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 & Choir Director: Karen Nevin
Choir: Mens' Choir
Sunday Worship - March18, 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
Congregational Life and Work
*Passing the Peace of Christ
May the Peace of Christ be with you….
And also with you.
*Call To Worship
God is good; God's steadfast love lasts forever.
We know it, we believe it and we proclaim it!
God is good; God's steadfast love lasts forever.
Those who thirst for new life are satisfied; those who hunger for the living word are filled!
God is good; God's steadfast love lasts forever.
We thank you God, for your love is good and does last forever!
*Opening Prayer
*Opening Hymn: "I, the Lord of Sea and Sky" VU509
Prayer of Confession
O God of desert places, we acknowledge that when the going gets rough, we often forget to trust in you.
When our lives feel barren and our spirits grow weary, we sometimes doubt your love for us.
We forget the covenant of which we are a part. We forget the communities to which we belong.
Forgive us.
Help us to understand that all of our life, it's times of joy and sorrow, of fulfillment and failure, is life lived in your life.
Nothing is outside of your care and concern.
Help us once again to be your covenant people.
Encourage us in your ways.
Time of Reflection…..
Words of Assurance
We trust in a God who is always surprising:
Who provided food in a desert, water from a rock; who healed the sick when they least expected it, spoke words of comfort and hope at public wells and on dusty highways.
* Children's Hymn: Jesus, Teacher, Brave and Bold" VU605
Children's Time
We Listen for God's Word
Responsive Psalm Reading: Psalm 107, Part 1 & 2, VU831
Ministry of Music I Need Jesus
Gospel Reading: John 3: 1-21
Reflection
*Hymn: "In Christ There Is No East or West" VU606
We Respond to God's Word
Invitation to Offering
Offertory Music Is My Name Written There?
Presentation of Offering
*Doxology: "Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands" VU537
1 Your work, O God, needs many hands
to help you everywhere,
and some there are who cannot serve
unless our gifts we share.
2 Because we love you and your work,
our offering now we make:
be pleased to use it as your own,
we ask for Jesus' sake.
*Offertory Prayer
You, O God, know the consequences of our giving; you know the results of our generosity.
They will be found in persons supported, sickness faced, hope restored, the helpless given aid, the oppressed finding a will and a way to defeat the oppressor. Amen.
Prayers of the People
That Lent may bring a return to the covenant in which we love God and our neighbor as Jesus teaches, we passionately pray:
God, renew the face of the earth.
That Lent may be a time for truth, justice, and peace in the decisions of our governments, we passionately pray:
God, renew the face of the earth.
That Lent may be a time for each household to strengthen bonds of love and communication, we passionately pray:
God, renew the face of the earth.
That this may be a time of comfort for all of those whom we know and don't know who are in need of your comforting and healing touch, we passionately pray:
God, renew the face of the earth.
Hear our prayers, O God. We join to them our promise to live Jesus' way of love. Amen.
*Hymn: "Lift High The Cross" VU151
*Commissioning
O love that will not let us go, you will go with us.
O love that will not let us go, bear with us when we ignore you. O love that will not let us go, forgive us when we turn our backs on crying needs. O love that will not let us go, do not leave us when we leave others to work out their own salvation. O love that will not let us go, we see the cross on the hill and we know that whatever comes, you will go with us!
*Benediction
THIS WEEK IN PRAYER
"Remember with gratitude the many volunteers that it takes to do the work of our church in this congregation and in our community. Pray that they will find satisfaction in their work and know that they are appreciated by us and by God!"
STEWARDSHIP SECOND
Generosity brings honour to the giver as well as to the recipient.
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 - March 18 - Lent 4
Gander 11 a.m.
Gander 7 p.m. Old Fashioned Hymn Sing
Lakeside Homes 4 p.m. Chapel
Glenwood 5 p.m. Potluck
Next worship - March 25 - Lent 5
Gander 11 a.m. Sacrament of Baptism
Gander 1:00 p.m. Fraser Road Kiwanis Stars
Benton 3 p.m. Worship/Annual Congregational Meeting
Glenwood 7 p.m.
EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Sun. 18th., Scout Committee, 7:00 p.m., C.H. Parlour
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement (Choir Room)
Mon. 192h., 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.
Church Council, 7:00 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Al-anon, 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., C. Bsmt.
Tues., 20th, 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.
U.C.W. Fellowship Unit, 8:00 p.m., C.H. Auditorium
A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church basement (choir room)
Wed. 21st, 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 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., C.H.
Thurs.,22nd Scouts, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Aud.
Guitar Group, 7:00 p.m., C. Bsmt
Stewardship Committee, 8:00 p.m., C. Bsmt. Pre-K TOPS, 7-9 p.m., C.H. Parlour
Fri . 23rd, A.A., 8-10 p.m., Church Basement
Sat. 24th. Saturday's for the Soul, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 12
SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE a donation of bulletins in loving memory of REV. GEORGE MANUEL SAUNDERS, who passed away in St. John's on March 9, 2007, by sister-in -law, Joyce Saunders, and family.
EASTER MEMORIALS are now being accepted at the church office. If you would like a memorial printed in the bulletin for Easter, please advise the office by April 4th. If you place the Memorial in the offering plate with your envelope, it is best to call the office as well, and let the secretary know.
ACCORDION GROUP "Anyone interested in being part of, or helping to, form an Accordion Group please leave your name with the secretary - 256-3000. The idea is to try to have a group to participate in our 50th celebration in 2008. If you can't play but would like to - come along - we have someone who is willing to help teach beginners."
ECUMENICAL HOLY WEEK SERVICE -- April 2, 2007 7:30pm - at Evangel Pentecostal Church. There will be a special free will offering lifted for Gander and Area Food Bank.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING Church Council meets to discuss ongoing concerns in the daily life of our church and plan for its future. This month's meeting will be held Mon. March 19th, 7:00 p.m. in the church hall parlour.
The SOCIAL CLUB will meet Sunday, March 25th at 8:00 p.m. in the church hall parlour.
A CHILI SUPPER hosted by U.C.W. Genesis Unit will be held on Tuesday, March 27th beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Church Hall. Tickets at $7.00 per person can be obtained from Marilyn (256-2110), Dianne (256-2982), or any U.C.W. Genesis member.
A BREAKFAST PROGRAM is being set up at Gander Collegiate which will require volunteers to help out. If you can spare an hour (7:30 - 8:30 a.m.) occasionally, please call Lorraine Elliott, Chair of our Outreach Committee, (256-3579) to have your name placed on the schedule. Thank you.
"ATTENTION all of you "Bible In A Year Participants" A Bible Talk Session is planned for April 1st (please note change of date) following the worship service at Fraser Road. We will meet for about an hour or so depending on the discussion and questions. This is a chance to bring your questions as well as engage in some deeper conversations about scripture. All are invited to come out for what is expected to be a stimulating time of fellowship. Please mark the 1st on your calendars." Everyone participating in the conversation is asked to bring a bag lunch, and coffee, tea will be provided.
CONFIRMATION will take place on SUNDAY - APRIL 29th - 7:00 p.m. Please contact Rev. Steph (424-6681) if you are interested in being confirmed, by March 21st. If you would like to have your church membership transferred from another congregation please contact the church office.
FAMILY CONCERT We are holding a Family Concert organized by the youth group and it will be happening on April 25th from 7-9 p.m.. If you would like to participate with a skit, song, joke or instrumental piece, please contact Evan Foote, 256-8417.
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. So we will know that banners are being prepared, please contact the church office if you are interested. They need to be completed by April 1st for hanging during Holy Week.
OLD FASHIONED HYMN SING, TONIGHT, March 18th, 7:00 p.m. with the Guitar Group. You are invited to join in this time of singing, followed by refreshments in the church hall. The congregation is asked to bring a small amount of food for refreshment time.
FIRST UNITED SCOUTS FUND-RAISING - All Proceeds are in aid of Canadian Jamboree 2007
WE APPRECIATE YOUR LETTING US KNOW
WHEN A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY OR A FRIEND