FEBRUARY 24, 2019 Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Year C (Melfort-Ethelton Pastoral Charge Congregational Annual Meeting)

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1 UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA MELFORT ETHELTON PASTORAL CHARGE Office: (306) Website: Worship Time: 10:30 AM Ministers: All of us Lead Minister: Emmanuel Menyereye Music: Graydon Eskowich Music Director: Mavis Peters Office Administrator: Denise Todosichuk Caretaker: Faye Greier Today s Greeter: Kim Eskowich Scripture Readers: Robin Miazga, Stacey Kleiboer ORDER OF WORSHIP FEBRUARY 24, 2019 Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Year C (Melfort-Ethelton Pastoral Charge Congregational Annual Meeting) WE GATHER AS A COMMUNITY OF GOD S PEOPLE As we gather for worship today we acknowledge that the land on which we gather is Treaty 6 Territory. We honour the Cree and Métis people for whom this place has been a homeland for thousands of years. We respect the sacredness of our home and the ground on which we walk and we are grateful to gather here in peace and hope. ANNOUNCEMENTS, ANNIVERSARIES & CONCERNS: CALL TO WORSHIP: We stand at the door of God s house, looking back, and looking forward. We stand at the door of our lives, wondering what we will find when we open it wide. We stand at the door of this moment,

2 -2- knowing that God is here, knowing that God is with us no matter what. Live or die or be reborn, God is with us. Alleluia! In the name of Jesus Christ, the one true head of the church, this gathering is called to order, for worship and for work appropriate to its time. HYMN (VU 260) God who gives to life its goodness OPENING PRAYER: (in unison) Gracious God, on our Annual Meeting Sunday, we drink deeply of the old wine and know that it is good! We thank you for the builders of this Christian community. For followers of Jesus who built the building so the faithful can gather to worship, we say, thank you! For all who have served as elders, stewards, and committee members, all who taught Sunday School, led programs, visited, repaired, cooked, cleaned, and cared, we say, thank you! Holy God, you are also the giver of new wine. Fit us with the new wineskins to receive it. Help us make your love real for others and for ourselves. Fill us to overflowing! Amen. [Written by Camillia LaRouche, A/C/E Yeas C Gathering, page 55]. HYMN (VU 593) Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE: (in unison) Holy God, forgive us when we grudgingly offer our service and gifts to the church and resent the cost of discipleship. Forgive our fears about what

3 -3- the future holds, the times we forget that you are with us in our struggles and our joys. Renew our excitement and commitment as we work together in ministry this year. Help us be open to the new and wondrous things you are doing in us, in our community, and in the world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. [by Susan Ivany, A/C/E Year A Gathering, page 50]. WORDS OF ASSURANCE: God is the salvation of the righteous. Our refuge in the time of trouble, God helps us, and leads us into the bright day of justice and mercy. Amen. PRAYER RESPONSE (MV 95) How deep the peace WE LISTEN FOR GOD S WORD TO US ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHILDREN: HYMN (VU 583) Jesus came, a child like me THE LORD S PRAYER: MINUTE FOR MISSION: SCRIPTURE READINGS: RESPONSIVE READING: PSALM 37:1-11, (VU p.763): Do not fret; trust in God. GOSPEL READING: LUKE 6:27-38: Love your enemies, be merciful.

4 MESSAGE: -4- OUR RESPONSE OFFERING: OFFERTORY HYMN (VU 538) For the gift of creation PRAYER OF DEDICATION: (in unison) Bless these gifts we offer to fulfill your mission in the world. Bless us as the instruments of your self-giving. May we, in our giving, embrace a world of brokenness, helping to bring your healing touch. Amen. CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING: OPENING PRAYER & CALL TO ORDER: in Jesus name. in the love of God. alive in the Spirit. to remember, to celebrate, to live into God s vision for us, to worship God with all that we are! In the name of Jesus Christ, the sovereign head of the church, and by the authority of the polity of the United Church of Canada, I declare this Annual Congregational Meeting open for celebration, prayer, and new life! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

5 -5- CONGREGATIONAL COVENANT WITH COMMITTEE MEMBERS, ELDERS, AND OTHER CHURCH OFFICERS (see insert) SENDING FORTH HYMN (MV 173) Put peace in each other s hands COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION: Celebrating a year of faithful worship and service, looking forward to continued fellowship in Christ, may each day be dedicated to God, and may each evening be a time of prayer and thanksgiving. Go now in peace to serve God in the world. CHORAL BLESSING (VU 963) May the grace of God attend us PRAYER RESOURCES: *Seasons of the Spirit - SeasonsFUSION, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Gathering Year B; Worship for All Seasons II, Selections from Gathering Year B; The United Church of Canada Advent-Christmas- Epiphany Gathering Resources for Worship Planners. Used with permission. NEXT WEEK S (MARCH 3, 2019) READINGS: Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Luke 9:28-36 (37-43). ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome: Welcome to worship here today. Whether you are worshipping with us today for the first time or you

6 -6- have been here before or longer than you can remember, you are welcome to be here and to participate however you feel comfortable. Sometimes you may be invited to stand and you want to stay sitting, or you might feel comfortable standing but no one else is. Do what feels right and comfortable for you. We each bring something of ourselves to worship, and it enhances the experience for each of us. Regardless of your age, stage, gender, sexual identity, or how great or small you feel your faith is, God, through us, welcomes you to worship. Please remember to sign our guest book at the entrance of the church, and stay back for a cup of coffee and conversation at the CE Centre immediately following the service. THIS WEEK AT MELFORT UNITED CHURCH Monday, February 25 2 pm Naomi Unit Meeting Tuesday, February 26 10:30 am Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, February 27 7 pm - Choir Thursday, February 28 10:30 am Bible 4:15 Bell 7 pm Church Board Meeting Rev. Emmanuel s Office Hours & Contact Information Office Hours: Tuesday Friday 10:00 am 4:00 pm Office Number: Cell Number: For emergency pastoral care call Confirmation / Transfer or Applying for Membership If you want your child to be confirmed or you wish to transfer or apply for membership in our church, please contact the church office or a member of the Membership Committee.

7 -7- World Day of Prayer Friday, March 1st This year Melfort United Church is hosting the World Day of Prayer. The 2019 host country is Slovenia. The service is at 2 pm. We hope to see you there. Stew Supper Wednesday, March 13 th 5:00 6:30 pm Adults: $12 12 and Under: $7 Preschool: Free Immediate Family: $30 Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming Events Friday, May 3 rd & Saturday, May 4 th Garage Sale Saturday, May 18 th Scott Woods Concert Youth Rally 2019 The Youth Rally 2019 is on March 15 th -17 McClure United Church, Saskatoon. Please see Mike Hadwen ( ) if you would like to attend this Rally. FundScrip The next FundScrip order date will be Thursday, February 28 th, 2019 The order will be available for pick up on Thursday, March 7 th. Camp Tapawingo The camp dates and registration information for 2019 are on the Bulletin Board in the CE Foyer. Stewardship Seconds When we give, do we truly give, or do we give expecting something in return?