Westworth United Church
1750 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
on Treaty One Territory in the heart of the Métis Nation
1st Sunday of Lent
March 1, 2020
We Gather to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Treaty Acknowledgement
Treaties created relationships between Treaty partners and the agreements that they made were intended to be mutually beneficial. In Treaties, First Nations agreed to share land, which enabled the creation and settlement of Canada. The Treaties are living documents that include all of us and so we, who live, work and worship on Treaty 1 land and receive water from Shoal Lake on Treaty 3 land, are all Treaty People.
Candle-Lighting & Prelude: “Forty Days and Forty Nights”
Charles Callahan
Introit: “Lord, Have Mercy” Pepper Choplin
Lenten Litany
…For our diversity of identity,
We give God thanks.
Hymn VU 113 “To the Desert Jesus Came” TOGETHER THROUGH THE VALLEY
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 and return for Holy Communion.)
Prayer of Confession
We are tempted to remain silent,
when our few courageous words might offer healing.
We are tempted to remain still,
when our small actions might make a difference.
We are tempted to turn our backs,
when we might work to greater understanding.
Forgive us and strengthen our resolve
not to be led into temptation.
Meditative Silence
Words of Assurance
We Hear the Word
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 4:1-11
This is the Gospel of Christ
Thanks be to God.
Sung Response: VU 830 “O Give Thanks to God” John L. Bell
Responsive Reading VU 759: Psalm 32
Anthem: “The Yearning” Craig Courtney
Dialogue: “Accepting Who We Are”
We Respond
Hymn MV 65 “When We Are Tested” SLANE
Offering
Offertory: “Gift of Finest Wheat” arr. John Carter
Dedication Hymn: VU 540 “Grant Us God, the Grace” STUTTGART
Offertory Prayer
The Sacrament of Holy Communion: Lent
(see insert, please leave for future use)
Hymn VU 478 “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” FINEST WHEAT
Benediction
Sung Response: MV 214 “May God’s Sheltering Wings”
Judith Snowdon
Postlude: “Lamb of God, Pure and Holy” Johann Pachelbel
Thanks to Dr. Joyce Clouston for sharing her story today.
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
Welcomers: Shirley Ann S. and Florence B.
Host: Barbara and Frank W.
Usher: Maureen L.
Scripture Reader: Gord M.
Communion Servers: Arlene H., Frank and Barbara W., Ed and
Noella W., Paul and Carol G., George and Bettina N.
announcements
Daylight Saving starts Mar. 8, please set your clocks ahead one hour.
SUNDAY SCHOOL The children will be learning about Jesus Calls the Fishermen (Matthew 4:18-22).
ARCHIVES – 70th Anniversary December 10th 2020 will mark the 70th anniversary of Westworth UC To honour this milestone, throughout this year the Archive Team will feature displays in the Memorial Cabinet showing pictures and artifacts from each decade starting with the 50’s. Please take the time to look at the displays and see the history of Westworth unfold.
LENTEN CHALLENGE SMALL GROUPS: This week, we will be having three separate groups meeting weekly during March to share reflections on the daily readings of the Gospel of Matthew. If you would like to join one of the groups, please come.
Mondays 1:30-3:30 pm Facilitators: Kathy W. and Arlene H.
Tuesdays 7:00-9:00 pm Facilitators: Dianne S., Dorcas W. & Eunice P.
Thursdays 1:30-3:30 pm Facilitators: Heather R. & Barb M.
If you are not part of a small group but are using the Workbook for your daily reflections and have any questions, please feel free to contact Rev. Earl Gould at (204) 888-1543 or ejgould45@shaw.ca
2019 PLEDGES AND DONATIONS for January received from identifiable givers
| 2020 Pledged | Received | |
| M&S | $ 44,441 | $ 5,392 |
| Westworth Operations | $ 268,821 | $ 35,014 |
| Total | $ 313,262 | $ 40,405 |
Total of all donations for Jan., including open plate, for the past 3 years.
2017 $ 26,088 2018 $ 25,233 2019 $ 40,405
Please refer to the bulletin board in the Narthex for monthly updates.
THANK YOU RUMMAGE DONORS. Your many donations for this year’s sale April 24th and 25th show good promise for an excellent sale. The convenors would be grateful if you could pack your boxes snugly and make sure breakables are wrapped and left in boxes (not bags). This helps us make good use of the storage area and reduces breakage and risk of injury. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE LARGE QUANTITIES OF UNPACKED ITEMS. BOXES AND NEWSPAPER ARE IN THE ROOM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WEST STAIRS FOR YOUR USE IN PACKING. We accept all items that are in saleable condition. If you have larger items that need to be moved before the week of the sale, we do have limited space for some of these. (Please contact Andrea F. or Dorothy R. for these items,)
upcoming events
FACILITATOR TRAINING Sunday 15 March 2-4 pm for small groups for Westworth’s 2020 Interfaith Dialogue Series on Honouring Treaties Faithfully. The training will include teachings from Elder Stan McKay on offering a talking circle. It will also discuss how to respond to difficult questions. This is excellent training for anyone interested in sharpening their facilitation skills. We will be needing facilitators for each our Interfaith Dialogue sessions on Sunday evenings, April 19, 26, May 3 and 10. See poster for more details on speakers, themes and times.
