January 14, 2024 - Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Order of Worship – Grace United Church
Worship led by Grace Choir, Rev. Cathy Kinsman, Marilyn Knowlson-Vermeulen and Garnet Weaver
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING
WELCOME
*OPENING SONG “River” MV #3
Words & Music: Julian Pattison
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
CANDLE LIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Home”
Words & Music: Gladys Jack
CENTERING PRAYER
CHILDREN’S TIME
*HYMN “I’ve Got Peace Like a River” VU #577
Words & Music: African-American Spiritual
PRAYER OF HEALING
O God, we are incredibly stubborn
We have entered the season in which Your Light has been given to the world.
Your blessings have been poured out on the world.
And yet, all we can think about is our own problems,
our own needs, our own desires.
Help us to seek you out, Lord. Help us to long for your presence.
Pour your baptismal waters over us again, cleansing us from self-pity and arrogance.
Nourish and heal us so we may joyfully serve you.
Wash away our jealousy and greed.
Cleanse from our mind’s negative thoughts and behaviors.
Help us be who you have called us to be
Let us receive the blessings offered in creation, in the birth and baptism of Jesus,
and in the ministry of the saints of light
We ask your healing and help as we pray to you for renewal.
(Silent prayer/reflection)
WORDS OF GRACE & COMFORT
The love of God is always offered to us, freely joyfully and forever
We can celebrate and rejoice, for this is the Good News of our Lord. Amen.
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
NEW TESTAMENT - MARK 1:4-11 – Jesus is baptized by John.
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES – 19:1-7 – Paul baptizes with the Spirit.
In this is God’s hope for the world. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
A RENEWAL OF BAPTISM
*HYMN “Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters” VU #442
Words: Ruth Duck 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 “Behold, I Make All Things New” MV #115
Words and music: John L. Bell
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
Jan 15
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Handbells
Jan 16
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Meri-dian Ukuleles
Jan 17
9:00 am - Darby UCW Mtg
10:30 am - 12:30 pm - Senior Luncheon
Jan 18
9:00 am - Worship Meeting
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Outreach Cupboard
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Choir Christmas Party
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Affirming Office Hours
Jan 21
10:00 am - Worship
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
Have you heard God calling? Do not let God’s words fall to the ground – with a generous heart, seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly.
HOMEWORK CLUB│JAN 16TH │3:30 PM – 5:00 PM │GUC
Homework Club is starting on January 16th . Homework Club is for students grade 7-10. Students from all schools are welcome and they are provided with a warm meal.
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.
WORSHIP IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS
January 14 – Baptism of the Lord Sunday – A Renewal of Baptism
Mark 1:4-11 – Jesus is baptized by John.
Acts 19:1-7 – Paul baptizes with the Spirit.
January 21 – 3rd Sunday after Epiphany – Star Words 2024
Dedication of New Epiphany Banners created by Edith Cunningham
Psalm 62:5-12 – Be still, my soul, and wait for God.
Mark 1:14-20 – Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John.
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.
STAR WORDS 2024 ½ JANUARY 21st IN WORSHIP
The season after Christmas and before Lent can often seem like a “down” time in the church year—as if we’re simply marking time while waiting for another grand celebration. Whether it is because people are suffering from holiday fatigue or influenced by gloomy, cold, winter weather, the season of Epiphany can go by unnoticed.
Last Sunday, Grace celebrated Epiphany with wonderful music provided by the Grace Trio and a few extra voices to round out the sound. Next Sunday, in this continued celebration of the season of Epiphany, we will remember our “Star Words,” from 2023.
WOULD ANY OF YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR 2023 STAR WORD WITH THE CONGREGATION? YOU COULD WRITE IT OUT, OR YOU COULD SHARE IT YOURSELF IN WORSHIP ON THE 21ST!
You will also have an opportunity during worship to receive a new STAR word for 2024. If you were not a part of the star word gift last year, you are in for some fun and deep exploration in the coming year. Every person will be invited to reach into the offering plate to receive a star gift. You will then be encouraged to reflect on the “star word gift” through the coming year. What significance might the word have in your lives? How might God be speaking to you through this simple word message?
I believe people are yearning for tangible, clear signs of God’s presence. Grace United, like many other United Church congregations is filled with compassionate people who spend hours baking, cooking meals for shut-ins, writing cards to the unwell, donating food and funds for the Outreach pantry, providing transportation to the homebound, calling on people in hospitals and nursing homes, praying for those in need, helping at homework club, participating in music programs, all the while giving what they can, in time, talent and treasure to balance the budget. Grace is good at being busy and “doing” for God to ensure ministry continues. Perhaps we are bit short on taking time to reflect on who we are and what God might have to share with us?? This third Sunday after the Epiphany, January 21st we will celebrate a change in routine, with people being offered the opportunity to “be still” in the presence of God and to receive God’s gift. This is not because we have done anything to merit such attention, but simply because of God’s abundant generosity.
Everyone who receives a star gift is encouraged to hang it up where they are sure to see it every day. It may be on your bathroom mirror, next to your computer screen, refrigerator or posted by the back door where it will be seen as you depart and enter home, reminding us of God’s presence in daily living. A word that seemed unclear at the beginning of the year may gain new meaning as the year goes on. Perhaps that is the delight of star word gifts—they truly are a gift that keeps on giving, even long after the Epiphany season is over.
Like any other gift, star word gifts can either be received with joy or discarded and forgotten. Will the paper stars be stuffed into a pocket or jammed into the bottom of a purse, never to be considered again? Or will that star-word gift be considered an opportunity—a chance to reflect on how God speaks to God’s people? What might we learn from one word? What new ideas might evolve, what treasured wisdom might surface, or resurface? Epiphany is the celebration of God’s presence breaking through 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.
THANK YOU!
Pastoral Care thanks all those who supported our Poinsettia Project – those who donated and those who delivered.
We delivered 44 poinsettias to bereaved and unwell members of our congregation.
Because of your generosity we were able to purchase an additional 15 plants to decorate our sanctuary for the Christmas services.
We still have a small excess which we plan to use to treat our shut-ins when we visit this year.
Pastoral Care appreciates your support!
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.
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.
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
Treasurer - Lynda Campbell 306-821-2575 guctreasurer@graceunitedchurch.ca