WESTMINSTER CHURCH

O: 941-0381                            The United Church of Canada

F:  941-0385                247 - Broadway - Orangeville, ON L9W 2Y9

                             Email:  westminster@westminsterorangeville.ca

                                   Website:  www.westminsterorangeville.ca

Minister of  Word & Sacrament: Sandra McLauchlan-Abuja

Minister of Music:  Martin James                   

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Welcome!  Thank-you for choosing to worship with us.

The service will proceed without announcement.  *Stand if you are able.

                    February 3, 2008 - Communion

The Community of Faith Gathers

Music for Meditation: Andante - M. Reiten

We Welcome the Light of Christ and the Word of God:  (Candles are lit)

Drawing Together To Worship

The Church in Action: (announcements)

Minute for Mission: Renzoni Family

Call to Worship:  Mime

Greeting One Another

*Hymn of Praise: 595- We Are Pilgrims

Prayer for Rejuvenation (unison)

We may not be able to climb a hill for your O God,

but we gather to worship you in this place.

We may never see you transfigured in glory in our presence,

but we witness to your transforming power in our living.

We may not have the words to explain all that you are,

but we have hearts that want to worship all that you are.

Enable us to meet you in your glory around us,

that we may worship you in truth and love.  Amen.

Covenanting with Board Members:

One:  On this day, we celebrate a new season of ministry.  In this time, we recognize and give thanks to God for those who have served as leaders in various ministries of our church over this past year and we gather to specifically introduce the leadership team for 2008-2009.

(Executive of the Board and Action Group Facilitators, please come to the chancel steps)

Question to the Board Members:

As a disciple of Christ, will you continue to live out your faith with praise and thanksgiving?  Will you carry out your responsibilities in this congregation with integrity and joy?

Answer:  I WILL, GOD BEING MY HELPER

Question to the Congregation:

Will you, the members of Westminster United church, honour the leadership of these people?  Will you assist them through daily prayer, generous support and personal example, so that together, we may be a faithful church of Jesus Christ?

Answer:  WE WILL, GOD BEING OUR HELPER

Prayer:

Loving God, you have called these people to serve you.  Send Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon them, so that we may keep our covenant with each other and most of all, with You.  May all that we do reflect your grace and love.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

*Celebrating the Story in Song:  This Little Light of Mine (words printed)

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, NO!

I'm gonna let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, NO!

I'm gonna let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, NO!

I'm gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Don't let anyone blow it out,

I'm gonna let it shine.

Don't let anyone blow it out,

I'm gonna let it shine.

Don't let anyone blow it out,

I'm gonna let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

The Word for Us

Prayer for Hearing: Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying (Pg. 400)

Scriptures Read by Joyce Winegar

Exodus 24: 12 - 18 (Pg. 78; 120)

Matthew 17: 1-9 (Pg. 973; 1477)

Reflections:  "The Fear Factor" - Rev. Sandra McLauchlan-Abuja

Celebration Choir:  This Is My Word - Pepper Choplin

Responding to the Good News

Offertory Prayer

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings to God:

Offertory:Let There Be Peace - arr J. Martin

*Dedication of our Offerings: 

All good things come from the Lord;

All that we need and so much more.

All God asks is that we might share them

   in gratitude and love.

Come bring your gifts to the Lord.

Sacrament of Holy Communion

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to God.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

One:  Holy God of wind and fire,

your Spirit renews the face of the earth

and warms the hearts of your people.

We give you thanks for your gifts of Pentecostal power:

tongues that utter prophetic words of truth and justice;

flames that kindle new visions of compassion and peace;

fresh breezes that blow down the walls

which separate us from you and one another.

And so it is that we join with every voice and tongue

one earth and in the heavens to give you praise:

All:  Blessed are you, gracious God,

Creator of light, Giver of all life, Source of love.

In the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters

And your Word brought all things into being.

Through a burning bush,

You spoke to your prophets and your people.

With glowing coals you touched their lips,

that they might speak your word of truth and justice.

By fire and your Spirit,

you have guided us through the wilderness.

We give you thanks and praise,

O God of wind and word, power and peace.

Lover of all nations,

although we have so often betrayed your promise,

you have never left us nor forsaken us.

You sent us Jesus, your Gift of Grace,

our Light and Flame.

You poured out your Spirit upon us,

to create, renew, inspire,

that all might be made whole.

We bless you, for your Spirit wraps us in your presence,

drawing us closer in community.

And so it is that on this feast of Pentecost,

we give you praise and thanks for your many gifts,

joining with all your people

that as one body we may proclaim your praise.

Communion Hymn:471 - Eat This Bread and Never Hunger

Words of Institution

The Distribution of the Elements

Prayers for the People & The Lord's Prayer - sung (V.U. #959)

Sending Forth

*Hymn:  642 - Be Thou My Vision

*Commissioning and Benediction

We Respond:  "Walk With Me"  arr. M. James

Walk with me, I will walk with you

            and build the land that God has planned

Please, join us for refreshments & conversation today after the worship service.  Our hosts this month are members of Worship & Sacrament Action Group.  Anyone interested in this action group, is invited to join us in the kitchen and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have!

IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS:  Eileen Rae; Bill Robbins;

Alice Hawstrawser;

The Flowers on the Communion Table are placed there by the Rankin family in memory of Daphne  Frank Scaife.

Today's bulletin was created by Riley Tilson, age 9;

                       sponsored by Judith Birchall & David Tilson

NEWSLETTER - If you would like to receive In-SPIRE-ation, Westminster's E-letter, you can sign on by contacting the church office; Janet Jones at janet-jones@sympatico.ca or visit our website: www.westminsterorangeville.ca   Anyone wishing a hardcopy of

In-SPIRE-ation, please contact the church office 941-0381.

Many thanks,to Andrew Mallouk for sharing his experiences of the Middle East last night.  The fellowship, the potluck dinner and the interesting slide show presentation, made for a great evening!

Stewardship Seconds: 

Stewards transfigure money into mission.  We are transfigured, too, when we celebrate God's gifts and use them faithfully.

Be transformed into stewards for the sake of the world!

Announcements - February 3, 2008

From the Sunday School...We need your help!  We are currently experiencing a shortage of volunteers.  Could you help out one Sunday a month?  We are a wonderful group of young people and we promise you will have fun!  Please see Tanya! or contact the church office 941-0381.

BULLETINS:  Did you know?  Members of our congregation and Sunday School have been providing artwork for our bulletin cover!  It has been exciting to see what will be on the front each Sunday.  You too can see your creativity in print.  Find someone to sponsor you $10.00 and submit your black and white art to the office, attention Ways and Means!  It's that simple!

(note: There are also special order bulletins for the Lent/Easter seasons.  The 2008 cost is $35.00 per bulletin.  Contact Lynne in the office for more information.)

Love Notes     Come and join us for a special evening of music, fun and chocolate!  Saturday February 9th at 8 pm.  Tickets $10 available from Tanya Ellacott or the church office.

Don't miss out of this year's Talent Auction!   Back by popular demand!

What is it?  A live auction where participants bid against one another to "buy" a volunteer's talent. Individuals volunteer a talent or gift to be auctioned off and includes all ages and skills.  Our aim is to promote fellowship and friendship in our church community. Some ideas of talents may include: Making a gourmet meal, dog walking, a night of babysitting, computer aid, yard clean up, piano lessons, cash wash, home made baking, the list goes on. Last year was so much fun! 

Do you have any jewellery that is collecting dust?  You know, the stuff you don't wear any more and don't know why you still have it?  We have a solution!  Simply bring it to the church attention Ways and Means.  Then attend our Jewellery Sale on April 12th to find a new treasure! For more information please contact Tina Torrie, Kate Robbeson or Tanya Ellacott.

UNITED CHURCH MEN - February Dinner Meeting

The next will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Auditorium.  The speaker for this meeting will be Bill Monaghan, speaking on the topic "Young Drivers System of Education". 

All men are welcome.  Just say YES to the phoning committee or phone the church office at (519) 941-0381 to reserve your dinner meal.  We hope you will join us for fine fellowship, fine food and to hear the speaker tell us all about young driver education.

Women- to- Women is a group of intergenerational women (aged 30-80) who come together once a month for fellowship and diverse programs.  The fun begins at 7:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 - Debbie Madden speaks on finances

New This Year!!!

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE   February 6 at 7:30 pm

A chance to come and prepare yourself for the spiritual journey of lent.  This additional service will help you embark on the 40 day spiritual journey of Lent with time for personal reflection and the imposition of ashes if you so choose.

LENTEN STUDY WITH REV. SANDRA (4 SESSIONS)

Book "Prayer" by Joyce Rupp  $12.00

We will be ordering books on January 25. 

Reserve your copy now by calling the church office!

Morning Group:

February 13:    10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

February 20:    10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

February 27:    10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

March 19:        10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

Evening Group:

February 13:    7:30 - 8:45 p.m.

February 27:    7:30 - 8:45 p.m.

March 5:          7:30 - 8:45 p.m.

March 19:        7:30 - 8:45 p.m.

Joint Search Committee

Brian Bleasdale (Co-Chair) 938-9388

Joyce Winegar (Co-Chair) 941-4206

Janet Jones (Secretary) 940-3286

Bob Borden

Grant Bryan

Patricia Estrada

Rev. Shelly Roberts - Presbytery Representative

Rev. Terry Thom - Presbytery Representative

The Joint Search Committee has begun the process of finding a full-time minister.  Recommendations are welcome and can be presented to any member of this committee.

Applications must be sent to:

Janet Jones

211 15 Faulkner Street

Orangeville, ON

L9W 2G4

Email:  Janet-jones@sympatico.ca

Applications must be received by March 31^st, 2008

NEWSLETTER - If you would like to receive In-SPIRE-ation, Westminster's E-letter, you can sign on by contacting Janet Jones at  janet-jones@sympatico.ca   Anyone wishing a hardcopy of In-Spire-ation, please contact the church office 941-0381.