17 th Sunday after Pentecost September 16, 2018 ST. JOHN S UNITED CHURCH WELCOME! A warm welcome is extended to all. Your presence enriches both us and this time of celebration together. He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." Mark 8: 29 Whether or not they believe in God, whether or not they find God an attractive notion, most people have an idea of God, an idea that tends to center on power. God is all-powerful, omnipotent, God is in charge of everything. God is like a king, and one who rules as an absolute monarch. God is like a father, and a patriarchal, domineering father at that... The Christian gospel, however, starts its understanding of God from a very different place. To read the biblical narratives is to encounter a God who is, first of all, love. Love involves a willingness to put oneself at risk, and God is in fact vulnerable in love, vulnerable even to great suffering. William C. Placher Narratives of a Vulnerable God The bulletin is dedicated in Loving Memory of Peggy Hebert by her Family
NOTICES, UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS Sept. 16 Sun. 11:00 a.m. Worship and Sunday School Deadline for submissions in the Thanksgiving Sept. 17 Mon. Newsletter. Email your news/updates/reports to the Church Office sjuc@n.aibn.com. Fellowship Group (monthly-owen Fraser Hall & Fellowship Room) Join us for spaghetti dinner. ALL are welcome. Sept. 18 Tues. 6:00 p.m. Please advise Mary (eampbmab@nbnet.nb.ca) or Claire (cmacnevin@icloud.com) by Saturday, September 15 th if you plan to attend. Sept. 19 Wed. 12:30 p.m. Finance Committee (monthly-owen Fraser Hall) Sept. 20 Thur. 12:00 p.m. Ministry & Personnel Committee (Norman Sinclair Room) Sept. 20 Thur. 7:00 p.m. Choir (weekly-sanctuary/fellowship Room) Sept. 23 Sun. 11:00 a.m. Worship and Sunday School Sept. 24 Mon. 7:00 p.m. UCW (monthly-fellowship Room) Sept. 24 Mon. 7:15 p.m. Pathfinders, Girl Guides of Canada (weekly-social Hall) Sept. 25 Tues. 7:00 p.m. Church Council (monthly-owen Fraser Hall) Sept. 26 Wed. 1:30 p.m. Pastoral Care & Membership Committee (not for visitors) (Owen Fraser Hall) Sept. 29 Sat. 9:00 a.m. Men s Club (monthly-owen Fraser Hall) Sept. 30 Sun. 11:00 a.m. Oct. 5 Oct. 7 Fri. 9:00-1:00 p.m. Sun. 11:00 a.m. Worship and Sunday School - Thanksgiving Newsletter available - Grocery Sunday (see note) If you have harvest items you would like to add to the Thanksgiving display at the front of the Sanctuary, please bring items in no later than Friday, Oct.5 th. All items will be donated to the Karing Kitchen after the service Worship and Sunday School - World Communion Sunday - Thanksgiving Sunday Oct. 20 Sat. 8:30 a.m. Rummage Sale (Social Hall) Oct. 28 Sun. 12:30 p.m. Pastoral Care Workshop (Fellowship Room) (see note) 2
OFFERING FROM September 9, 2018 Local $1,789.00 (46) Bulletin $50.00 Mission & Service $188.00 (11) Karing Kitchen $40.00 Plate Loose $47.65 Grocery Cards $500.00 Parking $525.00 Thank you for your generous and continued support! SOBEYS & SUPERSTORE GIFT CARDS are sold each Sunday at the sales table in the Owen Fraser Hall after Worship during fellowship and coffee time or at the Church Office on weekdays during office hours. We make 4% on every card sold. ~ Your support is needed & appreciated. Year-to-date sales: $14,450.00 Profit: $578.00 M&S UPDATE: Goal: $23,500.00 Givings to date: $14,755.68 (63%) This week, as part of our ecumenical prayers, WE PRAY for the congregation of the St.-Anselme Roman Catholic Church, their pastors, and their ministry. Our visitors for our shut- ins are asked to attend a PASTORAL CARE WORKSHOP (about one hour in length) on October 28 after Worship. Please bring a bag lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. Also, please bring in your visitors cards on that day. The Pastoral Care & Membership Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 26 at 1:30 p.m. at the church. GROCERIES FOR KARING KITCHEN (Sept. 30, last Sunday of each month) The Outreach Committee would like to bring your attention to the Karing Kitchen s need for these groceries: ranch, catalina & french dressings, flakes of ham, canned milk, and cornstarch. White Baskets will be at our two main entrances for your donations. Thank you. CALLING ALL SINGERS! Choir practice has resumed. We welcome any perspective new members. If you are interested, speak with Milton Ingalls or any member of the Choir. 3
Our 2019 calendar celebrates faith, hope, and love with United Churches across Canada! Along with colourful photos, this handy calendar notes special days and church seasons, liturgical seasons and colours, significant United Church days, and lectionary dates. It s also bilingual. The Church Office is taking orders for this calendar. Cost is $5.50 (tax included). If you are interested in ordering one or more, please sign the order sheet located on the table below the bulletin boards, or contact the Church Office. Payment is due before the order is placed on Oct. 22, and can be included in your offering envelope - on the bottom line titled, Other - please note 2019 Calendar. DIME BLITZ - Don't spend a dime this summer - save them for the UCW summer fundraiser. Plastic pill bottles have been placed at the church entrances for your convenience. Deposit in the offering plate in the fall. Thank you for your continued support of UCW projects. ST. JOHN S UNITED CHURCH CARES... To notify the Minister of personal concerns, anxieties, illnesses, hospitalizations or deaths, to pass along a prayer request, or to arrange homebound communion, contact Rev. Aaron Billard at 858-8289 or sjucrev@gmail.com Announcements from other United Churches, Region 14, Maritime Conference and the Community are located on the bulletin boards located at the Alma St. entrance and outside the Church Office. Welcome back to Sunday School! 4
