September 24, 2023 – Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Order of Worship – Grace United Church
SUPER SUNDAY
Worship led by the Choir, Grace Trio, Rev. Cathy Kinsman,
Pam Rollheiser and Garnet Weaver
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING
WELCOME
HYMN “Would You Bless our Homes and Families” VU #556
Words: Walter Farquharson 1974 Music: Ron Klusmeier 1974
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
CANDLE LIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Home” Gladys Jack
CENTERING PRAYER
CHILDREN’S TIME
SONG “I Can Feel You Near Me God” (Jump for Joy) MV #48
Words & Music: Pat Mayberry 2000
(Children will leave for Sunday School after this song)
PRAYER OF HEALING
(close your fists tight as the leader prays and then open your fists during the congregational response).
God, when we are afraid of what lies ahead,
we want to go back to the old ways instead of seeking your new way with us. (Silence)
Forgive us and open us to you.
Holy Giver, our hands are open to receive your gifts.
When we don’t see the signs of hope we expect,
we complain, we turn to other things, and we blame each other. (Silence)
Forgive us and open us to you
Holy Giver, our hands are open to receive your gifts.
When we do have enough, we want even more
and, by wanting more, often others have less than enough. (Silence)
Forgive us and open us to you.
Holy Giver, our hands are open to receive your gifts.
When we work so hard to get something,
we forget your goodness and think our lives are what we’ve done, achieved or have. (Silence)
Forgive us and open us to you.
Holy Giver, our hands are open to receive your gifts.
(Silent prayer/reflection)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love.
We trust in God’s forgiveness and grace.
We are blessed with God’s transforming power,
which moves us from regret to mercy and action.
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
Old Testament - Exodus 16:2-15 – Bread and quails to feed the people
In this is God’s hope for the world. Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC “Panis Angelicus” Chloe Jones
MESSAGE
*HYMN “Lead On, O Cloud of Presence” VU #421
Words: Ruth Duck 1974 Music: Henry Thomas Smart 1836
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
SUNG RESPONSE “What Can I Do” MV #191
Words & Music: Paul Rumboldt & Michelle McCarthy
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
HYMN “Wherever You May Go” MV #216
Words & Music: David Kai 1996
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “Sing Amen” VU #431
Words & Music: S.C. Molefe
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
What’s Happening This Week
Sept 26
4:15 - 5:15 PM - Meri-dian Ukuleles
5:00 PM - Finance Meeting
7:30 PM - Fish & Game Meeting
Sept 27
7:30 AM - 4:30 PMPNHR Booking
4:00 - 5:00 PM - Kidz Praize
6:00 PM - Central Board Meeting
Sept 28
1:00 - 2:00 PM - Outreach Cupboard
6:00 - 8:30 PM - Youth Nite
7:00 - 9:00 PM - Choir
Oct 1
10:00 AM - Worship – World Wide Communion Day
Outreach Shopping List
o Canned fruit
o Canned vegetables
o Granola Bars
o Cereal
o Instant oatmeal pkgs
o Juice boxes
o Larger canned protein (Ham, chicken, tuna)
LEGACY GIFT SUBMISSIONS DUE OCTOBER 1
Just a reminder that Legacy Gift submissions are due by October 1st. If you have any questions, please contact Donna Arie (306) 821-2827 or Marilyn Young
(780) 808-0508. All information for applying is on our website.
HANDBELLS FOR BEGINNERS
Have you ever wanted to try ringing handbells, but don’t feel you have the musical background or knowledge to jump into a full rehearsal. How about taking in our 4-week introduction to handbells? No prior musical knowledge or experience is needed! There is no commitment to join the Grace Celebration Ringers! You just gain an understanding of what it takes to ring a bell.
Dates: Mondays, October 2, 16, 23, 30 (should attend all 4 weeks)
Time: 6:45-7:30 PM
Place: GUC Sanctuary
To access this opportunity, contact Brenda Ellison at brenda.ellison36@gmail.com
GRACE CELEBRATION RINGERS
Come on Ring Those Bells! GUC’s Handbell Choir will be resuming rehearsals in October. This group is open to anyone 12 or older who can read music or has completed the beginner handbell 4-week course. The ringers take part in worship, perform at GUC concerts, and on occasion travel outside the church to perform for others. Rehearsals will begin on Monday, October 2, from 5:30 to 6:30. Contact Brenda at brenda.ellison36@gmail.com if you would like to try ringing a bell.
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Those who have been blessed with riches have many opportunities to bless others through generosity. From each according to their ability, to each according to their need.
