St. John’s United Church An Affirming, Fully Inclusive Ministry

St. John’s United Church
An Affirming, Fully Inclusive Ministry
St. John's United Church, an Affirming Ministry of the United Church,
is an inclusive community of faith. In celebrating God's presence
by following Jesus' example of unconditional love, we strive to
accept and nurture each other as we are. We welcome the
ministry and participation of all persons of all ethnic and
cultural backgrounds, differing abilities, sexual
orientation, gender identity, race, age,
and economic circumstance.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
VU (Voices United hymn book)
MV (More Voices hymn book)
*you are invited to stand in your body or in your spirit
Please note that portions of the worship service are recorded
and can be found on our website www.stjohns-united.org
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
Welcome/Announcements/Celebrations
Candle Lighting:
We light this candle to remind us that Jesus’ light is within us.
We give thanks for the light of Christ.
Introit “Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind”
Call to Worship:
Here we are God, with our bits of faith and our pieces of hope.
Here we are God, in our giving and taking moods.
God, will you be here with us as we talk, dream, listen, sing and pray?
God, will you come and join us?
Will you hold and comfort, push and poke us, speak to us, feed us?
Like a deer that longs for life-giving waters, so my soul longs for you.
Here we are God, waiting to behold your face.
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*Hymn #766 VU “As The Deer Pants for the Water”:
1. As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you;
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
Refrain: You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you.
2. You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
3. I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye
Opening Prayer:
God of every moment and every day, you are more real to us than our
breathing, more constant than our heartbeat, more present to us than our
senses, yet more mysterious than we can comprehend.
Dare we ask that your presence be known among us?
In justice, fairness and goodness, and where wrongs are put right
we know you are near.
Love, gentleness, kindness and courage, imprint your image on every part of
life,
and we know you are near.
We praise you. We listen for you.
We attend to your pulse in the whole of life. Amen.
*Hymn #77 MV “Be Still and Know that I am God”
Theme Conversation
We light this candle to remind us that wherever we go, the light of
Jesus is within us. The light of Christ shines on.
(The children and youth may leave for Sunday School)
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 33: 12-23
Gospel: Matthew 22: 15-22
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Anthem “A Bach Chorale on the Tune Eisenach”
Reflection
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
*Hymn #161 MV “I Have Called You by Your Name”
Prayers of the People
Sung Lord’s Prayer #959 VU
Presentation of our Gifts and Offerings
Offering Hymn #218 VU “We Praise You, O
God”
Alternate words for vs. 3, line 3 “in our
giving and serving, we pray for your
blessing”(We will stay seated and sing as
the offering is received.)
Prayer of Dedication:
Ever-present God, with this offering of money, we present ourselves:
All that we have been, all that we are, all that we shall become.
Bless these gifts and bless us as we walk in the way of Jesus. Amen.
WE DEPART TO SERVE
*Hymn #103 MV “Ka mana’o ’I ’O”
*Sending Forth:
Where the world is merciless we will
be God’s mercy.
Where the world is hopeless we will
be God’s hope.
Where there is injustice we will be God’s justice.
Where there is sadness we will be God’s joy.
Where the world is doubting we will be God’s faith.
Where there is ingratitude we will be God’s grace.
Where there is confusion we will be God’s truth.
Where there is weakness we will be God’s strength.
Where the world is wounded we will be God’s healing.
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Where the world is weeping we will be God’s song.
Where the world is despairing we will be God’s beauty.
Where the world is crumbling we will be God’s rock.
Where there is no tenderness we will be God’s child.
Where there is loneliness we will be God’s smile.
Where the world is dying we will be God’s life.
Where there is darkness we will be God’s light.
May our lives change the world one person at a time.
May our lives be the presence of Christ,
May we be living signs of God’s love. Amen.
(Copyright © 2003, 2005 Danielle Rose, published
by World Library Publications - by permission.)
The blessing of God’s gentle hand, the wisdom of God’s living Christ and the
power of God’s own Spirit be with you, always. Amen.
*Song of Dismissal #214 MV
“May God’s Sheltering Wings”
WORSHIP & CHURCH PARTICIPANTS TODAY
Worship Leader: Janice Young
Lector Reader: Don Gunning
Attendant: Charlie Jensen
Greeters: Lucy Stewart & Anita Saari
Coffee Person: Pat Godwin
Church School Coordinator: Shirley Jackson
Pianist: Ken Dalgleish
Choir Director: Janice Brunson
Office Administrator: Nancy Smith
Please Note… The chairs do need to be put away today.
Thank you to the people whose last names start with the
letters B, E, F and Q for cleaning up after coffee today!
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There will be a brief congregational meeting this morning
immediately following worship to vote on approval of the
Proposed Governance Plan for St. John’s United Church.
Sunday, October 26, 2014:
Lectionary Readings for Next Sunday:
Deuteronomy 34: 1-12, Psalm 90: 1-6, 13-17, 1
Thessalonians 2: 1- 8.
Monday, October 20th, 2014:
Qigong from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.
For more information, contact Cathy Poole.
Study Group meets from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the
hall.
Thursday, October 23rd, 2014:
Centering Prayer in the sanctuary from 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Come join us for a
time of silent prayer when we open ourselves to the transforming power of
God’s love. The best way to learn from Centering Prayer is to practise it.
