Sunday, June 25, 2000 - “Membership Sunday”
God is not thwarted by the things we fear, whether they be giant warriors, the jealousy of our superiors, the anger of a mob, or the fury of a storm. God’s power transcends all these, and there is confidence and calm in placing our faith in that power. This does not mean we can sit back and trust God to do everything: David still had to fight Goliath, Paul still had to preach, the disciples still had to bail. But ultimately the outcome is in God’s hands, and God’s mission will always succeed.
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: God, we praise your name and sing praises to you.
All: We tell of your wonderful deeds among your people.
One: You are with us at all times and in all places.
All: We give you thanks for the gift of creation and of each other.
One: We gather together as people of faith to worship you on this day.
All: Glory to you, God!
Eternal God, open us to see your hand at work in the splendour of creation and in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand, our world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share our blessings with our sisters and brothers, and to experience the joy of life in your presence, through Jesus Christ, we pray.
Hymn #339 “When Morning Gilds the Skies”
We Remain in God’s Presence Through Confession
Prayer of Confession (Unison)
God of grace, you seek to bring together that which has fallen apart, to mend the broken edges of our life, and to fill with blessings the aching emptiness we sometimes feel. But we often make things fall apart. We break relationships through our selfishness and folly; we pursue the false and phoney. In some of the things we have done, or left undone, we have moved far off from you. Forgive us. Restore us to yourself. Draw us into a more faithful connection with each other as faithful followers of Jesus Christ, the Risen One…(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
We are loved unconditionally. We are forgiven abundantly. We are called endlessly. We are commissioned eternally. Thanks be to God!
Reception of New Members By Transfer
Lil Iwanicki, Chair of Visitation & Membership: We now welcome into this congregation persons who are already members of the United Church of Canada and have served within another congregation.
I present to you: Lana Blatz & Frieda Trekofski so that they may be received into this congregation.
James: I ask you, therefore, before God and these people, Do you profess anew your faith in God who has created you, in Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, and in the Holy Spirit, your Teacher and Guide?
Answer: I do.
James: Do you declare your intention to join with the people of Westminster United Church as we seek the presence of God among us through study and prayer; and do you now express your hope to enter into the life and work of this church as you support it with your gifts and share in its mission to all people?
Answer: I do, God being my helper.
James: Let us rise to receive these new members.
Cong: In the name of Jesus Christ we welcome you to the privileges and responsibilities of membership in this congregation. Be among us as eager participants in worship, join with us as seekers after truth and walk with us as co-workers in the struggle for the kingdom of God.
All: As God has called us, we pledge to you our friendship,
our help and our prayers.
One: God who makes all things new, affirming your promises and renewing our hopes, we give thanks for Lana & Frieda who have been moved this day to declare again the faith that stirs within them. Give us all a renewed vision of your purposes and use our strengths and our weakness as our gift to you. For the promise of the gift of peace that we meet in your presence we give you thanks and praise through Christ who makes us one. Amen.
Biblical Notes
David Defeats Goliath
Jesus Calms a Storm (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ
Hymn #679 “Let There Be Light”
James: Murray Irving has made known his desire to be considered for designated ministry within The United Church of Canada and has asked Westminster United Church to be his sponsoring congregation.
Chair of the Board: The response of Westminster United Church, through its Board of Elders, is to set up a Discernment Committee with help from South Alberta Presbytery. This committee will meet over the next 12 months with Murray. The Discernment Committee with Murray will be seeking to discern God’s will, testing Murray’s call to ministry and considering Murray’s gifts and suitability for ministry within The United Church of Canada.
This process is a part of the United Church’s candidacy procedures. It is hoped that this year will allow the Inquirer to consider all the implications and aspects of designated ministry and the congregation to make a recommendation with confidence.
If the conclusion is to recommend Murray as a Candidate, one person from the Discernment Committee will follow Murray through the rest of the process and keep the congregation well informed.
James: Today we covenant with Murray and the Discernment Committee. Carol Henderson, Jim Cunnings, & Vera Henderson have been appointed by the Board of Elders. Janet Kruijer has been appointed by the Inquirer, Murray. Vi Lee has been appointed by the Education and Students Committee of South Alberta Presbytery. Murray and Discernment Committee members will come forward.
James: Murray, do you promise to enter fully into this process, so that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, your call to and suitability for designated ministry may be discerned?
Murray: I do, God being my helper.
James: Do you, the members of this Discernment Committee, promise to support and challenge Murray as you explore with him a vocation in ministry?
Discernment Committee Members: We do, God being our helper.
Congregation will please stand.
James: Do you, the members of this congregation, promise to prayerfully
support this work being undertaken in your midst?
Congregation: Yes, we do, God being our helper.
James: Let us pray.
God, by your Spirit, bless Murray, as he seeks to discern your call. Bless this Discernment Committee as they discern this call on behalf of Westminster United Church and the wider church. Bless us all as we seek to do your will in this important work. Help Murray and the Committee to work well together. Bless them with wisdom, insight and the sense of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise God, all creatures high and low; give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.
Loving God you enter our lives in so many ways – bringing brilliance and light. For in your truth, love shines. Bless these gifts that they, too, may become lights of your love in the world. Amen.
Hymn #339 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
Commissioning (Responsive)
One: We are blessed with the gift of faith in God who is with us always and who will never let us go. Let us go in peace to love and serve God.
All: The Spirit sends us forth to serve. Thanks be to God, Alleluia!
Choral Amen
#298 “When You Walk From Here”
When you walk from here, when you walk from here. Walk with justice, walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.
Postlude
Have a Safe and Healthy Summer!