Westworth United Church
1750 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
on Treaty One Territory in the heart of the Métis Nation
2nd Sunday of Lent
10:45 am March 8, 2020
We Gather to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Treaty Acknowledgement
Candle-Lighting & Prelude:
“Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley” Dale Wood
Introit: “Lord, Have Mercy” Pepper Choplin
Lenten Litany
… For those with whom we minister,
We give God thanks.
Hymn VU 374 “Come and Find the Quiet Centre” BEACH SPRING
Children’s Story
Hymn MV 95 “How Deep the Peace” Bauman/Good
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 grace,
We try so hard to be the best for our family and friends,
our church and community.
We juggle so many balls of responsibility
that they begin to fall.
Help us find some quiet space where we can simply be.
Show us how to access our spiritual centre
where we can sense the Spirit.
Birth us anew, renew and replenish,
that the Spirit may move through us
and bring healing to us and to the world.
Meditative Silence
Words of Assurance
We Hear the Word
Gospel Lesson: John 3:1-17
This is the Gospel of Christ
Thanks be to God.
Sung Response: VU 830 “O Give Thanks to God” John L. Bell
Anthem: “Non Nobis, Domine” Reuben A. Burrows
Non nobis, Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.
Not unto us, Lord, but to your name be the glory.
Sermon: “Finding the Still Point”
We Respond
Hymn VU 842 “Psalm 121: Unto the Hills” SANDON
Offering
Offertory: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Penny Rodriguez
Dedication Hymn: VU 540 “Grant Us God, the Grace” STUTTGART
Offertory Prayer
Prayers of the People
Prayer Introit: 950 “Stay With Me” Jacques Berthier, Taizé
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
The Lord’s Prayer VU 959 (sung)
Hymn VU 382 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” TRENTHAM
Benediction
Response MV 214 “May God’s Sheltering Wings” Judith Snowdon
Postlude: “Christ, the Life of All the Living” Friedrich W. Zachow
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: Madeline P. and Sharon S.
Host: Heather R.
Ushers: Kathy & Alan W.
Scripture Reader: Heather R.
announcements
SUNDAY SCHOOL The children will be learning about Beatitudes
(Matthew 5:1-12)
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: Three separate groups are meeting weekly during March to share reflections on the daily readings of the Gospel of Matthew from the Lenten Challenge Workbook.
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
upcoming events
JOIN US FOR BRIDGE Mar. 12 at 1:00pm (every 2nd Thursday of the month)here at Westworth. All levels welcome!
THE WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY GROUP will meet Saturday, March 14th at 9:00am, in the Parlour. All women are invited to join us for a light breakfast followed by our discussion on “Lent…What’s the Point?” For more information call Kathy W. (204 489-6617) or email wilsonka@mymts.net
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.
WESTWORTH 2020 INTERFAITH DIALOGUE – Honouring Treaties Faithfully 4 Sundays, 6:30-9:000pm:
April 19 at the Grand Mosque with Treaty Commissioner Loretta Ross and Archbishop LeGatt
April 26 at Westworth with Keeper of the Learning Circle Susie McPherson Derendy and Rabbanit Dorit Kosmin
May 3 at Mannitoba Buddhist Temple with Elder Stan Fontaine and Gen Kelsan of Kadampa Meditation Centre
May 10 at Etz Chayim Synagogue with Elder Norman Meade and Humaira Jaleel, Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute
See poster for more info.
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
ITEMS OF INTEREST from the February 25, 2020 meeting of Council:
Bettina N. and George N. were approved as Westworth representatives to the Prairie to Pine Regional Council.
Norm S. and Keith L. were named as representatives to an Exploration Committee with St. Andrews River Heights to continue developing our partnership.
Council also considered a motion recommended by the Outreach Team that Westworth discontinue the purchase and use of bottled water at Westworth. The rationale for the motion is that:
- Plastic containers are significant pollutants and a major stress on the health of our lakes, rivers and oceans – and ultimately us.
- Winnipeg’s water is safe for drinking.
- Anyone who feels they need to have further processed water to drink should be asked to bring their own, in a re-usable container.
As this motion has the potential to impact other Ministry Teams and groups and the congregation in general, Council decided to table this motion until its next meeting and to use that time to gather input. If you have questions or comments on the proposal, you are invited to forward them to Paul C. by email at pchard@mymts.net.
outreach
- WEST BROADWAY COMMUNITY MINISTRY LUNCH MARCH 19: Nancy D W. and Marion and Denis S. 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 donating to this vital ministry. You will find the sign-up sheet on the Board in the Narthex. Should you wish to donate money with which to purchase food and supplies, please write a cheque with the memo “WB Lunches” and submit to Heather in the office. Thank you!
- 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
- Stone Soup, Mar. 11, 11-1:15pm Warm up with a bowl of soup created by some of MB’s top chefs. All proceeds support school meal programs in MB. MB Hydro Lobby, 360 Portage Ave.
- 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. 11 – Marlon Goolcharon –Organist
- 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.
- Christina Thanisch-Smith’s Graduation Recital Sat. April 11 2:00-3:15pm Eva Clare Hall, 65 Dafoe Rd., U of M. Please come to support one of our Choral Scholars.
- Alleluia Singers 10th Anniversary Concert. “Faith to Carry On” on Sunday, Mar. 22 at 2pm Crescent Ft. Rouge UC 525 Wardlaw Ave. Tickets $15, children 12 and under are free. Also available at the door.
- On Sunday March 22, 2020 Neil Craton M.D. author of WISDOM FROM THE HOMELESS will be the guest speaker at Trinity UC 933 Summerside Worship service starts at 10:45.am. featuring Second Chance Band.
- SPRING INTO SELF-CARE March 28th, 10am – 4pm Grey Street UC, 651 Sandhurst Ave. Inyengar Yoga, Zumba Fitness, Health Speaker, Neck and shoulder massages, Mini Manicures, Tickets $49.99 (lunch is included). Contact greyunited@gmail.com or phone (204) 667-9413.
A Tiny Baby
The chaplains of Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto have to respond to many situations. Here is one story from a United Church chaplaincy student about her time in the pediatrics ward:
I remember the first time I saw her. I had to put on a gown, mask, and gloves to go into her room. This tiny baby, hooked up to so many tubes, smiled up at me. She had so much trust in her eyes for a baby who had been abandoned by her parents. She’d had two heart surgeries and was now recovering. Each day she grew stronger, and soon most of the tubes had been removed and we no longer needed to mask and gown. What she needed most was human contact, so I would spend time each day holding her, talking to her, and watching her smile and coo. When she was three months old, her parents came back to reunite with her. They had many meetings with social workers, and I was included in those conversations. Her parents had been refugees who came to this country with their seven children; when the baby was born with Down’s syndrome and many health problems, they panicked and left her at the hospital to be cared for. When the day came for this tiny, beautiful baby to leave with her parents, staff said goodbye to her, and many of them were in tears. After she left the hospital, we sat around and shared stories and grieved together. It was a very profound moment in my ministry.
Mission & Service supports chaplaincy in hospitals, universities, and prisons.
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.
