Friday, 30 May 2014

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY JUNE 1ST 2014

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Greeter (St. M.): Linda Howlett
Greeter (St. D.): Robert Mac Kinnon
Lay Reader (St. M.): Karen Mac Kinnon
Lay Reader (St. D.): Malcolm Parsons
Collectors (St. M.): Linda Howlett, Judy Castle
Collectors (St. D.): Curtis Fox, Lisa Rhynold

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Wednesday 9-12 noon Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s
Thursday 9 – 12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s
Friday – Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

June 8th – St. Mark’s Anniversary Service. Pentecost Sunday—please wear “red”! Combined Service.

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.
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ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS


TODAY - Sunday School Closing this week

St. Mark’s Courtesy Car: Contact person for the Courtesy Car is Andy Palmer. His telephone number is 625-2748.

FUNDSCRIP FundScrip has earned $315.50 in the second quarter which is similar to the earnings in the first quarter. This is approximately $100.00 per month with twelve supporters participating in the program. Order Sundays for June will be June 8th and 22nd and delivery Sundays will be June 1st, 15th and 29th.  PLEASE NOTE THAT JUNE 22ND WILL BE THE LAST DAY TO ORDER BEFORE THE SUMMER AS FUNDSCRIP WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR JULY AND AUGUST AND WILL RESUME AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER.
Promotions for June are as follows:
Indigo/Chapters                                        7% ( Regular 5%)
Boston Pizza                                            7% ( Regular 5%)
Cineplex Odeon                                       5% ( Regular 4%)
Please contact Patsy Brander at 625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions.

St. Mark's gardening enthusiasts: Interested in working with Nan on improving the outdoor space at the front of St. Mark's? Speak to Nan. Work in 2014 will be mostly preparation—“Lasagna” composting-in-place with grass and newspaper to kill out the grass and enrich the soil.

June 8th - St Mark's Anniversary Service at 11.00 am followed by a pot luck meal  Please bring a hot /cold dish as dessert and rolls will be provided

Lay Readers:
June 8th – Connie Fowlie * St. Mark’s Anniversary
June 15th – Jean Mac Pherson
June 22nd – Heather Brander
June 29th – Julia Mac Quarrie

June 22nd-Grad Recognition Service. Cake served after the Service.
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ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS


TODAY, June 1st will be the last regular day of Sunday School classes. Julia Mac Kinnon will be the Sunday School teacher on this day. There will be a picnic (date to be announced) in June at which time certificates will be given out.

Monday June 2nd – 6:00 p.m. Church yard clean up. Everyone welcome. Please bring your own tools.

The congregation of St. David’s is invited to join St. Mark’s United Church for a combined service June 8th, 2014 to celebrate St. Mark’s anniversary. The service, which will include communion, will be held at 11:00 A.M. and all are welcome to enjoy the potluck lunch following the service.

June 8th – St. Mark’s Anniversary Service. Combined Service. No Service at St. David’s.

June 29th – St. David’s Official Board Meeting following Church.

St. David’s Lay Readers:
June 8th – St. Mark’s Anniversary
June 15th – Ian A. Mac Kinnon
June 22nd – Katie Downard
June 29th – Kevin Pierce

SATURDAY Yard Sale & Bake Sale June 07th 2014 at St. David’s church hall......0830 to 1200 am

