Mother's Day bulletin ...

It's been a busy week around Minnedosa ... (more about that later) ... for now - here is the bulletin from LAST week's service with Nancy W preaching. I wish I had notes for her sermon - it was a grand offering. She reflected on her time here in Minnedosa, on the texts and then she ended by musing about the future that we face here in Minnedosa ...

I will post yesterday's service materials tomorrow (or maye even later today) - but for now - here is the bulletin from last week:

GREETINGS ANNOUNCEMENTS MINUTE FOR MISSION

HYMN #477 I Come with Joy

CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Jesus said: Love one another.
ALL: WE COME TO WORSHIP GOD WHO IS LOVE,
THAT WE MAY LEARN TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
One: Jesus said: No longer do I call you servants;
now I call you my friends.
ALL: WE COME TO WORSHIP GOD,
WHOSE FRIENDS WE ARE IN CHRIST.
One: Let us sing praise to God,
and live in love and friendship;
through Jesus Christ.
ALL: AMEN.

PRAYER OF APPROACH:
One: We are not called to be fearful,
ALL: WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE
One: We are not called to be perfect,
ALL: WE ARE CALLED TO BE FAITHFUL.
One: We are not called to be fearless,
ALL: WE ARE CALLED TO BE OBEDIENT
One: We are not called to be all knowing,
ALL: WE ARE CALLED TO BELIEVE.
One: We are not called to be victorious,
ALL: WE ARE CALLED TO BE COURAGEOUS.
One: For it is in serving that we shall reign,
It is through courage we shall find victory,
ALL: IT IS THROUGH GIVING ALL THAT WE SHALL GAIN ALL,
IT IS THROUGH BELIEVING THAT WE SHALL DISPEL DOUBT,
IT IS IN OBEDIENCE THAT WE SHALL OVERCOME.
One: It is in loving that we shall dispel all fear,
It is in faithfulness that we shall find perfection.
ALL: IN CHRIST, AND GOD’S JUSTICE, WE SHALL FIND FREEDOM,
NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN.

HYMN #371 Open My Eyes, That I May See

PRAYER FOR WHOLENESS:
One: God of Resurrection,
We come into your presence today yearning to touch you,
hoping to find for ourselves your presence in our lives …
ALL: WE CRY OUT TO YOU FROM A DARKENED WORLD
A WORLD THAT KNOWS THE FULLNESS OF SUFFERING AND DEATH.
One: Merciful and Loving God, in the light smothering darkness
we stumble forward longing for the light to break over us …
(pause)
One: Gather our lingering fears and our confusion …
ALL: MEET OUR DOUBTS WITH COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING,
OPEN OUR EYES TO YOUR LOVE AND GRACE,
OPEN OUR EARS TO HEAR YOU CALLING TO US,
OPEN OUR SOULS TO NEW POSSIBILITIES …
HYMN #396 Jesus, Stand among Us
One: God of Grace, God of Love,
Guide us to paths of resurrection,
ALL: GOD OF HOPE, GOD OF STRENGTH, GOD OF SALVATION,
TRANSFORM US, RENEW US.
TAKE OUR WOUNDEDNESS, AND BRING HEALING AND NEW LIFE.
One: These things we ask in the name of the Risen One,
ALL: HOLY ONE, HEAR OUR PRAYERS, AND IN YOUR LOVE ANSWER. AMEN.

HYMN #562 (vs 1,3,5) Jesus Calls Us

SCRIPTURE READINGS: I Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
Acts 1:6-14
CHOIR ANTHEM:
THE STORY STOOL:

HYMN #556 (vs 1,2) Would You Bless Our Homes and Families

SERVICE OF BAPTISM:
Today we celebrate the Baptisms of:

Savannah Marilyn Sage Topping daughter of Sheryl
And
Meredith Irene Erven, daughter of Frances and Keith

One: Sisters and Brothers,
let us celebrate God’s gift of grace
given to us in the sacrament of baptism.
ALL: THERE IS ONE BODY
AND ONE SPIRIT;
WE HAVE ONE HOPE IN CHRIST.
One: There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God, Creator of us all.
ALL: OUT OF THE WATER OF BAPTISM
WE RISE WITH NEW LIFE,
FORGIVEN, RENEWED, AND ONE WITH CHRIST,
MEMBERS OF CHRIST’S BODY.
One: On behalf of the congregation of Minnedosa United Church,
I present the following persons
for initiation into the body of Christ through baptism:

