St. Paul s United Church Back to Basics: God Our Creator and Parent 10:30 a.m January 15 th, 2017 * Please stand as you are able, sit as you prefer *

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1 St. Paul s United Church Back to Basics: God Our Creator and Parent 10:30 a.m January 15 th, 2017 * Please stand as you are able, sit as you prefer * Prelude Sketch No. 3 Schumann We Gather in Community *Greeting The Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. *Introit: Let Us Build A House MV 1 (vs 5) Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word. Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace, let this house proclaim from floor to rafter. All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place. *Call to Worship (Responsive): Give thanks to God and call on Gods name. Make known Gods deeds among the people. Seek Gods presence and Gods strength. Let us worship our God, for God is faithful. AMEN Welcome & Announcements Opening Prayer & Lord's Prayer *Hymn of Praise: It's a Song of Praise MV 30 Time for the Young at Heart Prayer of Confession (Unison): Creator God, author of life, source of all meaning, you made a universe of infinite complexity and beauty and entrusted us humans with the care of a tiny jewel called Earth. With the passing of time we came to believe we were owners of this bountiful planet and its extravagant web of life. Remind us again that we are stewards, that this world and it's people are not ours to do with what we will. Most of all, remind us that we are ultimately answerable to you, our Source and our Being. Breathe your life into us again, O God, inspire us with your will and guide our visits we pray. AMEN Assurance of God s Love

2 Scripture: Psalm 111 (VU 833) One: Herein is wisdom All: Thanks be to God We Listen for the Voice of the Spirit Anthem My Song of Praise Besig & Price Scripture: Revelation 1:9-17 One: Herein is wisdom All: Thanks be to God Message Fearing God Pastor Sarah Affirmation of Faith: Article I. Of God (Unison) We believe in the one only living and true God, a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being and perfections; the Lord Almighty, who is love, most just in all His ways, most glorious in holiness, unsearchable in wisdom, plenteous in mercy, full of compassion, and abundant in goodness and truth. We worship Him in the unity of the Godhead and the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, three persons of the same substance, equal in power and glory. *Hymn of Praise: Your Hand O God Has Guided VU 274 We Respond to the Spirit Invitation to Offering Offertory Chorale Prelude Willan *Dedication Verse: Christ Has No Body Now But Yours MV 171 (vs 4) [Refrain]: Christ has no body now but yours, no hands but yours. Here on this earth, yours is the work, To serve with the joy of compassion. Through every gift, give back to those in need, As Christ was blessed, so now be a blessing, With every gift a benediction be to the people of God. [Refrain] *Dedication Prayer (Unison): God of all peoples and God of all places, we present these offerings, that they may be used to extend your liberating reign. With them, we offer our varied ministries, that each of us may be part of your answer to the cries of the world. AMEN Prayers of the People *Hymn of Praise: Great is Thy Faithfulness VU 288 *Blessing and Sending Forth *Choral Closing: May God's Sheltering Wings MV 214 May God s sheltering wings, God s gathering wings protect you.

3 May God s nurturing arms, God s cradling arms sustain you, and hold you in God s love, and hold you in God s love. Postlude Festival Postlude on Westminster Abbey Towers We invite you to stay and enjoy the postlude

4 Announcements Greeters: January 15: Ushers: Left Side: Dow Johnston & John Gaskin Middle: Roger Miller Right Side: Lois Walker & Betty Fitzpatrick Upstairs: Katie & Eric Lakes Coffee Hour: January 22: Facilitators Our sympathy and prayers go out to the family of Bob Benn who passed away December 21st. He is credited with creating much of the art work that we enjoy including Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving murals. A donation has been made to St; Paul's Foundation in memory of Nancy & Bob Benn by Sadie Miller. A donation has been made to the Music Fund in loving memory of Hilda & Harvey Sproul by daughter Betty Fitzpatrick and family. Back to Basics! For the next 8 weeks, we will be exploring our core as a people of faith. Our Scriptures, prayers and messages will reflect a theme, a focus as we remind ourselves of God s call for us. Join us as we rediscover who we are as members of the Body of Christ! January 8th: Christ, Our Center, Our Beginning January 15th: God, Our Creator, Our Parent January 22nd: Holy Spirit, Holy Wisdom, Wholly God January 29th: Fellowship: Who we are together, matters February 5th: Prayer: Private, Public, Powerful February 12th: Reading Scripture, Embracing the Word February 19th: Tithing: Giving Our Very Selves February 26th: Sacraments: Symbols of Grace Eternal We re bringing Bring a Friend to Church back! On January 29th we encourage you to share your passion for this community with friends and family, and fill your belly too. Following the service there will be a free pot luck. If you have a favourite soup, share it with us, if you can t bring anything, come and share in the bounty of this community. The 2016 Income Tax Receipts & 2017 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex, if you are interested in donating to the church and are not on PAR or using weekly offering envelopes please contact Cathy Simpson in the office at There will be a meeting of the Worship Committee following the worship service today in the Quilter s Parlour. Annual Reports are due in the office by January 30th. The Annual Congregational Meeting has been set for February 12th with a snow date of February 19th We are looking for a Chair of Finance! If you or you wish to suggest a possible candidate(s) please speak to Ron Naugler or call Cathy Simpson in the office at ! Thanks!

5 The UCW will hold their first meeting of 2017 on MONDAY, January 16th at 10 AM in the Ladies Parlour. Please notice the change of day from Wednesday to Monday. Our guest speaker will be Doreen Savage to tell us about her project with Breast Cancer patients. Please answer Roll Call with menstrual pads or tampons for the Women s Shelter. All women of the congregation are most welcome to join us. Donna Chauvin Hospice Fredericton is accepting referrals for the Adult Day Centre at 621 Churchill Row. We are open 3 days a week; Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 3pm. We welcome clients with cognitive or physical impairments of any kind that are 55 and older. The centre offers a wide range of stimulating programs for memory loss, physical challenges, or social isolation. Activities will include music, games, trivia, bingo, and various exercise programs. For more information on our Adult Day Program, to make a referral or on volunteering please contact Nicole Pike in person at 621 Churchill Row, Fredericton, NB, E3B 1P5, over the phone at (506) or by at hospiceadc@gmail.com Been to the Library lately? We have a great assortment of books that are sure to delight! Many topics, many opportunities we even have some books that have been written and published by our own Darlene Ryan. Take the time to drop by and see if something catches your eye!