THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
GANDER PASTORAL CHARGE
Benton Gander Glenwood-Appleton
Ministers: The People of the Congregation
The Rev. Marion Davis
The Rev. Stephanie McClellan
Organist/Choir Director: Karen Nevin
Choir: Mixed
Sunday Worship - January 9, 2005
Baptism of the Lord
11:00 a.m.
At the call of Jesus Christ, we, the people
of Fraser Road United Church, seek to:
Welcome all;
Strengthen one another;
Nurture each other in faith;
Prepare and direct our people
into God's world for service.
* please stand as you are able.
WE GATHER AS GOD'S PEOPLE
MUSICAL PRELUDE
*PROCESSION OF THE WORD AND THE LIGHT
*GREETING
*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The peace of Christ be with you........... And also with you.
LIFE AND WORK OF THE CONGREGATION
INTROIT: Spirit of the Living God (#376 VU)
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, move among us all;
make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:
humble, caring, selfless, sharing.
Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love!
CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive):
The prophet Isaiah spoke of God's servant, in whom God's soul would delight.
We are God's servants, filled with God's Spirit.
Without making a lot of fuss, without complaint, God's servant will work steadily for justice.
We are God's servants, filled with God's Spirit.
God's servant is to be a light shining for all the world, to bring healing and hope and freedom to all of God's people.
We are God's servants, filled with God's Spirit.
Servants of God, let us worship God.
*HYMN: Arise Your Light Has Come #79
PRAYER: (in unison):
We come to witness again, through story and song, the baptism of Jesus. We come to remember our own baptism and the blessings that it holds for us. We come open to the Spirit, waiting anxiously and eagerly for God to touch us again and renew our lives in worship and work. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
FIRST READING: Isaiah 42:1-9
God's servant brings justice.
RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 29 (VU pg. 756)
Ascribe to God all glory and strength.
SECOND READING: Acts 10:34-43
Peter's sermon to the Gentiles.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC Jesus Will Walk With Me
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus is baptized.
This is the word of God.
Thanks be to God.
* HYMN: I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry # 644
Reflection
Litany of Baptismal Renewal (responsive):
Baptism symbolizes a new beginning.
Thanks be to our Creator, who creates us and re-creates us every day!
The voice of our God speaks in the thunder and in the gently swaying trees!
The voice tells us we are God's beloved!
In the deep waters of life -
God is with us.
In the fires of life -
God is with us.
And we are free in God's love to be re-created.
We are free to be blessed by God's Spirit again and again.
God has brought us safely through both calm and stormy waters,
and God has promised to be with us always.
So be renewed in your faith in God,
and take the light of Christ with you wherever you go.
We go in peace to love and serve our God.
THE RESPONSE TO THE WORD
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING
MINISTRY OF MUSIC It Took A Miracle
*DOXOLOGY:
Praise God the Source of life and birth.
Praise God the Word, who came to earth.
Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.
All glory, honour to God's name! Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF: (in unison)
We bring our gifts to your today so that others will benefit along the way. Let our gifts be a beacon of your love always shining for others. Amen
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (in unison, with actions)
With our hands, Lord, may we work for you.
With our hearts, may we always be kind.
With our eyes, may we search far and wide for the good you would like us to find.
With our mouths, may we speak loving things.
With our ears, may we hear what is true.
With our minds, may we be wise enough to live our whole lives for you.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
THE SENDING FORTH
*HYMN: Spirit of the Living God
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mould me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
2 Spirit of the living God, move among us all;
make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:
humble, caring, selfless, sharing.
Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love!
COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION
MUSICAL PRELUDE
Resources used in preparation of this worship service:
Gathering Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2004-5; Week by Week 1999, Christmas Greeting Card
Welcome to all of you, members and visitors, who have gathered to worship this day. May this holy time bring you fellowship with God and neighbour, and many blessings. We invite visitors to sign our guest register, and please, do come and worship with us again when you are in our area.
WORSHIP TODAY - JANUARY 9, 2005
Gander 11:00 a.m. All Ages
Benton 2:00 p.m. Communion
Glenwood 11:00 a.m.
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY - JANUARY 16, 2005
Gander 11:00 a.m.
