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 13
Lake/Davidson UCW Meeting - 1:15 - 3:30 pm
Meri-dian Ukuleles - 4:15 - 5:15 pm
Handbells - 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Soup Sistas - 6:00 pm
March 14
Hub of Healing - 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Legacy Gift Meeting - 9:30 am
Homework Program - 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Intro to Small Group - 6:45 - 8:45 pm
Affirm P.I.E. Day - 6:45 - 8:45 pm
Sharpe UCW Meeting - 7:00 pm
March 15
Darby UCW Meeting - 9:00 am
Playschool Meeting - 9:00 am
Senior Luncheon - 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Lenten Luncheon - 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Lenten Service - 12:15 - 1:00 pm
Kids Praize - 4:00 - 5:00 pm
CD Meeting - 6:30 pm
March 16
No Playschool
Worship Meeting - 9:00 am
Outreach Cupboard - 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Heidi Houghman Rental - 6:45 - 7:00 pm
Youth Nite - 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Community Choir - 7:15 - 8:15 pm
Grace Choir - 8:15 - 9:00 pm
March 17
No Playschool
Come as you are Bible Study - 9:45 - 11:00 am
March 18
Slay the Night Formal - 7:30 - 10:30pm
March 19
Worship - 10:00 am - Lent 4
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 – MARCH 12, 2023
LENT 3 – LOOK FOR THE SHEPHERD
Worship led by the Grace Choir, Rev. Cathy Kinsman,
Lois Sonnega, Grace Trio and Garnet Weaver
GOD INVITES US TO WORSHIP
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 – The love and peace of Christ be with you! And also with you!
HYMN “Let Us Build” (vs. 1,2,5) MV #1
Words and Music: Marty Haugen and David Fines, 2006
CHILDREN’S TIME Story Time with special guest Naomi
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 halls of the perceived power of public opinion,
or unexamined presumptions about others not like us,
rather than the real power of love and care for another.
We yearn for lives that matter. We desire relationships which thrive.
We want to carry less regret.
At times we fail to see you have already given us what really matters:
your love and acceptance.
You provide opportunities all around us to make a difference in the lives of others.
You give us a fresh start each day, inviting us to be better.
(A time for silent prayer/meditation)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Friends, be assured by the psalmist who says,
“the Lord is our shepherd –
whose goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives.”
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 23 - Solo “God is My Shepherd” Brenda Ellison
EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD “Love Us into Fullness” (vs. 2) MV #81
Words and Music: Daniel Charles Damon, 2002
New Testament: John 9:1- 41 – Jesus heals the man born blind
In this is God’s Holy Word. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE - Affirming Support Worker – Jenson Brown
HYMN “Open My Eyes that I May See” VU #371
Words and Music: Clara H. Scott, 1895
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 “O God Have Mercy” MV #68
Words and Music: Traditional Guarani song, Paraguay Arr. U.C. of Canada 2007
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH
CLOSING HYMN “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (Vs. 1,2,4,5) VU #326
Words: Charles Wesley, 1739 Music: Carl G. Glӓser ca, 1828
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
YOUTH NITES │ MAR 15 │4:00 PM – 6:30 PM|GUC
Please find below the link for March 16th registration:
https://www.jotform.com/form/221855923130048
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.
ALBERTA CARES 2023 HOUSING RALLY| MARCH 24| 2:00 PM
Homelessness numbers are on the rise across the province. The cost of living is forcing more families to choose between rent and food. On Friday afternoon, March 24 at 2 pm, we need at least 100,000 Albertans to join in rallies taking place all across the province. To see the details for rallies in your local area, please visit www.interfaithhousing.ca. If you are willing to help coordinate a rally in your area, please contact Pastor Pam Richards at pamelar@telus.net. It is time for Alberta to build a wise, well-resourced, and well constructed long-term plan to address housing and homelessness challenges in Alberta. #Albertacares2023.
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!
CONNECTING COMMUNITY|MAR 22 |10:30 - 2:00 PM|GUC
RESERVE your ticket now by letting the office staff know you are planning to attend our final Connecting Community on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. All Seniors are invited!
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│4:00 – 5:30 PM │GUC
Homework Club is starting on January 10. 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.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Sharing what we have - our time, our energy, our money, our belongings - spreads water on a world thirsting for justice
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
Mar. 19 – Lent 4 – “Lookin’ for the Thirst Quencher”
Mar. 26 – Lent 5 – “Lookin’ for the Liberator” - possible Grace United A.G.M. after worship
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”
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.
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
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