Welcome to Grace! We hope you will join us for IN-PERSON worship on Sunday at 10 am. If you cannot make it to the church, you can be online. Click here to join us live on Facebook. A recorded version of the service is publicly available on Facebook by noon each Sunday. Throughout this publication, you will see underlined items. These are all hyperlinks, taking you to a website, Facebook page, or email to contact for more information. Give one a try by clicking on one of them, like the donation link. A hard copy of this publication is available in the office. Grace depends on financial contributions. You can support fantastic programming by going to our webpage, http://www.graceunitedchurch.ca/donate, or filling out a pre-authorized remittance form, available from the office. Grace depends on financial contributions.
What’s Happening This Week
February 6th
9:00 am - 11:30 am - Darby UCW Meeting
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Souper 5
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm - Meri-dian Ukuleles
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Handbells
February 7th
9:00 am - 12:00 pm - Community Connections Prep
10:00 am - Pastoral Care Mtg
2:30 pm - Staff Meeting
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Homework Program
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - 4H Group
February 8th
10:00 am - 12:30 pm - Community Connections
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Kidz Praize
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Playschool Book Bingo
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Small Group
February 9th
9:00 am - 12:00 pm - M & P Meeting
10:00 am - Book Club'
10:00 am - 11:30 am - Playschool
12:30 pm - Soup Trio
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Outreach Cupboard
4:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Youth Nite @ Mann’s (weather permitting)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Affirming Hours
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm - Community Choir
February 10th
10:00 am - 11:30 - Playschool
February 12th
10:00 am - Worship
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned & fresh fruit
o Canned & fresh veggies
o Freezable meats
o Cereal
o Rice
o Peanut butter
o Kraft Dinner
o Crackers
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein (ham, chicken, tuna)
o Instant oatmeal pkgs
o Toilet paper/ Kleenex
o Shampoo, body wash, Deodorant, feminine hygiene products
o Instant coffee
o Powdered milk
ORDER OF WORSHIP – FEBRUARY 5, 2023
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
Worship led by the Grace Choir and Trio, Rev. Cathy Kinsman,
Jonathan Rollheiser, Pam Rollheiser and Garnet Weaver
GOD INVITES US TO WORSHIP
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
CANDLELIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Creation” Gladys Jack
“In the quiet stillness of creation, in the quiet stillness of home.
In the quiet stillness of our being, God reminds us that we’re not alone”
CENTERING PRAYER
HYMN “I am The Light of the World” VU #87
Words and Music: Jim Strathdee, 1967
CHILDREN’S TIME
HYMN “This Little Light of Mine” (Words on the screen)
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
PRAYER OF HEALING
Loving and amazing God, we come often to be comforted,
to affirm our comfortableness and to feel at one with those around us in church.
We acknowledge we find it hard to look difference in the eye;
to see the hopeless among our number and to believe the hungry are far from our door.
It is hard to admit that we are hungry,
that at times we are hopeless and maybe even today,
struggling inside, as we utter the words “I’m Fine,” or, “I’m Good, thanks.”
Crack us open, God, break out the truth within us,
to use Your Spirit to seek out relationships that seem different;
relationships that seem vulnerable and at risk,
those which bring healing through honest sharing.
Keep us seeking until there is no other that separates us,
keep us seeking until names are what we know and not groups of people – the weak,
the sick, the poor.
For we are all weak and sick and poor and we need You to transform our lives.
We come to you now in prayer, that we might find healing to become a light to Your world.
(A time for silent prayer/meditation)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Hear the good news:
God’s grace and comfort is greater than our struggles and mis-steps.
Even before we ask, God offers refreshment and renewal.
Thanks be to God for shining light and love, so we too, might shine,
giving glory to God. Amen.
HYMN “Come Touch Our Hearts” (vs.1-4) MV #12
Words and Music: Gordon Light, arr. Andrew Donaldson, 2002
THE SCRIPTURE SPEAKS TO US
SCRIPTURE READING
New Testament – Matthew 5:13-20 – You are salt; you are light
In this is God’s Holy Word. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
SPECIAL MUSIC “Everybody Has a Light to Shine” Grace Trio
Arr. Mac Huff
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERING HYMN “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” VU #541
Words: Thomas Ken, 1674 Music: Genebvan Psalter, 1551
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Lord’s Prayer
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH
CLOSING HYMN “May the God of Hope Go with Us” VU #424
Words: A. Schutmaat 1984, Fred Kaan, 1993 Music: Argentine folk melody
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Life and Work of the Church
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “Take Up His Song of Love” MV #213
Words and Music: Laura A. Herman, 2005: arr. Robin King, 2006
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Incredible things- God-inspired things-will happen when we learn to live the way of generosity and grace.
