Sunday May 28, 2023 – Pentecost Sunday
Worship led by the Grace Choir, Karen Fawcett, Rev. Cathy Kinsman Lois Sonnega, and Garnet Weaver
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME
**HYMN “Come, O Holy Spirit” MV #23
Words: Fred Kaan (1972, rev. 1998) Music: Ron Klusmeier (2000)
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 “Dance with the Spirit ol” MV #156
Words & Music: Jim Strathde,1995
CHILDREN’S TIME
**HYMN “Dance with the Spirit” MV #156
Words: Christian H. Bateman, 1843; Rev. R. G. Hobbs, 1987 Music: Anon. Philadelphia 1824
PRAYER OF HEALING
Sometimes we are like those disciples so long ago:
Huddled in fear of what others will think,
of what others will do,
of what God will do.
Sometimes we are like passive bystanders:
Making fun of what we do not understand,
tearing down what is sacred to another,
or waiting until we are sure it’s okay.
Always God is with us:
Nudging us like a gentle breeze,
stirring us with flames of hope.
Speaking to us with words engraved in our hearts.
In silent prayer,
we offer God our need of healing,
so we might offer hope to the very ones we have hurt.
Prayer/silent meditation
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Siblings in Christ,
God’s Spirit did not leave us after that first Pentecost.
The Spirit is still with us,
empowering us to know mercy and grace,
forgiveness and service.
In this Spirit, and through Christ,
we proclaim the Good News:
We are refreshed and forgiven Alleluia! Amen.
SPECIAL MUSIC “One Day Soon” Grace Choir
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
SCRIPTURE READING
The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2:1-21 – The Holy Spirit comes in wind and flame
Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians - 1 Corinthians 12:3b -13
In this is God’s hope for the world. Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE
HYMN “Spirit, Open My Heart” V #79
Words: France R. Havergal, 1872 Music: Samuel S. Wesley, 18872
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
*OFFERING INVITATION
*OFFERING RESPONSE “Grateful” MV #182
Words and Music: Tom Tomaszek; arr. Sarah Hart and T. Tomaszek, 2003
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
*HYMN “Go, Make a Difference” (vs. 2,3) MV #209
Words and Music: Richard Gillard, Betty Pulkington (arr.), 1977
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
*CHORAL BENEDICTION “Closing Prayer”
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
May 29
1;00 PM - Souper 5
4:15 - 5:15 PM - Meri-dian Ukuleles
5:00 - 6:30 PM - Handbells
May 30
2:45PM - Staff Meeting
4:00 - 5:30PM - Homework Program
5:00 PM - Finance Meeting
6:30 - 8:30 PM - LCHS Grand March Registration
7:30 PM - Fish & Game Meeting
May 31
1:00 - 2:00PM - Playschool - Police Dog Demo
6:00PM - Central Board Meeting
6:30 - 8:30 PM - LCHS Grand March Registration
June 1
1:00 - 2:00PM - Outreach Cupboard
6:00 - 8:00 PM - Youth Nite
7:15 - 9:00 PM - Choir
June 2
10:00 AM - 3:00PM - June Planning Meeting
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 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 18 │6:00 – 8:30 PM|GUC
Come and join us as we head on over to Hearthstone to play board games with some of our seniors and then venturing to Dairy Queen for some yummy ice cream! Please find below the link for next week youth nite. June 1st link - https://form.jotform.com/212014413273239 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.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
And here God does it again!! Fire and wind and the gift of the Holy Spirit upon us! What radical generosity is this?
SING INTO SUMMER |JUNE 8|7:00 PM |GUC
Come and join us for a fun night of special music! Featuring Grace Community Choir, Grace Celebration Ringers, Kidz Praize, Meri-dian Ukuleles and so much more. Doors will open at 6:30 pm.
WILDFIRE SUPPORT – HELEN REED, CHAIRPERSON – NORTHERN SPIRIT REGION
Our concentrated, prayerful energy is sorely needed. Please hold in prayer all affected communities and their people: those facing loss of life and homes or businesses; firefighters and first responders; leaders who must make quick decisions; and God’s creation, as it experiences this painful devastation. There are many options to offer monetary support (whichever one works for you, please be sure you tell the recipient who you are and what the funds are for.)
=The Red Cross. There is 3 to 1 match from the Alberta and federal governments until June 3. Click here for the link to donate.
