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 friendship form located in the church pew. 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 cell phone on silent.
·Large print “More Voices” available. Please inquire with an usher.
January 28, 2024 – Fourth Sunday after the 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 “Draw The Circle Wide” MV #145
Words & Music: Gordon Light
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
CANDLE LIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Home”
Words & Music: Gladys Jack
CENTERING PRAYER
CHILDREN’S TIME
*SPECIAL MUSIC “The Sharing Song” GUC Playschool
Words: Raffi, D. Pike, B & B Simpson Music: Raffi
PRAYER OF HEALING
Healing One, when we experience fear, when we are downhearted and anxious,
can it be that a friend, with the spirit Jesus,
will take us by the hand and help us back to our feet?
When the world we know feels like it is coming apart, when the loss of a loved one,
the loss of a cherished dream, comes home to us,
can it be that a care-giver, with the spirit of Jesus, will comfort and encourage us?
When our faith community needs direction,
when the call to serve another goes unheard,
can it be that a wisdom-filled saint, with the spirit of Jesus,
will show us the way forward?
When our faith is tested, when doubts overwhelm,
when purpose seems obscure and remote, O God,
can it be a gentle teacher, with the spirit of Jesus,
who will speak with authority to the powerful and fear-making forces?
We ask your healing through prayer, as we share our hurting hearts with You.
(Silent prayer/reflection)
WORDS OF GRACE & COMFORT
In receiving, you know the touch of Christ; in giving, you offer the hand of Christ.
The grace and comfort of God will be yours.
Thanks be to the Holy One of God for teaching and spreading this Good News!
Amen.
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
*SPECIAL MUSIC “A New Day Psalm” Grace Choir
Words & Music: Tina English and Joseph Martin
NEW TESATMENT - MARK 1:21-28 – A man with an un-clean spirit is healed in Capernaum.
In this is God’s hope for the world. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
*HYMN “Healer of our Every Ill” VU #619
Words & Music: Marty Haugen
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
SUNG RESPONSE “What Can I Do” MV #191
Words & Music: Paul Rumbolt & Michelle McCarthy
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
What’s Happening This Week
January 29
11:30 am – General UCW Meeting
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm - Handbells
January 30
2:45 pm – Staff Meeting
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Homework Club
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Fish & Game Meeting
February 1
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Outreach Cupboard
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm - Choir
February 2
7:30 am – Men’s Breakfast – Cora’s
February 4
10:00 am – Worship
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm – GUC Playschool
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.
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 Chairperson, 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 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 it 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 these folks, but what we don’t have is the capacity to know who might be willing to engage in 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
1-800-268-3781 ex 6443
adamhall@united-church.ca
WORSHIP IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS
February 4 – 5th Sunday after the Epiphany – Communion Sunday
Mark 1:29-39 – Simon’s mother-in-law and many others healed.
February 11 – Transfiguration Sunday
Mark 9: 2-9 – The Transfiguration of Jesus
February 14 – Ash Wednesday, Lenten Lunch – 11:30 – 12:15
February 18 – Lent 1 – Communion Sunday
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Every day we receive abundant gifts, but we are not meant to keep them. When you pass along a gift to a neighbour or the world, trust that you and they will have enough.
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.
LEGACY GIFT FUND APPLICATION | DEADLINE: MAR 1ST
Just a reminder to everyone that the next deadline for applying for a grant is March 1, 2024.
Information on Legacy Gift Grants is available on the GUC website and also in the office. We look forward to receiving your grant applications.
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.
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
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucexecdirector@graceunitedchurch.ca
Treasurer - Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 guctreasurer@graeunitedchurch.ca