June 23, 2002 - U.C.W. Service

Today we celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of the Women of the United Church of Canada.

Prelude   

Sharing Announcements

 A Time of Greeting

 A time of silent preparation

 Call to Worship (Responsive)

One:        God’s Spirit calls to our spirits,

All:      inviting us to worship.

One:        God’s Spirit calls to our spirits,

All:      inviting us by love.

One:        God’s Spirit calls to our spirits,

All:      calling us by name, calling us to grow in faith, calling us to be made new.

One:        We come to worship in this season of the Spirit.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

God of all the ages, God of the young, the old, and the in-between, God of women, men and children, God of each one of us gathered here, we gather in your name.  Open our eyes and ears and hearts to hear your truth spoken and your love expressed in all that we do this day.  Amen.

Hymn #415 “God, We Praise You for the Morning”

U.C.W. History

Celebrating the Foundation of Our Faith

- Square Circle Unit

“The cloth is placed over the table”

Hymn #332 “The Church’s One Foundation”

Prayer (one)

Every-gracious God, you call us from near and far into the fellowship of our church, building upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, upon Jesus Christ, our companion and Lord, and upon all the saints who have gone before us.  We give you thanks especially for the ministries of the United Church Women.

We give you thanks for all in our midst today.  Continue to watch over our groups, we pray:  disturb our complacency; fill us again with your Spirit; deepen our faith and our relationship with you, so that we might continue to be faithful co-workers with you – “that all the world might see” and praise you.  In the name of Jesus, our Cornerstone.  Amen.

U.C.W. History

Celebrating the 40^th Anniversary of the U.C.W.

- Louise Layton Unit

“The candle is lit”

The Purpose (unison)

“To unite women of the congregation for the total mission of the church and to provide a medium through which they may express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian witness, study, fellowship and service.”

Hymn #378 “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”

Matthew 5:14-16 From the Gospel Pg. 8

U.C.W. History

Celebrating Our Witness and Service

- Square Circle Unit

“The cup and saucer are placed on the table”

John 4:13-15 From the Gospel Pg. 122

Anthem

U.C.W. History

Celebrating Being Fed and Feeding Others

– Electra Unit

“A plate with bread is placed on the table”

Luke 9:16-17 From the Gospel Pg. 89

 Our Church Tithes and Offerings (one)

God has shown us the meaning of generosity in the beautiful diversity of creation, in the overflowing love of Jesus Christ, and in the never-ending gift of the Holy Spirit!  God has abundantly blessed us and called us to be a community that blesses others through the sharing of our love, our talents, and our material possessions.  Let us rejoice now in what we have been given and in what is ours to give as we present our morning offering.

Offertory 

Dedication #537 “Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands”

Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere,

and some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share. 

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.

Prayer of Dedication (one)

May these gifts bring light to those who walk in darkness, hope to those who live in despair, and justice to those who are oppressed.  Grant to each giver a sense of participation in the most important opportunity of all time; to share your love with the world.  To this end, we dedicate our offerings and ourselves.  Amen.

Celebrating God’s Call to be Co-Creators

- Edythe Hewitt Unit

“The flowers are placed on the table”

Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 From the Gospel Pg. 61

Hymn #382 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

Commissioning of the Spirit -Edythe Hewitt Unit

One:        Go with joy,

All:      thankful for this gathering.

One:        Go with vision,

All:      inspired by the hopes of countless generations of women.

One:        Go with strength,

All:      renewed by God’s powerful spirit.

One:        Go in love,

All:      assured that we are beloved of God.

One:        Go with courage,

All:      challenged by what we have seen and heard.

One:        Go in peace,

All:      soothed by the gentle breath of God.  Alleluia!

Choral Amen

#649 “Walk with Me”

Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned where love shines through.

And when you share your faith with me and work for life made new, the witness of your faithfulness calls me to walk with you. 

Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned where love shines through.

Postlude