THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
GANDER PASTORAL CHARGE
Benton Gander Glenwood-Appleton
Ministers: The People of the Congregation
The Rev. Stephanie McClellan
Sharon Earle-Marshall
Organist: Karen Nevin
Sunday Worship - July 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
Prepare and direct our people
into God's world for service.
* Please stand as you are able.
MUSICAL PRELUDE
* LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE
* GREETING
* PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The peace of Christ be with you . .
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
*INTROIT: All People That On Earth Do Dwell (VU #822 vs. 1)
All people that on earth do dwell,
sing out your faith with cheerful voice;
delight in God whose praise you tell,
whose presence calls you to rejoice.
*CALL TO WORSHIP (in unison):
It is Sunday, and we come at God's call.
It is Sunday, and we feel a need to worship.
It is Sunday and a time to gather with family.
It is Sunday, and we are here to praise God
in prayer, in song, in fellowship, and joy.
Let us worship our Creator: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. (George Allan)
*OPENING PRAYER (in unison):
Blessings abound with you, O God, like days of full-strength sunlight, like ground-swelling showers of rain. We give you thanks and praise in summer from our blankets on the beach, or from our hiking trail resting-places, or from the seat of a tractor, or from the lounge-chairs in our own backyard. The earth is full of goodness. All nature erupts in song. Your providence sustains our lives. Your Spirit replenishes our spirits. May the worship we offer you this day be music to your ears and joy in your heart. Amen.
*HYMN: O Lord My God #238
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (responsively):
We have many needs in our lives, O God. We seek to be close to you and to experience your blessings. At times, however, we ignore the needs of others, and we push them away. Lord, help us to be open to the cries at our doorstep. Forgive our failures.
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
We have many ideas to express, O God. We are eager to share your truth, but often we utter our own opinions devoid of your insight. We are easily irritated by the cries of the needy, and we are unwilling to respond as you would have us respond. Forgive our failures.
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
We have many passions in life, O God. We care about family, friends, and loved ones; we seek to nurture those in this community of faith. Too often, however, we fail to open our hearts to others. We go off course when we fail to see the world as you see it, God. You remind us that everyone is our neighbour. Forgive our failure to see our neighbour in the face of those we do not know.
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
In silence we offer our own personal prayers that touch upon the ways that we have forgotten our role in your mission .....
(silent prayer)
Assurance
Here is good news. We are value in God's eyes; our needs will be met in God's time.
Thanks be to God.
THEME CONVERSATION
*HYMN: The Church's One Foundation #331
SERVICE OF THE WORD
FIRST READING: Genesis 28:10-19
Jacob's dream of the ladder.
*RESPONSIVE READING: PSALM 139:1-12, 23-24 (VU p. 861)
God, you have searched me and known me.
SECOND READING: Romans 8:12-25
Creation groans with labour pains.
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
The parable of the weeds scattered among good seed.
SERMON
*HYMN: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah #651
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY #541 VU
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.
INVITATION
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION (responsively):
We sow the seeds that God has given to us.
We place before you, God, our gifts and offerings for the mission and ministry of this church. What we have and what we share ultimately has come from you. You call us to risk in our sharing and to be enthusiastic in our service. Receive and bless these gifts so that they may be sowed freely and widely for the good of all of your creation.
We sow the seeds that God has given to us. Keep the vision of the sower alive for us, now and always. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE / THE LORD'S PRAYER
WE GO FORTH IN JOY
*HYMN: Be Thou My Vision #642
COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION
MUSICAL POSTLUDE
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 - JULY 17
Gander 11:00 a.m.
Benton 2:00 p.m. Sacrament of Baptism
Lakeside 4:00 p.m. Chapel
Glenwood 7:00 p.m.
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY - JULY 24
Gander 11:00 a.m.
Glenwood 7:00 p.m.
HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR SUBSCRIPTION/SUBSCRIBED TO THE UNITED CHURCH OBSERVER? We will be forwarding renewals/new subscriptions in the near future. The cost is $14.00, with cheque made out to The Observer.
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.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL in Glenwood/Appleton
August 2nd to August 5th - Faith Express $5 per child. $10 per family.
WONDERING ABOUT CAMP FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS?
Gander Pastoral Charge Youth Camp at Loon Bay $60.00 per youth
August 15th @ 7PM to August 18th @ 6:30 PM
Gander Pastoral Charge Family Camp at Loon Bay (ALL WELCOME!)
August 18th @ 7PM to August 20th @ 8PM $60.00 per family
If you are an adult and you would like to volunteer at camp please let Rev. Steph know.
Loon Bay Camp Schedule
Send your kids for an Incredible Week at Camp!
Includes Jack Jack Attack Camp Fires; Dashing tests for speed, Elastigirl agility and flexibility; Incredible feats of Strength and Unseen miracles!
Crafts, games, worship, teamwork and friendships to last a lifetime!
July 17-22 Superheroes (ages 9-12)
July 24-29 Teen Camp (ages 13-16)
July 31- Aug. 5 Superheroes II (ages 9-12)
Hey Teens!
Talk to Rev. Steph if you would like a Leadership Development Experience at Vacation Bible School or Loon Bay Camp. See bulletin boards for application forms.
Register early . . . don't be disappointed.
SUMMER SOLOISTS Anyone willing to sing in church over the summer July 24 to September 4th is asked to call the church office for and book the date you are available. Our church choir is in on August 7th. Thank you for considering this.
SUGGESTED MEMORIALS From time to time people inquire as to what memorials are available to them. The following are suggested memorials you may use to remember a loved one with monetary donations: Hall/Chancel Fund; Choir Music; Hand Bell Choir; Church Bulletins; Sunday School or Mission Teams.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! It's easy to be generous at Christmastime, but hungry stomachs don't take summer vacations. Monday, July 18th is "Christmas in July" at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., VOAR will be encouraging listeners to come to 241 Airport Blvd. There will be prizes for the first donations of two bags of groceries, and a Daily Draw. Drop by with nonperishable food, and encourage your friends and neighbours to listen to VOAR 89.7 on Monday, July 18th.
8TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT GOSPEL CONCERT . Everyone welcome! Bring along the family, Blanket and a Lunch to Cobb's Pond Admission: $1 with a Festival Button, $2 without a Festival Button. Rain Location: Salvation Army Citadel. Anyone in our congregation interested in performing at the Festival of Flight Concert, to be held at Cobb's Pond Rotary Park on Magee Road, July 31 beginning at 5:00 p.m. is asked to contact Jackie at 651-5958 (j_stoyles@hotmail.com or drop by the Gander Community Centre, 2nd Floor to pick up a application
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
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b (VU p. 828, Part One)
Epistle: Romans 8:26-39
Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52)