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
Feb. 12 – Baptism Sunday – Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Feb. 19 – Transfiguration Sunday – Super Sunday – Pancake Lunch following church
Feb. 22 – Ash Wednesday – Lenten Lunch, Community Connections and Sr. Lunch as well as sharing of ashes for Ash Wednesday, for those who would like to participate.
Ash Wednesday Worship Service 7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Feb. 26 – Lent 1 - Communion
Mar. 5 – Lent 2
Mar. 12 – Lent 3 – Celebrating P.I.E. Day – Jenson Brown,
Affirming Support Worker offering the message
Mar. 19 – Lent 4
Mar. 26 – Lent 5 – possible Grace United A.G.M. following worship
April 2 – Palm Sunday
Apr. 6 – Maundy Thursday – 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Foot Washing; Communion
April 7 – Good Friday – 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary
April 9 – Easter Sunday
INTENSIVE LENT SMALL GROUP – MAR. 7 – MAY 2
TUESDAY’S 6:45-8:45 – Upper Room
If you feel called to go deeper within during the weeks of Lent, consider joining the Companions in Christ, small group series, entitled, “The Way of Forgiveness.” Anyone who has completed the six-week introductory to spiritual formation - “Exploring the Way,” is welcome to participate in this eight-week intensive. We will examine shame, guilt, anger and how spiritual formation can help release these emotions so we can move toward wholeness. We will also deal with the topics of receiving God's forgiveness, forgiving others, and seeking reconciliation.
Please speak to Rev. Cathy to secure your participation, as there are only 11 spots available for this group.
LENT 2023 – LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES!
Our Lenten season worship time will invite all on a journey into love. It has been said,
each of us have a “God-shape” hole inside, a hole that we can spend a lifetime trying to fill.
We may try to fill it with possessions, food, chemicals, money, power, need for certainty,
fame and even with shame. None of these will completely fill a hole that is “God-shaped.”
Only God’s agape love can fill that hole.
During Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, we will go on a journey
“Looking for LOVE in all the Right Places.” This day will also be the first Wednesday Lenten Lunch offered at 11:30 a.m. with a brief time for those who would like to enter into the season of Lent with the marking of ashes on the forehead or hand. This action is a tradition originating in the 11th Century church which begins a season of self-reflection and discernment.
Senior Lunch and Community Connection folks, who will also be meeting in the hall for lunch,
will be invited and welcomed to participate as they like in the marking of ashes.
The break-out groups through Community Connections, funded through the Federal Government will begin shortly after lunch.
There will be a more formal Ash Wednesday service the same evening in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m., for those unable to come at lunch due to family, schooling or work commitments.
The scriptures through the weeks of Lent offer many images of where grace, forgiveness,
justice and healing – all “aspects of God’s agape love – can be found. It turns out,
as we will discover, that we don’t find these in the “usual” places.
The “usual places” don’t offer us the deep sense of wholeness and joy we seek,
for they offer only temporary good feelings and short-term satisfaction.
Lent is a wonderfully reflective time to assess where one can find meaning and purpose;
a time to revisit our priorities and commitments. We will move through some of the traditional Lenten scriptures and stories of Jesus to help us on our journey.
Rev. Cathy will be offering a come as you are visiting and reflecting time, for those who would like to dig deeper with the scripture stories of Lent.
This will take place Friday mornings throughout Lent in the Upper Room – Lounge,
beginning Friday February 24, from 9:45-11:00 a.m.
Make time to come along, go within and beyond, “Lookin for LOVE in all the Wrong Places,” oops, I mean, “all the Right Places!”
THANK-YOU
Thank you to the UCW for supplying coffee, tea, juice, and even cream and sugar for all church events, all year, every year! Thank you, United Church Women.
FEBRUARY NEWS LETTER IS AVAILABLE
Special thanks to Brenda Ellison and all who contributed to the “On the Doorstep of Grace,” January edition. Please be sure to pick up a newsletter, or maybe two, to share with someone who isn’t able to get to church on a regular basis.
