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 & Choir Director: Karen Nevin
Sunday Worship - April 16, 2006
Easter Sunday - 8:00 a.m.
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
Easter Flame
*Greeting (x3)
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!
* Introit: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks (x2)
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Give thanks to the risen Christ;
hallelujah, hallelujah!
Give praise to God's name.
*Call to Worship
Welcome to God's new day!
Everywhere we look we see new life!
In seeds and buds, in smiles and touch, we discover God's energizing presence.
Death can never be the last word.
God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Christ is present among us today.
Praise God for new life within and among us this day! Amen.
* Opening Prayer (in unison):
Dear God, this past week has been one of mixed emotions; of faith struggling to understand. We have greeted you with palm branches; we have sat at table with you to share a farewell meal. We have witnessed your death on a simple wooden cross. Yet on the third day, you come to us again in victory. By this, we know that death is not the final word. As the sun boldly rises to meet a new day, rise in our lives this Easter morning, for you are our hope, our life, and our joy.
* Hymn: Welcome, Happy Morning #161
Prayer of Confession (in unison):
O God, we confess our lack of faith. Although we have called you the God of hope, we often feel lost, cynical, without hope. The world is so full of big nails and little nails - people are put on so many different kinds of crosses in so many different places that we wonder if there can ever be enough resurrections. We are reluctant to leave the tomb of our own ignorance and fear to claim the promise.
We confess that our weaknesses and insensitivities stand in the way of new life in our world. We know that the world is full of suffering. Our brothers and sisters are nailed to crosses of poverty and injustice. People close enough to touch are sealed in tombs of loneliness and despair. But we have failed to halt the crucifixion, to roll away the stone.
Assurance of Pardon
* Hymn: Crown Him With Many Crowns #211
SERVICE OF THE WORD
First Reading: Acts 10:34-43
Peter preaches, "God shows no partiality."
* Responsive Reading: Psalm 118 (parts 1, 2 & 3 VU, p. 837)
God is my strength and my song.
Ministry of Music
Second Reading: Mark 16:1-8
Reflection - Litany for Easter
Trembling, the women . . . the risen Christ. Trembling.
Trembling, we approach the edge where death and life meet. Death, the unknown, meets life, new life. New life faces us with its possibilities and uncertainties. Trembling, we approach.
Easter morning: the women . . .returned to them from death.
From a triumphant Palm Sunday to a dark, betrayed Friday, we have journeyed to Easter. Wiser now, we know that joy and sorrow, life and death are bound together. Passing through sorrow, through death, to life and joy, we arrive to Easter.
The risen Christ still . . . love which conquers all threats.
Death is shattered. Face to face, the disciples saw death had lost its power.
We have survived . . . We receive new life.
Rejoice! Life bursts through death. God is with us! Alleluia!
* Hymn: Thine Is The Glory #173
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Presentation of Offering
Offertory Ministry of Music
* 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 of Gifts and Self: (in unison)
Wonderful, amazing, God, we thank you that you have raised Jesus Christ from the dead, bringing us the promise of new life. With the dawning of this new day, may we awake to new opportunities to love and serve you and witness to Christ whom you have raised. Use us, and our gifts, to your glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
* Communion Hymn: Here O My Lord #480 ( vs. 1, 2 & 3)
Passing the Peace of Christ
The peace of Christ be with you......
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
May God be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
We thank you . . . us and welcome us in.
Alleluia!
Why is this day different from all other days?
On this day . . . The end of life is a new creation!
Where does our story start?
In the beginning . . . us with songs and visions.
Alleluia!
Then what happened? Tell us what happened then.
The people turned . . and the angels, we sing:
O Holy, holy, holy Lord,
O God of life and love!
All earth and sea and sky above
Sing "Glory be to God!"
Hosanna in the highest Heave'n!
Creation sing your praise!
Blest is the One who comes from God
Hosanna and amen!
Why do we eat this meal?
At supper on the . . . and wholeness to the world.
Alleluia!
What blessing do we ask over this meal?
We pray for . . . is yours, God most holy.
Alleluia! Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER (sung)
BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The body of . . . for all of us.
Thanks be to God for the bread of life.
POURING OF THE WINE
The blood of Christ . . . for all of us.
Thanks be to God for the cup of blessing.
SHARING OF THE BREAD AND WINE
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
You have given yourself to us, O God.
Now we give ourselves for others.
You have raised us with Christ, and made us a new people.
As people of the resurrection, we will serve you with joy. Your glory has filled our hearts.
Help us to glorify you in all things. AMENTHE SENDING FORTH
*Hymn: Here, O My Lord #480 ( vs. 4 & 5)
*Commissioning & Benediction
* Choral Amen
* Musical Postlude
RESOURCES USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS WORSHIP SERVICE:
Celebrate God's Presence; 600 Blessings and Prayers, Flames of the Spirit; Voices United; Gatherings L/E/P 2006.
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.
April 16 - Easter Sunday
Gander 8:00 a.m. Communion
(followed by breakfast in the church hall)
11:00 a.m. All Ages
Glenwood-Appleton 11:00 a.m. Communion
Lakeside Homes 4:00 p.m. Communion
Worship next Sunday - April 23rd
Gander 11:00 a.m.
Benton 2:00 p.m.
Glenwood-Appleton 7:00 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Mon. 17th., Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.
Tues., 18th, A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Fri . 21st., A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
ACKNOWLEDGE The white drape on the cross has been handwoven and donated by Mabel Manuel in loving memory of grandson, Daniel Taylor.
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.
APOLOGY - In my Minister's Report in the docket for the Annual Meeting, I said that Terry Kelly was a musician from Nova Scotia. Rather, he informed me, he is a Newfoundlander proud of his roots! Sorry for the mistaken identity! Rev. Steph
HOT ROAST BEEF SUPPER Friday, April 28th from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Community Hall, Benton. Cost $7.00 coffee, tea, dessert included. Please support this fund-raiser for First United Church - Benton.
ARE YOU ON PAR? The Pre-Authorized Remittance Program is now in place here at Fraser Road. To take advantage of the next automatic account debit date of May 20th, additional par registrations need to be received by the end of APRIL, when they will be forwarded for processing. You'll find info brochures on bulletin boards.
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.
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.
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 4:32-35
Psalm 133 (VU pg. 856)
1 John 1:1-2:2
Gospel: John 20:19-31