THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
GANDER PASTORAL CHARGE
Benton Gander Glenwood-Appleton
Ministers: The People of the Congregation
The Rev. Stephanie McClellan
The Rev. Steve Atkinson
Organist: Karen Nevin
Choir: First United Glenwood Senior Choir, directed by Shirley Pelley
Sunday Worship - August 27, 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
* INTROIT (#541 VU): Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow
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.
* GREETING & CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive):
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
And also with you.
We rejoice that we can praise you, O God,
in the congregation of your people.
We give you whole hearted thanks.
Your covenant is secure, O God.
You have stayed faithful over the generations.
Your principles are right, O God.
You call us to practice justice and to remain faithful.
A loving respect for you, O God, is the wise course.
It will lead us to praise you eternally.
* OPENING PRAYER (in unison)
You have broken into our lives, O God, with the recreation of this new day. You have breathed new life into our souls and have put a song in our hearts. So we come today to offer you thanks and praise. Pour down the blessings of your Spirit upon us, that we may perceive your nearness once more. Bless now our worship and whatever we do here may bless your people and give glory to your holy name. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
* PASSING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The peace of Christ be with you . . .
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND WORK
Hymn: VU #220 - "Praise To The Lord, The Almighty"
THE ACT OF CONFESSION and ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Holy God, Maker of all,
Have mercy on us.
Jesus Christ, Son of God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Spirit, breath of life.
Have mercy on us.
Let us in silence remember our own faults and failings.
(Silent Confession)
In the community of Christ's Church and in the presence of all God's people, we confess to God that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved God, cared for God's world, or respected God's people as we should. We own our responsibility and pray for God's pardon.
May God forgive you, Christ befriend you, and the Spirit renew and change your life. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
* BAPTISMAL HYMN:
VU #646 - "I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry"
DIALOGUE (responsive):
The sacrament of baptism
proclaims and celebrates the grace of God.
By water and the Spirit,
we are called, claimed, and commissioned:
we are called God's own,
welcomed as children of God;
we are claimed by Christ,
united with Christ,
united with one another and the Christian community
of every time and place;
we are commissioned to Christ's ministry
of love, peace, and justice,
and strengthened by the Holy Spirit
for the work of the church in the world.
PRESENTATION OF CHILDREN
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (in unison):
We are not alone, we live in God's world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death,
in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
* PROMISES OF THE GATHERED PEOPLE
Minister: Let us stand together in God's presence as we share promises of faith and love.
Congregation: Emma, Jacob, Lily, Paige, as members of God's church, we promise to spiritually uphold you, encourage your belief in God, and instil Christian values in you through God's love and ours.l
Parents: Emma, Jacob, Lily, Paige, you were given to us by God through love, and we promise to teach you through God's Word, guide you through faith, and fill your life with God's love and ours.
Minister: Together, let us pledge to these persons - parents, family and these children - our continued support and care.
All: As a baptized and baptizing church, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith. May God grant us all the grace to live out our baptism.
PROFESSION OF FAITH
BLESSING OF THE WATER (responsive):
God be with you!
And also with you!
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them to God!
Let us give thanks to God . . . Gracious and Holy One, we bless you for the gift of life and within it, the gift of water! . . . (water is poured). . . Over its unshaped promise, your Spirit hovered at creation; by water comes the growth of the earth! . . . (water is poured) . . .
Through water you led the children of Israel to freedom; in the waters of the Jordan your child Jesus was baptized . . . (water is poured). . .
Now may your Spirit be upon us and what we do, that this water may be a sign for all new life in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
THE BAPTISM
. . . I baptize you . . . of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
. . . with the sign as Christ's forever.
All: Amen
LAYING ON OF HANDS
. . . may the Holy . . . days of your life.
All: Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL WELCOME (responsive):
Emma, Jacob, Lily, Paige, into the household of faith we welcome you with joy and thanksgiving. We welcome you as members of God's family.
We welcome you with joy that you may learn of Christ's joy. We welcome you by name that you may know whose you are. You are a part of our family and will always find a welcome place here.
RESPONSE: Halle, Halle, Halle
Halle, halle, hallelujah! (x2)
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
PRESENTATION OF THE LIGHT:
BLESSING
PRAYER
Remember your baptism, all of you,
and be thankful!
We remember, and we are thankful,
by the grace of God! Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (sung)
"Open my ears that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear;
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me. Spirit divine!"
*RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 84, (VU p. 800)
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43 (Phyllis LeGrow)
MINISTRY OF MUSIC The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference
GOSPEL READING: John 6:56-69 (Phyllis LeGrow)
REFLECTION
* HYMN: Jesus, You Have Come To The Lakeshore VU563
INVITATION TO OFFERING
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING
OFFERTORY MINISTRY OF MUSIC How Long Has It Been
*DOXOLOGY (Tune VU#232: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee)
Joyful, Joyful God we bring you,
gifts that you can use today;
Take them, bless them, may your kingdom,
Spread through all the world, we pray.
We are here, our time our talents;
We would dedicate as well.
May we show Christ's love within us,
by our lives our faith forthtell!
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF GIFTS AND SELF (In unison) O God, through the offering of these gifts may we become a more open people . . . open-minded in hearing your Word and wisdom, open-minded in healing a broken world, open-minded in heeding your call for justice and enacted love. With thanks for all good gifts, we present a portion of our substance and the whole of ourselves. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD'S PRAYER
WE GO FORTH IN JOY
*HYMN: VU #562 - Jesus Calls Us
*COMMISSIONING & BENEDICTION
*MUSICAL POSTLUDE
RESOURCES USED IN THIS SERVICE:
Voices United; Gathering S/A 2006
THIS WEEK IN PRAYER
The Five Finger Prayer
This is beautiful - and it is surely worth making the 5
finger prayer a part of our lives.
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by
praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to
remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once
said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those
who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers,
doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in
pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your
prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of
our leaders. Pray for the Prime Minister, leaders in
business and industry, and administrators. These people
shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's
guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many
is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano
teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those
who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers
day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger
of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation
to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be
the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to
pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other
four groups, your own needs will be put into proper
perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more
effectively.
STEWARDSHIP SECOND
The surplus we control can turn rotten in our hands. ~ Anonymous
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 - August 27th
Gander 11:00 a.m.
Glenwood-Appleton 7:00 p.m.
Worship next Sunday - September 3rd.
Gander 11:00 a.m.
Nightingale Manor 7:00 p.m. Communion
Glenwood/Appleton 7:00 p.m.
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Sun. 27th., A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
Mon. 28th., Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.
Tues., 29th, A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Wed. 30th, Labyrinth available, 10:00 - 7:00 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Thurs., 31st TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Fri . 1st, A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
TODAY WE RECEIVE through the Sacrament of Baptism into the Church of Christ, and into Fraser Road United Church Family, Emma Hali GOODYEAR, child of David & Ashleigh GOODYEAR; Jacob Raymond John HISCOCK, child of Kevin & Jennifer HISCOCK; Lily Laura Michelle CLARKE, child of Keith CLARKE and Shawna EARLE; Paige Alicia Phyllis BUKER, child of Kerry-Ann & Christopher BUKER. Our congratulations and best wishes to these parents, and their families.
LAY VISITATION Lay visitors are required for the James Paton Memorial Hospital, Lakeside Homes, and Nightingale Manor, starting in September. If are interested in visitation approx. once every six weeks, please call the church office. There will be a training session late September, and a notice will be published to this effect.
WELCOME to Glenwood-Appleton First United Church Choir, and their director, Mrs. Shirley Pelley, who have joined us this morning for worship. Again, WELCOME!
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 September 20th, additional par registrations need to be received by the end of the month, 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.
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
Thirteenth after Pentecost
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Psalm 45 (VU pg. 769)
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Minutes for Mission
Gini's Story ]
Through the Mission and Service Fund we support others who dare to seek a better life and who dare to serve others in turn. Here's a story from Hamilton Conference.
I was abused by my partner for eight years. I left on several occasions, but like many victims of domestic violence, I went back. I was afraid of him, but I was more afraid of being on my own with two children to support. I left for good when I realized that my life was in danger and my children were witnessing and being affected by the abuse. I did not want them growing up thinking that abuse was acceptable.
I was referred to Bethlehem Projects of Niagara, and although I was nervous about my interview, the Admissions Committee made me feel very comfortable. I became a resident of Bethlehem Place and I felt such relief knowing that my children and I had a roof over our heads in a secure environment.
We've been at Bethlehem Place for over six months now, and every day I am thankful. The classes and groups that are offered are very helpful and the support staff are always there to lend an ear. My children have settled well in school, have made new friends, and love being part of the After School Gang at Bethlehem. They are enjoying just being kids and being able to play in their own home. They don't go to sleep with the fear of waking up to an angry father. For the first time, Christmas was a happy occasion for us, with plenty of food and toys.
Today I have freedom from violence, thanks to Bethlehem Place and their supporters. Now, as a member of the Admissions Committee at Bethlehem, I feel that my experience helps me relate to others. I can help make a difference in someone's life.
Bethlehem Place is supported by the Mission and Service Fund. Thanks to our gifts, Bethlehem Place and programs like it can offer love and hope to families across the country.