PIE Day: Official launch for the Year of Intention, 7 March, 6:00pm MT.
This year, we’re challenging you to think about the meaning behind the I in PIE.
How intentional are you in the welcome you extend to 2SLGBTQ+ and other marginalized folks?
And more importantly, are your intentions pointing you in the direction of action. Click here for full details and registration.
CONNECTING COMMUNITY
My life is an open book seriesAre you a senior interested in fellowship, physical activity, education and conversation that may challenge stereotypes and prejudices in our world?
If so, the Connecting Community workshops beginning SOON may be something you wish to attend. FREE!!!
YOU ARE INVITED
Wednesday, February 8th, 2023
10:30 - 11:00 – Friends & Fellowship plus coffee
11:00 - 11:30 – Functional Movement- Clark Drury
11:30 - 11:45 – Personal Break
11:45 - 12:15 – Lovely Meal- provided by UCW
12:15 - 12:45 - DARP- Downtown Area Revitalization Project-Keegan Lane
12:45 - 1:00 – Personal Break
1:00 - 2:00 – My Life is an Open Book (choose 1 speaker)
An experienced life of addiction and healing- session to be videoed
Tyler Lorenz
Executive Director- Residents in Recovery
Strength Inside of Vulnerability
Ambrose Firkus
IHD Hockey Instructor
Repeat session from November
Beautifully “Bad”
Janice Haughian - Mom
Repeat session from September
We’re wired for Hard Things
Barb Russell Congregation Member
Grace United Church
My Wayward Mind
Amber Hardy
YOUTH NITES │ FEB 9th │6:00 pm – 8:15 PM |HEMSTOCK
Games & activities with Seniors, parents are to drop off and pick up youth at the Hemstock,
then it’s a fun intergenerational night of games and activities, plus a little sweet treat - the chocolates we make this week! If there are any questions about YOUTH NITES, our youth nite worker Ashley Holman can be reached at ash.holman77@gmail.com or 306 307 5735. Here is the link to register:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1z8yx90O2ElqiWA6jMpRbU4xCFx9kTqJKvhtjq7M4mh8/edit
New youth time for Thursday, Feb. 16th
This week we head out to the Mann ranch for a sleigh ride, weather permitting! Youth will congregate at the church for a 4:00 departure out to the ranch. After an enjoyable winter sleigh ride the kids will gather for hot dogs and hot chocolate around the fire. Thanks to Border City Connects for providing transportation. Parents are to pick up youth at 6:30 at the church.
OUTREACH
As some of you may know we have a high demand of community members coming to Grace and requesting food hampers, in their struggling times. At this time, we have decided to hand out all of the jackets, hat, scarf, and mittens. We plan to use the closet space to store more food and other items for outreach. All clothing items will have to be donated to the Olive Tree, as we no longer have the space to store them.
SOUP MAKING
If you are interested in being a spare soup maker, please let the office know. Thank you!
HOMEWORK│TUESDAYS │4:00 PM – 5:30 PM │GUC
Homework Club is for students grade 7-10. Students from all schools are welcome and they are provided with a warm meal. We are looking for teachers or people interested in tutoring to help with the students. If you have any questions please call the office.
As beloved children of God, all are included in the life and ministry of
the Grace Family where diversity is celebrated.
Grace remembers, as we celebrate God’s presence in worship, that Grace United Church gathers on Treaty 6 land,
the traditional territory of the Plains, Wood Cree,
Assiniboine and Métis peoples. As Treaty people,
we seek to live with respect on this land and live in peace and friendship with all our relations.
Minister - Rev. Cathy Kinsman - 1-204-294-2142 gucminister@telus.net
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucbevthurlow@gmail.com
Administrative Support - Ashley Barber 780-875-8959 gucoffice22@gmail.com
Treasurer - Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 blbcampbell@gmail.com
Bookkeeper - Wendy Walker - 780-875-8959 guctreasurer@telusplanet.net
Family Support Worker - Lana Lane - 1-403-901-8385 lanalanegraceu@gmail.com
Playschool Coordinator - Lori Haygarth - 780-808-0959 dannyandlori@telus.net
Choir Director - Karen Fawcett - 780-875-4642 karenfawcett@hotmail.com
Affirming Support Worker - Jenson Brown - 780-875-8959 gucjensonbrown@gmail.com
Board Chair - Darrel Howell - 780-870-1671 dhhowell@telus.net