BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JEAN PIERCE January 27 2012

Sisters Ruth, Jean and Dorothy gather in Sugar Camp to celebrate Jean's birthday.

INVERNESS-GUYSBOROUGH PRESBYTERY AT ST. DAVID'S

January 24 2012 Presbytery Meeting at St. David's

HYMNS JANUARY 29th, 2012 4th after Epiphany

Introit - Sing a New Song (printed)

1. Lord, speak to me - 589

2. Jesus' hands were kind hands - 570

3. When Jesus the healer - 358

4. Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah - 651

Offering Prayer/Song - 540

Psalm 111 - 833

Confession and Assurance: A Reading from A Song of Faith

Sung Response: Refrain of “Sing a New Song”

Made in the image of God,

we yearn for the fulfillment that is life in God.

Yet we choose to turn away from God.

We surrender ourselves to sin,

a disposition revealed in selfishness, cowardice, or apathy.

Becoming bound and complacent

in a web of false desires and wrong choices,

we bring harm to ourselves and others.

This brokenness in human life and community

is an outcome of sin.

Sin is not only personal but accumulates

to become habitual and systemic forms

of injustice, violence, and hatred.

We are all touched by this brokenness:

the rise of selfish individualism that erodes human solidarity;

the concentration of wealth and power

without regard for the needs of all;

the toxins of religious and ethnic bigotry;

the degradation of the blessedness of human bodies

and human passions through sexual exploitation;

the delusion of unchecked progress and limitless growth

that threatens our home, the earth;

the covert despair that lulls many into numb complicity

with empires and systems of domination.

We sing lament and repentance.

Yet evil does not—cannot— undermine or overcome the love of God.

God forgives, and calls all of us to confess our fears and failings

with honesty and humility.

God reconciles, and calls us to repent the part we have played

in damaging our world, ourselves, and each other.

God transforms, and calls us to protect the vulnerable,

to pray for deliverance from evil,

to work with God for the healing of the world,

that all might have abundant life.

We sing of grace.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY JANUARY 29TH 2012

This is Food Bank Sunday--thank you for your donations of non-perishable food items today!

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of each month.

41^st General Council Youth Forum General Council 2012 Youth Forum will be held in Ottawa, ON August 11-18, 2012, with the theme Seeking Justice, Loving Kindness, and Walking Humbly. The Youth Forum program will gather over 90 youth from each Presbytery/District in the United Church of Canada. Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery is now seeking interested youth who will be 15 to 20 years of age as of August 11, 2012 . The deadline for application is February 1, 2012. One Youth Forum delegate and one alternate will be selected from applicants. Please let young people know of this opportunity. Application forms are available in the pastoral charge office—speak to Nan for information and forms.

Our Contemplative Corner continues--and has moved! Seasons of the Spirit continues to encourage congregations to set up and use a Contemplative Corner throughout the Season after Epiphany and Lent. So that our small space for prayer might be accessible to everyone, Nan has moved the space to the front left corner of the sanctuary at St. Mark's. The space is available for prayer at any time. You are also invited to a time of guided prayer with Nan on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. Would you like your congregation to pray for you or a member of your family? Contact the church office to let us know of your request for prayer. With your permission, your prayer request will be brought to the Prayer Circle.

A SONG OF FAITH
Throughout the Season after Epiphany and Lent we will be using the 2006 A Song of Faith each Sunday as a way of beginning worship. There is a Lenten Daily Devotion book "Singing a Song of Faith" that was developed by the United Church in 2007 available. Would you like a copy for use during Lent? Contact the church office by February 10th if you would like to order one. Cost is $10.95 plus tax and shipping.

and IAC 2012 Intermediates at Conference (IAC) and Youth Forum (YF) are each a place of community and a place of faith where United Church youth, between the ages of Gr. 7 – Gr. 9 (IAC) and Grade 10 and age 19 (YF), meet from across the Maritimes, the Gaspé, and Bermuda. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference, which is a gathering of representatives who make decisions and set policies for the United Church of Canada. Registration forms are now available in the church office—please speak to Nan for information or to register.

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Feb. 12^th – Annual Congregational Meeting following Worship Service. Lunch will be available. Everyone from the congregation is invited to attend.

Church Hall Cleaners for January: are Yvonne Fox and Julia MacKinnon

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

	COURTESY CAR If you need a ride to church during the month of February, call Angus MacRae at 625-2424 Please make your Courtesy Car request well in advance if possible. Sunday Worship requests should be made by the evening before or by 8 a.m. Sunday morning at latest.

