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
March 6
Souper 5 - 1:00 pm
Meri-dian Ukuleles - 4:15 - 5:15 pm
Handbells - 5:00 - 6:30 pm
March 7
Pastoral Care Meeting - 10:00 am
Staff Meeting - 2:30 pm
Homework Program - 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Lookin for Love in All the Right Places - 6:45 - 8:45 pm
March 8
Lenten Lunch - 11:30 am
Lenten Service - 12:15 - 1:00 pm
Kidz Praize - 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Central Board Meeting - 6:00 - 9:00 pm
March 9
Worship Meeting - 9:00 am
M & P Meeting - 9:00 am
Book Club - 9:30 am
Soup Trio - 12:30 pm
Outreach Cupboard - 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Youth Nite - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Heidi Houghman Rental - 6:45 - 7:00 pm
Community Choir - 7:15 pm - 8:15 pm
Grace Choir - 8:15 pm - 9:00 pm
March 10
Come As You Are Bible Study - 9:45 - 11:00 am
March 12
Worship - 10:00 am
AGM Meeting & P.I.E. Day - After service
ORDER OF WORSHIP – MARCH 5, 2023
LENT 2 – LOOK FOR THE HELPER
Worship led by the Grace Choir, Rev. Cathy Kinsman,
Lois Sonnega and Garnet Weaver
GOD INVITES US TO WORSHIP
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
CANDLELIGHTING “Show Us How to Love” (vs.1) Soloist: Karen Fawcett
Words: Lindy Thompson Music Mark A. Miller
THRESHHOLD MOMENT
SONG “Show Us How to Love” (vs.2) Soloist: Karen Fawcett
Words: Lindy Thompson Music Mark A. Miller
PASSING THE PEACE
HYMN “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (vs. 1,4,5,6) VU #806
Words: Isaac Watts, 1719 Music: attrib. William Croft, 1708
CHILDREN’S TIME “Look for the Helper”
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
PRAYER OF HEALING
Holy and Merciful One,
in this season of discernment, we come bringing our deepest longings and our failed attempts at satisfying them.
We have often look for love, for acceptance and security,
in formulas that will assure success,
at the expense of staying in-tune to the Holy Spirit’s nudge.
We yearn for lives that matter. We desire relationships which thrive.
We want to carry less regret.
…..In the silence offered,
we bring to you our pleas and prayers.
Open our hearts and minds to a different way of living and being in Your name.
(A time for silent prayer/meditation)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Friends, be assured by the psalmist who says,
“The Lord will keep your life, when you leave and when you return, now and always.”
We open our hearts, our minds, our souls and our vision,
to the ways of love created by God, embodied in Jesus,
and already moving in us by the Spirit.
We are forgiven, loved and freed! Amen!
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD
“Love Us into Fullness” (vs. 1) MV #81 \
Words and Music: Daniel Charles Damon, 2002
THE SCRIPTURE SPEAKS TO US
SCRIPTURE READING – Old Testament – From James Taylor – Everyday Psalms
Psalm 121 – Responsive reading - I lift my eyes to the hills
EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD
“Love Us into Fullness” (vs. 2) MV #81
New Testament: John 3:1-17 – Nicodemus learns that “God so loved the world.”
In this is God’s Holy Word. Thanks be to God.
SONG “Love Us into Fullness” (vs. 3) MV #81
MESSAGE
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERING HYMN “Grant Us, God, The Grace ”VU #540
Words: Anonymous Music: Christian F. Witt, 1715; Adapt. Henry J. Gauntlett, 1861
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Lord’s Prayer
SUNG WITHIN PRAYERS “Kyrie Eleison” MV #6
Words and Music: Traditional Guarani song, Paraguay Arr. U.C. of Canada 2007
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH
CLOSING HYMN
“Bless Now, O God, the Journey” VU #633
Words: Sylvia Dunstan, 1989 Music: Basil Harwood, 1898
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Activities that nurture practices of love
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “Go Now in Peace”
Words and Music: Don Besig
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
INTENSIVE LENT SMALL GROUP –
MAR. 7 – MAY 2 |TUESDAY’S 6:45 - 8:45 PM|LOUNGE
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 2 spots available for this group.
OFFICIAL LAUNCH FOR THE YEAR OF INTENTION| MAR 7| 6:00 PM
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.
FAITHFUL FOOTPRINTS: NET ZERO WITH ZERO DOLLARS
Faith communities across the country are stepping up to take action against climate change. Inspired by a solar panel retrofit of Faithful Footprints Program Alumni Woodlawn United Church (Dartmouth, NS),Old Barns United Church took a leap of faith and retrofitted its own building, without spending a penny! To find out
more, read "Inspired by Respect for Creation: Old Barns United has gone Net Zero with Zero Dollars." Sign up for the Faithful Footprints newsletter, and read the latest blogs published the
second Wednesday of every month. Anyone at Grace interested in looking into this opportunity to take a leap of faith for the environment?
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Acts of generosity pull us toward dreams of new relationship to God, to the earth, and to all others.
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
Mar. 12 – Lent 3 – “Lookin’ for the Shepherd”
- AGM – Lunch, meeting and P.I.E. is served
Celebrating P.I.E. Day – Jenson Brown, Affirming Support Worker offering the message
Mar. 19 – Lent 4 – “Lookin’ for the Thirst Quencher”
Mar. 26 – Lent 5 – “Lookin’ for the Liberator” April 2 – Palm Sunday – “Lookin’ for the Unexpected”
Apr. 6 – Maundy Thursday – “Love Looks for Us” – A feast of love and service 6:45 pm – 7:30 pm
April 7 – Good Friday – 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary – “The Weeping Tree”
April 9 – Easter Sunday – “Love Wins”
SUNDAY SCHOOL
This week as part of the Lent series, children are invited to think of ways to show God's love to others, just like Jesus did. They will be tasked to practice the many ways we talk about.
HOMEWORK│TUESDAYS │4:00 PM – 5:30 PM │GUC
Homework Club is for students grade 7-12. 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.
ANNUAL AGM MEETING
There will be an Annual AGM Meeting on Sunday, March 12th immediately following the service. A light lunch and Pie will be served. This gathering is to discuss the proposed budget for 2023.
HELP NEEDED FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
Could you help with reading scripture, speaking a few lines or pantomiming while the story is read? Please speak to Rev. Cathy or note your interest on the friendship form and she will get back to you.
YOUTH NITES │MAR 9 │6:00-8:30 PM|GUC
Please find below the link for March 9th registration:
ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/18DLzdxeva5qNg8IJ76O6i1QH26NrXojf3DwJwDIQBOI/edit?usp=sharingIf 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.
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 1-204-294-2142gucminister@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
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