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.

March 2, 2008 - Lent IV

The Community of Faith Gathers

Music for Meditation: Andante - J. K. Knight

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

Drawing Together To Worship

The Church in Action: (announcements)

Tanya Ellacott - Talent Auction

Call to Worship: (responsive)

Once we were in darkness,

but now we live in the realm of light.

Once we were in death,

but now we live in the gift of life.

Once we were in bondage,

but now we live in the truth of freedom.

Once we walked in the valley,

but now we live in green pastures.

We come to worship the love that knows no limits,

And opens our eyes to focus on the light.

Greeting One Another

*Hymn of Praise:  57 - He Leadeth Me

Prayer for Rejuvenation (unison)

O God, as we gather here, may we find space enough

to be gathered into your love and to celebrate it together.

May we recognize you in every act of love we meet today.  Amen.

*Celebrating the Story in Song:  670- Precious Lord Take My Hand

Opening the Word with Children:  Judith Birchall

The Word for Us

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

Scriptures Read by Krista Cruikshank

Hebrew Scripture:  1 Samuel 16:1 - 13 (Pg. 277; 426)
Psalm 23:  Sung - Pg 747 Voices United
Gospel:  John 9: 1 - 41 (Pg. 1061; 1612)

Reflections: "Spiritual Spectacles" - Rev. Sandra McLauchlan-Abuja

Celebration Choir Anthem:  "When the Wind of Winter Blows" - 

                         Word:  Ruth Duck - Music Lori True

Responding to the Good News

Offertory Prayer

Presentation of Gifts and Offerings to God:

Offertory:Voluntary - English Organ Voluntaries - Unknown

*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

The Lord's Prayer - sung #960 Voices United

Sending Forth

*Hymn: 371 - "Open My Eyes"

*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 the Property Action Group.

The Bulletin Cover this week is sponsored by Dori & Lorne Ebel in memory of their dear son:  Matheson David Ebel (March 5, 1958 -

August 20, 2002).

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!

            Today, March 2

Membership & Pastoral Care - Room #4

Worship & Sacrament - Friendship Room

O.M.T. - 1:30 p.m. - Auditorium, F.S.R.

N.A. - 7:30 p.m. Room #5   

            Monday, March 3

Al-Anon - 8:00 p.m. - Room #5

           Tuesday, March 4

Beavers - 6:30 p.m. Auditorium

Women-to-Women - 7:45 p.m. Auditorium

Bells of Westminster - Friendship Room

A.A. - 8 p.m. Room #5

          Wednesday, March 5

Sparks - 4:30 p.m. Auditorium

Finance Meeting 7 p.m. - Room #4

Lenten Studies 10:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.

A.A. 12 Step - 8:00 p.m. Room #5

          Thursday, March 6

Membership Class - Friendship Room

Celebration Choir - Auditorium

A.A. 8:00 p.m. - Room #5

          Friday, March 7

C.A. - 7:30 p.m.- Room #5

Spirit Band 7:30 p.m. - Sanctuary T.B.C.

         Saturday, March 8

A.A. 10:30 a.m. - Room #5

If you wish to book a room for a meeting, please contact the church office.  Thank you.

Announcements - March, 2008

MEMBERSHIP AT WESTMINSTER:  If you wish to become a member of Westminster by transferring your membership from a previous church, please contact the church office 941-0381. 

Reception of New Members will be on Sunday, March 16^th at 10:30 a.m.

"COUNTERS" Needed!!!!!  Who are they?  They are individuals blessed with the ministry of counting money from the collection plates, after the worship service, with others who have this calling!

The Finance Action Group will hold a training for people who are interested in this type of ministry.  Contact more information, contact Tina Torrie (519) 941-1932.

Don't miss out of this year's Talent Auction - March 30th!   Back by popular demand!

What is it?  A live auction is 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.

EASTER SCHEDULE

Lenten Service & Luncheon - March 5^th - Westminster at Tweedsmuir - Noon

Palm Sunday Service - March 16^th - Communion - 10:30 a.m.

Good Friday Service - March 21^st - 7:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday Service - March 23^rd - 10:30 a.m.

      "Praise the God of Resurrection" - An Easter Cantata

      featuring - Narrator: Irwin Henderson; Soloist: Steve Brown;

      Bassically Sound Quartet; and the Celebration Choir

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.

UNITED CHURCH MEN - RESERVE March 18^th, 6:30 p.m. for the next dinner meeting of U.C.M.  A speaker from the United Church of Canada Foundation will be attending.

UNITED CHURCH WOMEN - no March meeting - the ladies will be attending Stage West this month.

Minute for Mission:

*Pray for the users of Centretown Laundry Co-op, a service for persons living on the street in Ottawa.  This program, so essential to the health and dignity of its users, is made possible by the M&S Fund.

*Hold in your prayers the Every Kid Choir, one of the programs of Montreal City Mission that brings children together.  This work is made possible by the M&S Fund.

*Pray for the young mothers of the Massey Centre for Women in Torontk, an outreacyh ministry supported by the M&S Fund.

Stewardship Seconds:

Stewardship begins in spiritual formation:  God's love poured into thirsty hearts keeps us alive during wilderness experiences.

Stewards open their eyes to choices that bring light, truth and wholeness.