The United Church of Canada Bathurst Pastoral Charge First United Church, Bathurst www.firstunited-bathurst.ca May 13, 2012 Sixth Sunday of Easter Mother’s Day Clergy Office Adm. Custodian Rev. Blair Lewis Isabel Clouston Alan Wilcox Organist Greeters Martha Vickers Edie & Peter Gammon All musical selections reprinted under licence #606499, LicenSing for Churches. Lectionary for today Acts 10:44-48 Psalm 98 1 John 5:1-6 John 15:9-17 Lectionary for next Sunday Acts 1:15-17,21-26 Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 Welcoming One Another: Welcoming Friends Worshipping by CD: Announcements: Lighting of the Christ Candle: One: As we light the Christ Candle we celebrate mothers and all that they offer to our society. All: Thanks be to God. One: God has given us love and support as we engage in our quest to be. All: Thanks be to God. One: God has gathered us into a community of care, learning and worship. All: Let us worship God with love, thanksgiving, and praise. Call to Worship: (in unison) We come from scattered lives to this sanctuary, seeking unity in the Spirit, seeking the grace of Christ, seeking the peace of God. THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The asterisk * identifies those times in the service where the congregation is invited to stand as able. Organ Prelude: (Tune: Hymn to Joy) Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to heav’n and voices raise. Sing to God a hymn of gladness, sing to God a hymn of praise. He who on the cross as Saviour for the world’s salvation bled, Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, now is risen from the dead. Welcoming: Jesus said, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23, 24 -1- Prayer of Approach: Eternal and Almighty God, you have been with your people in all generations, your mercies are more than we can number, and your compassion is without end: grant us, we pray to you, that with the help of your Holy Spirit, that we may worthily praise you for your untold goodness. We pray that we may be free to give ourselves to you this day for your service and glory; may you be with the Sunday school teachers and students on this their special day and may you guide and strengthen them as they enjoy the coming summer days. Amen *Opening Hymn ‘We Praise You, O God’ Sunday School Closing: Presentation of Certificates The Lord’s Prayer: -2- #218 VU *Prayer of Dedication: (in unison) Loving God, we thank you for Mothers, may these gifts, given gratefully, be brought to life through the power of your creative Spirit. Multiply and use them to bring the word and the touch of Jesus to your people in this place and throughout the world. Amen. THE SERVICE OF THE WORD Prayer for Understanding: As we pray we search for Good News! Good News for all of your people! With your help may we wish to hear and be able to open our ears to hear what is happening in the hearts of a people who have begun to awaken. Those who wish to see must open their eyes to see what is happening in the hearts of a people who have begun to walk together. Latin America Scripture Readings: New Testament Reading: Responsive Psalm: Gospel Reading: Marie Oliver 1 John 5:1-6 Psalm 98 #818 VU John 15:9-17 ‘Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love’ *Hymn: Meditation: “Sing to God a New Song” Anthem: ‘The Spring Has Come’ #574VU THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS Minute for Mission: Presentation of Gifts and Self to God: Choral Response: ‘Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow’ #541 VU Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures high and low; Give thanks to God in love made known: Creator, Word and Spirit One. -3- Prayer of Confession: All: God of love and of grace, you know the secrets of our hearts: how blind we are to our own faults, yet harsh in judging others; how swift we are to take for gain, yet slow to give for others; how proud we are of our success, yet grudging in our praise of others. Remember, O God, your tender care and love unfailing. Do not remember our sins and offences, but remember us in your goodness, in accordance with your endless mercy. One: All: One: All: One: All: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. ‘How Deep the Peace’ How deep the peace, the confidence, Of those whose wrongs are forgiven. How deep the peace, the confidence Of those whose hearts are healed. Choral Response: -4- #95 MV Prayer of Assurance: Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid.” The peace of Christ be with you all . . .. John 14:27 A New Creed: (in unison) We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. The United Church of Canada, General Council 1968, alt. 1998 Pastoral Prayer: One: For every breath we take, for every beat of our hearts, for every sensation of our bodies: All: we give you thanks, O God. One: For the ear that listens, for the hand that caresses, for the arms that reach out in love: All: we give you thanks, O God. One: For relief from pain, for the tears of shared sorrow, for the laughter of shared joy: All: we give you thanks, O God. One: For the freedom to choose, for the ability to love, for the power of hope: All: we give you thanks, O God. One: For the presence you reveal to us, for the courage you offer us, for the rest you assure us will be ours: All: we give you thanks, O God. One: Oh God you are with us all as we go from our childhood to our adult days, we pray this morning for children who never have the opportunity to know security in their lives, for those who do not know the security of family and friends, we pray that your compassion will be with all homeless children and orphans, and all the little ones whose lives are overshadowed by violence, who are thwarted by disease of cruelty. Awaken in us your living love, that we may not rest while children cry for bread or go without comfort or love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Quiet time: Reflective Music: -5- -6- Church News THE COMMUNITY GOES FORTH This Week at First United –May 14– May 19 *Closing Hymn: ‘Would You Bless our Homes and Families’ #556 VU *Commissioning: (in unison) May the God who dances in creation, who embraces us with human love, who shakes our lives like thunder, bless us and drive us out with power, to fill the world with justice. *Blessing: May the grace of God, deeper than our imagination; the strength of Christ, stronger than our need; and the communion of the Holy