Westworth United Church
1750 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
on Treaty One Territory in the heart of the Métis Nation
2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Jan. 19, 2020
We Gather to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Candle-Lighting & Prelude: “Where Charity and Love Prevail”
David Lasky
Introit “You Are the Light” Tom Fettke
Bettina Nyman, flute
Opening Prayer VU 525 “You Embrace All Peoples”
Hymn MV 1 “Let Us Build a House” TWO OAKS
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.)
Prayer of Confession
God of compassion,
We are shy to talk about our faith.
We hesitate to speak about our church’s ministry.
We fear pushing our beliefs on others and in the process neglect to share good news stories of hope.
Give us the wisdom to know who might appreciate these stories.
Give us the courage to share vulnerably from our hearts.
May others see Christ in all that we do and say.
Silent Meditation
Words of Assurance
We Hear the Word
Responsive Reading VU 764 “Psalm 40”
This is testimony to the Word of God
Thanks be to God.
Sung Response: VU 895 “Gloria”
Anthem “Be My Church” David Lantz III
Sermon “Tell the Good News!”
We Respond
Hymn VU 289 “It Only Takes a Spark” PASS IT ON
Offering
Offertory: “Pass it On” arr. Mark Hayes
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 959 (sung)
Hymn MV 209 “Go Make a Diff’rence” Angrisano/Tomaszek
Benediction
Sung Response: VU 87, refrain “I am the Light of the World”
Postlude: Trumpet Tune in B Flat Major Roy Brunner
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: Linda P. and Cathy M.
Usher: Alma A.
Scripture Reader: Bettina N.
announcements
SUNDAY SCHOOL The children will be learning about Mary’s Story (Luke 1:26-38,46-47)
Jean Stephenson’s family expresses heartfelt thanks for all who offered support to us these past weeks through phone calls, emails, cards of sympathy, and the braving of bone-chilling weather to attend our Mom’s Service of Thanksgiving in Brandon. We are most grateful! The Wiwchar, Sjoberg and Cottom families.
Loraine will be on study leave Jan. 20-26 teaching a course on Church History and Missions at Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Centre in Beausejour. For emergency pastoral care during this time, please call Rev. Heather Robbins at 204 889-7609.
SANCTUARY WINDOWS PROJECT Progress on the Sanctuary Window Project continues with $ 27,544 in donations, pledges and confirmed grants to date. A Q & A Information sheet about the project is in the Narthex.
ZEEBU UPDATE: Thanks to the work of many Westworth congregants, ZEEBU (grade 7-12 youth retreat for youth across our Prairie-to-Pine Region) 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
upcoming events
Please keep in mind the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING has been set for Feb. 23, 2020. Deadline for Annual Reports is today. WORSHIP WILL BEGIN AT 10:30 AM ON THIS DAY.
CITY-WIDE ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERVICE FOR WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY this evening at 7:30 pm at Epiphany Lutheran Church 200 Dalhousie Dr.
“A LEARNING AND SHARING OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA AND PARTNERS IN CARE.” Pat Stephenson will lead 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. These 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, but this is not necessary. Please join us Thursday afternoon 1:30pm -3:30 pm January 23-Feb 20.
COMMUNITY CARE JANUARY LUNCHEON You are invited to a relaxing luncheon after the service on January 26th. It will be a time to visit with each other with a 20 minute set of cello, & piano music as a back drop. There is the option of bringing sandwiches, a salad, dainties/cookies or cheese & bread/ crackers. If you want to help the set up crew decorate the gym ahead of time, or help clean up afterwards, that would be appreciated too. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the narthex. Hope to see you all there!
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.
TAIZÉ ADVENT PRAYER: a reflective time of chants in 4 parts with cantor and accompaniment, silent meditation and opportunity for anointing and lighting of prayer candles. Sunday, Feb. 2, 7:30-8:30 pm. If you would like to play an instrument or learn vocal parts, please let Loraine know and come to the rehearsal at 6:00 pm, just before the service.
2019 PLEDGES AND DONATIONS from January to Dec 31 received from identifiable givers
2019 Pledged Received
M&S $ 42,743 $ 46,056
Westworth Operations $266,727 $ 266,094
Total $309,470 $ 312,150
Total of all donations from Jan.-Apr. 30, including open plate, for the past 3 years.
2017 $ 298,631 2018 $ 304,213 2019 $312,150
Please refer to the bulletin board in the Narthex for monthly updates.
SAMEDI SWING Feb. 29 at 7:00pm. Join us for an evening of music and desserts with our Westworth Big Band and the Dixie Beats. Tickets available at the office and should be available in the narthex after service next week.
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. Workbooks are available after the service today.
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. Various times for small groups are listed in the narthex. Please choose one time that fits your schedule and sign up.
outreach
- West Broadway Community Ministry Lunch Jan. 16 Grateful thanks to all who donated food and volunteer time to 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 was, once again, well received by hungry guests. If you would love to be a part of this ministry, but cannot get food to the church, or are unable to volunteer, please consider donating funds to assist in funding the program. Please see Ruth Wiwchar for more information.
- 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.
COMMUNITY NEWS
3rd Annual Quebec City Mosque Shooting Commemorations Jan. 29 at 5:30pm First Unitarian Universal Church 603 Wellington St.
Minute for Mission
Easing Past Ills: Tatamagouche
It’s a beautiful spring day in Nova Scotia, and at Tatamagouche Centre people are scrambling through the underbrush looking for special plants—plants to settle a tummy ache or headache, or plants to help ease many of life’s daily ills.
Under the careful watch of Judy Bernard-Googoo, a Mi’kmaq healer, everyone is learning a few of the basics from centuries of Mi’kmaq traditional healing. Judy learned it from her mother, as did her mother before her. Now, Judy wants to share her knowledge with others. “We are all one people,” she says.
At Tatamagouche, mending the divide between Indigenous and non- Indigenous people is a high priority. By openly sharing their traditions and learning together about the plants and herbs that are the basis of traditional Mi’kmaq healing, which creates a window into Mi’kmaq culture, they will build bridges of understanding.
“Everything is done with respect. You have to respect the plant, take only what you need, and always give thanks to the Creator for providing these healing medicines,” explains Judy. “You have to be careful; there are a lot of plants that can hurt you. It’s like going to the drugstore—you have to make sure you choose the right medicine. That’s the knowledge I have that I want to share.”
Your gifts to Mission & Service help support programs at education centres that bring people in communities together to learn.
If Mission & Service giving is already a regular part of your life, thank you so much! If you have not given, please join me in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith. Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service.