Friday, Feb. 3^rd St. Mark’s Men’s Group Buffet Supper – 4:30-6:00 p.m. Eat in or Take out Adults $10.00/children $5.00

Feb. 5^th – 6:30 p.m.; St. Mark’s Annual Congregational Meeting and there will be a congregational vote at this meeting on the 3 General Council remits concerning doctrine.

Youth Group meeting for youth 10 and up on the first Sunday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church Hall.

Members of St. Mark’s Congregation have formed a committee to compile a cookbook and we want your “tried and true” favorite recipes. If you want to share your recipes, please type them up and forward to Ruth MacRae at angus.macrae@sympatico.ca or write them up and put on the collection plate and I will type them up. We’re looking for recipes in all categories. This cookbook will be an excellent fundraiser for our church, so pass on your recipes. Any anecdotes re the origin of your recipe(s) or any other comments are most welcome.”

St. Mark's January Congregational Board

Andy gave his report for the Trustees & Finance Committee.

St. Mark's Congregational Board met on January 17th. Marie Horton performed the secretarial duties for Ruth MacRae. Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on February 5th when new Board members will be nominated. Please consider serving on your church Congregational Board. If you have not been asked - volunteer!

ANNOUNCEMENTS, SUNDAY JANUARY 22ND, 2012

41^st General Council Youth Forum General Council 2012 Youth Forum will be held in Ottawa, ON August 11-18, 2012, with the theme Seeking Justice, Loving Kindness, and Walking Humbly. The Youth Forum program will gather over 90 youth from each Presbytery/District in the United Church of Canada. Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery is now seeking interested youth who will be 15 to 20 years of age as of August 11, 2012 . The deadline for application is February 1, 2012. One Youth Forum delegate and one alternate will be selected from applicants. Please let young people know of this opportunity. Application forms are available in the pastoral charge office—speak to Nan for information and forms.

Our Contemplative Corner continues--and has moved! Seasons of the Spirit continues to encourage congregations to set up and use a Contemplative Corner throughout the Season after Epiphany and Lent. So that our small space for prayer might be accessible to everyone, Nan has moved the space to the front left corner of the sanctuary at St. Mark's. The space is available for prayer at any time. You are also invited to a time of guided prayer with Nan on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. Would you like your congregation to pray for you or a member of your family? Contact the church office to let us know of your request for prayer. With your permission, your prayer request will be brought to the Prayer Circle.

A SONG OF FAITH
Throughout the Season after Epiphany and Lent we will be using the 2006 A Song of Faith each Sunday as a way of beginning worship. There is a Lenten Daily Devotion book "Singing a Song of Faith" that was developed by the United Church in 2007 available. Would you like a copy for use during Lent? Contact the church office by February 10th if you would like to order one. Cost is $10.95 plus tax and shipping.

YOUTH MISSION OPPORTUNITY!

Youth Grade 9 to age 19 and their leaders have 4 opportunities to serve in communities in Toronto, Ontario, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Vancouver, British Columbia and St. John's, Newfoundland. While practicing the gift of discernment, youth listen to the needs of their own community while serving in another. Participate in a community focused children's program. Reach out to youth through community programming, shelters and street cafes. Support seniors and newcomers through community clean up and home projects. Practice pastoral skills through visiting. Serve the basic needs of community members through the food bank and clothing share programs. The 11-day program, food, lodging, city travel and experiences, projects and programming are all included in the cost of $550.00. Register and pay your desposit before February 1, 2012, and pay the early bird fare of $495.00. Speak to Nan for financial support of your participation. A 20% deposit ($100.00) per participant is required upon registration for the GO Project. Check out the Go Project information on the Youth bulletin board in the St. Mark's Hall...or ask Nan...or find more information about www.thegoproject.ca

and IAC 2012 Intermediates at Conference (IAC) and Youth Forum (YF) are each a place of community and a place of faith where United Church youth, between the ages of Gr. 7 – Gr. 9 (IAC) and Grade 10 and age 19 (YF), meet from across the Maritimes, the Gaspé, and Bermuda. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference, which is a gathering of representatives who make decisions and set policies for the United Church of Canada. Registration forms are now available in the church office—please speak to Nan for information or to register.

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Friday, February 3^rd 

St. Mark’s Men’s Group Buffet Supper 

  4:30-6:00p.m.

