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: Handbell Choir, directed by Doug Nevin
Sunday Worship - January 28, 2007 - 11:00 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 to Praise God
Musical Prelude
Procession of Word and Light
Greeting
*Passing the Peace of Christ
May the Peace of Christ be with you….
And also with you.
Congregational Life and Work
* Introit: Worship The Lord
Worship the Lord (worship the Lord)
worship the Father, the Spirit, the Son,
raising our hands (raising our hands)
in devotion to God who is one!
*Call to Worship: -Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
(responsive):
In quietness and darkness,
In peace and confusion,
Jesus Christ wants to make his home
and meet his friends.
He is hope for the world.
Leader: In him there is neither Jew nor Gentile,
neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant,
All are one in Jesus Christ.
In him is neither black nor white,
neither north nor south:
All are one in Jesus Christ.
In him is neither male nor female,
neither master nor servant.
All are one in Jesus Christ.
In him there is neither rich nor poor,
neither middle class nor working class.
All are one in Jesus Christ.
He is hope for the world. -
Kate Galloway, Growing Hope
*Opening Prayer - Prayer for Unity (responsive):
Dear God, we thank you for the privilege of being together at this time and in this place.
As your people, we pray that your love will unite us into a fellowship of discovery. Cleanse us of everything that would sap our strength
for togetherness.
Unravel the knots in our spirits. Cleanse the error of our minds. Free us from the bondage of our negative imaginations.
Break down the barriers that sometimes keep us apart and cause us to drift along without a dream.
As we go from here -
Explode in us new possibilities for service. Kindle within us the fires of your compassion so that we may not wait too long to learn to love.
May we be a people with loving purposes -
Reaching out ...
Breaking walls ...
Building bridges ...
Let us be your alleluia in a joyless, fragmented world.
In the name of our Lord, we pray. Amen.
-- Champ Traylor, Hymns for the Family of God* Opening Hymn: - In Christ There Is No East Or West 606
Ministry of Music Imagine
Sing: Halle, Halle, Halle
Theme Conversation - Letter from a Soldier
* Hymn: - Jesus, Teacher, Brace And Bold 605
We Listen for God's Word
Responsive Reading: Psalm 71, (VU p.),
Epistle Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
*Hymn: "When We Are Living" 581
Gospel Reading: Luke 4:21-30
Reflection
*Hymn: "Be Thou My Vision" 642
We Respond to God's Word
Invitation to Offering
Presentation of Offering
Offertory Ministry of Music Pizzacato Bells
*Doxology: "Grant Us God The Grace Of Living" 540
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 (unison):
Limitless God, with these gifts we offer you our dreams and
our lives hoping that you will use us to make a difference
in the world around us. Fuel our energy, multiply these
gifts and direct us in your service, we ask in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
The Lord's Prayer
* Hymn: Worship the Lord 401
*Commissioning and Benediction (responsive):
Go into the world: dance, laugh, sing, and create.
We go with the assurance of your blessing, O God.
Go into the world: risk, explore, discover, and love.
We go with the assurance of your grace, O God.
Go into the world: believe, hope, struggle, and remember.
We go with the assurance of your love, O God.
Thanks be to God!
*Choral Amen
*Organ Postlude
On Our Behalf
Church and State
Acts 4: 19
"The church... [must] continually ask the state whether its actions can be justified as legitimate." -- No Rusty Swords, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Many think that the church should only be concerned about spiritual matters. But the church is the people of God in the world and, as such, it should
be concerned about the whole of life. This does not mean that the church should tell the government how to conduct its specific affairs. But it should
constantly be challenging the state regarding its priorities, its concerns about freedom, responsibility,
justice, and its care for the needy. Of course, this challenge can only be made if the church is attempting to practice what it preaches. The church
which has no social and political concern is a church which simply condones the political status quo.
From the daily devotional book (November 27th)
called Seize the Day with Deitrich Bonhoeffer By Charles Ringma
This Week in Prayer - Those Wandering Thoughts
"If your thoughts keep wandering, there is no need for you to hold onto them compulsively. There is nothing wrong with letting them roam where they
will, but then incorporate in your prayers the place or person to which they have gone."
-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Meditating on the Word
Prayer
Holy Spirit, lead me in my praying and reflecting to those
persons, issues, and concerns that are of your choosing.
Amen. -- Charles Ringma, Seize the Day with Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Stewardship Second
The greatest gift is love, and love compels us to be generous.
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.
If you are curious and have come to see ...
If you are weary and have come to rest ...
If you are grateful and have come to give thanks ...
If you are hurting and have come for solace ...
If you are listening and have come to pray ...
If you are seeking and have come for answers ...
WELCOME
Next Sunday's Worship - February 4
Gander 11 a.m. Communion
Golden Legion Manor 7 p.m. Communion
Glenwood 7 p.m. Communion
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Sun. 28th., A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
COFFEE HOUR, in the church hall following worship
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Mon. 29th., Parent's 'n Tots, 10-11:30 a.m., C. H. Aud.
Women's Time Out, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Beavers, 6-7:15 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Cubs, 7:15-8:30 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Handbell Choir practice, 6:30 p.m., C. Sanct.
Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.
Tues., 30th, Kid's Sign Language, 3:30-4:30 p.m., C. H. Parlour
Adult Sign Language, 6:30-7:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Handbell Choir Practice, 6:30 p.m., C. Sanct.