Hall Cleaners for June are Susan Fox, Sally Fox

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS


South Sudan Facing a Growing Humanitarian Crisis
Toronto: The United Church of Canada is sounding an alarm about the growing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. With international attention focused on other conflicts, such as those in Syria, Ukraine, and Nigeria, the church is particularly concerned that deteriorating conditions in South Sudan are being inadequately reported in the media and relief needs are seriously underfunded.
“Undoubtedly the needs are great in many places, but at the moment South Sudan doesn’t seem to be on the world’s radar screen,” says Gary Kenny, the United Church’s program coordinator for Emergency Response and International Development.
In response to relief agencies’ reports of overwhelming needs that are going unmet in South Sudan, the United Church has launched an emergency financial appeal to its membership.
Kenny says that the number of South Sudanese who have been killed is not yet clear, but it is known that some are buried in mass graves. Over 1.2 million people are internally displaced or have fled to neighbouring countries. This movement is severely taxing the resources in refugee camps in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.
One of The United Church of Canada’s partners in the region is The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK). NCCK is one of the lead agencies providing shelter in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Each week, about 3,000 people are settled in tents in the camp, which has been expanded to accommodate up to 25,000 people. However, the population already exceeds 20,000 and hundreds more refugees are arriving every day in need of shelter and assistance.
The United Church is also a member of ACT Alliance. Since the violence broke out in December 2013, ACT Alliance members have been working to get life-saving relief supplies to thousands of people in South Sudan and to those now living in refugee camps.
To date relief efforts have focused on distributing water, providing sanitation and hygiene kits,  drilling boreholes, distributing relief goods, supporting mobile health clinics, offering psychosocial care, and carrying out peace-building work in camps.
Funds raised by The United Church of Canada’s emergency appeal for South Sudan will be directed to both ACT Alliance and the church’s Mission and Service partners in the region.
For further information:
Mary-Frances Denis
Program Coordinator, Media and Public Relations
The United Church of Canada
Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 2016 Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016
E-mail:
Mary-Frances Denis

Thursday, 29 May 2014

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY JUNE 1ST 2014-7TH OF EASTER

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada
Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarks1@eastlink.ca
Ministers: The Whole People of God
Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.
Minister of Music: Al Fougere
June 1st, 2014-7th Sunday of Easter
* please stand as able
A thought around which to gather as we worship-“Prayer that works is prayer that makes a difference, contemplation that turns into action, on behalf of peace and justice in a troubled and unjust world system. Prayer is energy, the energy of love and transformative power. It is given to us to use for the good of all creation. In prayer God gives us the fuel of life, and asks us to live it. Jesus prays for the community and, so prayed for, the community of Jesus becomes a community of prayer.” 
(From Sojourners Verse and Voice © www.sojo.net)
Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.
* Introit           We Are One      Verse 1            VU 402

Call to Worship

Opening Prayer

* Hymn           Rejoice, the Lord Is King          VU 213

Prayer for Wholeness
God, Father and Mother of us all,

we give thanks for the life of Jesus;

his work among us, and for those who carry on Christ’s mission.

We try to continue Christ’s work,

and pass on Christ’s light,

but sometimes we are scared we will be burnt;

that Christ’s work will be too costly, or too hard.

(A moment’s silence)

Sometimes we let the light go out;

we let everyday concerns extinguish it. (A moment’s silence)

Sometimes we are reluctant to pass the light on:

we don’t want to share,

believing our way is the right way. (A moment’s silence) Amen.

Words of Affirmation
All: No matter what we have done, God rekindles our flames

and equips us to continue serving.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Acts 1:6–14 “Why are you wasting time looking at the sky?”
This is the witness of the early church. All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 68:1–10, 32–35 God makes a home for the poor. VU 787
*Hymn           Blessed Assurance              VU 337
Sunday School Celebration & The Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation
John 17:1–11 Jesus prays that his disciples “may be one.”
This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn           Holy God, We Praise Your Name          VU 894
Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God
*Offering Prayer

Prayers of Our Heart Based on Psalm 68

One: We remember all these people.
All: Thank you that you are with all your people
inspire us to do what we can, too.

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn        May the God of Hope Go with Us        VU 424
* Commissioning and Benediction
Joining with all who seek love, we give witness
to the Great Love that pulses through creation.
Filled with the Spirit of Christ, we have no reason
to look upward, for we are empowered to bring
healing, justice, and shalom.
May this be our witness.
We go to be Christ ones alive in this world. 
 *Choral Amen

Monday, 26 May 2014

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY MAY 25TH 2014-SING TO OUR GOD

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada
Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarks1@eastlink.ca
Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/
Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.
Minister of Music: Al Fougere
May 25th, 2014-6th Sunday of Easter

SING TO OUR GOD!

Meditation: Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back.                                 Plato (c.429-c.347 BCE)

Processional: (Please stand)
Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love” VU 574
Announcements: The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Passing the Peace of Christ
The Peace of God be with you.
And with your spirit
Let us greet one another with the peace of Christ.

