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.
October 8, 2023 – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Order of Worship – Grace United Church
Worship led by Grace Choir, Rev. Cathy Kinsman,
Lois Sonnega and Garnet Weaver
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING
WELCOME – PEACE - TOUCHSTONES - LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
CANDLE LIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Home” Gladys Jack
CENTERING PRAYER
*HYMN “Come, You Thankful People, Come” (Vs. 1,2) VU #516
Words: Henry Alford Music: George Job Elvey
CHILDREN’S TIME
*SONG “Ev’ry Day Is a Day of Thanksgiving” MV #185
Words & Music: Leonard Burks
(Children will move to Sunday school after this song)
PRAYER OF HEALING
Gracious and loving God,
we know there are times we forget your generous nature and generous love for us.
We insert ourselves in moments when we should lift you up.
Help us to be more grateful, less boastful; more caring, less conceited.
In the moments when we forget you, help us to be humble, grateful and happy.
Help us remember the transforming power of your love as we bring our concerns to you in prayer.
(Silent prayer/reflection)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
God’s love poured over our faith ancestors enslaved in Egypt,
carrying them through the wilderness.
That same love washes over us today.
God’s endless love for us renews our spirits when we feel disconnected.
Thanks be to God for preparing us to model that love and grace for others. Amen.
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
Old Testament – Deuteronomy 8:7-18 – Dramatic Paraphrase and Call to Conscience
In this is God’s hope for the world. Thanks be to God.
*SPECIAL Music “For Blessings Given” Grace Choir
Stuart Appenheimer
MESSAGE
*HYMN “We Praise You, O God” VU #218
Words: Julia Cory Music: Netherlands Melody
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
SUNG RESPONSE “For the Fruit of All Creation” (Vs 1 Only) VU #227
Words: Fred Pratt Green Music: Welsh folk melody
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
*HYMN “Now Thank We All Our God” VU #236
Words: Martin Rinckart Music: Johann Cruger
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “May Your Presence Go with Us” Grace Choir
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Oct 9 - Office Closed - Thanksgiving
Oct 10
9:30 am - 12:00 pm - Hub of Healing
9:30 am - Legacy Gifts Meeting
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm - Homework Club
6:30 pm - CD Meeting
6:45 pm - 7:45 pm - Exploring the Way
7:00 pm - Sharpe UCW Meeting
Oct 11
9:30 am - Darby UCW Meeting
12:30 pm - Soup Trio
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Kidz Praize
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Groovin’ with Grace
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm - Safe Space Training
Oct 12
9:00 am - M & P Meeting
9:30 am - Book Club
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Outreach Cupboard
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Youth Nite
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Choir
Oct 14
Times in booking link - Photo Book
11:00 am - 5:00 pm - Halloween Playschool Car Rally
Oct 15
10:00 am - Worship
Times in booking link - Photo Book
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned fruit
o Canned vegetables
o Granola Bars
o Cereal
o Instant oatmeal pkgs
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein (Ham, chicken, tuna)
EXPLORING THE WAY – SMALL GROUP INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUAL FORMATION|TUES OCT 10 – NOVEMBER 28
Introductory gathering - Tuesday, October 10th – 6:45 – 7:45 p.m.
Regular group October 17, 24 – 6:45 – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 1 - 6:45 - 9:00 p.m; Tuesday Nov, 7, 14, 21 - 6:45 - 9:00 p.m.
November 28th Wrap Up Session – 6 - 9:00 p.m.
Please speak to Rev. Cathy or sign friendship form to let us know of your interest.
UPCOMING WEEKS IN WORSHIP
Sunday, October 15: Twentieth After Pentecost – World Food Sunday
If you are able, please take the brown bag you are given today and bring it back next Sunday with a few non-perishable items. Please check the expiration date on the items you bring to share.
Exodus 32:1-14 – Worshjp – The golden calf.
Sunday, October 22: Canadian Foodgrains Bank – Rick and Jacquie Block
leading worship with support from the Worship Committee
Sunday, October 29: Twenty-second after Pentecost – Super Sunday – Preschool children to share in worship. Special Sunday school and LUNCH FOR EVERYONE!
- Brief congregational meeting in the sanctuary to approve the generative plan for this quarter and a check-in with the Finance committee on where we are at financially.
Deuteronomy 32:1-12 – Mose is buried in Moab.
Matthew 22:34-46 – Love God; love your neighbour as yourself.
November 5 – Remembrance Sunday – The Legion Colour Guard will join in worship.
Joshua 3:7-17 – Joshua leads the people across the Jordan River.
Matthew 23:1-12 – The greatest one will be the servant.