Choir practice - 7:00 p.m. If you like to sing, come out and join us.
Saturday, October 25th, 2014:
At 7 p.m. - St. John’s United Church presents A
Harvest Offering Coffee House. Tickets $25 includes coffee / tea/ delectable desserts. available from Cheryl Palm after worship service,
Nancy Smith in the office at St. John’s, Sechelt
-6Visitor’s Centre, The Blackberry Shop or on line at
www.latimerandcompany.com
BAKING. If you can bake for the upcoming concert on October 25th,
please see Anita. We are looking to duplicate the coffee house style of
Jacqueline's fundraiser and need bars or pies, etc. Thank you! Anyone who has
mountain ash or berry bush sprigs we could use for table centres, please let us
know.
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The U.C.W. have 2015 Canadian Church Calendars for sale for $7.
The U.C.W. is also asking for donations of medium-sized clear water glasses.
Any extras in your cupboards? Please consider donating them to our kitchen.
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Saturday, November 1st, 2014
There will be a Celebration of Life for Bob Darney on Sat., Nov. 1st from noon
- 4 p.m. at the Senior’s Activity Centre in Sechelt. All are welcome.
Wednesday, November 12, 19, 26, 2014
Membership Group - Please speak
to Janice Young or Joan Hibbard if
you are interested in discovering
what it means to be a member of
The United Church of Canada and
may be considering joining St. John’s United Church. There will be 3 sessions of
exploration - Wednesdays Nov. 12, 19, 26 at 7 p.m. - 6181 Baillie Rd.
Vicki Beeman is available for house-sitting between Nov. 22 to Dec. 31. If you
know of anyone who needs Vicki to take good care of their home for any (or
all) of this time period, please call (604) 885-7177.
Comments from the Treasurer and Finance Committee
The first nine months of 2014 show a mixed picture. - see chart below. Budget
Givings are substantially below budget but are largely compensated by higher
Non-Budget Givings and lower Expenses. The Building Fund is getting less
contributions than necessary to cover the monthly mortgage payment of
$2900. This means we are using up the reserve in the building fund. On a more
positive note, remember that our mortgage will be paid off by April 20, 2015 something to look forward to and suitably celebrate when the time comes!
Thanks and Cheers!
-8St. John's United Church Summary of First Nine Months of 2014
Actual
First 9 months
Budget
First 9 months
Difference
REVENUE
Envelopes, PAR, Loose Givings
Other Budget Income
Total Operating Revenue
76,998
11,356
88,354
82,018
9,000
91,018
-5,020
2,356
-2,664
Total Operating Expenses
102,290
104,400
-2,110
Net Income
-13,936
-13,382
-554
Outreach Funds Givings
Internal Funds Givings
Total Non-Budget Givings
Total Transfer Fund Givings
13,592
9,669
23,261
-23,261
26,100
26,100
-1,707
0
Building Fund
Building Fund Offerings
Mortgage Payment
24,393
26,100
We encourage you to hold the following people in the
light & love of God for healing of mind, body and spirit:
Pam Baird;
Kathy Bolton (living with cancer);
Richard Buller (Eric Tiessen’s cousin);
Jill Conway and family (grieving the loss of Jill’s dad);
Family & friends of Jessie Curwen (grieving her death);
Family & friends of Bob Darney (grieving his death);
Leo Davidson (living with cancer);
Jill English (Donna Currie’s daughter);
-9Family & friends of John Ford (grieving his death);
Ryann Ford (Fern and Jim Breadner’s granddaughter);
Leslie French (Jean Beadle’s niece dealing with cancer);
Patrick Godwin (recovering from knee replacement surgery):
Sandra Johnson (receiving cancer treatment);
Denise Johnston (Joyce Rathwell’s daughter with health issues);
George Henderson (Jessie Oliver’s son-in-law, undergoing medical tests);
Baby Colton (great grandson of Scott and Cindy Huff recovering from surgery);
Jacquie Kernick (Ann’s friend with health issues);
Dayna Kingston (Lymphoma);
Janice, Mike, AJ & Thomas Lavric (grieving the death of Janice’s dad & Aunt Lil)
Doug Martens (Sherryl Latimer’s brother with cancer);
Frances Morrison (Sheila Pope’s mom);
Bonnie Parker (Colleen’s friend fighting breast cancer);
Susan Pogson;
Cheryl Porayko (Donna’s sister);
Donna Porayko (prayers for calmness);
Christina (Donna Porayko’s daughter recovering from a car accident);
Gerry Porayko (Donna’s brother);
Marion Proulx;
Caitlin Samson & Keith (grieving the death of Keith’s brother)
Rev. Ed Searcy (chemotherapy for multiple myeloma);
Eileen Shatford (undergoing cancer treatment);
Andree Steele (Val Marus’ sister-in-law dealing with cancer);
Rolf Stucky (recovering from a second stroke).
For those who are no longer able to attend and are still a part of our church
family: Marjorie Bazen; Marla Chatham; Carol Betts; Margaret Gemmell; Celia
Muncas-ter; Hazel Seeton; Betty-Mae Smith.
We pray for our ecumenical sisters and brothers in India, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka.
St. John's United Church
5855 Davis Bay Road
Sechelt, BC V0N 3A2
Phone: 604-885-9822
Emaill: office@sstjohns-united.org
Website: www.stjohns-united.org