Westworth United Church
1750 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
on Treaty One Territory in the heart of the Métis Nation
Baptism of Jesus Sunday
Jan. 12, 2020
We Gather to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Candle-Lighting & Prelude: “Waterlife” David Christiansen
Introit “You Are the Light” Tom Fettke
Call to Worship
We welcome the new year with its growing light.
We welcome whatever may lie before us.
We empty ourselves of all that distracts from love.
We fill ourselves with all that gives life.
May God’s grace guide us into the new decade.
May God’s strength keep us on a good path.
May God inspire and renew us in this service.
May God receive our worship.
Hymn VU 82 “A Light is Gleaming” LIVING LIGHT
Children’s Story
Hymn MV 220 “Hope Shines as the Solitary Star” MacLean/Tissandier
The Peace of Christ
One: May the peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
(Please extend to others a blessing of peace with words such as, “Peace be with you,” or “Peace,” with the response, “And also with you.” Following the Passing of the Peace, the children may go to Sunday School.)
We Hear the Word
Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9
This is testimony to the Word of God
Thanks be to God.
Responsive Reading VU 756 “Psalm 29”
Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Sung Response: VU 895 “Gloria”
Anthem
A Minute for the Environment Amanda Davis
Sermon “Water of Life”
We Respond
Renewal of Baptismal Vows
Do you believe in God, who has created and is creating,
Who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
To reconcile and make new,
And who works in us and others by the Spirit?
I do, by the grace of God.
Desiring the freedom of new life in Christ,
Do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and justice?
I will, God being my helper.
Will you proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
In your words and actions?
I will, God being my helper.
Will you join with your brothers and sisters
in this community of faith
To celebrate God’s presence,
Live with respect in Creation,
And love and serve others?
I will, God being my helper.
Asperges
Hymn VU 452 “You Have Put on Christ” Howard Hughes
Offering
Offertory: “How Brightly Beams the Morning Star” John Carter
Dedication Hymn VU 81, vs 3 “As With Gladness”
Offertory Prayer
Prayers of the People
Prayer Introit: 865 “Hear Our Prayer” George Whelpton
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
The Lord’s Prayer VU 921
Hymn VU 701 “Shall We Gather at the River” HANSON PLACE
Benediction
Sung Response: VU 87, refrain “I am the Light of the World”
Postlude: “Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies” Charles Callahan
Minister: Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd
westworthminister@gmail.com 204 489-6974 Ext. 22
Director of Music: Debbie McLeod Cherub Choir Director: Jewel Casselman
Organist: Dorcas Windsor Westworth Winds Director: Ray McClelland
Minister Emerita: Eleanor Geib
Coordinator of Children, Youth & Family Ministries: Maggie Barnett
204 489-6974 Ext. 23 churchschool@westworth.ca
Office Administrator: Heather Lavery office@westworth.ca
Church Phone # 204 489-6974 Ext. 20 www.westworth.ca
Church Accountant: Jenny Jeffers churchaccountant@westworth.ca
Hosts: Anne and Keith L.
Usher: Janet S.
Scripture Reader: Paul C.
announcements
SUNDAY SCHOOL The children will be learning about Swords and Plows (Isaiah 2:1-5)
ZEEBU UPDATE: Thanks to the work of many Westworth congregants, ZEEBU, at Westworth over the Louis Riel Long Weekend, is a go. We have “kitchen organizer” teams in place for all meals, and a team of people from a neighbouring congregation has already committed to preparing the Sunday supper meal. We will continue to keep you posted. -Your Zeebu Planning Team
condolences
We offer condolences to Bev R. and family on the death Don R. on Dec. 27. His funeral service was held at Westworth on Monday, January 6.
Our sympathy to Ruth & Dan W. and Dianne & Dave S. and families on the death of Ruth & Dianne’s mother on Dec. 28. Her funeral service will be in Brandon on Jan. 11 at noon at 1st Presbyterian Church.
Condolences to Tom and John E. and family on the death of Tom’s wife, Edna, on Dec. 25. Date of funeral service yet to be determined.
Our sympathy to Orest F. and family on the passing of his wife, Marion.
upcoming events
Please keep in mind the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING has been set for
Feb. 23, 2020. Deadline for Annual Reports is Jan. 19.
RETIREMENT TEA FOR REV. JANET WALKER: Sunday, Jan. 12 at 12:30 pm at Churchill Park United Church. Please rsvp smilembarsy@gmail.com by Wednesday, January 8, 2020. You are also invited to the worship service, beginning at 10:30 am, which will celebrate Janet’s ministry.
