THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
GANDER PASTORAL CHARGE
Benton Gander Glenwood-Appleton
Ministers: The People of the Congregation
The Rev. Stephanie McClellan
Ms. Sharon Earle-Marshall
Organist: Karen Nevin
Sunday Worship - September 4, 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
Lighting Of The Christ Candle
*Greeting
*Passing of the Peace of Christ
The peace of Christ be with you all ...
And also with you.
Life and Work of the Congregation
*Introit: #175 This Is The Day That God Has Made {2X}
This is the day that God has made!
Rejoice! Rejoice, and be exceeding glad!
This is the day that God has made!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Hallelujah!
*Call to Worship (responsively):
Greetings brothers and sisters in the faith.
We come to celebrate God's presence,
and God's love expressed through Jesus Christ.
We come remembering Christ's life and ministry,
and the life we are called to live.
We come as a pilgrim people searching for ways to live out our faith.
We come seeking the strength to carry on our journey.
Let us rejoice in God's gift to us!
*Prayer of Approach (responsively):
Sculpting God, you give galaxies their form, shape granite mountains, and design butterfly wings.
Dancing God, you choreograph the paths of stars and the flight of snow geese.
Singing God, your divine song is sung by sparrows, mountain streams, and rushing winds.
Wonderful God, we rejoice to be a part of the divine world which you love and sustain. Amen.
*Hymn: Praise The Lord With The Sound Of Trumpet #245
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
God of all creation, you love us into being, yet we often flee our rightful place in your creation. We confess that we exploit the gifts you place around us, and dominate the richness of the natural order. Forgive our greedy grasping. We confess our part in the devastation of our planet home, mirrored in the violence of cities, and the brokenness of hearts. Forgive and restore us, O God. Nurturing God, remind us of other ways to live and of a place called home, where creation reflects your goodness and each thing lives in balance with all others. Come and find us, set us right again, and take us home. Amen.
Words of Assurance
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Theme Conversation
Prayer for Illumination
First Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
Instructions for the first Passover.
* Responsive Reading: Psalm 149 (VU pp.872-873
Sing to God a new song.
Epistle Reading: Romans 13:8-14
Owe no one anything but love.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18: 15-20
Where two or three are gathered in my name.
* Hymn: #291 All Things Bright and Beautiful
Sermon: 'Praise'
*Hymn: Morning Has Broken #409
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Invitation to Offering
Presentation of Offering
Offertory
* Doxology (sung in unison):
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 of Gifts and Self (in unison):
Holy God,
we bring to you the ordinary things of life:
food and drink and money;
and in bringing them we bring ourselves.
Take us and our gifts of money to do your work in this place and in the world. Amen.
Prayers Of The People (in unison):
O Great Spirit,
whose voice we hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear us. We come before you as your children. We are small and weak; we need your strength and wisdom. Let us walk in beauty, and make our eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. May our hands respect the things you have made, may our ears be sharp to hear your voice. Make us wise, that we may know the things you have taught your people, the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. We seek strength, not to be superior to our brothers and sisters, but to live in harmony with ourselves and all your creation. Help us to be ever ready to come to you, so when life fades as a fading sunset, our spirits may come to you without shame. Amen.
{A Traditional Native American Prayer}
The Lord's Prayer
THE SENDING FORTH
*Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness #288
*Commissioning (responsively):
Go into the world: dance, laugh, sing, and create.
We go with the assurance of your blessing, O God.
Go into the world: risk, explore, discover, and love.
We go with the assurance of your grace, O God.
Go into the world: believe, hope, struggle, and remember.
We go with the assurance of your love, O God. Thanks be to God!
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 - SEPTEMBER 4th
Gander 11:00 a.m.
Nightingale Manor 7:00 p.m.
Glenwood 7:00 p.m.
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 11th
Gander 11:00 a.m. Communion/All Ages Worship
Benton 2:00 p.m. Communion
Glenwood 5:00 p.m. Family Potluck/Communion Service
1ST UNITED SCOUTING REGISTRATION
1st United Scouting will be holding registration for the upcoming 2005-06 year on Wednesday September 14th at the Fraser Road United Church Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. The following programs will be offered:
Beavers 5-7 years of age
Cubs 8-10 years of age
Scouts 11- 16 years of age
For more information please contact either of the following:
Blair Sparkes at 256-2762
Brian Tremblett at 256-5057
Paul Clouter at 256-2409
The GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM 2006 will meet on Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 12th at 8:00 p.m. in the church hall parlour.
LOON BAY CAMP FAMILY DAY - Saturday, September 17 beginning at 10 a.m. In additional to your regular donations of crafts and preserves, Fraser Road congregation is asked to donate four casseroles of baked beans, and four dozen rolls. If you wish to donate please call Margaret Hender, 256-3619 for arrangements. Reserve this date. Come out and enjoy the fun and fellowship. Make this the best family day camp yet.
1ST UNITED SCOUTING is presently looking for any old scout, cub and beaver uniforms and uniform accessories that you may have that you are no longer in need of. If you have a uniform and are willing to donate it to our organization then you may drop it off at the Fraser Road United Church Office or call Brian at 256-5057.
CHOIR PRACTICE for the Senior Choir and Mens' Choirs will resume on Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. for the Mens' Choir, and 8:00 p.m. for the Senior Choir. New members are always welcome! Why not consider singing with a church choir!
The UCW AFTERNOON TEA Wednesday, September 28th at 2:30 p.m. It's a great time to renew acquaintances after the summer break, and we look forward to your support. Donations will be received Tuesday evening, Sept. 27th from 7-9 p.m. Tickets at the door or from any member.
GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM FUND-RAISERS
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.
JUST A REMINDER The Board of Fraser Road United Church endeavours to make the building a scent-free environment. Please respect the health of those who are adversely affected by scents of any kind.
SPIRIT CONNECTION every week - Sunday nights on VISION TV - 10:00 p.m. Nfld. Tonight: Dare to Change: Changing Demographics and the Church, Part 1 www.united-church.ca/spirit/
AL-ANON/ALATEEN FAMILY GROUPS If someone else's drinking is bothering you, maybe Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups can help you. For more information, please call our office number at 256-2254 or 256-3282
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
Exodus 14:19-31
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 (VU p. 876)
Epistle: Romans 14:1-12
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35