ORDER OF WORSHIP – APRIL 9, 2023
EASTER SUNDAY – LOVE WINS
Worship led by Grace Choir, Rev. Cathy Kinsman, Grace Ringers, Lois Sonnega,
Grace Trio and Garnet Weaver
GOD INVITES US TO WORSHIP
MUSICAL WELCOME “An Easter Fanfare” Grace Choir
Words and Music: Don Besig and Nancy Price
WELCOME
CANDLELIGHTING “Show Us How to Love” (vs.1 and 3)
Words: Lindy Thompson Music Mark A. Miller
THRESHOLD MOMENT
SCRIPTURE READING John 20:1-11 – Mary and the empty tomb Shirley Aston
SONG “Show Us How to Love” (vs.2)
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING THE PEACE – The love and peace of Christ be with you!
And also with you!
HYMN “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” VU #155
Words and Music Lyra Davidica, 1708; desc. Derek Holman 1971 :
CHILDREN’S TIME
SONG “Hey Now! Singing Hallelujah! (vs. 1,2,4,5) MV #121
Words and Music: Linnea Good, 1998
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
PRAYER OF HEALING (Used/adapted with permission:Seasons of the Spirit, Fusion, Lent/Easter 2023)
Holy God, with each alleluia, we protest the Good Friday world.
We imagine something else,
and still that word catches in our throats and we are uncertain of that joy.
Forgive us for the hesitant alleluias, the certainty that there must be a catch,
the unwillingness to believe wholeheartedly in the power of love.
Help us bring voice to the face of miracles occurring each day.
When we turn away from your presence risen Christ,
roll away the stones that entomb our hearts.
Shine your resurrection light and love into the shadows of our beings.
Drive from our minds all that keeps us from the abundant life you offer.
Holy One, open us to the power of love as we give you in prayer,
all that is seeking love in our lives.
(A time for silent prayer/meditation)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
God knows our hurts and frustrations.
God understands every sorrow and loss and still invites us to find hope
in thoughts beyond ourselves; ways of forgiveness, grace and love.
We will set your minds and hearts on these ways of being.
God will never hide’s God’s Spirit of grace and comfort from us.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Amen.
PREPARATION FOR THE WORD “Love Us into Fullness” (vs. 3) MV #81
Words and Music: Daniel Charles Damon, 2002
THE SCRIPTURE SPEAKS TO US
SCRIPTURE READING – New Testament - John 20:11-18 Donna Arie
In this is God’s Holy Word. Thanks be to God.
EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE – Looking for the Unexpected
MESSAGE
SPECIAL MUSIC “The Holy City” Karen and Doug Fawcett
Words: Frederick E. Weatherly Music: Michael Maybrick
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 “Kyrie Eleison” MV #68
Words and Music: Traditional Guarani song, Paraguay Arr. U.C. of Canada 2007
WE GO FORTH IN FAITH
CLOSING HYMN “Thine Is the Glory” VU #173
Words: Edmond L. Budry, 1884 Music: Jarmonia Sacra ca.1753; arr. From George Frideric Handel, 1747
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 10
Office Closed
Rev Kinsman - Off the Charge April 10-17
1:15 - 3:30 pm - Lake/Davidson UCW Meeting
4:15-5:15 pm - Meri-dian Ukuleles
5:00-6:30 pm - Handbells
6:00 pm - Soup Sistas
April 11
10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Hub of Healing
6:45 - 8:45 pm - Forgiveness Small Group
7:00 pm - Sharpe UCW Meeting
April 12
9:00 am - Darby UCW Meeting
April 13
9:00 am - 12:00 pm - M & P Meeting
9:30 am - Book Club
12:30 pm - Soup Trio
1:00 - 2:00 pm - Outreach Cupboard
April 16
10:00 am - Worship - Colleen Groenen leading service
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
YOUTH NITES │ THURSDAY │6:00 – 8:30 PM
There will be no youth group on April 13th , due to spring break. If there are any questions about youth nites, contact our youth nite worker Ashley Holman. Youth Nite for April 20th registration is open and here is the link: https://www.jotform.com/build/212006775818256. Ashley can be reached at ash.holman77@gmail.com or
306-307- 5735.
HOMEWORK│TUESDAY│4:00 – 5:30 PM │GUC
There will be no Homework club this week as students are on Easter break. 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
The stone has been rolled away! Hope is unleashed in the world! Share with abandon!
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
April 16 – Second Sunday after Easter
April 23 – Transfer of Membership Sunday
April 30 – Holy Humour Sunday
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.
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 Churchgathers 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.
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
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucbevthurlow@gmail.com
Administrative Support - Ashley Barber 780-875-8959 gucoffice22@gmail.com