Introit:We Are One” VU 402   (Please remain standing)

Call to Worship:

Come let us sing to God our song.We come to sing of our faith.
Come let us sing of God’s great love.
We come to sing that we are loved.
Come let us hear the words that God’s love is for all people.
We come to hear and be challenged by that song of the Great Love.
Come let us learn how to proclaim this love.
We come to listen, and to learn to sing new songs in new keys.
Come, pray the songs that are in your hearts.
Hymn:Come In, Come In And Sit Down” VU 395
(Please be seated)
Music plays an important part in our lives. We listen to it in our cars, at home, and wherever we have the radio on. What role does the music of faith play in our lives so that we may be instruments of God’s blessing in the world?

Hymn: “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying"   VU 400

Let us pray (all)
We come together with gladness and gratitude, Loving God, that you have chosen humanity to receive your mercy and compassion. We come to praise you and confess our love for you in song, thankful for the ways that your Spirit has touched the hearts of lyricists and musicians who put our thoughts, concerns, and dreams to music that we can offer back to you. Between the notes, Listening One, hear our stories that we weave among the words that touch our lives through song. Amen.
(please be seated)

Choir:Take Now My Voice”

Invitation to Confession: “Spirit of Life” VU 381
(Please be seated)

Prayer of Confession: Let Us Pray
God of Light and Strength, you offer us the best of life ----- knowing that we are safely embraced by your love, understanding and forgiveness.
Remind us of the simple joys of life that we might go on with a smile on our faces, peace in our hearts, a tune in our heads and a commitment to your ways for this world…… (silence) Amen.

Solo:He Touched Me” Roy

HEARING THE WORD OF GOD


A reading from the Old Testament: Ecclesiastics 3: 1-13

Psalm: Psalm 66 Refrain 2, Part 1 VU 784

Hymn:Make A Joyful Noise” VU 820

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 20-31

Hymn: “Blest Are They” VU 896

Solo: “Pie Jesu” Paula
(Merciful Jesus, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest)
WE RESPOND IN FAITH
Presentation of Offering:
Music from our lips, gifts from our hands,
Love from our hearts, Receive all these, O God, as holy gifts.
We ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen

Choir:Glorify Thy Name”

Doxology: (Please stand)
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” VU 541

Prayer of Dedication: Let Us Pray
God of Joy and Love Divine, receive all we offer you this day. Enrich our lives through the gifts of your Spirit, that we may faithfully follow the way of Christ. May we serve you and one another with conviction and courage, joy and freedom, with a song on our hearts and smile upon our faces. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Our Father” VU 960

Benediction and Commissioning:
And now with a song in our hearts, our faith strengthened, and our community stronger for our presence in it, let us leave this time and place of worship to be God’s people in all the places life calls us to be. May the music of our lives bring God praise and glory. Amen

“Go Now In Peace”


Recessional

Friday, 16 May 2014

May 17th is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

WorldPride 2014

When: 
 June 20, 2014 - June 29, 2014
Where: 
 Toronto, Ontario
The United Church of Canada welcomes the world to Toronto for WorldPride 2014.
WorldPride is an international celebration incorporating activism, education, and the history and culture of global LGBTTIQQ2SA communities. WorldPride 2014 will mark the fourth WorldPride festival, and the first to be held in North America.
Toronto Conference Office is coordinating The United Church of Canada’s presence at WorldPride, with input from local Affirming Ministries, Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, and the General Council Office.
A new website highlights the wide variety of United Church activities taking place in Toronto during these 10 days, including
  • worship services with Moderator Gary Paterson
  • faith events such as Metropolitan United’s Interfaith Pride Fair and Services
  • the United Church presence in Pride Parade on June 29
  • and more
Visit the United Church WorldPride website  for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY MAY 18 2014

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Larry & Lucille Evans
Greeter (St. D.): Cathy Mac Lean
Lay Reader (St. M.): Denis Bernard
Lay Reader (St. D.): Dave Pringle
Collectors (St. D.): Alicia Vink,
James Mac Fadyen

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Wednesday 9-12 noon Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s
Thursday 9 – 12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s
Friday – Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon Jane at St. Mark’s

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is May 19th at 1:00 p.m.

The Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference is May 22nd-25th. Al and the Choir will be leading the Service on May 25th. There will be one Service at St. Mark’s at 9:30 a.m. No Service at St. David’s.

May 28th - 10:30 a.m. Service at the Nursing Home.

June 8th – St. Mark’s Anniversary Service. Combined Service.

