ORDER OF WORSHIP – MARCH 26, 2023
LENT 5 – LOOK FOR THE LIBERATOR
Worship led by Grace Choir, Rev. Cathy Kinsman, L. Sonnega, J. Rollheiser and Grace Trio
GOD INVITES US TO WORSHIP
WELCOME
CANDLELIGHTING “Show Us How to Love” (vs.1) Soloist: Karen Fawcett
Words: Lindy Thompson Music Mark A. Miller
THRESHOLD MOMENT
SONG “Show Us How to Love” (vs.2) Soloist: Karen Fawcett
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING THE PEACE – The love and peace of Christ be with you!
And also with you!
HYMN “Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights” (vs. 1,3,4) VU #108
Words: James Gertmenian Music: Musikalisches Handbuch, 1690
CHILDREN’S TIME
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 looked for love, for acceptance and security,
in the mirage of certainty,
believing if we just hold things very tightly, we will survive.
We yearn for lives that matter. We desire relationships which thrive.
We want to carry less regret.
You give us a fresh start each day, inviting us to be better.
In the silence, we bring to you our pleas for openness to a different way of living.
(A time for silent prayer/meditation)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Friends, be assured by the psalmist who says,
“In God, there is steadfast love, and the great power to redeem.”
Let us respond together:
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
Psalm 130 – Out of the depths I cry to God
HYMN “Out of the Depths” VU #611
Words: Ruth Duck, 1988 Music: Jeeva Sam, 1994; arr.David Kai, 1995
EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD “Love Us into Fullness” (vs. 2) MV #81
New Testament: John 11:1-45 – The raising of Lazarus
In this is God’s Holy Word. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
SPECIAL MUSIC “Blessings” Grace Trio
Words Music:
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 #68
Words and Music: Traditional Guarani song, Paraguay Arr. U.C. of Canada 2007
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH
CLOSING HYMN “As Long as We Follow” MV #140
Words and Music: Joseph Kabemba, Congo, 2004
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Activities that nurture practices of love
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “Go Now in Peace”
Words and Music: Don Besig and Nancy Price
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
April 2 – Palm Sunday – “Lookin’ for the Unexpected”
Apr. 6 – Maundy Thursday – “Love Looks for Us” – A feast of love and service 6:45 p.m.
April 7 – Good Friday – 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary – “The Weeping Tree”
April 9 – Easter Sunday – “Love Wins”
April 16 – Second Sunday after Easter
April 23 – Transfer of Membership Sunday
April 30 – Holy Humour Sunday
COME AS YOU ARE - Every Friday during Lent – 9:45 – 11:00 A.M.in the Upper Room (lounge), or Boardroom. Take time to be present with God and God’s Word in preparation for the Sunday ahead. This coming week we will discuss –
Ps. 118 – the stone the builders rejected and Matt. 21:1-11 – Jesus enters Jerusalem.
Everyone is welcome to join in the conversation and coffee.
What’s Happening This Week
March 27
10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Heart of Treaty 6
4:15-5:15 pm - Meri-dian Ukuleles
5:00 - 6:30 pm - Handbells
March 28
4:00 - 5:30 pm - Homework Program
5:00 pm - Finance Meeting
7:30 pm - Fish & Game Meeting
March 29
11:30 am - 12:15 pm - Lenten Luncheon
12:15 - 1:00 pm - Lenten Service
4:00 - 5:00 pm - Kidz Praize
6:00 - 9:00 pm - Central Board Meeting
March 30
10:30 am - 3:00 pm - Presbytery & UCW Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 pm - Outreach Cupboard
1:00 - 2:00 pm - Community Foccee
6:00 - 8:00 pm - Youth Nite
Mar 31
9:45 am - 11:00 am - Come As You Are Bible Study
6:45 - 8:45 pm - Forgiveness Small Group
April 1
4:00 pm - Super Sunday Prep
April 2
10:00 am - Palm Sunday - Super Sunday - lunch to follow service
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned & fresh fruit
o Canned & fresh veggies
o Granola Bars
o Cereal & instant oatmeal pkgs
o Rice & Pasta
o Pasta sauce
o Peanut butter, jelly & jam
o Kraft Dinner
o Crackers
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein (ham, chicken, tuna)
o Toilet paper/Kleenex
o Shampoo, body wash, deodorant, feminine hygiene
o Instant coffee
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, 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.
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
AffirmingSupport Worker - Jenson Brown 780-875-8959 gucjensonbrown@gmail.com
Minister - Rev Cathy Kinsman 1-204-294-2142 gucminister@telus.net
Board Chair - Darrel Howell 780-870-1671 dhhowell@telus.net
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucbevthurlow@gmail.com
YOUTH NITES │ THURS, MAR 30 │6:00 – 8:00 PM
Join us March 30th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm in making Puffed Wheat and Rice Krispie squares. These treats will be handed out to seniors living at individual homes. We'll have a few for ourselves too! Please find below the link for March 30th registration: https://form.jotform.com/221654653533254 If there are any questions about youth nites, contact our youth nite worker Ashley Holman. Ashley can be reached at ash.holman77@gmail.com or 306-307- 5735.
WOMEN OF THE UNITED CHURCH 2023 CONFERENCE & ANNUAL MTG|
APR 27-29|FCJ CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE IN CALGARY
All Women of the Church are Welcome to attend this in-person event, April 27 - 29, at the FCJ Christian Life Centre in Calgary. We think that you will enjoy and be enriched by the program we have prepared and by meeting and worshipping with other women once again, and considering our theme of We Are One: A Look at Bias and Racism. Registration deadline is March 24th. For more information & for the registration form, click here!
HUB OF HEALING
We are looking for a note-taker for the Hub of Healing meetings. Hub meetings occur every 2nd Tuesday of the Month from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Please see Lana if you are interested.
HOMEWORK│TUESDAY│4:00 – 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 contact Allison Weaver 780-872-9861 or Brenda Ellison 780-871-4791.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Our stewardship reflects our relationship with God; our relationship with God transforms our stewardship.
MISSION & SERVICE GIFTS FOR 2022
It is with immense gratitude that we thank everyone who contributed to Mission & Service and the work of the church in 2022. Mission & Service giving’s totalled $21.1 million, planned gifts totalled $1.8 million, and over $1.5 million was contributed for the people of Ukraine. That is a total of $24.5M and the demonstration of amazing generosity. Read more about the 2022 Mission & Service results. Together through Mission & Service we have supported life-changing work that affects people in Canada and across the globe. Stories of the impact of your gifts can be found on our website and on YouTube. You can also get an update from one of our partners assisting Ukrainian refugees. Our shared care, concern, prayers, generosity, and action in relation to the work we do together—our United Church Mission & Service—is a powerful expression of our faith.
Thank you so much for your gifts.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
On Sunday, April 2nd we invite all Playschool families to join us for SUPER SUNDAY at Grace United Church. The 4-year old’s will be performing and sharing a couple songs and finger plays with us! Palm Sunday is a special time as we get closer to Easter, and it is a reminder of how much we are all loved! What a celebration it will be! Please also join us in the hall after service for TACO IN A BAG with all the fixings!
DINNER THEATER |APRIL 14-16| KITSCOTY COMMUNITY HALL
The Kitscoty Community Hall presents a dinner theater featuring North Woods nonsense, by Andrew Ross. Doors will open at 5:30 PM on April 14 & 15 and 12:00 PM on April 16. Tickets are $50.00 each. Corporate sponsorship tables of 8 or 10 people are available. To get your tickets please contact Julie Evans at 780-808-1217 or by email at: kitscotycommunityhall@hotmail.com