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: Mixed Choir
Sunday Worship - April 23, 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: Our Lord is Risen!
Risen Indeed!
* PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST:
The peace of God be with you all.
In God's justice is our peace.
Christ calls us to live in unity.
We seek to live in the Spirit of Christ.
The peace of Christ be with you all
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND WORK
* INTROIT: # 315 VU 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty'
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
* CALL TO WORSHIP: (Responsively)
This is the season of Easter:
the celebration of resurrection,
the festival of hope,
the promise of new beginnings,
the dance of faith,
the song of joy,
the music of gladness,
the hymn of love.
Let us worship our life-giving God!
* OPENING PRAYER: (In Unison)
Heavenly Father and God of mercy,
we no longer look for Jesus among the dead,
for He is alive and has become the Lord of life.
From the waters of death You raise us with Him
and renew Your gift of life within us.
You redeem us in the blood of Christ
and give us new birth in the Spirit.
We thank you,
and we pray that as we celebrate our Lord's resurrection,
that you would increase our awareness of these blessings and increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Him.
Help us to grow as Your people
towards the fullness of eternal life with You;
through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
* HYMN: #157 VU: 'Christ The Lord Is Risen Today'
THEME CONVERSATION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Easter takes us by surprise,
awakening us to the doubt and despair
that have been rooted in our lives.
Let us now confess to God.
[Silence]
If, at times, we deny you, forgive us O God.
When the risks of discipleship are high,
and we are nowhere to be found:
forgive us O God.
When we wash our hands of responsibility:
forgive us O God.
When we cast our lot with powerful oppressors
or remain silent in the face of injustices:
forgive us O God.
When fear keeps us from witnessing to your truth,
or prejudice keeps us from believing it:
forgive us O God.
In the bright light of Easter,
our sin is exposed,
and your grace is revealed.
Tender God,
raise us in your love so that, with joy,
we may witness to your awesome deeds,
in the name of Jesus the Risen One. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
As the sun .......
In Christ we are a forgiven people!
Thanks be to God!
SERVICE OF THE WORD
1ST EPISTLE READING: Acts 4:32-35
RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 133: 1-3
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
2nd EPISTLE READING: 1 John 1:2 - 2:2
GOSPEL READING: John 20:19-31
* Hymn: #170 VU: 'O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing' [additional verses for 2nd Sunday of Easter]
SERMON: 'Proof'
* Hymn: #185 VU: 'You Tell Me That The Lord Is Risen'
OFFERTORY INVITATION
OFFERTORY MINISTRY OF MUSIC
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY #299 VU: 'Teach Me, God, To Wonder'(v 1 & 4)
Teach me, God, to wonder, teach me, God, to see;
let your world of beauty capture me.
Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,
life be celebrated, joy you give.
Teach me, God, to know you, hear you when you speak,
see you in my neighbour when we meet.
Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,
life be celebrated, joy you give.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF {In Unison}
Gracious and giving God
we want to thank you and to bring praise
and glory to your name;
we want to help you in your work in this world
and to show to all the wonders of your love.
Bless we pray these offerings and our very selves
that these wants may be fulfilled
and that the marks of your Risen Son may be evident in us.
We ask it in his name. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE/ LORD'S PRAYER:
Today O God .....
We prayer together as Jesus has taught us......
Our Father ........
WE GO FORTH IN PRAISE
*HYMN: #595 VU: 'We Are Pilgrims'
*BENEDICTION: {Responsively}
Like the women who ran to share the Good News of the empty tomb,
let us go forth with joy.
Like the travelers walking on the Emmaus Road,
let us go forth with opened eyes.
Like the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit,
let us go forth with peace.
Like Thomas, filled with doubt,
let us go forth with faith.
* CHORAL BLESSING: # 964 VU: 'Go Now In Peace'
Go now in peace, go now in peace.
May the love of God surround you,
everywhere, everywhere, you may go
MUSICAL POSTLUDE
*************************************************************************
RESOURCES USED IN THIS SERVICE:
United Church Website, Celebrate God's Presence; and Voices United
THIS WEEK IN PRAYER:
Please uplift the members of our Guatemala Mission Team in prayer for a God directed journey and a safe return. Also remember all those who still cringe in fear behind locked doors in light of the Easter Season.
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 - April 23, 2006
Gander 11:00 a.m.
Glenwood 7:00 p.m.
Benton 2:00 p.m.
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY - April 30, 2006
Gander 11:00 a.m. Sacrament of Baptism
Glenwood 7:00 p.m .
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Mon., 24th., Parents 'n Tots, 10-11:30 a.m., Church Hall
Women's Time Out, 1:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Beavers, 6-7:15 p.m., C.H. Auditorium
Cubs, 7:15 - 8:30 p.m., C.H. Auditorium
Tues. 25th., Handbell Choir Practice, 6:30 p.m.,
Church Sanctuary
A.A., 7:45 - 9:15 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Flipper Dinner - Take out 4:30, Eat in - 5:00 p.m.
Wed. 26th., Men's Fellowship, Noon to 1 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Men's Choir Practice, 7:00 p.m.
Senior Choir Practice, 8:00 p.m.
Church Sanctuary
Labyrinth available, 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. C.H. Auditorium
Thurs. 27th.,Tops, 7 -9 p.m. C.H. Parlour
Scouts, 7-9 p.m., Church Hall Auditorium
Fri. 28th., A.A., 7:45-9:00 p.m.8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
Scouts Wakeathon, 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. Sat.
Sat., 22nd. , Social Club, 8:00 p.m. Church Hall Parlour
ANNUAL FLIPPER DINNER Men of the congregation are reminded that help will be required in preparation and serving the Flipper Dinner. Call Don (256-2809), Jim (256-7449) or Claude (256-3619) if you are available on Monday, April 24th. from 6:30 to 9:00p.m. and all day Tuesday, April 25th.
FRASER ROAD ANNUAL FLEA MARKET will be held on Sat. May 13th. Donations will be accepted until 9 p.m. on May 12th. KIWANIS PROVINCIAL MUSICAL FESTIVAL: The Gander Kiwanis Club will be hosting the Provincial Music Festival on Saturday, May 6th. at the A&C Centre Theatre. The morning session begins at 9:00 a.m. and the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. The admission charge for each session is $5.00. Participants are the top winners from the various regional Kiwanis Music Festivals and have entered on the recommendation of the adjudicators. Winners from this festival will move on to the National Festival to be held in Thunder Bay in August. We invite you to two sessions of great musical talent and to support Alison Pittman and Megan Thibeault.
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 this month, when they will be forwarded for processing. You'll find info brochures on bulletin boards.
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.
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.
FOR YOUR INFO
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. NL. Tonight - Accessibility - An Issue of Justice
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
Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 3: 12-19
Psalm 4: 1-8 (VU pg. 727)
1 John 3: 1-7
Gospel Luke 24: 36b-48