PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS WELCOME THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA St. Paul s Pastoral Charge July 1, 2018 GOD GATHERS US TOGETHER LIGHTING OF CHRIST CANDLE & CALL TO WORSHIP (responsively) One: As we light our Christ Candle we honor God and celebrate Canada s Birthday! All: Let us celebrate the gifts of those who have gone before us to build this great country. One: Let us remember that God is the foundation on which Canada was built and continues to thrive to day. All: As we worship, let us consider our own gifts and role in building for our future. OPENING HYMN VU #524 THE NATIONAL ANTHEM: O CANADA O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. OPENING PRAYER TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP Statement Presentation - Chair of Council: Transferees 1. Nick Dahm 2. Dorothy Dahm 3. Douglas Franklin 4. Christine Holtzhauer 5. Dave Rushton 6. Debbie Rushton Profession of Faith and Promises I ask these questions that you may publicly profess the faith proclaimed in your baptism. Do you believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, and who works in us and others by the Spirit? I do, by the grace of God. 1
Will you follow in the way of Jesus Christ, resisting oppression and evil, seeking justice, and witnessing to God s love for all creation? I will, God being my helper. Will you proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, in your words and actions? I will, God being my helper. Will you join with your brothers and sisters in this congregation to share in the life, work, and ministry of Jesus Christ? I will, God being my helper. Chair of Council: On behalf of the St Paul s United congregation, we welcome into the membership of this community of faith: Congregational Commitment Let us pledge to these persons our continued support and care. We will continue to support you, walk with you, and grow with you. With God s help, we will live out our baptism as a loving community in Jesus Christ: nurturing one another in faith, upholding one another in prayer, encouraging one another in God s work. Affirmation of Faith The New Creed (in unison) We are not alone, We live in God s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, To reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks, be to God. Prayer: Gracious God, Giver of life, you have called us by name and pledge to each of us your faithful love. We pray today for your blessing upon these your sons and daughters. Watch over them and 2
guide them as they continue on their faith journey. Remind us of the promises of our own baptism and renew our trust in you. Strengthen us to do your will and to serve you with joy through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Extend Right Hand of Fellowship Presentation of Certificate WE HEAR GOD S WORD Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14 pg. 393 O.T. Meditation: Rev. Karlene Brown-Palmer Canada Day WE RESPOND TO GOD S WORD OFFERTORY SENTENCE Offering Dedication of Offering: VU #542 We Give You But Your Own We give you but your own, whate'er the gift may be; all that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully. OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison) All: God of All, we raise our voices united. Take our offering of time, talent, and finances and use them to break down the walls that keep us from loving each other. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: One: Father as we celebrate we pray. For the Indigenous peoples of Canada, the first to offer hospitality to newcomers in this land. For our politicians and leaders, that they may find ways to treat immigrants and refugees with justice, celebrating the gifts brought to our community. For migrant workers, immigrants, refugees, and all newcomers, that they may be welcomed into our community of faith. For our community, gathered here today to celebrate our unity, and that we many come to greater understanding and acceptance of our differences. For those of us who are overwhelmed by loneliness, poverty, and despair, that they might be comforted through assistance and kindness. For those with special needs that God, in his mercy, may heal, comfort, and keep those still travelling safe to their destination. All: Oh God, hear our prayer One: We pray as Jesus, taught us: Our Father IN JESUS NAME WE GO TO SERVE CLOSING HYMN: VU # 523 O God of All the Many Lands (vs. 1, 3 & 4) 1. O God of all the many lands, we lift our hearts in prayer, for this our land of Canada, a country wide and fair; 3
for mountain heights and northern lights, for prairie, lake and sea, for every blessing from your hand bestowed so lavishly. 3. We thank you that from many lands with varied gifts they came, to pledge their love and loyalty where scarlet maples flame. May justice here belong to all, and may our nation play its rightful role in ushering in the peace for which we pray. 4. May we be worthy of our land and seek its highest good, shaping a noble destiny of truest nationhood. May this fair land, our Canada, your own dominion be; your people bless abundantly from seas to Arctic sea. COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION: POSTLUDE ~ We welcome all who join us in worship today. If you are here for the first time, we invite you to introduce yourself to Rev. Karlene or to a member of the congregation. Please stay and enjoy refreshments in the Banquet Hall. Members of the Trustees team are hosting this month. HAPPY CANADA DAY! ~ ~ Reader: Pat Cook Greeter: Mary Hessler ~ ~ In our thoughts and prayers this week Barb Gowman, Wendy Yalaksa, Bill and Heather Dunsmore David Williams (brother of Linda Stafford), Bob Barker, Sharon Hagell and Verna Klaver. ~ ~ The flowers in front of the pulpit today are in loving memory of Dorothy Helsdon and are placed by Sam Helsdon and family. Sam and Dorothy were married June 13, 1959. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 4
