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: Ms. Diane BestSunday Worship - March 26, 2006
* 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.
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND WORK
*INTROIT: #374 VU: 'Come and Find the Quiet Centre' [vs.1]
Come and find the quiet centre
in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
* CALL TO WORSHIP [In Unison]
God, as a gentle rain soaks the earth,
may your peace and love fall upon us,
bringing growth and life.
Soak into our innermost being.
Quiet all that makes us anxious.
Help us to linger in your presence,
and send us out refreshed, to carry your peace and love to others.
* OPENING PRAYER (Responsively):
Most loving God, we praise you for the light you have sent into the world. Help us, we pray, come to that light.
Lord, we do not want to live in fear of the truth. We are tired of concealing from you and from others what we have done. We know we cannot hide from you.
Forgive us Lord for turning away from you. Overcome our fear with your grace. Help us Lord to remember that you seek to save the world, not to condemn it.
We praise you for offering your love and forgiveness to all through Christ Jesus. We thank you for calling us to walk in his light.
Eternal God, fount of every blessing, source of all good, author of all truth, hear us and attend us as we gather to worship you, to learn from you, and to show care for our brothers and sisters.
Make this time a time of faithful prayer and fellowship. Remind us of the depths of your love, the cost of your mercy, and the glory of your deeds, that we may worthily magnify your name and grow in the grace show to us through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen
* HYMN: #315 VU: 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty'
[THEME CONVERSATION]
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
SERVICE OF THE WORD
HEBREW SCRIPTURE: Numbers 21: 4-9
A bronze serpent heals the people.
*RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 107, (VU p. 831, parts 1 & 2)
God's steadfast love endures forever.
SECOND READING: Ephesians 2:1-10
We are not saved by our own doing, but by grace.
GOSPEL READING: John 3:14-21
For God so loved the world.
*HYMN: #265 VU: 'Creating God, Your Fingers Trace'
SERMON: 'God Loves Me!'
*HYMN: #574 VU: 'Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love'
OFFERTORY INVITATION
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING
OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY: #541VU:
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):
Gracious Lord - you have given us grace upon grace, you have freed us from the bondage of sin and granted us the strength and the guidance of your Holy Spirit. All that we have and all that we are is the work of your hands. Receive, we pray, these offerings, and use them and us as you will. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Gracious God . . . that it can reach even me.
Help us O God to lead lives of faith. You have promised to shine on our path and to lighten our burdens when we forsake all other things and follow you. Help us to follow in confidence, in joy, and in peace, trusting in your mercy and your grace and your care...
We pray. . . when they believe in your Son
Bless those, we pray, who go forth in your name to bring light to the world. Anoint those who work in missions - and grant we pray that Rev. Stephanie and our mission team may bring your love and presence with them and meet you in the face of all they encounter and return safely to us.
Look in favour . . . especially remember before you -
Oh God, help all those who feel weighed down by their efforts to care for the world. Fill us and inspire us with your love for all.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
WE GO FORTH IN JOY
*HYMN: # 289 VU: 'It Only Takes a Spark'
* COMMISSIONING
* BENEDICTION
* MUSICAL POSTLUDE
RESOURCES USED IN THIS SERVICE:
Voices United; United Church Website; Gathering L/E/P 2006.
THIS WEEK IN PRAYER
Remember to uplift our GMT as their departure date approaches. Also remember to pray for those lives in which love is a foreign word.
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.
Next Worship - April 9th.
Benton 2:00 p.m. Communion
FRASER ROAD ANNUAL FLIPPER DINNER The Finance Committee is sponsoring our annual Flipper Dinner on April 25, 2006, with takeouts at 4:30 p.m. and eat-ins at 5:00 p.m. Tickets sell for $10.00 and are available by calling: 256-2809, or 256-3619, or 256-7687 or 256-7449.
FRASER ROAD YARD SALE 1st United Scouts will be holding a Yard Sale on Saturday April 8th starting at 8 am in the church hall. If you have items to donate you may drop them off the night before on the 7th between 6 pm and 8 p.m. or call Brian at 256-5057 to arrange pickup. All proceeds from the event will go towards our trip to the 2007 Canadian Jamboree in Quebec in July of 2007.
FRASER ROAD UCW will hold an AFTERNOON TEA, BAKE AND BROWN BAG SALE on Tuesday, APRIL 4th at 2:30 p.m. in the church hall. Anyone who would like to contribute to this event may do so by bringing their donation to the hall on Monday evening between 8 and 9:30 p.m. For more details or tickets call Jean at 651-2632.
EASTER MEMORIALS are now being accepted at the church office. If you would like a memorial acknowledged in the Easter bulletin, please have the info to the office by no later than APRIL 11th. Please get your memorials in early.
FIRST UNITED CHURCH BENTON CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - APRIL 9 - 3:00 p.m. (following service at church) to decide whether or not same sex marriages will be performed.
GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM 2006 is collecting school supplies - specifically, plain yellow pencils, regular blue bic pens, small pencil
sharpeners, crayons (the big classroom size boxes as well as some
smaller colour packs). NO exercise books please. As well, 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.
QUILT DISPLAY and PICK-A-COOKIE SALE Friday, May 13th, 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday May 13th, from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All churches, organizations or individual people are invited to come and display their quilts, old or new. To participate in this fun event presented by the UCW at Memorial U.C. at Grand Falls-Windsor, please call (709)489-6151, leave a message and someone will get back to you.
It is hoped that some short workshops and demonstrations on various techniques (e.i., stained glass, applique, etc.) can be offered. If you are interested in demonstrating a technique or offering a workshop please call the above number.
Quilts may be dropped off at the church on May 10th and 11th . . . 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is no cost to display your quilt. Admission is $5.00 per person.
SPIRIT CONNECTION every week - Sunday nights on VISION TV - 10:00 p.m. Nfld. Tonight: Caring for Waters----Four-part Series
Sources of drinkable water are becoming increasingly scarce throughout the world. Communities and countries are actively looking for ways to insure safe water for everyone and discourage those who want to exploit this essential resource. This series looks at efforts in Canada and Kenya to find sustainable solutions to water problems. 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
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51 (VU pg. 776-777, Refrain 2)
Hebrews 5:5-10
Gospel: John 12:20-33