WORSHIP (The congregation is invited to join in responses printed in bold) PRELUDE TELL ME THE OLD, OLD STORY Robert H. Hughes TELL ME THE STORIES OF JESUS William H. Parker/Fanny Crosby WE GATHER IN THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Jesus asks the disciples: Who do people say I am? They answer, "Some say John the Baptist; some say Elijah; and others say one of the prophets." But Jesus presses them: Who do you say I am? Peter answers, "You are Christ God s anointed one, God-with-us!" Now Jesus pushes us: What about you? Here, in this moment, in this community, Who do you say I am? Where do we find the wisdom to answer? PRAYER OF INVOCATION Holy Wisdom of God You call to us from the depths of our hearts, where we long for connection with you and with one another. You call to us from busy streets and neighbourhoods, Where human pain and possibility are most urgent. You call to us from our sacred stories, where God, Christ, Spirit create, challenge, comfort. Guide us, we pray, on an adventure of hope, and help us see with your eyes the ways which lead to beloved community where Christ Jesus is at the center. 5
CONFESSION Christ calls on us to lose our life in order to save it ; To take up our cross and follow in the ways of justice and peace. Like the disciples before us, we are often amazed and overwhelmed by this command. We close our ears to such challenge and our hearts to such risk. SOLO IF I HAVE WOUNDED ANY SOUL TODAY Battersby/Gabriel Soloist, Garth Steeves Lyrics to silently read along as Garth sings: If I have wounded any soul today, If I have caused one foot to go astray, If I have walked in my own wilful way, Dear Lord, forgive! If I have uttered idle words or vain, If I have turned aside from want or paint, Lest I offend some other through the strain, Dear Lord, forgive! Forgive the sins I have confessed to thee; Forgive the secret sins I do not see; O guide me, love me, and my keeper be. Amen. (Moment of silence and reflection.) ASSURANCE OF PARDON God s words and actions are never careless; In sending Jesus Christ to the world, God offers a model and a companion, A source of ever-flowing love and acceptance and wisdom. In Christ we are forgiven all our failings, and given strength to start again. HYMN # 264 IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE (ST DENIO) CHILDREN S TIME Children up to age 12 yrs. are now invited to go to our Sunday School program time. If you are a child here for the first time, please feel welcome to join the children s group upstairs, or remain here for the rest of the service. If you are a parent or caregiver, there are a kitchen and washrooms on the main and upstairs levels, as well as a diaper changing area upstairs. Please feel free to return to the service at any time. 6
WE REFLECT UPON OUR COMMON STORY SCRIPTURE LESSONS Proverbs 1:20-33 Wisdom cries in the streets. Psalm 19 (VU p. 740-741) The heavens declare the glory of God. Mark 8:27 38 Who do people say that I am? God's story is for all people. It is ours to receive and share. HYMN # 703 IN THE BULB THERE IS A FLOWER (PROMISE) SERMON WE RESPOND TO GOD S LOVE CALL FOR THE OFFERING The psalmist declares, The heavens are telling the glory of God. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. Let us share our gifts so that we can also partake in telling others of God s glory. OFFERING / ANTHEM THE POTTER Colbert & Joyce Croft OFFERTORY # 115 MV BEHOLD, BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW (BEHOLD) Behold, behold, I make all things new, beginning with you and starting today. Behold, behold, I make all things new, my promise is true, for I am Christ the way. DEDICATION All-knowing God, teach us to use these gifts to create greater access, insights, and wisdom for people within and outside of these walls. So be it. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD S PRAYER HYMN # 705 FOR ALL THE SAINTS (SINE NOMINE) BENEDICTION Let us ponder the challenge of Jesus this week: --Who do we say Christ is in our lives, our community, our world? Let Holy Wisdom shine through all our pondering, and lead us to recognize and serve our Risen Saviour in all our encounters. Amen. 7
POSTLUDE MARCH Unknown You are invited to join us in the Owen Fraser Hall after Worship for a time of fellowship and refreshments. Today s Team Greeters & Ushers: South Door Alma St. North Door Victoria St. Greet: Emily Buck Greet: Doris Wilbur Offering: Coleen Whitford, Emily Buck Offering: Sheri & Bob Gould Scripture Reader: Dianne Logan Tellers: Coleen Whitford, Sheri Gould Elevator: Pat Arsenault Sound Board: Bob Hebert Grocery Card Sales: Kimberley Buck de Jesus CHURCH MINISTRY PERSONNEL AND STAFF Rev. Aaron Billard, Minister email: sjucrev@gmail.com Branden Olsen, Music Director Karen Geldart, Office Administrator email: sjuc@nb.aibn.com Rev. Dr. Douglas MacEachern Minister Emeritus email: dougjune@nb.sympatico.ca Milton Ingalls, Supply Music Director Pat Arsenault, Custodian 75 Alma Street, Moncton, NB E1C 4Y3 T: 858-8289 E: sjuc@nb.aibn.com W: www.stjohnsmoncton.ca FB: St. John s United Church, United Church of Canada Office Hours: M-F, 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 8