Sunday May 7, 2023 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Worship led by Pam Rollheiser, the Congregation, Grace Choir,
Meridian Ukuleles & Musical Guests, Garnet Weaver, and Adrienne Christopherson
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING MUSIC Campfire Singalong with Special Guests
Words and Music: Various
WELCOME
**HYMN “And On This Path” MV #8
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
CANDLE LIGHTING “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.”
OPENING PRAYER
**HYMN “Each Blade of Grass” (vs. 1,2) MV #37
CHILDREN’S TIME
**HYMN “Each Blade of Grass” (vs. 3) MV #37
PRAYER OF HEALING
Ever Caring Parent, wanting the best for us, your children,
you offer us a vast home to dwell in, people to fellowship with, and the tools to care for your
gifts.
As we stumble, open our ears to your guidance.
Too often, we forget to tread gently throughout creation, we absentmindedly cast judgement,
and we use our gifts without your son, Jesus Christ.
As we seek our own happiness, open our hearts to the ache of our world.
Teacher, you give to us and you fore-give us, knowing we wander from the task.
Jesus stands ready to embrace us and guide us back, as long as we listen.
O God, hear us now, as we reach to you in silence, seeking to hear your voice.
(silent reflective prayer time offered)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
We have arrived here together to share, praise, grieve, and celebrate.
We come together, gathering stones, not to cast but to strengthen our foundation.
My family, we together through Jesus’ sacrifice, forgiven, blessed, and loved.
Creator, thank you for your gifts.
You being our helper, we WILL use our tools too build your new world. Amen!
**HYMN “Called by Earth and Sky” MV #135
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
Acts 7:55-60
1 Peter 2:2-10
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
SUNG RESPONSE “Grateful” MV #182
Words and Music: Tom Tomaszek; arr. Sarah Hart and T. Tomaszek, 2003
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Sung Lord’s Prayer VU #959
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
*HYMN “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” MV #173
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
**HYMN “We Will Go With God” MV #223
Words and Music – Don Besig and Nancy Price
What’s Happening This Week
May 8
1:00 pm - Claude Hamilton’s Funeral
4:15 - 5:15 pm - Meri-dian Ukuleles
5:00 - 6:30 pm - Handbells
May 9
9:00 am - 3:00 pm - Playschool Mother’s Day Tea
9:30 am - 12:00 pm - Hub of Healing
4:00 - 5:30 pm - Homework Program
6:00 - 7:30 pm - Sandra Davidson Recital
May 10
9:00 am - Darby UCW Meeting
9:00 am - 3:00 pm - Playschool Mother’s Day Tea
4:00 - 5:00 pm - Kids Praize
May 11
9:00 am - M & P Meeting
9:30 am - Book Club
9:30 - 11:45 am - Playschool Mother’s Day Tea
12:30 pm - Soup Trio
1:00 - 2:00 pm - Outreach Cupboard
6:00 - 8:30 pm - Youth Nite
6:00 - 8:00 pm - Affirming Hours
May 12
9:45 am - 11:45 am - Playschool Mother’s Day Tea
May 14
10:00 am - Worship - Super Sunday - Baptism Sunday - lunch to follow service
12:30 pm - CD Plant Bingo
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
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 4 │6:00 – 8:30 PM|GUC
It’s Paint Nite with Michelle Lake. Please find below the link for this week’s youth nite. May 4th link - https://www.jotform.com/form/221856794757272
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.
GRAD SUNDAY |JUNE 18|GUC
Do you know of anyone who will be graduating from Highschool this year? We like to offer a little celebration for the youth who are taking this most important step in their life journey. We need your help, so no one is missed. Please comment on the Friendship Forms in the church pews or speak to Cathy or Bev if you know of a graduate this June.
HOMEWORK│TUESDAY│4:00 – 5:30 PM │GUC
Homework program 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.
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
May 14 – Baptism Sunday
UCW MEETING
Lake/Davidson meeting has been changed from May 8th to May 15th.
CAMP SUNDAY|MAY 7|GUC
April 23rd is Camping Sunday! Grace will celebrate Camp Sunday on May 7th. It's an opportunity to celebrate the past, present and future of United Church camping. United Church camps are places for families and young people to create community and strengthen relationships with one another, with Creation, and with God. However, like many ministries, they are impacted by budget cuts, aging facilities, and economic uncertainty. Many camps turn to the Foundation for support to modernize and upgrade their facilities, create engaging new programming, and welcome campers of all backgrounds. Seeds of Hope grants help make United Church camp possible! Please make a gift to the Camping Trust today to help lift up these communities for generations to come. Celebrate the blessing of camping ministry and the future of United Church camping! Click the button below to give now. Let's make camp possible!
HELPERS NEEDED AT DR. COOKE AND LLOYDMINSTER CONTINUING CARE
Would you consider helping out at the worship services which Rev. Cathy will be leading at Dr. Cooke and/or 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 at Dr. Cooke 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 dates are: Dr. Cooke – Wednesday, May 17th, 10:30 – 11:30 am & L.C.C. & Tuesday, May 23rd, 10:30 – 11:30 am.Please speak to Cathy if you would be willing to help with any of these opportunities.
TAKE ACTION! MOOSE HIDE CAMPAIGN
Canada is in the midst of an ongoing national crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people. Canada has a long legacy of devaluing Indigenous peoples—in particular Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people. As a result, many people believe that they do not matter, and that it is acceptable to commit acts of violence upon them. The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls concludes that this is a genocide. Yet the media, government, and others continue to view MMIWG2S simply as a “social justice issue” rather than a violation of human rights. The report also states that “we all have a role to play to combat violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people.” Will we work together as Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to value the lives of Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people? In response to the recent search for four Indigenous women known to have been murdered in Winnipeg, the United Church shared its belief that “everyone, created in the image of God, has a right to be treated with respect and protected from harm.” We now ask members, friends, and communities of faith to share that belief, to combat violence, and to call for justice by participating in the Moose Hide Campaign. How can we participate? As individuals and communities of faith, we can: Wear and share the Moose Hide Pin. The pins are offered free of charge by the Moose Hide campaign and are available in the traditional moose hide or in a non-leather version. Please order your pins as soon as possible, as order volumes and shipping times always increase as we get closer to Moose Hide Campaign Day. The Moose Hide Campaign was launched by Raven Lacerte (Lake Babine First Nation) and her father Paul Lacerte (Carrier First Nations), whose annual hunting trips took place along BC’s Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert. This highway is known as the “Highway of Tears” for the large number of Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been murdered there. The Lacertes decided to bring attention to this issue. In 2011 they tanned and cut up a moose hide to make pins for Indigenous men and boys to wear as a sign of their commitment to ending violence against women and girls. The campaign has since broadened, and now all people are asked to wear these pins as a sign of their commitment. May 11 is Moose Hide Campaign Day, a day when all Canadians are invited to take a stand against violence toward Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people. Learn how the United Church has responded to the national crisis of violence
against Indigenous women, girls, and 2S-LGBTQIA+ people. To stay up-to-date with reconciliation and Indigenous Justice news and opportunities, you are encouraged to sign up for the Living into Right Relations e-newsletter.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Amid the struggles of our lives, we can give thanks for God’s abundant love.
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.
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
Minister - Rev Cathy Kinsman 1-204-294-2142 gucminister@telus.net