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 place your cell phone on silent.
· Large print “More Voices” available. Please inquire with an usher.
March 3, 2024 – Lent 3
Order of Worship – Grace United Church
Worship led by the Grace Choir, Rev. Cathy Kinsman ,Lois Sonnega and Jonathan Rollheiser
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING
*INTROIT “There is a Time” Grace Choir
Words & Music: Carolyn McDade Arr: Lydia Pedersen, 2006
WELCOME
*HYMN “Lord, Prepare Me” MV #18
Words & Music: John.W. Thompson & Randy Scruggs, 1982
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
*CANDLE LIGHTING “In the Quiet Stillness of Home” Words and Music: Gladys Jack
CENTERING PRAYER
*HYMN ”What Does the Lord Require of You” VU #701
Words: & Music: Jim Strathdee 1986
CHILDREN’S TIME
PRAYER OF HEALING
Healer of our hearts, no one likes to admit that they have done wrong.
One of the most beautiful parts of worship is that each week we come together and acknowledge our mistakes.
As we confess, we seek to be forgiven by You, God, by each other, and by ourselves.
And so, in honesty and humility, we pray together.
Holy One, you instructed us in how to live and we have chosen our own paths.
Direct us back to your way. Forgive us, we pray.
Help us to heal and forgive each other,
as we seek to live as those who are created in your image. Amen.
(Silent prayer/reflection)
WORDS OF GRACE AND COMFORT
Friends in Christ, there is no better news than this.
God has heard us. God has forgiven us. God loves us.
May our thoughts and actions reflect that forgiveness and love.
Thanks be to God.
THE SCRIPTURES SPEAK TO US
HEBREW SCRIPTURES – HEBREW SCRIPTURES – Exodus 20:1-17 - The Ten Commandments
In this is God’s Holy Word. Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
*HYMN “Be Thou My Vision” VU #642 ( Vs. 1,2,4,5)”
Words: Irish ca. 8th century; trans. Mary E. Byrne 1905 Music: Irish trad. melody
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
SUNG RESPONSE “When Hands Reach Out” MV #136 (Vs.5 only)
Words: Carolyn W. Gillette, 2001 Music: Blair Odney, 2006;
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
*HYMN “How Great Thou Art” VU #238
Words: Carl G. Boberg ca. 1885; English Trans. Stuart K. Hine ca.1939 Music: Swedish melody, S.K Hine 1949
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
CHORAL BENEDICTION “May the Peace of God Be Your Peace” MV #222
Words and Music: Neil McLaren, 2001, alt.
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252
STEWARDSHIP SECONDS
The message of good stewardship – of using, not hoarding, of wild generosity – is foolishness to many but hope and faith to those following Jesus.
COOKING WITH GRAMMA HAZEL, GRANDMA BARB &TAMI
We are back to cooking in the kitchen. Gramma Hazel, Gramma Barb and Tami Kappel will be live on Facebook, March 5th at 10:00 am! This week the recipes will be Crackerjack Cookies & No Bake Energy Balls. These are the ingredients you will need to cook along with them:
Crackerjack Cookies:
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 ½ cups oatmeal
1 cup sweetened medium coconut
1 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 ¾ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsps. vanilla
2 cups Rice Krispies
¼ cup white sugar for dipping
No Bake Energy Balls
1 ¼ cups rolled oats
2 Tablespoons chia seeds
½ cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ tsp salt
½ cup chocolate chips
WORSHIP IN THE COMING WEEKS
March 3 – Lent 3 – Exodus 20:1-17 – The Ten Commandments John 2:13-22 – Jesus clears the temple.
March 10 – Lent 4 – Numbers 21:4-9 – A bronze serpent heals the people.
P.I.E. Sunday John 3-14-21 – For God so loved the world.
March 17 – Lent 5 – Jeremiah 31:31-34 – I will write my laws on their hearts.
John 12:20-33 – Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth.
Annual General Meeting after worship; Rev. George’s first Sunday with Grace.
PEACE IN AND FOR UKRAINE: AN ECUMENICAL LETTER
February 24th marks two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Nearly 30,000 lives have been lost and millions displaced. As this sombre anniversary approaches, Canadian Christian leaders have joined voices, urging support for refugees and for peace. Their message? Pray, advocate for diplomacy, aid refugees, remember the invasion's impact, and hope for reconciliation.
Donate to Mission and Service and stand with Ukraine and those suffering through this ongoing crisis. Read the full news story and ecumenical letter.
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
Board Chair Darrel Howell 780-870-1671 dhhowell@telus.net
Minister Rev. Cathy Kinsman 1-204-294-2142 gucminister@graceunitedchurch.ca