Sunday May 21, 2023 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
Worship led by the Grace Choir, Karen Fawcett, Rev. Cathy Kinsman
Lois Sonnega, Grace Trio, Garnet Weaver
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
**HYMN
“This Is the Day” VU #412
Words: v.1 Unknown v.2,3 Gerald Hobbs 1987, 1995 Music: Fijian folk melody, arr. Darryl Nixon 1987
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
CANDLE LIGHTING
“In the Quiet Stillness of Creation” Gladys Jack
Words and Music: 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 “Sing! Sing Out” MV #180
Words and Music: Jim Hannah, 2003; arr. David Melhorn-Boe, 2006
CHILDREN’S TIME
**HYMN “Sing! Sing Out” MV #180
Words and Music: Jim Hannah, 2003; arr. David Melhorn-Boe, 2006
PRAYER OF HEALING
God of glory:
we are so busy watching the skies for signs of your presence that we forget to look around to see those we can serve in your name.
We are so intent on finding just the right way to tell someone off, we forget the words of reconciliation you have taught to us.
We are so convinced we can figure out your plan,
we forget to open ourselves to the presence of your
Spirit within us.
Mighty source of our lives,
heal our hearts and those we have hurt.
Fill us with the wisdom to resist evil in our lives.
Strengthen us in faith, offering our mis-steps to you in prayer….
(Prayer / silent meditation)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Beloved, do not be surprised.
Our God is gracious to all, restoring us to new life.
This is the good news which is for us,
and for everyone we will meet in the days to come.
Thanks be to God. Amen!
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
NEW TESTAMENT READING
John 17:1-11 - Jesus prays that his disciples “all may be one”
The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 1:6-14 - The ascension of Jesus
In this is God’s hope for the world. Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE
HYMN “This is God’s Wondrous World” VU #296
Words: Maltbie Davenport Babcock 1901, alt. Music: adapt. Franklin L. Sheppard 1915, adapt.
Stanley Oliver 1929
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
*OFFERING INVITATION
*OFFERING RESPONSE “Grateful” MV #182
Words and Music: Tom Tomaszek; arr. Sarah Hart and T. Tomaszek, 2003
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
*HYMN “We Are One” (vs. 1,2,4) VU #402
Words: Doreen Lanksbear-Smith 1988 Music: Jeeva Sam 1987, arr. David Kai 1995
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
*CHORAL BENEDICTION
“Closing Prayer”
Words and Music – Don Besig and Nancy Price
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
May 22
Office Closed – Victoria Day
No Playschool
Meri-dian Ukuleles - 4:15 - 5:15 pm
Handbells - 5:00 - 6:00 pm
May 23
LCC Service - 10:30 - 11:30 am
Homework Program - 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Finance Meeting - 5:00 pm
May 24
Allen Darby UCW – Presentation Susan Brazeau - 1:30 - 3:30 pm
May 25
Soup Trio - 12:30 pm
Outreach Cupboard - 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Youth Nite - 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Affirming Hours - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
May 26
Wright/Deeg Rehearsal - 4:00 pm
May 27
Wright/Deeg Rehearsal - 2:00 pm
Erin Sargent Recital - 4:15 - 6:15 pm
May 28
Worship - 10:00 am
Pittman Recital - 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Rollheiser Recital - 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned fruit
o Fresh fruit
o Canned vegetables
o Fresh vegetables
o Granola Bars
o Cereal
o Instant oatmeal pkgs
o Rice
o Pasta sauce
o Peanut butter
o Jelly
o Jam
o Kraft Dinner
o Crackers
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein
(ham, chicken, tuna)
o Toilet paper/Kleenex
o Shampoo
o Body wash
o Deodorant
o Feminine hygiene
o Instant coffee
YOUTH NITES │ MAY 18 │6:00 – 8:30 PM|GUC
Participants will join us for an evening of relax and calm. We'll start off with our icebreaker, Mental Health Strategy and then settle into an evening of yoga. Bring a yoga mat if you have and dress lightly. Also bring a Water Bottle. Please find below the link for next week youth nite. May 25th link - https://www.jotform.com/form/212014236223237 If there are any questions about youth nites, contact our youth nite worker Kathleen Gunn. Kathleen can be reached at kathleengunn13@gmail.com or 306-821-1833.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Stewardship care passionately, humbly, and graciously about God’s vision for the world.