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.
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ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS


St. Mark’s Courtesy Car: Contact person for the Courtesy Car is Andy Palmer. His telephone number is 625-2748.

Copies of the summary of the facilitated meeting (We All Drank from the Same Teapot) held at St. David’s in March are available on the table in the entry today. Excerpts of the summary will be in the bulletin over the next few Sundays.
FUNDSCRIP Order Sunday will be May 25th, and delivery Sunday May 18th.
May Promotions are:
WaySpa                                             13% ( Regular 10%)
la Vie en Rose                                   11% ( Regular 8% )
Fairmont                                            10% ( Regular 8%)
Please contact Patsy Brander at 625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions about how to join the program.

St. Mark's gardening enthusiasts: Interested in working with Nan on improving the outdoor space at the front of St. Mark's? Speak to Nan who is looking for both ideas and helping hands. More information on this ongoing project to follow.

Lay Readers: May 25th – Choir leading Service
June 1st – Vida Hood
June 8th – Connie Fowlie * St. Mark’s Anniversary
June 15th – Jean Mac Pherson
June 22nd – Rebecca Roussy
June 29th – Julia Mac Quarrie

* May 27th – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting. Please note change of date. 6:30 p.m. – Executive, 7:00 p.m. – Committees, 8:00 p.m. – Combined Board

++++++++++

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS


May 26th – 6:00 p.m. Church yard clean up. Everyone welcome. Please bring your own tools.

June 8th – St. Mark’s Anniversary Service. Combined Service.

June 29th – St. David’s Official Board Meeting following Church.

St. David’s Lay Readers:
May 25th – Choir leading Service Combined Service at St. Mark’s. NO Service at St. David’s
June 6th- Kenzie Mac Lean
June 8th – St. Mark’s Anniversary
June 15th – Ian A. Mac Kinnon
June 22nd – Katie Downard
June 29th – Kevin Pierce

Yard Sale & Bake Sale June 07th 2014 at St. David’s church hall......0830 to 1200 am

Hall Cleaners for May are Heather Deschenes, Hazel Mac Lean
**********

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

World Pride 2014

When: June 20, 2014 - June 29, 2014 Where: Toronto, Ontario
The United Church of Canada welcomes the world to Toronto for WorldPride 2014.
WorldPride is an international celebration incorporating activism, education, and the history and culture of global LGBTTIQQ2SA communities. WorldPride 2014 will mark the fourth WorldPride festival, and the first to be held in North America.
Toronto Conference Office is coordinating The United Church of Canada’s presence at WorldPride, with input from local Affirming Ministries, Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, and the General Council Office.
Visit the United Church WorldPride website for more information.

A Caregiver Appreciation Tea on Wednesday, May 28th, 2014 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at Nova Scotia Community College, Strait Area Campus 226 Reeves Street, Port Hawkesbury. May is Caregiver Awareness Month. Join us in celebrating the family members and friends who give unpaid care to loved ones. Everyone is welcome. No admission charge.

Have you ever thought about becoming a Palliative Care Volunteer? 
Interested participants are invited to take a 3-day district wide Palliative Care Volunteer Program at Claire Marie Gathering Place, St. Martha's Regional Hospital May 21, May 28 & June 4th from  8:30 am - 4:30pm Breaks and light lunch provided To register: please e-mail Norah-Lee.Goulding@gasha.nshealth.ca OR  phone: 1-902-867-4500  ext. 4419  leave a message if there is no answer. Please note that upon completion of this program, interested participants will still be required to fill out a volunteer application and go through the Volunteer Screening Process.

Yard Sale on May 31st, St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury from 9-12 noon sponsored by Girl Guide Camp Committee.

Plant Sale: Swap’n Shop, Car Boot Sale of Plants, May 31st, 9 a.m. Parking lot of St. Mark’s. A chance to thin out your perennial beds --and trade plants or purchase plants from someone else. All perennials and packs of at least 6 annuals are $2.00—if sold, proceeds are to go to the establishment of new Garden Club in the community. But swap all you want!