Eat in or Take out Adults $10.00/children $5.00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feb. 5^th – 6:30 p.m.: St. Mark’s Annual Congregational Meeting and there will be a congregational vote at this meeting on the 3 General Council remits concerning doctrine.

Youth Group meeting for youth 10 and up on the first Sunday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church Hall.

Members of St. Mark’s Congregation have formed a committee to compile a cookbook and we want your “tried and true” favorite recipes. If you want to share your recipes, please type them up and forward to Ruth MacRae at angus.macrae@sympatico.ca or write them up and put on the collection plate and I will type them up. We’re looking for recipes in all categories. This cookbook will be an excellent fundraiser for our church, so pass on your recipes. Any anecdotes re the origin of your recipe(s) or any other comments are most welcome.”

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Feb. 12^th – Annual Congregational Meeting following Worship Service. Lunch will be available. Everyone from the congregation is invited to attend.

ST. DAVID'S "DE-DECORATING" JANUARY 8TH

FIRST BOARD MEETING OF 2012 St. David's

January 15 2012 meeting of St. David's Board - reports for the Annual Report book!

HYMNS JANUARY 22nd, 2012 3rd after Epiphany

INTROIT - RESPONSIVE READING OF "A SONG OF FAITH"
Sung Response: Sing a New Song (printed)

A Song of Faith (part)

God is creative and self-giving,

generously moving

in all the near and distant corners of the universe.

Nothing exists that does not find its source in God.

Our first response to God’s providence is gratitude.

We sing thanksgiving.

Finding ourselves in a world of beauty and mystery,

of living things, diverse and interdependent,

of complex patterns of growth and evolution,

of subatomic particles and cosmic swirls,

we sing of God the Creator,

the Maker and Source of all that is.

Each part of creation reveals unique aspects of God the Creator,

who is both in creation and beyond it.

All parts of creation, animate and inanimate, are related.

All creation is good.

We sing of the Creator,

who made humans to live and move

and have their being in God.

In and with God,

we can direct our lives toward right relationship

with each other and with God.

We can discover our place as one strand in the web of life.

We can grow in wisdom and compassion.

We can recognize all people as kin.

We can accept our mortality and finitude, not as a curse,

but as a challenge to make our lives and choices matter.

1. JESUS CHRIST IS WAITING - 117

2. DEAR LORD LEAD ME DAY BY DAY - 568

3. SEEK YE FIRST - 356

4. LORD OF THE DANCE - 352

PSALM - 62 - 779

OFFERING PRAYER/SONG - 538

ANNOUNCEMENTS, SUNDAY JANUARY 15TH, 2012

41st General Council Youth Forum
General Council 2012 Youth Forum will be held in Ottawa, ON August 11-18, 2012, with the theme Seeking Justice, Loving Kindness, and Walking Humbly. The Youth Forum program will gather over 90 youth from each Presbytery/District in the United Church of Canada. Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery is now seeking interested youth who will be 15 to 20 years of age as of August 11, 2012 . The deadline for application is February 1, 2012. One Youth Forum delegate and one alternate will be selected from applicants. Please let young people know of this opportunity. Application forms are available in the pastoral charge office—speak to Nan for information and forms.

Our Contemplative Corner continues--and has moved! Seasons of the Spirit continues to encourage congregations to set up and use a Contemplative Corner throughout the Season after Epiphany and Lent. So that our small space for prayer might be accessible to everyone, Nan has moved the space to the front left corner of the sanctuary at St. Mark's. The space is available for prayer at any time. You are also invited to a time of guided prayer with Nan on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. Would you like your congregation to pray for you or a member of your family? Contact the church office to let us know of your request for prayer. With your permission, your prayer request will be brought to the Prayer Circle.

Bruce and Nan would like to say a big “Thank You” for all your gifts, cards and good wishes during the holiday season.We are blessed to be serving with you and are deeply grateful for your generosity.

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

There will be a meeting of the Mission & Outreach Committee Members this morning, following the service, to review the Annual Report for the Board .

January 17^th – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting; 6:30 p.m. – executive, 7:00 p.m. – Committees, 8:00 p.m. – Combined Board.

PLEASE NOTE: All annual reports are due at this meeting.

Members of St. Mark’s Congregation have formed a committee to compile a cookbook and we want your “tried and true” favorite recipes. If you want to share your recipes, please type them up and forward to Ruth MacRae at angus.macrae@sympatico.ca or write them up and put on the collection plate and I will type them up. We’re looking for recipes in all categories. This cookbook will be an excellent fundraiser for our church, so pass on your recipes. Any anecdotes re the origin of your recipe(s) or any other comments are most welcome.”

