Sunday July 23, 2023 – Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Worship led by Marilyn Knowlson-Vermeulen, Colleen Groenen, Garnet Weaver
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING
WELCOME
HYMN “In the Bulb There Is a Flower” VU #703
Words & Music: Natalie Sleeth 1986
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.”
CENTERING PRAYER
HYMN “We Plough the Fields” VU #520
Words: Matthias Claudius 1782; trans. Jane Montgomery Campbell1861, alt.
Music: Johann Abraham Peter Schulz 1800
CHILDRENS TIME
HYMN “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” ON THE SCREEN
Words and Music: Traditional Spiritual
PRAYER OF HEALING
Gracious Lord,
you must look at us and think what rag tag group of people.
Some of us are on top of our game,
while others that just struggle to get through the day.
Yet each Sunday we are drawn here where we will find friendship, peace, and hope.
Not only for our lives today,
but for many choose to come,
Lord, we ask for that you stand us up and dust us off and put us back on the pathway of service.
Warm our hearts,
lift our spirits and give us hope.
We asked these things in your loving name.
Jesus our Savior.
AMEN.
(Silent reflective prayer time offered)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Spirit Lord,
how many times have we heard a confession is good for the soul,
and how many times do we not want to confess,
we do not want to confess,
we do not want to own up to the many ways in which we have failed you as a disciple.
We turn our backs on those in need.
Lord, we confess that our own needs mean more to us.
You know us to well.
You know what lies in our reach and seek the very light for us all.
Be with us today Oh God tender our hearts back toward you.
As all our fields will no longer have weeds mixed in them.
In your name we pray.
Amen
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
SCRIPTURE READING-
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
The parable of the weeds scattered among good seed
In this is God’s hope for the world. Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE
HYMN “Bringing in the Sheaves” ON THE SCREEN
Words: Knowles Shaw Music: George A. Minor
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
*OFFERING INVITATION
*OFFERING RESPONSE “Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands” VU # 537
Words: Calvin Weiss Laufer 1927, alt. Music: Neil Dougall ca.1831
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
*HYMN “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” VU #326
Words: Charles Wesley 1739, alt Music: Carl Gotthelf Gaser ca. 1828, adapt. And bram. Lowell Mason 1839
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
*CHORAL BENEDICTION “Teach Me, God, to Wonder” VU #299
Words: Walter Farqubarson 1973; alt R. Gerald Hobbs 1987 Music: Ron Klusmeier 1974
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252vv
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS JULY :
MONDAY – THURSDAY - 9 – 1
THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAYS
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS AUGUST:
MONDAY - THURSDAY - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Executive Director Off - July 14 – 25
July 25
8:45 - 11:45 am - Activity Morning
July 26
8:45 - 11:45 am - Activity Morning
12:30 pm - Soup Trio
July 27
8:45 - 11:45 am - Activity Morning
1:00 - 2:00 pm - Outreach Cupboard
July 28
12:00 - 7:00 pm - Hayes Funeral
July 30
10:00 am - Worship
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned fruit
o Canned vegetables
o Granola Bars
o Cereal
o Instant oatmeal pkgs
o Pasta sauce
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein (Ham, chicken, tuna)
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
As children of God, we are reminded of kindergarten teachings – share everything, play fair, clean up your own mess, hold hands, and stick together.
ACTIVITY MORNINGS ARE COMING TO GRACE UNITED!
Activity mornings will be running the following weeks: July 25-27, Aug 1-3, from 8:45am – 11:45 am. Please see the following link to register: https://www.jotform.com/build/231625580943257 The cost $10/day or $25/3 days. You can e-transfer to guctreasurer@graceunitedchurch.ca or come to the church prior to activity morning to register in person. Payment must be received in order for your child(ren) to be registered. We are looking for volunteer help with the activity mornings. If you can help, please contact Kathleen Gunn @ kathleengunn13@gmail.com.
GRACE UNITED CHURCH’S CORE VALUES COMPASSION, COMMUNITY, INCLUSION, INNOVATION, AND INVITATION AUGUST HOSPITALITY HELPERS NEEDED
Would you consider helping Grace continue to live into our core values even in the summer months? Greeting folks as they come into Sunday worship and offering refreshments after worship are ways we can live into these beliefs. Would you be willing to help make coffee/tea and refreshments for one Sunday after worship? Would you greet and welcome people at the door on one of the Sundays in August? Would you be willing to help with cleaning up the coffee cups after our visiting time? You don’t have to do all three jobs in August, just one act of service would be great! Please put a note on the friendship form in church or call/email the church office at 780-875-8959 (gucexecdirector@graceunitedchurch.ca, if you could help with one of these opportunities, or all of them!
STELLAR – SHINE JESUS SHINE - V.B.S. 2023 |AUGUST 14TH – 17TH|8:45 – 11:45 AM|GUC
We are so excited this year Grace United Church will be hosting VBS. A Vacation Bible School that will send everyone over the moon! We are going on a cosmic quest where we’ll have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world.
Stellar, will rocket kids on an out-of-this world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun. There is no cost to register. Some activities may be outside, so please have your child(ren) dressed for the weather. We look forward to meeting all of you at VBS! Please call 780-875-8959 or email the office at gucadmin@graceunitedchurch.ca or see the following link to register children Kindergarten to Grade 5. https://form.jotform.com/221646945291260
THANK YOU
The fair booth committee would like to thank everyone who came out to volunteer during the chuck wagons and fair. It was an exciting time of fellowship, laughter, and lasting memories. Volunteers like you use their time and talents to make the world a better place. Honestly, we don’t think things would have gone as smoothly without your assistance. Thank you so much for your assistance. We genuinely appreciate our volunteers’ efforts in making such an event possible and successful. We really appreciate your help with everything; we are profoundly grateful. Thank you!
MODERATOR LANSDOWNE URGES GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS LACK OF HOUSING FOR REFUGEES
The Right Rev. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator of The United Church of Canada, has written to the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, urging a more proactive response to the lack of housing for refugee claimants.
This is not only a challenge in Toronto, where the government fails to address the crisis at 129 Peter St., Moderator Lansdowne wrote this situation will continue to expand across the country if there is not a more robust strategy for providing asylum seekers and refugees with a safe and soft place to land. While the current crisis in Toronto particularly impacts Black African refugees, this is not a single-issue affecting people of one identity group. The current crisis also affects LGBTQIA+ people fleeing persecution, as well as people of many diverse identity groups. African and refugee organizations are providing as much amazing leadership and support as they can, but the federal government and other levels of government must join them and fulfill our obligations under international human rights law. For more on Refugee news, sponsorship policies, and stories from newcomers in Canada subscribe to our Refugee Sponsorship News Newsletter.
CONGREGATIONAL SHARING AND INFORMATION TIME: CALLING A SECOND MINISTER
The search committee invites you to stay after worship on July 30th for an information and question time regarding the hiring of a second minister. Please plan to stay if you have questions or concerns. An email, further announcements and a letter to congregational members who are not on email/facebook will be circulated prior to this meeting.
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.
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@graceunitedchurch.ca
Board Chair - Darrel Howell 780-870-1671 dhhowell@telus.net
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucexecdirector@graceunitedchurch.ca
Administrative Support - Ashley Barber 780-875-8959 gucadmin@graceunitedchurch.ca
Treasurer - Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 guctreasurer@graceunitedchurch.ca
Playschool Coordinator - Lori Haygarth 780-808-0959
gucplayschool@graceunitedchurch.ca