -

6 Sung Blessing No. 649 VU - Sing Twice - (You are invited to join hands with those around you to form a blessings circle ) Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned where love shines through. Postlude The church has a supply of hearing units for improved sound in the sanctuary. If you wish to use a set for the Sunday service, please pick one up from the sound booth at the back of the sanctuary. Announcements Leading the Service Today: Worship Leader; Carolyn Gaunt Musician; Lynda Mundstock Music Director; Marilyn Taves Scripture Reader: Trevor Rollins Lectionary Readings for February 11, Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Mark 1:40-45 Sincerest sympathies and prayers are extended to the friends and family of Ann Stewart, who passed away this last week. A memorial service will be held in our sanctuary on Wednesday, February 7 at 2:00 p.m., Carolyn Gaunt officiating. A Reminder! Deadline for submissions to the 2017 Annual Report is tomorrow, Monday February 5. The office is still waiting for reports from a few Ministry Units and committees. The production of the Annual Report is a fairly large, time intensive task. Your efforts in preparing reports is so very much appreciated

7 Budget Summary Average Weekly Revenue Required to Service our 2017 Operating Budget $ 3, Average Weekly Revenue to December 31, , Deficit as of December 31, , Deficit as of December 31, 2016 (8,930.00) Average Mission & Service Weekly Revenue Required to Service our 2017 Objective $ Average Mission & Service Weekly Revenue Received to December 31, Mission & Service Funds Received to Date December 31, , Mission & Service Funds Received to Date December 31, , For your information, complete regular Monthly Financial Statements are posted in the Narthex on the bulletin board next to the ramp. Our next Congregational Pot Luck Lunch takes place on Sunday, February 11 following the morning worship service. Bring your favourite food to share and enjoy the fellowship. Join us for a Pancake Lunch on Shrove Tuesday, February 13 at 11:30 a.m. in the main hall. Shrove Tuesday is the day immediately preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which we celebrate by consuming pancakes. In other countries, especially those where it is called Mardi Gras, this is a carnival day, and also the last day of fat eating or gorging before the fasting period of Lent. On Sunday, February 18, Patti MacAhonic from the Ann Davis Transition Society, will be our guest speaker during worship. She will talk about improving the lives of women. Watch the bulletin for other guest speakers in the coming months

8 Annual Women's Dinner Monday, February 19, 2018 Chilliwack United Church Main Hall Doors open at 5:30, dinner served at 6:00 Tickets: $20.00 each and are available at the church office or in the Narthex this morning. This year's Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 25, 2018 following the morning worship service. The purpose of this meeting is to review the 2017 Annual Report and year end financial statements. The 2018 Budget will be presented to the congregation for their consideration and vote. Children ages 8 to 11 are invited to Imagine: a Children's Retreat at Stillwood Camp & Conference Centre at Cultus Lake for a weekend of fun and friends; February 16 to Funding is available for anyone wanting to attend. Contact the church office at for an application form to the Cantrill Fund. Watch your bulletin for information about Rev. Bethan's upcoming dissertation presentations. The dissertation will be presented in two parts: What on Earth is Happening to the Church in the West: Decline and the Generations and The Stories of Two Progressive Congregations Bucking the Decline Trend and Young-Adult-Filled. Income Tax Receipts are prepared and ready to be picked up. If you made a contribution in 2017 to Chilliwack United Church through offering envelopes, a receipt has been prepared for you. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of your receipt. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the church office at

9 We continue to collect non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army Food Bank. The need in our community continues long after Christmas. Your donation can be placed in the Salvation Army Barrel located in the Narthex. Donations of cancelled postage stamps is greatly appreciated. The stamps are passed on to the Ruth Rebecca Lodge. Stamps are used to help purchase dressings for cancer patients. Coldest Night of the Year 2018 Cyrus Centre is hosting the Coldest Night of the Year Walk on Saturday, February 24. This annual event raises money to support the work of the Cyrus Centre with the youth at risk in Chilliwack. Choose from a 2, 5, or 10 km route. Registration begins at 4:00 p.m. at First Avenue Church, First Avenue. The registration fee is $25.00 (increasing to $40.00 after February 19), or raise $ A toque will be given to all who pay the registration fee or fundraise the designated amount. A light warm meal will be served beginning at 6:00 for walkers and volunteers. Visit to preregister and for more information. Imagine: A Children's Retreat Children ages 8 to 11 are invited to Stillwood Camp & Conference Centre at Cultus Lake for a weekend of fun and friends; February 16 to 18, Registration is online at For more information, marlynichol@gmail.com Presbytery Report Full court met January 23, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the United Churches of Langley. Following worship, we dealt with the business: Budget was approved with approximately a 12% decrease to the churches. Some of the savings was used as Presbytery will probably no longer exist after December, The 2018 budget was approved

10 - Kathy Davies gave her Pastoral Relations report, no changes in ministerial staff. Trevor Malkinson, clergy at Rosedale and his wife have welcomed a baby girl. - New business dealt with two items: 1. Remit 6 (One Order of Ministry) After a presentation, the remit was soundly defeated (100%). 2. Boundaries Commission Report (changing to Three Court Model) The new boundaries presented by General Council have divided British Columbia Conference in two; and our Presbytery would also be divided. After much discussion, the vote was taken and once again there was a resounding (100%). Each council will also be asked to vote and each body will deliver their decision to General Council by January 31, Chilliwack United Church Monday, February 5 to Sunday, February 11 Monday, February 5 No meetings scheduled for today. Tuesday, February 6 1:00 Thrift Shop Open 7:30 Choir Practice Wednesday, February 7 Rev. Bethan in the office 10:00 Thrift Shop Open 10:30 Drop In Bible Study 2:00 Ann Stewart Memorial Service Thursday, February 8 Rev. Bethan in the office 10:00 Thrift Shop Open Friday, February 9 10:00 Thrift Shop Open 10:30 Mission Ministry Unit Meeting Saturday, February 10 12:00 Kiwanis Soup Kitchen 1:00 Thrift Shop Open Sunday, February 11 10:30 All Ages Worship Service (Rev. Bethan leading Worship) 12:00 Congregational Pot Luck Lunch Submitted by Judy Goudie

11 Chilliwack United Church Spadina Ave., Chilliwack, BC V2P 1T4 Phone: Fax:

12 Minute for Mission A Passion for Learning Our gifts for Mission & Service support girls, human rights, and learning. On a Kenyan mountain surrounded by farms is the Jerusalem Secondary School for Girls. The school is supported by Mission & Service global partner the Organization of African Instituted Churches. It is a safe place for young women who are escaping child marriage and the threat of female genital mutilation, or female circumcision. The students share with pride their commitment to completing their education students like Philomena. Philomena was able to complete primary school before her father sold her into marriage when she was 16. While her husband never forced her to undergo female genital mutilation, his family pressured her to do so. When her husband died, she was told by his family that she would now need to undergo the procedure or they would throw her out and keep her four children. In fear, Philomena and her children ran away. She returned to her home village, where her mother welcomed her and the children into her home. Philomena s mother heard about the school a short walk away and encouraged her daughter to go to it. Philomena was able to get a scholarship, and while she spends her day in class, her mother takes care of her children. Philomena is beginning her final year of secondary school and looking forward to going to university, where she will study education. Her dream is to become a teacher because she believes that education is very important. The Organization of African Instituted Churches supports the school by providing scholarships and contributing to the salaries of three teachers. If Mission & Service giving is already a regular part of your life, thank you so much! If you have not given, please join me in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith. Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service. (M&S Minute for Mission - Pg 5)