= If you prefer to give through the United Church, you can donate to the Regional Council’s Emergency Fund, and distribution of those funds will be worked out as longer- term needs become clearer. You can donate through CanadaHelps: (note a small service charge is held).You can also e-transfer:NorthernSpirit@united-church.ca
Or mail: 13535-122 Avenue NW, Edmonton AB T5L 2V7. In all cases, please note that the donation is for the Emergency Fund- 2023 wildfires. If you want to support a particular community, then we invite you to check out online if they have created their own donation options. We draw your attention to Little Red River Cree Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, both of which have suffered extensive damage. The latter has no public fundraiser at this time, but you’re invited to look for updates. Click here for the Little Red River Cree Nation/ Fox River area evacuee fundraiser. In all of these things and times and places, let us not forget that God is our strength, and our courage but that we are the hands and feet of God’s love in this place. We are called to be bold in our discipleship so let’s be bold in offering our support.
NEW PASTORAL RELATIONS MINISTER FOR NORTHERN SPIRIT|AUG 1
Welcome to our new Pastoral Relations Minister, Rev Adam Hall! Adam was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and is a life long member of The United Church of Canada. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Saskatchewan and a Masters of Divinity from St. Andrew's College. Upon ordination in 2010 he was settled to the communities of Holden and Tofield, Alberta, and has served at Tofield United Church (formerly Beaver Pastoral charge) for the last 13 years. Adam enjoys spending time with his wife Stephanie and their three sons. He makes time for camping and fishing and being in the outdoors. He loves watching NFL football - go Denver Broncos go!!! - and is an avid collector of sports cards and anything related to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He will take on this new role August 1, 2023. Welcome, Adam!
LOOKING FOR HELP|CONTACT- EMO@LLOYDMINSTER.CA OR CALL - 780 875 6184 EXT 2905
As many of you are aware, the City of Lloydminster has been hosting evacuees from Northern Saskatchewan for the past 2 weeks. While this has consisted of several communities, some of which only stayed for a couple of days, we are currently at our highest capacity with over 800 people in Lloydminster who are from the Buffalo Narrows / Dillon, SK, area and have evacuated due to either wildfire proximity or severe smoke in the area. This large group is spread throughout all of the hotels in Lloydminster and is expected to be here for at least another 10 days as the wildfire is still out of control. While staff organizing this response have done a tremendous job thus far looking after these groups, many facilities and organizers are becoming burnt out and in need of relief or extra support. We are currently looking for volunteers who may be able to assist with any of the following functions: Help establish and monitor recreation activities for the displaced. Help with childminding / Daycare setup or monitoring. Assist in mass feeding duties (Serving, Washing, Prep Work Etc,) assist in the creation of activities for the elderly, pet care needs/ minding.
GUC PLAYSCHOOL UPDATE
It's been another very successful year in the GUC Playschool with over one hundred 3 & 4-year-olds coming through our doors every week! WOW, what a gift to witness the innocence of little people, and experience the joy and laughter children bring to our world. As part of the Grace family, the GUC Playschool program runs out of the church basement every weekday morning and most afternoons! Due to licensing requirements, it is run as a separate entity, and space is rented at the Church. As part of Federal and Provincial granting initiatives, the GUC Playschool Board has been able to keep registration fees at a very reasonable cost for families. In addition, the fundraising activities by our Playschool families, and subsidies from the Alberta Government have helped to secure a solid budget. The GUC Playschool Board is pleased to announce that due to some extra grants the Playschool received, a $5000.00 cheque has been presented to the Grace United Church Board in appreciation for all that has been done for the GUC Playschool! Thank you! God's hands and heart are everywhere.
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.
Minister - Rev Cathy Kinsman 1-204-294-2142 gucminister@graceunitedchurch.ca
Board Chair - Darrel Howell 780-870-1671 dhhowell@telus.net
Administrative Support - Ashley Barber 780-875-8959 gucadmin@graceunitedchurch.ca
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucexecdirector@graceunitedchurch.ca
Treasurer - Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 guctreasurer@graceunitedchurch.ca
Playschool Coordinator - Lori Haygarth 780-808-0959 gucplayschool@graceunitedchurch.ca Choir Director - Karen Fawcett 780-875-4642 karenfawcett@hotmail.com
Affirming Support Worker - Jenson Brown 780-875-8959 gucjensonbrown@gmail.com