Welcome to Grace United Church
We are glad you have come to worship! If this is your first time at Grace United, please sign the welcome(visitor’s book) near the entrance door. If you are from out of town, church-shopping or came with a friend who calls Grace home, come along for coffee and conversation after worship; a cup and chair are waiting for you! Please note:
·Busy Bags are available for children(ages 0-11) at the church entrance way.
·We are a scent-free congregation. Please consider this when dressing for church.
·Please put your phone phones on silent.
·Large print “More Voices” available. Please inquire with an us
Welcome to Grace United Church
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned fruit
o Canned vegetables
o Granola Bars
o Cereal
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein (Ham, chicken, tuna)
**We are in dire need of canned fruit and veggies.
What’s Happening This Week
January 22
1:00 pm – Souper 5
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Handbells
6:00 pm – Soup Sistas
January 23
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Homework Club
5:00 pm – Finance Meeting
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Meri-dian Ukuleles
January 24
6:00 pm – Central Board Meeting
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Affirming Office Hours
January 25
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Outreach Cupboard
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Community Coffee
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Affirming Office Hours
7:00 pm – Choir
January 28
10:00 am – Worship – Super Sunday – lunch to follow service
January 21, 2024 – Third Sunday after Epiphany
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
*HYMN “Come and Find the Quiet Center” VU #374
Words: Shirley Erena Murray Music: attrib: Benjamin Franklin White
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
CANDLE LIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Home”
Words & Music: Gladys Jack
CENTERING PRAYER
CHILDREN’S TIME
*SONG “Jesus Twelve Disciples” Words & Music:George A. Minor
PRAYER OF HEALING
You call us, O God, to leave the past, to set down our nets, our tax records,
our carefully planned careers, our retirements, our well managed lifestyles,
and follow you.
It’s too risky we are too old, or too young, we don’t have what it takes
We are not sure your plan is a good one, anyway. We have a better idea.
Forgive us, God, when we refuse to hear your call and then blame you when things go wrong.
Turn us around, slow us down and set us a in a new direction.
Help us to trust in You, pouring our hearts in prayer.
Our hope is in You as we share, listen, and follow.
(Silent prayer/reflection)
WORDS OF GRACE & COMFORT
God never tires of listening, forgiving, turning us around, or calling us in new ways.
We accept these gifts, freely given, to begin anew.
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
PSALM 62 – SUNG – Be still my soul. Wait for God. Grace Trio
NEW TESATMENT - MARK 1:14-20 – Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John
In this is God’s hope for the world. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
*HYMN “Will You Come and Follow Me” (Vs. 1,2,4,5)
Words: Shirley Erena Murray Music: attrib: Benjamin Franklin White
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
SUNG RESPONSE “Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands” VU #537
Words: Calvin Weiss Laufer Music: Neil Dougall
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
*HYMN “Wherever You May Go” MV #216
Words and Music: Davd Kai
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “Halle, Halle, Halle” VU #958
Words: Trad. Liturgical text Music: Anon, arr. The Iona Community
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
UCW ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING½JAN 29TH½11:30AM½GUC HALL
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, Jan 29th at 11:30 AM in the Hall. KFC lunch will be $10.00/person. Please let your UCW Chair know if you are planning on attending – Lake/Davidson – Marilyn Knowlson-Vermeulen, Darby – Mary Laursen and Wilma Sharpe – Sheila Coulter.
NEEDING MEMBERS – CHURCH IN SOCIETY
Church in Society plays an active role in community action, and co-ordinates and supports
· Red Dress Awareness
· LGBTQ & Awareness
· Book Club
· Mission & Service
· Outreach Cupboard
· Ministry Project group
· and others
Membership has declined, and we are searching for people that are interested in a commitment of 1 ½ hr/month. The time of the meeting is flexible. All age groups are welcome. Contact Dawn @ 780-214-1271 or Paul 604-701-2247.