Breakfast @ the Evergreen Club Sat. May 31      9-12

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY MAY 18 2014-AFFIRMING MINISTRIES SUNDAY

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s
United Church of Canada
Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS
Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarks1@eastlink.ca
Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/
Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.
Minister of Music: Al Fougere
May 18th, 2014-5th Sunday of Easter-Affirming Ministries

A thought around which to gather as we worship-”The welcoming movement offers a place of hospitality for those in the church open to God's whisper of a new thing. It witnesses to the lives of those seeking to take seriously the incarnation, God's good creation, and sexuality and sexual orientation as part of that good creation. In so doing, it stands in the tradition of Jesus, who overturned religious and social traditions that diminished people's status as children of God. It stands with Jesus in refusing to accommodate that which excludes whole groups of people. It stands with Jesus, who saw himself as an outcast in his own land, and with a God who grants protection to the outcast. And it affirms and witnesses to the belief that God's grace is available to all.”
From Shaping Sanctuary: Proclaiming God's Grace in an Inclusive Church,
edited by Kelly Turney. Copyright ©2000 by Reconciling Congregation Program.
Reprinted by permission.
Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting
One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.
* Introit Kum ba yah, my Lord—2nd time Come by here, my Lord

Call to Worship

One: Come- worship the One who calls us into a relationship of love, more intimate than our dearest friendship, more lasting than the tides of the ocean and more beautiful than the span of heaven on a clear night.
All: For I have formed you, my beloved one, says our Creator,
and I walk beside you each moment.
One: I have called you by name, you are mine.
All: For you are my chosen people, even before your first babble sounds, I knew your thoughts.
One: You are precious in my sight and honoured, says God.
May we accept the invitation to know this ancient love – completely.
Opening Prayer (together)

Creating God, what did we do to earn your love? When we wake up in the morning you are there to greet us, when our lives are filled with grief and angst, you wrap us round in your arms of light. Before we were born you envisioned our lives fulfilling your purpose and you gave us the skills to do so. When we came to birth you echoed our birth cries with murmurs of joy resounding through the universe. Open our hearts to receive this everlasting love, and teach us to respond in praise. Amen.
* Hymn Let Us Build a House Printed

Prayer for Wholeness
Lover of beauty and of the winter sky, with sunrises deep red fading into yellow, frost that plays at the edge of the window’s light and
jewels that dance in the new fallen snow, you remind us again of how much you are in love with variety.
In the arid desert, cactus blooms of every colour follow the rain, life clings to the edge of the deep ocean volcano, new stars burst forth with vibrancy and energy, lichen of every colour line the earth of the tundra.
There are birds to sing and turtles to crawl, worms to till the ground, lady bugs to fly away home and butterflies that move from pupae to flight.
If we take delight in these great and playful works that came from your deepest dreams, why do we object when human beings are made with the same array of difference?
Different colours of skin and hair, voices high and low - some to sing and some to shout for freedom.
A full spectrum of sexual diversity: straight, gay, and some whose bodies erase strict gender lines.
Some celebrate the Spirit in drums, others make statements with turbans and burke, still others worship in silence.
We turn to all that is filled with grace and reverences the sacred to remove our prejudices, and draw us in by the Spirit’s voice to that place of acceptance that allows us to grow. Amen.
Words of Affirmation

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

1 Peter 2:2–10 A living stone…chosen and precious in God’s sight

This is the witness of the early church. All: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31          I trust in you, you are my God.      Pts.1, 3 VU 758
*Hymn           What a Friend We Have in Jesus           VU 664
Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 22: 1-10 The Wedding Banquet
This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection We’re Already Welcoming, So Why Become Affirming?
Readings from Open Hearts: Resources for Affirming Ministries in The United Church of Canada, Alyson C. Huntly, pp. 11-14
Copyright © 2011 Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn           The Church’s One Foundation            VU 332
Minute for Mission
Offering Our Gifts to God
*Offering Song Lyrics: R. Mitchell-Walker (Used by permission)
Your love, O God, to all You show.
We, gathered here, commit to grow.
We offer You these gifts, that we
may celebrate diversity.            Tune: Old 100TH

Prayers of Our Heart

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn           Go to the World            VU 420
* Commissioning and Benediction
Go, as Easter people, living stones,
each unique, called and chosen,
precious in God's sight, building a new community,
working together to show God's mercy, truth and love.
We go to live God's love in the world.
*Choral Amen

Worship material prepared by Affirming Ministries Committee, Saskatchewan Conference, 
United Church of Canada for Affirming Ministries Sunday, 2009.