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY January 15^th – Official Board Meeting following Service. All annual reports are due.

SINGING A SONG OF FAITH LENTEN STUDY BOOK

A SONG OF FAITH
Throughout the Season after Epiphany and Lent we will be using the 2006 A Song of Faith each Sunday as a way of beginning worship. There is a Lenten Daily Devotion book "Singing a Song of Faith" that was developed by the United Church in 2007 available. Would you like a copy for use during Lent? Contact the church office by February 10th if you would like to order one. Cost is $10.95 plus tax and shipping.

OUR WORDS OF FAITH

Studying "Our Words of Faith"
Between January and May 2012, each pastoral charge and presbytery will be asked in a remit whether to include each of three statements in the Doctrine section of the Basis of Union.
The premise of the Basis of Union of the United Church of Canada is that the scriptures are the primary source of faith and doctrine. The Basis of Union was written and adopted in 1925 with the belief that it reflected and was—to use the language of another era—subordinate to the scriptures. This remit process does not alter this premise.
This remit process asks whether other statements of faith and creeds can be added to our understanding of faith, not as alternatives to scripture and doctrine but as more contemporary expressions of members of the United Church living as activists, people of faith, and one small branch of a larger faith community rooted in scripture.
Presbyteries and sessions (or equivalents) will be invited to vote separately on each of three expressions of faith that are widely separated by time, style, and content:
• Statement of Faith (1940)
• A New Creed (1968; rev. 1980, 1994)
• A Song of Faith (2006)
Questions for Reflection:
Is this a cherished, honoured, or living statement of our faith?
Is it helpful to you on your own faith journey?
Does it reflect the dynamic of faith in our congregation?
Does it seem to encompass the faith of other United Church congregations?
The Subject of the Remit
Should this statement be included in the Doctrine section of the Basis of Union?The text of the 3 expressions of faith we are asked to study and make decisions about inclusion in the Doctrine section of the Basis of Union can be found online at: http://www.united-church.ca/beliefs/statements

Throughout the Season after Epiphany and Lent we will be using the 2006 A Song of Faith each Sunday as a way of beginning worship. The section of A Song of Faith read on Sunday will also be placed in the Contemplative Corner for reflection during the week.

HYMNS JANUARY 15TH, 2012 2nd after Epiphany

INTROIT - RESPONSIVE READING OF "A SONG OF FAITH"
Sung Response: Sing a New Song (printed)
A Song of Faith (part)

God is Holy Mystery,

beyond complete knowledge,

above perfect description.

Yet,

in love,

the one eternal God seeks relationship.

So God creates the universe

and with it the possibility of being and relating.

God tends the universe,

mending the broken and reconciling the estranged.

God enlivens the universe,

guiding all things toward harmony with their Source.

Grateful for God’s loving action,

We cannot keep from singing.

With the Church through the ages,

we speak of God as one and triune:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We also speak of God as

Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer

God, Christ, and Spirit

Mother, Friend, and Comforter

Source of Life, Living Word, and Bond of Love,

and in other ways that speak faithfully of

the One on whom our hearts rely,

the fully shared life at the heart of the universe.

We witness to Holy Mystery that is Wholly Love.

1. HERE I AM, LORD - 509

2. TAKE ME LIFE AND LET IT BE - 506

3. WILL YOU COME AND FOLLOW ME - 567

4. OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE - 371

PSALM 139 - 861

OFFERING PRAYER/SONG - 540

TAR SANDS STUDY PACKAGE FOR 2012

This is a copy of an email sent to every pastoral charge in Maritime Conference. Please speak to Nan if you are interested in receiving a copy of the email and/or the attachments. Provision of all this information provides congregations with an opportunity to study this situation, currently in the news and with many implications for the people of Cape Breton and their families who may already be working and living in the West.

To: Congregations and Presbyteries of Maritime Conference

From: Environmental Working Group, Maritime Conference Church in Action Committee

Re: Action of the 86th Maritime Conference (2011 Annual General Meeting): “Limiting the Destructive Impacts of the Alberta Tar Sands”

DECEMBER 2011

A quick Google search with the words “tar sands Canada news” today would reveal criticisms from around the globe focussed on the ongoing developments in the Alberta tar sands. Why is this? Where does the United Church of Canada stand in this? What can we in do in our local congregations?