Christian Dev. Committee, 7:30 p.m., C.H. Parlour
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Wed. 31st, Men's Fellowship Group, Noon-2 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Youth Group, 7:30-9 p.m., C. Hall & Parlour
Mens' Choir, 7:00 p.m./Senior Choir, 8:00 p.m.
Church Sanctuary
Labyrinth available, 10:00 - 4:00 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Thurs., 1st Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Guitar Group, 7:00 p.m., C. Bsmt
Guatemala Mission Team, 8:30 p.m., C. Sanctuary
Helping your Child/Grandchildren Through Grief, 7:00 p.m. Session with Lorraine Pittman, guidance councillor at Gander Academy
TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Fri . 2nd, A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement
Sat. 3rd. Saturdays for the Soul, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feel free to drop in any time throughout and leave at your own pace. The sanctuary will be open for quiet meditation and there will be prayer resources on hand AND a spirituality discussion group will be included from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. What better time to give yourself the gift of sacred time, inner peace?
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE a donation of bulletins in loving ETHEL GOODYEAR, by daughter Audrey, grandson John (Annette), granddaughter Debbie (Michael).
SOCIAL CLUB ANNUAL BEAN SUPPER will be held on February 7, 2007. Adults $6 Children $3 Takeout at 4:30 p.m. Eat in 5:00 p.m. Tea or coffee and dessert included.
LOONIE PLATE FUNDRAISER Those who have Loonie Plates from last year are asked to return them in the offering plate, or to the church office. Loonie Plates for 2007 have been placed at the back of the church for anyone wanting to contribute for this year. Thank you to all who have supported the UCW in this ongoing fundraiser.
OUR CHURCH NEEDS YOU !! -
Three vacancies exist on Church Council :-
- Chair, Finance Committee
- Chair, Stewardship Committee
- One Youth Representative
In addition, we need two delegates to attend West District Meeting (Spring & Fall). If you would like to consider these positions, or if you can suggest someone for us to contact, please call the Church Office (256-3000) or John (256-3579).
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR SAY AND EXPRESS YOUR OPINION. Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take the form of a luncheon meeting (supplied by members of Council) and will begin at 12:30 p.m on Sunday, Feb. 11/07. Everyone is welcome. Young children will be entertained in the Parlour during the meeting. You are reminded that Group and Committee reports for the Annual Report must be at the office on or before Jan. 26. Thank you for your interest and cooperation.
EASTER BANNERS Easter is fast approaching and we would like more Banners to decorate and brighten our Sanctuary as we celebrate on Easter Sunday morning. Any family or any person who would like to make a banner for this purpose is invited to do so.
VOLUNTEER POSITION A vacancy exists on the All Saints Cemetery Committee. This Committee normally meets 4 times per year and manages the affairs of the cemetery. Fraser Road United Church is responsible for appointing two representatives to this Committee. If you are willing to serve, please contact the Church office (256-3000) or the Chair of Council, John, (256-3579).
RESCHEDULED The Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast for the Week of Christina Unity, originally to be held on January 24th had to be canceled due to weather and has been re-scheduled for January 31st at 7:30am -9:00 a.m. at St. Martin's Hall. There will be a meal of pancakes and sausages served up by the members of the Gander Ministerial Association. Special guest speaker, Mayor Claude Elliott will be with us. The meal is free, but donations to the work of the Gander Ministerial Association are welcomed. Please sign the sign-up sheet found at the back of the church.
BEREAVEMENT GROUPS These meetings will be held at the Golden Legion Manor in the second floor meeting room. To register or for further info, for Tuesday's group call Rev. Steve Atkinson, 256-3000, for Friday's group, contact Rev. Stephanie McClellan,424-6681.
Take the Bible In A Year Challenge!!!!!
Approximately 15 minutes a day or 2 hours on the weekend will get you through the Bible in a year. On January 1, 2007, participants in our church family will start on a journey to read the Bible in a year. Those who finish will be presented with a certificate celebrating your accomplishment in January 2008.
Possible Questions:
- Do you have to join a class? No
- Will I have to go to special meetings? No
- Will I have opportunities to talk about what I am reading? Yes, if you would find that helpful but is certainly not mandatory.
- What is the goal? Just to read the Bible from cover to cover.
BIBLE TALK!!!!
This will be a time to talk about your reading is going. January 28 - during Coffee Hour. Bring your questions, comments, excitement, and amazement. Please see sign-up sheet in the Narthax.
CAN YOU HELP? The Board of Directors of the Gander and Area Food Bank has three empty seats. If you are interested in what goes on at the Board level or think that you would like to sit on The Board, please feel free to attend the regular monthly meeting Feb (6th). This meeting will be held in the board room at the Lancaster Building (corner of Memorial and Edinburgh) and will commence at 8 pm. Attendance at those meetings would not obligate you to sit on The Board. We hope to fill those empty seats at the annual March meeting. The time and place for the Annual meeting will be announced at a later time.
PLEASE NOTE No property is to be borrowed/removed from the church without first obtaining permission. Thank you, Caretaker.
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 February 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.
CALLING and CARING MINISTRIES: LAB I A 38 hour course to be held at St. Catherine's Renewal Center, Grand-Falls-Windsor, February 19th- February 23rd , 2007. What you learn in Lab I will be useful in all areas of your life: family, church, work, school, etc. Application forms, with details at back of church. February 5th is deadline for applying.