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 and Choir Director: Karen Nevin

Choir: Handbell Choir

Sunday Worship - April 17, 2005

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

*THE PROCESSION OF LIGHT AND WORD

*GREETING

*PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

The peace of Christ be with you......

AND ALSO WITH YOU.

MINISTRY OF MUSIC Consolation

LIFE AND WORK OF THE CONGREGATION

*INTROIT:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our songs shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

WELCOME AND GREETING

*CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive):

We come to encounter the Good News through Word and song.
We come in praise and thanksgiving.

May the wonder of God''s love touch us all this day.

We gather in worship, with expectation and with joy.

PRAYER OF APPROACH (in unison): God of Easter blessing, we gather as your people to sing your praise and learn of your mercy, touch our lives with healing love this day, that we might reveal your glory in all that we do and say. May this worship be a time of blessing. As followers of the Resurrected Christ, we pray. Amen

* HYMN: Worship the Lord #401

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (responsive):

This prayer is based on Psalm 23
One: God is our shepherd. I will never be in need.
Two: Yet it is hard for us to trust you.
All: Forgive us, God, and help us to trust.
One: You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.
Two: Yet we are so busy: we never seem to have time to stop and catch our breath, we don''t have time to pray, we don''t have time for others.
All: Forgive us, God, and help us to relax.
One: You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.
Two: But sometimes we want to go our own way; we don''t want to do what we know we should.
All: Forgive us, God, and help us to walk in your way.
One: I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won''t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd''s rod makes me feel safe.
Two: We get scared - terrified - by so many things in life.
All: Forgive us, God, and help us to remember you are always with us.
One: You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honour me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.
Two: God loves us and cares for us, no matter what.
All: Thanks, God, for always being there.
One: Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life,
Two: and I will live forever in your house.
All: Amen!

THEME CONVERSATION - This Little Light of Mine

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

SERVICE OF THE WORD

FIRST READING: Acts 2:42-47

The believers share everything in common.

* RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 23 (VU p. 749 - Refrain 2)

God is my shepherd.

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Christ's example in suffering.

* HYMN: What Wondrous Love Is This #147

GOSPEL READING: John 10:1-10

Jesus the good shepherd and the gate.

SERMON

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

INVITATION

PRESENTATION OF OFFERING

OFFERTORY MINISTRY OF MUSIC Jacob's Ladder

* DOXOLOGY

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God all creatures high and low;

Give thanks to God in love made known;

Creator, Word and Spirit One.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (in unison):
Loving and Living God,
We thank you for the gift of life. May we always cherish this gift and protect it in the cradle of responsibility. Help us to understand that our bodies are the houses of Your infinite spirit. The mortal house is a temporary abode, but within is the brilliant light of eternity. Each part of the body is filled with life and vitality. Each part together forms a Temple of God. As we seek to share our gifts and blessings, may we also remember the gift of life you pass on through us and offer those gifts with joy and thanksgiving as well. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE LORD'S PRAYER

THE SENDING FORTH

*HYMN: Thine Is The Glory #173

*COMMISSIONING

* BENEDICTION (responsive):
As we go from this House of Worship, may we take with us the words and the spirit that our faith offers us.
Here, we learn of and sing praises for the gift of life. We declare that while we live, our bodily form is the vessel that receives God''s light. May we be worthy bearers of that light.
From our eyes, may the light shine brightly so that in the darkness we may see the needs of others.
Through our ears, may we hear beyond the noise of self-interest to the calls for help from those in need.
May our hearts beat with compassion and our arms be strong in reaching out to lift up those who stumble.
And after life has gone from us, may we still remain the messengers of Thy Light. May the sparks housed within us, because of our offering of love, become the flame of life for others.

MUSICAL POSTLUDE

RESOURCES USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS SERVICE: Prayer of Dedication and Benediction is a gift to us sent by the Organ Donation Team at the James Paton Memorial Hospital.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND WORK

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 - APRIL 17, 2005

Gander 11:00 a.m. All Ages Worship

Lakeside 3:30 p.m. Special Care/4:00 p.m. Chapel

Glenwood 5:00 p.m. Family Potluck & Service

WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY - APRIL 24, 2005

Gander 11:00 a..m.. Sacrament of Baptism

Benton 2:00 p.m.