OUTREACH SHOPPING LIST
o Canned fruit
o Canned vegetables
o Cereal
o Granola Bars
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein(Ham, chicken, tuna, salmon)
o Soap, shampoo, conditioner
o Bodywash
**We are in dire need of canned fruits and vegetables.
SPRING GARAGE SALE
There is going to be a Spring Garage Sale. The initial planning will begin soon – stay tuned for further announcements. If you can assist in any way, please let Lynda Campbell know @ 306-821-2575.
NEWS FROM NORTHERN REGION
Greetings friends,
I hope this email finds you all warm and well.
You may have noted in the most recent Northern Spirit newsletter a message from our Executive Chair-person, The Rev. Helen Reed.
This letter indicated the need for volunteers within our Region.
There are openings on all of our committees and commissions and that a nominations process to fill those vacancies is underway.
From a pastoral relations standpoint our need for help is also incredibly high.
At the current moment we have nine (9) communities of faith in need of Pastoral Charge Supervisors and at least as many in need of Pastoral Relation Liaisons.
I am fully aware that most of you as retired and active clergy are already involved in this work in some capacity or another and I am so thankful to all of you for the ways you are serving the wider United Church.
I wanted to write to you all today to share with you this need, not to make you feel bad or to beg you into more work,
but rather to ask of you all to engage the laity of the communities of faith you serve in conversations about this work and what capacity they might have to serve the wider Northern Spirit Region.
Our current policies around Supervision and Liaison work is open to both ministers and lay people to offer leadership.
Pastoral charge supervision and pastoral relations liaison work can also be done remotely without the need to be physically present within a community of faith which means that vast geography of our region does not need preclude anyone from offering leadership.
I would greatly appreciate if you could shoulder tap those individuals you may know who are particularly good at church governance or maybe are just looking for an opportunity to learn something new about the church and our processes.
We have processes in place to both train and support all of these folks, but what we don’t have is the capacity to know who might be willing to engage this work.Please feel free to share my information as I would also be happy to engage folks in further conversations around this work.
The Reverend Adam Hall
Pastoral Relations Minister
Northern Spirit Regional Council
The United Church of Canada/L’Eglise Unie du Canada
Office: 1-800-268-3781 ext 6443
to shine as a warm light in the often long dreary days of winter. May you all rejoice in the reminder of a generous, giving God – who longs to speak to you and your heart – one star word gift at a time.
STAR WORDS
What was your “Star Word” for 2023?
Did it have any impact on your year?
Would you like to share your experience in church this Sunday or write something about it to be included in the January/February newsletter?
Many people have commented to me about how their star word offered them a more focused avenue to reflect on how God is working, calling, directing, and even comforting in their daily living. Please let Rev. Cathy know if you would like to share your experience.
If you did or did not receive a star word gift last year, please come along on Sunday, January 21st and receive one during worship, for 2024. I hope to see you Sunday, as we listen and ponder upon people’s experiences with their words, as well as the words of Jesus, calling his disciples Simon, Andrew, James and John. (Mark 1:14-20). We never know what God might have to offer our hearts, if we would simply “be still, our souls, and wait for God. (Psalm 62:5-12)
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Fishing for people and caring for our catch should be our greatest work. Honouring the time and energy invested by church members is an essential part of stewardship.
OFFERING ENVELOPES
Capital Reserve and Future Development donations are listed on one line. If donating to either of those causes, please circle the one you would like to donate to. Charitable receipts are ready to be picked as of Monday, January 22, 2024.
HOMEWORK CLUB│JAN 23 │3:30 PM – 5:00 PM │GUC
Homework Club is starting on January 23. Homework Club is for students grade 7-10. Students from all schools are welcome and they are provided with a warm meal.
WORSHIP IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS
January 28 – 4th Sunday after Epiphany – Super Sunday – lunch of Soup and Buns will be provided by the choir for the congregation. The children will have a special learning time exploring the fruit of generosity, making a special gift to share.
Psalm 111 – the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
February 4 – 5th Sunday after the Epiphany – Communion Sunday
Mark 1:29-39 – Simon’s mother-in-law and many others healed.
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.
Treasurer - Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 guctreasurer@graceunitedchurch.ca
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
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucexecdirector@graceunitedchurch.ca