You are invited and encouraged to discuss and study the action taken by Maritime Conference and the theological, ethical and environmental issues that are the basis for its position and actions. To assist in the study process, we are sending, attached, information and resources for you to share with your members.

Please find attached:

1. The action taken by the 2011 Maritime Conference Annual General Meeting re Limiting the Destructive Impacts of the Alberta Tar Sands;

2. A copy of the letter(s) written by Maritime Conference Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister, appropriate federal ministers and the Premier of Alberta re the position of Maritime Conference re the Alberta Tar Sands;

3. A copy of the Maritime Conference media release re its position and actions re the Alberta Tar Sands;

4. A sample / copy of an article in the Cape Breton Post resulting from the Conference media release;

5. A “Minute for Mission” written by Glenna Lightfoot, Visions United Church, Moncton, NB, re: “Tar Sands Development and the Right to Consent” which congregations may wish to use on an appropriate Sunday in place of one of the Mission and Service Fund ‘Minutes for Mission’;

6. A link to the United Church of Canada Ethical Principles for Environment and Development,

‘One Earth Community’ (34th General Council of the United Church of Canada, 1992) www.united-church.ca/beliefs/policies/1992/o521 ;

7. A link to the United Church of Canada Energy Policy Statement ‘Energy in the One Earth Community’(37th General Council of the United Church of Canada, 2000) www.united-church.ca/files/ecology/energy/oneearth.pdf ;

8. A link to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf ;

9. A link to relevant KAIROS, Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, resources for further reading and information:

a. “Christian Faith and the Canadian Tar Sands”, KAIROS Discussion Paper, 2008 http://kairoscanada.org/fileadmin/fe/files/PDF/EcoJustice/Climate/Paper_OilSandsDiscussion_10Sept08.pdf ;

b. “Drawing a Line in the Sand”, KAIROS Position Paper, 2010 www.kairoscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Sust-Tar-DrawingLine.pdf ;

c. “The Land, Our Life: Indigenous Rights and Our Common Future”, KAIROS Campaign 2010-2011: Education and Action Guide http://www.kairoscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/TA-LL-res-10-11-LandOurLifeGuide.pdf .

If you have specific questions or need further information/resources for clarification, please contact the Conference Church in Action Committee Environmental Working Group, convenor Linda Scherzinger, lindakseven@gmail.com and/or Conference staff support Laura Hunter lhunter@marconf.ca .

YOUTH MISSION OPPORTUNITY!

Youth Grade 9 to age 19 and their leaders have 4 opportunities to serve in communities in Toronto, Ontario, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Vancouver, British Columbia and St. John's, Newfoundland. While practicing the gift of discernment, youth listen to the needs of their own community while serving in another. Participate in a community focused children's program. Reach out to youth through community programming, shelters and street cafes. Support seniors and newcomers through community clean up and home projects. Practice pastoral skills through visiting. Serve the basic needs of community members through the food bank and clothing share programs.

The 11-day program, food, lodging, city travel and experiences, projects and programming are all included in the cost of $550.00. Register and pay your desposit before February 1, 2012, and pay the early bird fare of $495.00. Speak to Nan for financial support of your participation.

A 20% deposit ($100.00) per participant is required upon registration for the GO Project. Check out the Go Project information on the Youth bulletin board in the St. Mark's Hall...or ask Nan...or find more information at www.thegoproject.ca

HYMNS JANUARY 8TH, 2012 1st after Epiphany

BAPTISM OF JESUS SUNDAY

Introit - Come, Holy Spirit, Over this water

Breathe new life o'er your people. (printed)

1. Morning Has Broken - 409

2. Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness - 375

3. Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth - 320

4. She Came Sailing on the Wind - 380

Psalm 29 - 756

Offering Prayer/Song - 542

INTERMEDIATES AT CONFERENCE & YOUTH FORUM

Maritime Conference

IAC & Youth Forum

Maritime Conference 2012

May 31 – June 3, 2012 • Mount Allison University

Intermediates at Conference (IAC) and Youth Forum (YF) are each a place of community and a place of faith where United Church youth, between the ages of Gr. 7 – Gr. 9 (IAC) and Grade 10 and age 19 (YF), meet from across the Maritimes, the Gaspé, and Bermuda. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference, which is a gathering of representatives who make decisions and set policies for the United Church of Canada. Registration forms are now available in the church office—please speak to Nan for information or to register.

NEW YEARS DAY 2012 St. David's