PRIMER ON WILLS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY Tuesday May 5, 2020, Westworth Parlour 7:00pm Retired lawyer Eleanor Wiebe will be conducting this workshop at Westworth. There is no charge. We are asking that you sign up in the Narthex so we have enough materials and seating. Please provide your phone number or e-mail if it is necessary to contact you. Please feel free to bring a friend.
Topics covered related to wills include:
- Providing for your spouse/common law partner or other dependants
- Tax implications of death
- Joint property and beneficiary designations
- Charitable giving through your estate
Topics related to enduring powers of attorney include:
- Mechanics of the document
- Implementation
- Uses and scope of powers of the attorney
outreach
- PETITION FOR HEALTH CARE Your Outreach Team has been made aware of the serious situation facing the people of the four communities of the Island Lake region of Manitoba (Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Wassagamack and Red Sucker Lake). Today, with a combined population of over 14,000, they are communities with many serious health problems, very inadequate health services and few health care professionals to meet their needs. The people of the region recently organized an event where church leaders met with them to pray and to stand in solidarity for improved health services. We are ask you to support a petition to ask that the Government of Canada act quickly to meet the needs of this remote area. The petition will be available for you to sign immediately following the service. Thank you for your help!
- WEST BROADWAY LUNCH-Feb. 20 This month’s lunch was hosted by Brian and Barb Gwyer, and food and volunteer prep and serving were offered by the members of the River Heights Junior High’s Butterfly Effects Club. Westworth’s Petra Thanisch is the club’s staff advisor. Allan M. and staff from West Broadway provided mini-workshops that introduced the students to the life and work of West Broadway. The Outreach Team is grateful for this valuable partnership with the young people at RHJH!
- WEST BROADWAY COMMUNITY MINISTRY (WBCM 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
- SAVE THE DATE May 2nd is Oak Table’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. There will be a bidding auction, a photo booth for you to record the event with friends and family, ragtime 40’s entertainment, along with an opportunity to win a grand prize. Tickets available April 1st, but you can reserve your spot at admincoord@oaktable.ca. Thank you for helping to make 2019 another successful year for Oak Table.
- Young UC Spring Fundraiser—We once again return to the golden age of radio when Interesting Theatre presents the world première of… And Then Are Heard No More: An Elleston Liddell Radio Mystery by Tim Higgins. Performances at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7. Tickets are only $20 and will include tea, coffee, and delicious home-made pie. Available at the church office, 204-783-0128, or Westworth office and Pat S.
- RCC of Organists hold Lenten Organ Communion Services Wednesdays during Lent at 12:15-12:45pm St. Andrew’s Ang. Church Woodhaven 2700 Portage Ave. 4 – Lottie Enns-Braun –Organist
- Quiz Nite 2020! Charleswood UC, Saturday, Mar. 14th, Bring your own snacks. Wine is available for purchase; soft drinks/coffee provided at no charge. Doors open 6:00 p.m., the quizmaster starts promptly at 7:00 p.m. 4820 Roblin Blvd. Tickets, $15/person, $120/team of 8, are available from the CUC church office, 204-832-3667, until March 9th.
- NOTE NEW DATE – GREAT CANADIAN HYMN SING MARCH 29 Due to a serious medical emergency, we have rescheduled the Gala concert and Hymn Sing to March 29@3 pm at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church.
Minute for Mission
Supporting Ministers Financially
The Financial Assistance Committee of The United Church of Canada oversees nine funds to support ministry personnel and lay members during times of extraordinary financial hardship, personal or vocational assessment, post-secondary education, and sabbatical leave. Three funds are supported by Mission & Service.
The Support and Advocacy Fund provides financial assistance for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and Two-Spirit ministry personnel who are experiencing difficulties in maintaining employment in the church because of their known or perceived sexual orientation or identity.
The Personnel Emergency Fund provides financial support to a pastoral charge to fulfill their obligation of salary continuance to ministry personnel and congregational designated ministers who are on administrative leave or suspension, as part of a disciplinary process.
The Fund for Survivors of Sexual Misconduct assists with the costs of counselling for two distinct groups. First, ministry personnel who are survivors of sexual abuse are supported to stay in active ministry while participating in therapy. Second, individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct in a United Church context are provided with financial contributions toward the cost of counselling to enhance their healing.
One recent recipient says, “It has been a long journey. I am deeply grateful to The United Church of Canada for caring about victims of sexual abuse. I hope for my own healing and for the healing of others.”
Your gifts to Mission & Service help support ministry personnel, lay individuals, and pastoral charges with important financial assistance during difficult circumstances.
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.