UNIT 77 will meet on Wednesday, January 15 at 1:30 p.m. in the church parlour to discuss the book The Promise of Canada by Charlotte Gray. Newcomers are welcome to attend.
MEN’S SPIRITUALITY Men of all ages at Westworth, please join us for a lite breakfast and discussion about Active Listening, Saturday January 18, in the upper classroom. Breakfast at 9:00am and topic at 9:30. Questions or comments, contact Dan Wiwchar at 204-889-2892 or Allan McKay at 204-269-5292
CITY-WIDE WORSHIP SERVICE Sunday, Jan. 19 7:30pm Epiphany Lutheran Church 200 Dalhousie Dr. Also Invitation to participate in Ecumenical Choir, Rehearsals held at Epiphany Lutheran from 4:00-6:00pm on Sunday, Jan. 5 & 12. Contact Michele Barr at 204 453-5016 or mbarr41@shaw.ca for info.
“A LEARNING AND SHARING OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA AND PARTNERS IN CARE.” A five session opportunity to investigate the research in dementia and share personal stories with others. The goal of the sessions is to open up opportunities of strength and self preservation for the care giver. This sessions will allow participants to explore the possibilities and understand the need for an individual diagnosed with dementia to be part of decision making in their care. This program will give the care giver, family and the person diagnosed with this debilitating disease, the tools to maintain personhood and a loving relationship with family thru this very difficult journey. . It would be most beneficial to you and to the group if you could attend all five sessions. Please join us Thursday afternoon 1:30pm -3:30 pm January 23-Feb 20.
Save the Date… CONGREGATIONAL LUNCHEON Jan. 26 after worship with piano and cello.
FAITH EXPLORATION GROUP Monday evenings in January and February Loraine will be leading a group on the basics of the Christian Faith and the United Church. For any adults who are interested in becoming members, being baptized or confirmed. Beginning Jan. 27 7:30pm-9:00pm. Please contact Loraine if interested. westworthminister@gmail.com
Faith Café date has changed to Thursday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 am. We will be discussing why God allows suffering.
2020 Lenten Challenge
Westworth is trying something new this year. We are giving up meetings for Lent in order to make a bit more space for us to indulge in spiritual reflection. We hope that everyone will consider spending 15 minutes/day reflecting on a biblical passage as it relates to our personal lives. We will be providing workbooks that will take us through the Gospel of Matthew. Each day will offer a biblical passage, some background to it, a question for us to reflect upon, and a prayer.
We are also offering small groups for people to join and meet once a week for 5 weeks during the month of March. These small groups will help people get to know each other as they share reflections
with one another. Thirteen people have been trained as facilitators so that we can offer a variety of times and days for different small groups to meet. We hope that everyone can find a time that works for them. Please sign up in the narthex.
We plan to have one small group at the Wellington and another at the Parkway. Three people from St. Andrew’s River Heights also came to our facilitator training as they also plan to participate in this Lenten Challenge.
The workbooks have been developed by our Moderator, Rev. Richard Bott, and Rev. Dave Anderson, minister of one of the thriving United Churches Loraine visited on her sabbatical. They have generously given us free use of their material. If people can contribute to the actual cost of printing and binding ($10), that would be appreciated, but not necessary. Workbooks will be available for pick-up after church beginning January 19.
We hope that as many congregants as possible will take up the Lenten Challenge!
outreach
- West Broadway Community Ministry Lunch January 16: Dan and Ruth W. will host this month’s hot lunch at West Broadway. Westworth’s monthly “meatball sub” lunch, consisting of a tasty sub, fresh fruit and homemade cookies is very popular with our guests at WBCM. Please considering donation to this ministry. You will find the sign-up sheet on the Board in the Narthex.
- Your Outreach Team is grateful for the generosity shown by the Westworth community in the past few months. Your Donations to Walk a Mile (1JustCity), Gifts with Vision, 10,000 Villages, West Broadway Community Ministry, Rossbrook House, Canada Foodgrains Bank, and Disaster Relief around the globe are making a positive difference in the lives of thousands. Thank you for your continued support through your monetary gifts, your time and your talent!
3. West Broadway Community Ministry (WBCM) Pantry: Thanks to so many of you who, each Sunday, fill the buckets to overflowing with nutritious foods destined for West Broadway. Most needed is protein: tins of meat, chili, stews, fish, beans, and small jars of peanut butter. Also needed are feminine hygiene products and bath towels. Travelling soon? Please remember WBCM by collecting those small containers of soap, shampoo, and conditioner. They are used when guests take a shower at the facility.