Glenwood 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
•Today - regular classes and nursery facilities (located in the church basement)
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Sun. 9th., Handbell Choir practice, 7-8 p.m., C. Sanctuary
Coffee Hour, in the church hall following worship
Mon., 10th., Parents 'n Tots, 10 - 11:45 a.m., C.H. Aud.
Women's Time Out, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., C.H. Par.
Beavers, 6-7:15 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Cubs, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.
Tues., 11th., Study, 10:00 a.m., C.H. Parlour
Session, 7:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour
UCW Genesis, 8:30 p.m., C. Hall, SS Rm. (rescheduled from last week)
Kid's Sign Choir, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Adult Sign Choir, 6:30-7:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Wed. 12th., Men's Fellowship, Noon - 1:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Mens' Choir Practice, 7:00 p.m.
Senior Choir Practice, 8:00 p.m.
Church Sanctuary
Youth Group, 7-8:30 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Thurs., 13th Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Guitar Group, 7:30 p.m., Church Basement
TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Fri . 14th., A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
Sat. 15th., VBS Leaders/Volunteers meeting, 10:00 -11 a.m.
SS Leaders/Volunteers meeting, 11 a.m. to 12 noon
ADVANCE NOTICES
GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM 2006 DEADLINE - If you are interested in being a part of the Guatemala Mission Team 2006 that will travel to Guatemala on April 16th and return April 30th, then please contact Rev. Steph for information. The deadline to join the team is February 7th, 2005 (that is only a month away!!) as much planning and fundraising needs to be done. There will be a meeting of those committed to the team on February 7th at 8 PM in the Church Parlour. Please let your children and grandchildren know about this opportuity as you are our main channel for communication. Participants must be in high school or older. Parents of high school youth who are interested should also attend this meeting for information.
2005 STUDY That We May Know Each Other -United Church-Muslim Relations Today. This is a study offered toward a United Church of Canada understanding of the relationship between Christianity and Islam in the Canadian context. A four week study beginning Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 10 a .m. in the church hall parlour. Can be offered on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. as well if interest warrants. Please call the church office if you plan to attend.
THANK YOU Marion and I would like to thank you for the generous outpouring of love and caring at Christmas time. Your many greetings, gifts and gracious invitations brightened the Holy Season and love shone through. Thank you! Rev. Steph and Rev. Marion.
A GRIEF WORKSHOP will begin Thursday Feb. 3 at 6:30pm. This workshop deals with loss in the form of death, ending of a relationship, loss of employment or any other kind of loss which can be part of life. This is done through the telling of story, scripture, prayer and the meeting with others. This workshop will be of six-weeks duration and will use a guide called "Death and Grief". If you are interested call the the church office and arrange to pick up the resource. Cost is $10.00
FAMILY POTLUCK AND SERVICE Saturday, JANUARY15th, beginning at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome to join in a time of fellowship, followed by worship.
ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING is scheduled for Sunday, Feb.6th, 2004. Following morning worship a cold Potluck lunch will be held in the church hall, followed by the Congregational meeting at approx. 1:30 p.m. The congregation are asked to bring along cold dishes of food prior to worship. It is important that as many people as possible attend as the business of our church concerns us all. CHILD CARE WILL BE PROVIDED for those who need it.
REMINDER TO CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERS, and others responsible for compiling reports for the 2004 Annual Report. Please note that reports should be passed in by Friday, JANUARY 14, 2005, to either Maude Goulding or the church office. Budgets should be submitted to Finance Chair by the 10th of January 2005. The Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled to take place on Sunday, FEBRUARY 6, 2005.
TONIGHT ON SPIRIT CONNECTION: Profile of the Moderator
A profile of the Right Rev. Peter Short, the 38th Moderator of The United Church of Canada. An update with the Rev. Jim Sinclair, General Secretary of the General Council of the UC, on where the church and government are over the question of refugees seeking sanctuary in congregations. www.united-church.ca/spirit Sunday nights on VISION TV - 10:00 p.m. Nfld.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR LETTING US KNOW
WHEN A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY OR A FRIEND
IS ILL AT HOME OR IN THE HOSPITAL
Next Week's Readings
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40: 1-11 (VU pg. 764)
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Gospel: John 1:29-42