DATE EVENT TIME Tues. Jul. 17 Exe. Council 7:00 p.m. MR Sat. Jul. 21 Messy Church 10:00 a.m. MPR Group Events July 3/6 Tai Chi 9:30 a.m. MPR July 2-16 No Exercise 10:00 a.m. BH July/August No Yoga 7:00 p.m. BH/MPR On Monday July 2 nd, two very special couples are celebrating a wonderful milestone. Congratulations and Happy 58 th Anniversary wishes go to Kathryn and Rodney Holbrook and Happy 63 rd Anniversary wishes go to Peg and Val Simmons. May God bless them with many more anniversaries in good health. My sincere thanks go to everyone for your support of Jed and me during our recent loss. For the cards, the phone call, the hugs and the best wishes, thank you very much. Laurie We are looking to hire a post-high school student to help thru July and August for help with kids programming and office help. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please encourage them to apply ASAP. To the Congregation: We are so excited that our Sunday school is growing. This fall we will have 4 classes - each week - as we start our small youth class. Do you love seeing the kids here? We do too but - if we can't get enough help - we will lose these children. We are trying to get enough help in place so that you would only be required once a month. The lessons are all prepared for you as well as the crafts. Yes, we do require police checks - this is to ensure the safety of our kids but also for your protection as well. Please - take the next couple of weeks and prayerfully consider giving your Sunday school a hand - once a month. Please talk to Karen or Brenda for full information. Thank you. 5
Parents/Guardians - please ensure you come down to the Multi-purpose room after service to sign out your children. This is for their safety. Thank you. LOOKING FOR LEGO - Are you hiding Lego in your house that you don't need any more? If so, our Sunday school would like to take it off your hands. Please see Karen or Brenda. ACTIVITY PACKS - Please return these with all the crayons, pencils and duo tangs inside to the front pew as you leave church. Thanks, Karen and Brenda. Last week - UCW Rhubarb Pies $8 each There is a sign-up sheet in the Rotunda pickup to be announced Summer office hours are starting July 2 nd to August 31 st Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ~ Hooked on Music concerts Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $25.00 Sept. 23: Andrew Martin "70's Revolution" Oct. 21: Roy LeBlanc as Elvis For tickets, contact the office (688-0011) or Dianne Parnell (688-3280) The UCW Vesey Spring Bulb Fund Raiser is now under way. Order now for your delivery in late September. Catalogues are available in the Banquet Hall after each Sunday Service. DID YOU KNOW? that the church has a wheelchair which is available for visitors to use? Camp Tanner Registration forms are available in the Church office, or online at www.camptanner.ca Camp Tanner Donation List We are currently looking for recycling items for Camp this summer. We use lots of different recycled items to make crafts. If you could save these items it would be appreciated. Please make sure all items are clean when donated. Glass jars with lids Egg cartons (both 12 & 18 packs) Yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, ice-cream containers & lids (also other similar sized plastic containers) 6
Cereal Boxes Newspapers Toilet Paper & paper towel rolls Shoe boxes & other similar sized boxes Please bring to the church labelled Camp Tanner before July 3 rd. Used stamps are collected for the Leprosy Mission of Canada. They sell these stamps to wholesalers to secure funds for the care and treatment of leprosy patients. First-time Worshippers, Members and Friends! We celebrate your presence and welcome you in friendship and in love. Thank you for sharing in our worship today. After the service, and before you leave this building, turn worship into ministry by greeting someone you don t know. Church Office: 88 Bidwell St., Tillsonburg N4G 3V2 Telephone: 519-688-0011 Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday Church email: stpaulsunited@execulink.com Church website: www.stpaulsunitedchurch.net Minister: Rev. Karlene Brown-Palmer 519 550-5120 Email: Revkarlene@execulink.com Voluntary Associate Ministers: Rev. Pat Cook/Rev. Maurice Francis Staff: Helen Loehndorf, Administrative Assistant Desmond Palmer & Ron Stafford, Custodians Shelley Vermeersch, Director of Music Karen Hodges, Sunday School Coordinator stpsundayschoolkaren@gmail.com Elected Leaders:Mary Anne Silverthorn, Council Chairperson Email: m.silverthorn@sympatico.ca or call home: 519 421-3241, cell: 519 788-3705 Treasurer: Laurie Drew/Doreen Smith, Treasurer/Asst. Copyright Licences: LicenSing: #2401; CCLI: #2395724 For friends or family in hospital (here in Tillsonburg or elsewhere) please contact our Church Office (519-688-0011) with Hospital name and details to let our minister know so she can follow-up with a visit or a phone-call. Hospitals do not always provide daily lists of patients wanting visits and we would not want to miss you. A special thank you to all those who donated funds to repay the Presbytery loan. The loan has been repaid in full as of Sunday, June 24 th. Your very generous ongoing support from all is greatly appreciated. 7