HELPERS NEEDED AT LLOYDMINSTER CONTINUING CARE
Would you consider helping out at the worship services which Rev. Cathy will be leading at L.C.C.?
Do you play piano, or another instrument that would help us to sing and worship with the residents?
Could you bake a soft treat for coffee time with the folks which follows their worship time?
Could you help turn pages in the hymn books, visit and sing with the residence with the residents as we worship?
There are many different ways to serve in this minister and your help would be greatly appreciated to brighten the day of some of our home bound residents. The date is Tuesday, May 23rd, 10:30 – 11:30 am. Please speak to Cathy if you would be willing to help with any of these opportunities.
WILDFIRE SUPPORT – HELEN REED, CHAIRPERSON – NORTHERN SPIRIT REGION
Our concentrated, prayerful energy is sorely needed. Please hold in prayer all affected communities and their people: those facing loss of life and homes or businesses; firefighters and first responders; leaders who must make quick decisions; and God’s creation, as it experiences this painful devastation. There are many options to offer monetary support (whichever one works for you, please be sure you tell the recipient who you are and what the funds are for.)
· The Red Cross. There is 3 to 1 match from the Alberta and federal governments until June 3. Click here for the link to donate.
· If you prefer to give through the United Church, you can donate to the Regional Council’s Emergency Fund, and distribution of those funds will be worked out as longer- term needs become clearer. You can donate through CanadaHelps: (note a small service charge is held).You can also e-transfer:NorthernSpirit@united-church.ca
Or mail: 13535-122 Avenue NW, Edmonton AB T5L 2V7. In all cases, please note that the donation is for the Emergency Fund- 2023 wildfires. If you want to support a particular community, then we invite you to check out online if they have created their own donation options. We draw your attention to Little Red River Cree Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, both of which have suffered extensive damage. The latter has no public fundraiser at this time, but you’re invited to look for updates. Click here for the Little Red River Cree Nation/ Fox River area evacuee fundraiser. In all of these things and times and places, let us not forget that God is our strength, and our courage but that we are the hands and feet of God’s love in this place.We are called to be bold in our discipleship so let’s be bold in offering our support.
LOOKING FOR HELP
As many of you are aware, the City of Lloydminster has been hosting evacuees from Northern Saskatchewan for the past 2 weeks. While this has consisted of several communities, some of which only stayed for a couple of days, we are currently at our highest capacity with over 800 people in Lloydminster who are from the Buffalo Narrows / Dillon, SK, area and have evacuated due to either wildfire proximity or severe smoke in the area. This large group is spread throughout all of the hotels in Lloydminster and is expected to be here for at least another 10 days as the wildfire is still out of control. While staff organizing this response have done a tremendous job thus far looking after these groups, many facilities and organizers are becoming burnt out and in need of relief or extra support. We are currently looking for volunteers who may be able to assist with any of the following functions: Help establish and monitor recreation activities for the displaced. Help with childminding / Daycare setup or monitoring. Assist in mass feeding duties (Serving, Washing, Prep Work Etc.)Assist in the creation of activities for the elderly. Pet care needs/ minding.
NEW PASTORAL RELATIONS MINISTER FOR NORTHERN SPIRIT|AUG 1
Welcome to our new Pastoral Relations Minister, Rev Adam Hall! Adam was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and is a life long member of The United Church of Canada. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Saskatchewan and a Masters of Divinity from St. Andrew's College. Upon ordination in 2010 he was settled to the communities of Holden and Tofield, Alberta, and has served at Tofield United Church (formerly Beaver Pastoral charge) for the last 13 years. Adam enjoys spending time with his wife Stephanie and their three sons. He makes time for camping and fishing and being in the outdoors. He loves watching NFL football - go Denver Broncos go!!! - and is an avid collector of sports cards and anything related to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He will take on this new role August 1, 2023. Welcome, Adam!
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
Board Chair - Darrel Howell 780-870-1671 dhhowell@telus.net
Administrative Support - Ashley Barber 780-875-8959 gucoffice22@gmail.com
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucbevthurlow@gmail.com
Treasurer - Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 blbcampbell@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