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

Choir: Mens' Choir

Sunday Worship - March 12, 2006

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.

MUSICAL PRELUDE

* PROCESSION OF THE LIGHT AND WORD

GREETING

* PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST

The peace of Christ be with you . .

AND ALSO WITH YOU.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND WORK

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsively)

Psalm 22:23-31 (VU p. 746, parts 3 & 4 - sung response)

You have not hidden your face, O God.

* INTROIT: #348 'O Love, How Deep' {vs. 1}

O love, how deep, how broad, how high!

It fills the heart with ecstasy,

that God, in Jesus Christ, should take

our mortal form for mortals' sake.

* OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)

Loving God, creator of our world, we pray to you this day that you would give us eyes to see and ears to hear you. Give us mouths to sing of your love and lips to proclaim your praise. And as we are leave worship, give us hands to serve you in our world and feet to walk in your path all our days. Bless us, Lord, we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, Amen.

* HYMN: #234 VU: 'Let Us With a Gladsome Mind'

THEME CONVERSATION

SERVICE OF THE WORD

FIRST READING: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

The covenant between Abram, Sarai, and God

SECOND READING: Romans 4:13-25

God's promise rests on grace and faith.

MINISTRY OF MUSIC I'd Rather Have Jesus

GOSPEL READING: Mark 8:31-38

Those who lose their life for the gospel will save it.

* HYMN: #703 VU: 'In the Bulb There Is A Flower'

SERMON: 'Possibilities In The Face Of Impossibilities'

*HYMN: #634 VU: 'To Abraham and Sarah'

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

OFFERTORY INVITATION

OFFERTORY MINISTRY OF MUSIC Blessed Assurance

PRESENTATION OF OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY (#540 VU - sung):

Grant us, God, the grace of giving,

with a spirit large and free,

that ourselves and all our living

we may offer faithfully.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF {In Unison} Giving and forgiving God, accept and bless the offering we now hold before you. Accept and bless too the intentions of hearts. Help us to keep our promises to love and serve your people and your world; we ask it in Jesus' name. AMEN

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD'S PRAYER

WE GO FORTH IN PRAISE

*HYMN: #633 VU: 'Bless Now, O God, the Journey'

COMMISSIONING (In Unison):

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we now go forth into the world - to fulfil our calling as the people of God, the Body of Christ.

* BENEDICTION

* CHORAL BLESSING: #964 VU: 'Go Now In Peace'

* MUSICAL POSTLUDE

RESOURCES USED IN THIS SERVICE:

United Church Website, Voices United; Gathering L/E/P

THIS WEEK IN PRAYER

Please uplift the members of our Guatemala Mission Team as their departure date approaches. Remember in prayer all those who have forgotten, or have not yet discovered, that our God is a God of possibilities.

Stewardship Seconds 2006

Money is a good servant but a bad master. - Francis Bacon, Sr., English lawyer and philosopher

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 - March 12, 2006

Gander 11:00 a.m.

Benton 2:00 p.m. Communion

7:00 p.m. Bible Study/Hymn Sing

Worship next Sunday - March 19, 2006

Gander 11:00 a.m.

4:00 p.m Lakeside Homes Chapel

Glenwood 7:00 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

•Regular classes. Nursery facilities in church basement.

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Sun. 12^th., COFFEE HOUR, in the church hall following worship. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Mon. 13^th., Parents 'n Tots, 10:00 - 11:45 a.m., C.Hall Aud.

Women's Time Out, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour

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., 14^th, Kid's Sign Language Choir, 3:30-4:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour

Adult Sign Language Choir, 6:30-7:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour

Lectionary Study, 10-11 a.m., C.H. Parlour

Session, 7:30 p.m. C.H. Parlour

Coffee With The Minister, 4:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour

Handbell practice, 6:30 p.m., Church Sanctuary

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

Wed. 15^th., Men's Fellowship, noon to 1:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour.

Choir practice - Church Sanctuary

Men's Choir, 7:00 p.m., Senior Choir, 8:00 p.m.

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

Labrinth Instruction, 6:30 p.m.. C.H.

Labyrinth available, 10:00 - 7:00 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Thurs., 16^th TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour

Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.

Guitar Group, 7:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.

Fri . 17^th., A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)

Sat. 18^th., Emerging Spirit, Dessert and Trivia Night, 7-9:30 p.m., Church Hall

NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING There will be a Congregational Meeting next Sunday, March 19, 2006, immediately following morning worship, to decide whether or not same sex marriages will be performed in Fraser Road United Church. There will be a vote by secret ballot and only church members on our church membership roll will be permitted to vote.

FIRST UC BENTON Hot Roast Beef supper March 17^th, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Community Hall, Benton - Cost $7.00.

GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM 2006 is collecting school supplies - specifically, plain yellow pencils, regular blue bic pens, small pencil sharpeners, NO exercise books please.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is only around the corner - June 26-30, 2006. We need volunteers to form a VBS Committee to get the planning started. If you have the time please contact either Paula King (256-8544) or Kim Cheeks (256-7064). March 5, 12, 19

LENTEN CARDS have been placed at the back of the church for those who wish to use them. Your Lenten offerings can also be placed in your regular church envelope under the "other" section.. Please mark "Lenten Offering"

ARE YOU ON PAR? The Pre-Authorized Remittance Program is now in place here at Fraser Road. For further info call the church office (256-3000).

ALLERGY ALERT - We are aiming to make our Church Buildings more friendly for those with severe allergies. Please consider the danger you create when you wear any scented products or when you bring food items containing nuts or nut products. WE AIM TO BE SCENT-FREE AND NUT-FREE. Thank you for your attention to this very serious matter.

GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM 2006 General donations in support of the Guatemala Mission Team 2006 will be gratefully accepted. Income tax receipts will be issued. Thank you to those who have already contributed.

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.

SPIRIT CONNECTION every week - Sunday nights on VISION TV - 10:00 p.m. Nfld. Tonight: March 12, 2006 - Outreach Ministries

Across the country, United Churches support outreach work. This program highlights three projects: the Adult Day Program supported by Centenary-Queen Square in Saint John, New Brunswick, the Bissell Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, and the innovative programs at Shiloh/Sixth United in New Westminster, British Columbia. Learn about the unexpected benefits they've each brought to their congregations. www.united-church.ca/spirit

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 20:1-17

Psalm 19 (VU pg. 740-741)

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Gospel: John 2:13-22