ORDER OF WORSHIP – APRIL 2, 2023
PALM SUNDAY – LOOK FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Worship led by Grace Choir, Rev. Cathy Kinsman, Kidz Praiz, L. Sonnega,
J. Rollheiser and Grace Trio
GOD INVITES US TO WORSHIP
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
G.U.C. Playschool
CANDLELIGHTING “Show Us How to Love” (vs.1)
Words: Lindy Thompson Music Mark A. Miller
THRESHOLD MOMENT
SONG “Show Us How to Love” (vs.2)
PROCESSIONAL SCRIPTURE: “Psalm 118:1-2,19-29”
PALM PROCESSION “Sing, Hosanna - Give Me Oil” Kidz Praiz
Words and Music Traditional & Congregation
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING THE PEACE – The love and peace of Christ be with you!
And also with you!
HYMN “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” VU #123
Words: Jennette Threlfall, 1873 Music: Trad. 18 th C German Tune, 1868
CHILDREN’S TIME
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
PRAYER OF HEALING
O God, we stand at the gate, hesitant and uncertain;
we are reluctant to answer your unexpected invitation to us;
we are slow to begin the journey.
Offer us gentle encouragement to become your strong people—
the courage to join you in the procession;
the selflessness to lay all we are before you
and the freedom to lift our palms celebrating your love for all.
We know by your grace,
we will be forgiven, refreshed and gently led through the chaos,
which often tells us to bolt in fear.
We offer the concerns we carry now,
knowing they are heard, held and honoured upon your heart.
(A time for silent prayer/meditation)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Hear this good news! The procession is ever moving forward.
We can join at any moment, the invitation still stands!
In the name of Jesus Christ,
we are renewed and comforted in the spirit of Holy Community.
Glory to God! Amen!
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD “Love Us into Fullness” (vs. 3)
Words and Music: Daniel Charles Damon, 2002 MV #81
THE SCRIPTURE SPEAKS TO US
SCRIPTURE READING – New Testament
Matthew 21:1-11 – Jesus enters Jerusalem
In this is God’s Holy Word. Thanks be to God.
EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE – Looking for the Liberator
MESSAGE
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 “Oh Lord, Have Mercy” MV #68
Words and Music: Traditional Guarani song, Paraguay Arr. U.C. of Canada 2007
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH
CLOSING HYMN “Ride On, Ride On, the Time is Right” (vs.1,2,3,5)
Words and Music: John Bell, 1988 – Iona Community – Scotland VU #126
ANNOUNCEMENTS – Activities that nurture practices of love
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “Go Now in Peace”
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
April 3
1:00 PM - Souper 5
4:15 - 5:15 PM - Meri-dian Ukuleles
5:00 - 6:30 PM - Handbells
April 4
9:30 AM - Legacy Meeting
10:00 AM - Pastoral Care Meeting
2:45 PM - Staff Meeting
4:00 - 5:30 PM - Homework Program
5:00 PM - Finance Meeting
6:45 - 8:45PM - Forgiveness Small Group
April 5
10:30 AM - 12:30PM - Senior Luncheon
4:00 - 5:00 PM - Kidz Praize
April 6
1:00 - 2:00PM - Outreach Cupboard
6:00 - 7:00 PM - Maundy Thursday Service
6:00 - 8:30 PM - Youth Nite
7:15 - 9:00 PM - Choir
April 7
Office closed
10:00 AM - Good Friday Service
April 9
10:00 AM - Worship - Easter Sunday
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned & fresh fruit
o Canned & fresh veggies
o Granola Bars
o Cereal & instant oatmeal pkgs
o Rice & Pasta
o Pasta sauce
o Peanut butter, jelly & jam
o Kraft Dinner
o Crackers
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein (ham, chicken, tuna)
o Toilet paper/Kleenex
o Shampoo, body wash, deodorant, feminine hygiene
o Instant coffee
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
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
Board Chair - Darrel Howell 780-870-1671 dhhowell@telus.net
YOUTH NITES │ THURSDAY │6:00 – 8:30 PM
Join us April 6th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm for a Live Facebook Food Drive. Please find below the link for April 6th registration - https://form.jotform.com/212014279937256. If there are any questions about youth nites, contact our youth nite worker Ashley Holman. Ashley can be reached at ash.holman77@gmail.com or 306-307- 5735.
HOMEWORK│TUESDAY│4:00 – 5:30 PM │GUC
Homework Club 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.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Stewardship is a spiritual practice. How do we share our abundance to prepare the way for Jesus?
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
Apr. 6 – Maundy Thursday – “Love Looks for Us” – A feast of love and service 6:45 p.m.
Communion and foot washing will be available to those who wish to participate.
April 7 – Good Friday – 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary – “The Weeping Tree”
April 9 – Easter Sunday – “Love Wins”
April 16 – Second Sunday after Easter
April 23 – Transfer of Membership Sunday
April 30 – Holy Humour Sunday
MISSION & SERVICE GIFTS FOR 2022
It is with immense gratitude that we thank everyone who contributed to Mission & Service and the work of the church in 2022.Mission & Service giving’s totalled $21.1 million, planned gifts totalled $1.8 million, and over $1.5 million was contributed for the people of Ukraine. That is a total of $24.5M and the demonstration of amazing generosity. Read more about the 2022 Mission & Service results. Together through Mission & Service we have supported life-changing work that affects people in Canada and across the globe. Stories of the impact of your gifts can be found on our website and on YouTube. You can also get an update from one of our partners assisting Ukrainian refugees. Our shared care, concern, prayers, generosity, and action in relation to the work we do together—our United Church Mission & Service—is a powerful expression of our faith. Thank you so much for your gifts
DINNER THEATER |APRIL 14-16| KITSCOTY COMMUNITY HALL
The Kitscoty Community Hall presents a dinner theater featuring North Woods nonsense, by Andrew Ross. Doors will open at 5:30 PM on April 14 & 15 and 12:00 PM on April 16. Tickets are $50.00 each. Corporate sponsorship tables of 8 or 10 people are available. To get your tickets please contact Julie Evans at 780-808-1217 or by email at: kitscotycommunityhall@hotmail.com
CANADA BRITISH HOME CHILDREN ALMOST FORGOTTEN- ALMOST| MAY 24|
1:30-3:30 PM|GUC
Allan Darby United Church Women’s unit will be hosting Susan Hillman Brazeau . Please join us as we learn more about our Canadian history. There will be no charge for this presentation. Please pre-register by calling the office at 780-875-8959, as there is limited space. Everyone is welcome, refreshments will be served.
SENIORS LUNCHEON|APRIL 5|10:30 AM - 12:30 PM|GUC
For this week’s seniors luncheon we are looking for donations of mustard, beets, and pickles. If anyone is able to donate please contact the office. Thank you.
FOODGRAINS PRESENTATION |APRIL 18|12:00 – 1:30 PM|GUC
Join us for a lunch & learning about our work to help end global hunger! Presentation by Mary Obiero ( Church World Service) regarding the humanitarian crisis in Kenya, and how response efforts are making a difference. Please RSVP to Bev at gucbevthurlow@gmail.com. All are welcome to join in for this unique learning opportunity. Lunch is included, and donations will be accepted.
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.