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 17, 2008 - Lent II

                                Family Service

The Community of Faith Gathers

Music for Meditation: Lenten Prayer - Schmidt

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: Jim Lindsay

Call to Worship: (Responsive)

We ask those who ministry is caring for others:

Where do you seek the Spirit?

In the place of caring and trusting.

We ask those whose ministry is in community renewal:

Where do you seek the Spirit?

In the place of building and re-creating.

We ask those whose ministry is social action:

Where do you seek the Spirit?

In the place of justice and truth.

We ask those whose ministry leading:

Where do you seek the Spirit?

In the place of birth and rebirth.

We ask those whose ministry is teaching:

Where do you seek the Spirit?

In learning and discovery.

We ask those whose ministry is music:

Where do you seek the Spirit?

In worship and in song.

We ask all who love and serve God:

Where do you seek the Spirit?

We seek the Spirit together as God's loving community

and we come now to worship, live,

and celebrate life in that Spirit.

Greeting One Another

*Hymn of Praise:  395 - Come In, Come In and Sit Down

Prayer for Rejuvenation: (Unison)

God, may your mystery surround us and your light shine on us.

May your Spirit explore with us and be our companion.

May what we do not understand, send us on a journey with you today.

Amen.

*Celebrating the Story in Song: 

"You got to move when the Spirit says move" - Traditional American

You got to move when the Spirit says move!

You got to move when the Spirit says move!

'Cause when the Spirit says move, you got to move.   O Yeah!

You got to move when the Sprit says move.

2.      You got to love when the Spirit says love!

3.      You got to sing when the Spirit says sing!

4.      You got to pray when the Spirit says pray!

5.      You got to live when the Spirit says live!

Opening the Word with Children: Brian Bleasdale

The Word for Us

Prayer for Hearing: Prayer for Hearing:  Me Alone (#118 More Voices)

Genesis 12: 1-4a

Psalm:  121 - Voices United Pg. 842

John 3: 1-17

Reflections:  "Second Chances" - Rev. Sandra McLauchlan-Abjua

Celebration Choir Anthem:God So Loved the Word 

-        from: Praise the God of Resurrection 

Responding to the Good News

Offertory Prayer

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings to God:

Offertory:Spirit of Gentleness - arr Mark Hayes 

*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.

Prayers for the People

Response: Our help comes from You, the maker of heaven and earth.

The Lord's Prayer - sung #960 Voices United

Sending Forth

*Hymn:  156 - Move Voices - Dance with the Spirit

*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

Announcements - February 17, 2008

BULLETINS:  Did you know that you are able to be a sponsor for a special Lenten/Easter bulletin for only $35.00 per week?  You may do this in honour, in celebration or in memory of someone special in your life.

Check with the church office to see which week is available (941-0381)

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!

Don't miss out of this year's Talent Auction - March 30th!   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 941-1932, Kate Robbeson or Tanya Ellacott.

UNITED CHURCH MEN - February Dinner Meeting

The next meeting 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 $10.00 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.

United Church Women

Westminster U.C.W. will meet on Wednesday February 20^th at 1:30 p.m. in the Friendship Room.

Our theme today is a belated Valentine Day Blitz with prizes.  All ladies welcome.

MEMBERSHIP AT WESTMINSTER:  Classes will begin Thursdays, February 21, 28 and March 6 with Reception of New Members on Sunday, March 16^th at 10:30 a.m.    If you wish to become a member of by attending the classes or by transfer of membership from a previous church, please contact the church office.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:

TODAY Sunday, Feb. 17^th - Worship & Sacrament Meeting - Noon to 1 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 18^th - Church Board Meeting - 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 24^th - Book Club - 12:15 p.m. Room #4

                              - Outreach & Action Sunday - Guest Speaker: Rev. Harold Wells

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.

Westminster United Church in Orangeville, Ontario (one hour north of Toronto) has a rich and significant role in this town of 25,000.   

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Our large heritage building (capacity 450) is home to a diverse and vital congregation.  A new and emerging resolve is developing within this congregation.  Having recently completed a visioning process, our congregation is looking forward to implementing the findings and recommendations of the final report.  We are looking for an energetic and dedicated individual to lead Westminster into the future.  We, at Westminster, wish to provide an environment where spirituality and Christian tradition can be relevant to families and individuals throughout our community.  We wish to provide a setting where individuals and groups have a place to reflect, and have an opportunity to listen to God speaking to us.  By working hard and by using innovative ideas and practices, we believe we can begin to bring people back into the church.  By rebuilding a community of faith, we can begin to rebuild a community.  Our incumbent's term ends soon and we are seeking a full-time ordained Minister of the Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care.  We welcome all applications.

Please contact Janet Jones at janet-jones@sympatico.ca 211-15 Faulkner St., Orangeville, ON L9W 2G4.  Please visit our website to examine our J.N.A.C. www.westminsterorangeville.ca.  

Application Deadline: March 31st, 2008.