Glenwood 11:00 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

• •Today - Nursery facilities (located in the church basement.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Sun. 17^7h., Handbell Choir Practice, 7:00 p.m., C. Sanctuary

Guatemala Mission Fund Raiser, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Scouting Parent Committee, 8:00 p.m., C.H. Par.

Mon.,18^th, 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.

Church Council, 7:30 p.m. C.H. Par.

Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.

Tues., 19^th., Kid's Sign Choir, 3:30-4:30 p.m., C.H. Par.

Adult Sign Choir, 7:30-8:30 p.m., C.H. Par.

UCW. Fellowship, 8:30 p.m., C.H. Aud.

A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)

Wed. 20^th., Men's Fellowship, noon to 12:30 p.m. Parlour

Mens' Choir Practice, 7:00 p.m., C. Sanct.

Senior Choir Practice, 8:00 p.m.., C. Sanct.

Youth Group, 7:30 - 9 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Thurs., 21^st Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Guitar Group, 7:30 p.m., Church Basement

TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour

RENTAL, 3:30-6:30 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Fri . 22^dh., A.A., 7:30 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)

COMMENTARY ON TODAY'S BIBLE READINGS are printed and available at the back of the Church. Be sure to pick up your copy each week.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING Church Council meets to discuss ongoing concerns in the daily life of our church and plan for its future. This month's meeting will be held Mon. APRIL 4^tth, 7:00 p.m. in the church hall parlour. Members of the Pastoral Charge, other than members of the COUNCIL may attend COUNCIL meetings, and may speak with the permission of the Chair, but may not vote on any matter before COUNCIL. Members of our Pastoral Charge are welcome.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE LOWERS PLACED in loving memory of dear father and grandfather - W.J. G. STRONG. by Elizabeth; Pearl, Hugh and grandchildren, John, Janet and Tim.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A COURIER SERVICE? Are you driving to St. John's this week? Would you be willing to take something in, and bring some things back. If so, please let Rev. Steph know.

FIRST UNITED CHURCH BENTON COLD PLATE FUND RAISER THURSDAY APRIL 21^st at the Community Centre, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cost $4.00 . For deliveries call Ginny 256-4238, Beryl 256-3436, Myra 256-2144, Florrie 256-2256.

ENQUIRING MINDS group will meet at St. Paul's school over lunch from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. on Tuesdays. This is a prerequisite to Confirmation.

ANNUAL FLIPPER DINNER on Wednesday, MAY 4^th at the church hall. Takeouts at 4:30 p.m.; Eat-in at 5 p.m.. For TICKETS - $10.00 - call Joe- 256-3235, Don 256-2809, or Jim 256-7449.

COUGHLAN COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL AWARDS We have applications at the church office for a scholarship sponsored by the West District of The United Church of Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador Conference. Two awards of $1250.00 are presented annually to United Church students in their high school graduating year who will be attending Memorial University of Newfoundland in the coming year. The deadline for applying is APRIL 22, 2005, and the awards will be announced in June.

GUATEMALA MISSON 2006 FUND-RAISERS

• • WAKE-A-THON FRIDAY, JUNE 3^rd
• •JOHN SANDS CONCERT- JUNE 21^st at 700 p.m. Join us for an evening of Music, and for lunch following the concert.

COVENANTING SERVICE - Wed., April 20^th at 7:00 p.m. for Vera Abbott at Gambo United Church, Gambo Pastoral Charge. All are welcome.

NATIONAL ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION AWARENESS WEEK - April 18 - 24, 2005 Today, there are over 4000 Canadians waiting for an organ transplant. If organs were retrieved from only half of the potential donors, there would be enough transplantable organs for all waiting. In reality, sadly, this does not happen. Further information can be obtained by calling the Provincial Co-ordinator of the Organ Procurement and Exchange Program at 777-6600.

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

Acts 7:55-60

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 (VU - pg. 758, Parts 1 & 3

Epistle: 1 Peter 2:2-10

Gospel: John 14:1-14

email: fraseruc@nfld.net

website: www.unitedchurchgander.ca

Marion Duffitt - Newsletter Reporter 651-3189