QUESTIONS TO THE FAMILY:
One: Do you believe in God, who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
and who works in us and others by the Spirit?
RESPONSE: I DO, BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
One: Will you follow in the way of Jesus Christ,
resisting oppression and evil, seeking justice,
and witnessing to God’s love for all creation?
RESPONSE: I WILL, GOD BEING MY HELPER.
One: Will you follow the way of Jesus Christ joining
with your brothers and sisters in this community of faith
to celebrate God’s presence, live with respect in creation,
and love and serve others?
RESPONSE: I WILL, GOD BEING MY HELPER.
One: Will you share your faith with your child,
supporting and encouraging her as you grow together in faith, hope and love?
RESPONSE: I WILL, GOD BEING MY HELPER

CONGREGATIONAL COMMITMENT:
One: Let us pledge to these persons our support and care.
ALL: AS A BAPTIZED AND BAPTIZING PEOPLE,
WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO SUPPORT AND UPHOLD YOU
WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH.
One: May God grant us all
the grace to live out our baptism.
ALL: AMEN.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH:
A New Creed page 918 Voices United

POURING OF THE WATER:
One: God be with you.
ALL: AND ALSO WITH YOU.
One: Lift up your hearts.
ALL: WE LIFT THEM TO GOD.
One: Let us give our thanks to God.
ALL: IT IS GOOD TO GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE.
One: As the water is poured, we recall
Isaiah’s promise:
“waters shall break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert”;
Ezekiel’s declaration:
“I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean”;
the Psalmist’s testimony:
“Beside the still waters, God leads me”;
and Jesus’ words:
“whoever gives even a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones—
truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
May God’s Spirit be upon us
and these waters of daily use,
which we now use to baptize and to welcome.
Listen to its free-flowing powers;
Listen to its releasing powers;
Listen to its welcoming powers.

ACT OF BAPTISM:
One: I baptize you,
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
BLESSING:
One: May the blessing of the God of Sarah and Hagar,
as of Abraham,
the blessing of the Son, born of the woman Mary,
and the blessing of the Spirit, who broods over us
as a mother her children,
be with you today and always.
ALL: AMEN.
One: Child of God, from this day forward,
you bear the sign of Jesus Christ.
ALL: AMEN.
One: May the Holy Spirit, Love’s power,
guide you, inspire you, and work within you,
all the days of your life.
ALL: AMEN.

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE AND CANDLE:
One: Let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good works,
and give glory to God.
ALL: AMEN.

CONGREGATIONAL WELCOME:
One: Into the household of faith,
we welcome you with joy and thanksgiving.
ALL: WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.
WE ARE INHERITORS OF GOD’S PROMISE.
IN THE NAME OF CHRIST, WE WELCOME YOU.
One: The grace of Christ attend you,
the love of God surround you,
the Holy Spirit keep you.
ALL: AMEN.

HYMN #644 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry

SERMON: The Reverend Nancy Wetselaar
OFFERING
OFFERTORY:
PRAYER OF DEDICATION

HYMN #477 I Come With Joy

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE - THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN #232 Joyful, Joyful

COMMISSIONING/BENEDICTION:

SUNG RESPONSE: HYMN #424 May the God of hope Go with Us

The worship has ended…
…the work of God’s people has just begun
Go in peace


Announcements:
Our thanks to Hilda Comrie, The AOTS Mens’ Club and all the volunteers and very talented people who made Tuesday Night’s concert a huge success. (Thanks too, to Ruth Wiwchar and her choirs for coming out to share their ample talents with us). In all $3000 dollars was raised for our rebuilding efforts.

Thanks to Cathy Mansell (CM Artworks) who presented us with a donation of $397 this past week. This represents the proceeds to date from the sales of her sketch of the Church. As sales continue, Cathy will make further donations to our rebuilding fund. The sketches are available locally …

Worship service at PCH -Tuesday at 2:30, Shawn will be leading the service

UCW - Wednesday at 2:00 pm, at Amy Kozak’s home.

Church Board Meeting – this Wednesday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Adult Learning Centre.

Building Committee Meeting – Tuesday, May 23rd at 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study will resume on Friday at 10 am at the Library

Confirmation Class will meet at Minnedosa Bowl Saturday at 12:30.

The Annual Meeting of Conference of Manitoba and North Western Ontario will be held in Winnipeg from May 25th to the 28th. Sam and Hannah Ankenmann will be attending the Pre-TAC events during the meeting as representatives of our Congregation.

Pentecost Sunday (June 4th) – Congregational lunch following Worship

Graduation Service – with our 2006 Grads - June 25th

And a very warm welcome to our friend (and former Minister) the Rev. Nancy Wetselaar, who joins us in our worship service this morning.