GRACE UNITED CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY COMING
Noyce Photography is offering family photos for the Grace United Church Directory! The Grace United Church Directory Family Portrait session is $49 including GST. This fee doesn’t include the photo directory – that will be done once we have all the pictures done. Your session is 10 minutes long and is limited to one family per booking. It includes one pose and 2 sheets of photos printed while you wait. The sheets of photos can be printed as 1- 8x10, 2- 5x7’s, 4- 4x5’s or 9 wallets. Additional sheets & digital files can be purchased when booking your session. If you order a digital file it is emailed to you the following day. We require your permission when booking to use your family photo in the Grace United Church Directory. Click on the link https://NoycePhotographySessions.as.me/GUCDirectory to book your session. All available dates and times will show on the booking link. If you have any questions or trouble with the link, please let Bev know in the office or call Noyce Photography at 306-825-4240. Noyce Photography is excited to provide this service and is looking forward to photographing your family! Thank you! If you would like help booking your session, Bev will be available in the Narthex this Sunday, Oct 8th to get you signed up.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Sometimes the greatest generosity comes from the people you would least expect – like you.
AFFIRMING MINISTRY|WED, OCT. 11|6:30 - 9:30PM |BOARDROOM
The Grace United Church Affirming Team is excited to announce that we will be offering a Safe Space workshop for our leadership personnel (Central Board, Staff and Committee leadership) in order to continue our commitment to being a Safe Space for 2SLGBTQQIAAP individuals and their families within our community.
This training provided in the workshop centers around building understanding of the 2SLGBTQQIAAP community by guiding participants through activities and discussions designed to deconstruct misunderstandings surrounding harmful stereotypes found in our society, define the terminology in the acronym, introduce the concept of Heteronormativity inherent in western society and culture, and ask participants to consider what it means to have cisgender-privilege and straight-privilege. It also provides information and understanding about what it is like for individuals to "come out", and suggestions of how to react/respond in the moment if someone comes-out to you.
Space is limited to a maximum of 20 participants for this workshop. To register as a participant, please contact either Jenson Brown, Affirming Support Worker at gucjensonbrown@gmail.com, or Rev. Cathy at gucminister@graceunitedchurch.ca. We look forward to all of the leadership team participating in this amazing opportunity!
GUC HOMEWORK CLUB|TUESDAYS|3:45 – 5:00 PM
School is officially in full swing and with that comes lots and lots of homework. Grace United Church offers a fantastic homework club to students in grades 7-12 after school on Tuesdays. There they have a fantastic group of people who once taught in the classroom who can help you get your homework done. They will be able to help you out with any subjects from school. It runs at Grace United Church on Tuesdays from 3:45-5:00 every week. You will be able to enjoy a healthy snack by the ladies in the kitchen. Attendance is through donation to the Outreach Cupboard. Come on down to Grace United Church and get your homework done on time!
WORLD FOOD DAY |OCT 15
ABOUT WORLD FOOD DAY The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) created World Food Day to commemorate its founding in Quebec City, October 16, 1945. The goal of the FAO is to free humanity from hunger and malnutrition, and to effectively manage the global food system. World Food Day events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and help strengthen the link between agriculture and food security. Included in this resource are suggested ways for churches to take action • PRAY- a worship service including prayers, songs, a children’s feature, and other diverse elements to help you focus your worship time on the issue of hunger. • GIVE- suggestions for donating to help people around the world who don’t have enough food. • LEARN – information and resources to help your congregation learn more about how Canadian aid is making a difference, and why it’s crucial that people of faith demonstrate their support. • ADVOCATE- ideas on how to get involved by sending a message to the Prime Minister and let him know that you care about Canada’s role in ending hunger.
We will be handing out brown bags this Sunday for donations of canned goods and cereal to be delivered for next Sunday, October 15th – World Food Day.
THANK YOU
Thank you to the Berdine family for the donation of pumpkins that enhance our sanctuary Thanksgiving decorations.
YOUTH NITES |THURSDAYS|6:00 – 8:30 PM
Is your teen looking for a fun weekday activity that is free of cost?! Grace United Church has a youth nite program that runs every Thursday from 6:00-8:30pm. It is perfect for kids who are in Grades 7-12! Youth can do many funny activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial for the community. They do activities like baking, bottle drives, art and so much more!!! They have been able to give back to the community in several ways like donating baking to Grace United Outreach Cupboard! In the warmer months they can do other activities out and about like geocaching, canoeing and cooking hotdogs!!! If you are interested then sign up using the link and come join us on Thursday evenings!!! We can’t wait to see you there!
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
Minister - Rev. Cathy Kinsman 1-204-294-2142 gucminister@graceunitedchurch.ca
Affirming Support Worker - Jenson Brown 780-875-8959 gucjensonbrown@gmail.com
Choir Director - Karen Fawcett 780-875-4642 karenfawcett@hotmail.com
Playschool Coordinator - Lori Haygarth 780-808-0959 gucplayschool@graceunitedchurch.ca
Treasurer - Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 guctreasurer@graceunitedchurch.ca
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucexecdirector@graceunitedchurch.ca