AFFIRMING MINISTRY|WED, OCT. 11|6:30 - 8:30PM |BOARDROOM
The Grace United Church Affirming Team is excited to announce that we will be offering a Safe Space workshop for our leadership personnel (Central Board, Staff and Committee leadership) in order to continue our commitment to being a Safe Space for 2SLGBTQQIAAP individuals and their families within our community.
This training provided in the workshop centers around building understanding of the 2SLGBTQQIAAP community by guiding participants through activities and discussions designed to deconstruct misunderstandings surrounding harmful stereotypes found in our society, define the terminology in the acronym, introduce the concept of Heteronormativity inherent in western society and culture, and ask participants to consider what it means to have cisgender-privilege and straight-privilege. It also provides information and understanding about what it is like for individuals to "come out", and suggestions of how to react/respond in the moment if someone comes-out to you.
Space is limited to a maximum of 20 participants for this workshop. To register as a participant, please contact either Jenson Brown, Affirming Support Worker at gucjensonbrown@gmail.com, or Rev. Cathy at gucminister@graceunitedchurch.ca. We look forward to all of the leadership team participating in this amazing opportunity!
KIDZ PRAIZE|WEDNESDAYS |4:00 – 5:00 PM
It is not too late to come along this week!
4:00 – Snack 4:15 – 5:00 – Warmups, singing games, movement and choral music.
Children ages 4-10 are welcome to attend.
Register through Jot form which will be posted on Grace’s Facebook page, or by calling the church.
GRACE CHOIR|THURSDAYS|7:00 – 9:00 PM
The Grace Choir is open to any adult that would like to raise their voice in song and have fun doing just that!! We will be broadening our horizons as a group this year, and singing both contemporary and sacred music, as well as performing a "Christmas Cantata" to be presented in December at Grace United Church. We will also be performing special music for the Grace United Church's worship services. As a group, we take part in workshops, choral parties and performing with other musicians and groups in Lloydminster. If you would like to be part of this group, come on out Thursday nights and join us! The excitement is waiting for you!!
Thursdays: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. in the Grace United Church Sanctuary
GROOVIN WITH GRACE|WEDNESDAYS |5:00 – 6:00 PM
There’s still time to join – come check it out!! “Groovin’ with Grace” is our new Junior Kids Choir for ages 12 – 18. Music for this group will include fun and exciting music for Worship Services, Christmas, Gospel Night and groovy stuff for the in between times!! All that is needed is a smile, a voice to sing with, a joyful heart and a willingness to share our gift of music with all those around us. Come join “Groovin’ With Grace” in the Grace United Church Choir Room on Wednesdays from 5 – 6 pm! It will truly be the place to be!! And…did we mention…there’s snacks!!!! See you there!!
GRACE UNITED CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY COMING
Noyce Photography is offering family photos for the Grace United Church Directory! The Grace United Church Directory Family Portrait session is $49 including GST. Your session is 10 minutes long and is limited to one family per booking. It includes one pose and 2 sheets of photos printed while you wait. The sheets of photos can be printed as 1- 8x10, 2- 5x7’s, 4- 4x5’s or 9 wallets. Additional sheets & digital files can be purchased when booking your session. If you order a digital file it is emailed to you the following day. We require your permission when booking to use your family photo in the Grace United Church Directory. We have booked October 14 from 10-4, October 15 from 12-4, October 17 from 4-8, October 18 from 4-8, October 19 from 3-8, and October 20 from 3-8 for you to book your session. All photos will be taken in the Hall. Click on the link https://NoycePhotographySessions.as.me/GUCDirectory to book your session. If you have any questions or trouble with the link, please let Bev know in the office.
Noyce Photography is excited to provide this service and is looking forward to photographing your family! Thank you!
EXPLORING THE WAY – SMALL GROUP INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUAL FORMATION|TUES OCT 10 – NOVEMBER 28
Introductory gathering - Tuesday, October 10th – 6:45 – 7:45 p.m.
Regular group October 17, 24 – 6:45 – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 1 - 6:45 - 9:00 p.m; Tuesday Nov, 7, 14, 21 - 6:45 - 9:00 p.m.
November 28th Wrap Up Session – 6 - 9:00 p.m.
Please speak to Rev. Cathy or sign friendship form to let us know of your interest.
UPCOMING WEEKS IN WORSHIP
Oct. 1st – World Communion Sunday – If you have a bread of origin you would like to share
during World Communion, please consider this as your invitation to bring it along to share.
Exodus 17:1-17 – Water flows from the rock for thirsty people
October 8 – Thanksgiving Sunday worship
Deuteronomy 8:7-18 – God will bring you to a bountiful land
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
Executive Director - Bev Thurlow 780-875-8959 gucexecdirector@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