Spirit, richer than our togetherness; guide and sustain us today and in all our tomorrows. *Choral Closing:: (Tune Promise VU 703) (Gathering Lent 2011 pg. 81 “Choral Sending Forth” ) As we go into the future, As we tell of the Good News, We will show our love for others, Just as Christ has told us to. We will tell the wondrous story, Of a love that’s made for you, And it’s all because of Easter – Sing a joyous Hal-le-lu! Organ Postlude: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 6:15 1:00 9:30-11:30 6:15pm 9am 6:30pm 7pm Beavers Rms 1,2&3 Trustees – Eddy Rm Do-Drop-In – RMR Cubs & Scouts – DEMH Gym TAB – Rms 1,2,&3 Choir Practice E&P Eddy Rm The bulletin today has been placed in loving memory of ***** Hugh Parrott by the family ****** Mary Anderson by daughter Ruth and family. The flowers in our sanctuary today are in loving memory of our mother and brother, Violet and Kenneth Gosnell by the family. Peanut Butter for Volunteer Centre Commitment December 31, 2012 Total to Date 900 335 To meet our obligation, we will need to collect 18-19 jars of peanut butter per week. The Upper Room for May and June are in the Narthex. Please feel free to take one. A container for donations is located with the publication. Baptism will be held at First United on July 22nd 2012. We encourage anyone wishing to have a family member baptized at that time to contact the church office for more information. 546-3532 Do-Drop-In will be holding its last gathering on Tuesday, May 15, until the fall. They would like to take this opportunity to thank all the faithful attenders and story tellers. They hope to see you all, back in September. -7- -8- Spring Beef BBQ Saturday, June 9, 2012 Donald Eddy Memorial Hall 309 St. Patrick Street 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Takeouts available 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. $12. Adults $6. Children (under 12) All tickets sold in advance The Beaver Scout’s at First United has just shipped 466 pairs of used eye glasses to the “Medical Ministry Canada Inc.” in Ontario, for use in their projects in the undeveloped world. Back in 1983 we started this project as a way that the Beaver Scouts could carry out their promise, “I promise to love God and help take care of the world.” We hope that you will help us by bringing your used glasses and placing them in the boxes at the back of the church. Thank-you. School District # 15's "Lesotho Initiative" Committee is organizing its second annual "ChariTea" for Lesotho for June 2, 2012 from 1:00 - 4:00 at Terry Fox Elementary School. Delicious strawberry shortcake will be served with your choice of beverage. Entertainment will be provided by: the Terry Fox Elementary School Choir, Stay Tuned and Dave Wilson, Alyssa Collins and Mike McLaughlin, Adam Chapman, and John Mann and students. Tickets will cost $5.00, and are on sale at all Anglophone schools in the Bathurst area, The Spinning Wheel Yarn Shop, or from Gary Branch. Please reserve this event for the whole family on your calendar A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go. ~Author Unknown~ -9- Community Events Red Hatters Extravaganza at Arts Restigouche in Dalhousie, June 1st, 2nd, & 3rd. Planned events, entertainment, friends & plenty of Laughs! For more information or to register phone 684-1801 Bathurst Christians Women’s Club invites you to join us at Danny’s Inn and Conference Center, Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 11:15 am for punch and greetings for our “25th Anniversary” Luncheon, $14. It’s a Celebration. Reminisce with former friends and those who are new. Lots of photos on display. Maureen Bennett from Nova Scotia will speak on “The Alphabet Soup of my Life” and how she pulled herself away. Call Wanetta at 548-5083 or Edith at 548-3924 for necessary reservations. There will be a benefit concert for the Maison Doucet Hennessy House on Sunday, May 27, 2012 from 2-4pm. at the Paul Ouellette Room at KC Irving Center. Featuring: Friends in Song, Stay Tuned, Men O’Erin and Eugene et Guylaine. Cost $10.00. For tickets and/or information please contact Patsy at 548-5624 or email info@doucethennessy.com. The Knights of Columbus, Msgr. William Varrily Council 12031 and Father Jean-Robert Léger invite the general public to attend the 7th Annual Solemn Blessing (interdenominational) of the First Responders, Sunday, May 27th at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Family Church. It is our way to show our support and thanks to these men and women, who daily, put their lives at risk for our safety. RCMP, local police forces, all firefighters, paramedics, military, coroners, sheriffs, animal control officers, emergency department of the Chaleur Hospital Centre, St. John Ambulance, and all others who are first on the scene of an emergency. We welcome you to come and say Thank you. A Spring Bonnet Tea and Bake Sale will be held in Saint George's Anglican Church Hall on Saturday, May 25 at 12 noon. Tickets $7.00 A Rummage Sale will be held in Saint George's Anglican Church Hall on Friday, May 18 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon." -10- Mother Steinway Notes♫ Financial Goal - $34,000 Money donated / pledged (as of May 9) $26,000 = 76% of our goal! While Steinways appreciate in value over time as fine-quality, handcrafted creations, they are not often traded. Instead, Steinways become cherished heirlooms to be handed down from generation to generation. The grand piano rim consists of seventeen 3/16” thick layers of Eastern rock maple. The bell-quality cast-iron plate withstands 45,373 pounds of tension exerted by strings. The finest acoustic-quality spruce is fashioned into the delicate curve of the soundboard, 8mm at the center to 5mm at the edge, assuring the full, rich Steinway sound. I am praying to the Lord That He will bless your day And that you’d find a quietness When to Him you come to pray I pray you’d know how much you’ve meant To me through all these years For you have been there on your knees Sometimes with bitter tears God has seen your Mothers heart And answered your heart pleas And Mom because of your strong faith I also now believe. By M.S.Lowndes John 15:9-17 New International Version(NIV) 1 John 5:1-6 New International Version (NIV) Faith in the Incarnate Son of God Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 6 This is the one who came by water and blood —Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.