HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY FROM CHURCH SECRETARY JANE MACKINNON

Church Secretary, Jane MacKinnon presented a lovely gift to St. Mark's at the last Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle: over 50 knitted items--infant caps, chemo caps and a prayer shawl. 50 items for a 50th anniversary. Thanks Jane!

Memorial Hymn Sing tomorrow

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY MAY 1ST 2016

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader (St. M.): Archie Noseworthy
                    (St. D.): Bob Downard
Mission Moment (St. M.): Sarah Chiasson
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.) John & Anna Langley
Greeter (St. D.): Catherine Mac Lean
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 in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is May 15th at 1:00 p.m. This is the last gathering until the fall. 

Food Bank Donations are received on the last Sunday of the month. 

Deadline for bulletin information is Thursday at noon.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for May-June are available.

Plan now to attend the 48th Atlantic Seminar in Theological Education!  
When: June 12 - 17, 2016
Where: Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Truro, N. S.
THEME: An Inconvenient Faith: Moved to Action
Guest Speakers: Bruce Sanguin & Jan Phillips
Information at www.astes.ca  and brochures on bulletin board.

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ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:
May 8th – Clark Brander
May 15th – Judy Castle
May 22nd – Joyce Oliver-Snair
May 29th – David Chapman

FundScrip Order Sundays are May 1st, 15th and 29th and Delivery Sundays are May 8th and 22nd.
 Promotions for May are:
 Hudson’s Bay                       5% ( Regular 3% )
Winners                               8% ( Regular 6% )
Home Outfitters                    5% ( Regular 3 %)
Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions or if you wish to join

50th Anniversary Events:

May 1st – Memorial Hymn Sing   2:30 p.m.
May 14th – Inverness County Singers “Songs of Peace Concert” 7:30 p.m. 

50th Anniversary Jubilee Weekend   June 10th to 12th

      June 10   Evening of Music with Coro Cantabile
      June 11   Decoration Day Worship at Southbrook Cemetery
          Renewal of Marriage Vows for couples married at St. Mark's
      June 12   Service of Celebration of 50 Years with Guest  Preacher, Rev. Catherine Stuart     Banquet in St. Mark's Hall

Details of other planned events will be shared as they are finalized. 

Next meeting of the Anniversary Committee is May 9th at 1:30 p.m.

May 15th – 8:00 a.m. – Men’s Group Breakfast Meeting

May 17th – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting.

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ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers
May 8th – Julia Mac Kinnon
May 15th – Erin Hart-Breen
May 22nd – Mary Jesse Mac Donald   
May 29th – Malcolm Parsons

Hall Cleaners for May are Heather Deschenes & Hazel Mac Lean.

St. David’s U.C.W. is planning an outing on June 15, 2016 to close out their season for the summer. We are going to Sherbrooke Village for lunch and a tour. We are inviting members of the congregation to join us on this outing. Everyone is responsible for paying their own tour fees and meal. There will be some walking as the village tour is on foot. There will be some transportation available by UCW members. Anyone interested in joining us is asked to contact Margie Mac Intyre, 902-625-1361 before our next meeting, which takes place on May 11, 2016, as arrangements have to be made for the restaurant and the tour.

On Maritime Conference Sunday, May 29, 2016 there will be a combined service of St. Mark’s and St. David’s held at St. David’s United Church at 9:30 a.m.  The service will be led by Al and the Choir. Guest Speaker for the service will be Iaian Langley who will give a talk on the progress of the Port Of Welcome program set up to bring refugees into the area.

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Community Kitchen & Music Therapy sponsored by Mental Health Services & Public Health May 10th, June 14th 2016.  St. Mark's United Church, 504 Bernard St. Port Hawkesbury. Community Kitchen from 10:30 to 1:00 Music Therapy 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Come help prepare and enjoy a healthy, well balanced, budget friendly meal then listen to music therapist Tom Curry. To help us plan lunch be sure to phone (902) 867-4500 ext. 4345  OR leave a message at (902) 625-7200 to let us know you will be attending

May 27th, 4:30 to 6 pm. – Roast Beef Dinner prepared by chef Jim George at St. Mark’s Church hall in Port Hawkesbury on behalf of Celtic Star Chapter #19,  Order of the Eastern Star.   Eat in or Take out. Adults $15.00 Children $7.00.

Roast Beef Supper, Saturday, May 21st:  4:30 – 6:00 p.m.  Trinity United Church, Mulgrave. Eat-in, Take-Out, or local delivery.  $12.00 adults, $6.00 children under 12. 

An Evening of Spiritual Music:  Sunday, May 15th:  7:00 p.m.  Trinity United Church, Mulgrave.  Featuring:  Adam Cooke, Clara Jordan, Lisa Hallet and Terri MacDonald and many more. Admission by free-will offering. 

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY MAY 1 2016-5TH SUNDAY 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: stmarksuc@gmail.com

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: The Whole People of God  Minister: Nan Corrigan D.M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

May 1st, 2016-6th Sunday of Easter

Announcements         The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting   Easter Proclamation Each of the Sundays of the season of Easter we are providing the Easter proclamation in a different language. Today we proclaim in Korean and English.

One: Hallelujah! Goo-Ju da-si sa-syot-da! 
All: Geu-ga cham-eu-ro bu-whal ha-syot-da! Hallelujah! (Pronunciation: “g” is hard as in “girl,” “ch” is as in “church” both “oo” and “u” are as in the German “ü” )
One: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
All: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

*Introit Halle, Halle, Halle VU 958

*Call to Worship    Based on Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5 

One: Friends, let us gather at the city of God. 
All: Here God comes to dwell in our midst. 
One: There will be no sun or moon… 
All: for the glory of God will be all the light we need. 
One: There will be no night, 
All: and the doors will never be shut. 
One: The river of life flows through that city, 
All: and we will dwell there in the presence of God forever. 
One: Come, let us worship God.

*Hymn   We Are One VU 402

Opening Prayer

Companion God, we give thanks for this holy place. Our friends and neighbours sit around us. And you are in our midst. Guide us along the way of covenant living. May we honour you in our worship. Amen. 

Written by Laura Turnbull, Penticton U. C., Penticton, B. C.

Gathering, Lent/Easter 2016, p. 40. Used with permission.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Acts 16:9–15 Paul worships with Lydia and the women by the river.

This is the witness of the early church.    All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 67  Let the light of God’s face shine upon us. VU 786

*Hymn Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying VU 400

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5   John’s vision of the city of God.

One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
All: Thanks be to God.

Opening the Word 2   

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn Holy Spirit, Hear Us VU 377

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering PrayerLoving God, we know that ministry is not something we do for others nearly so much as it is a life-giving work you call us to do with others. Use these gifts and our talents, blended with the gifts and talents of others around the world, to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. Amen.  

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Now Thank We All Our God VU 236

*Commissioning

Reach into the world with hands of love,
for our hands reach out in the name of Jesus. 
Stride into the world with steps of faith, 
for our feet take us where the Spirit calls. 
Speak boldly in a world yearning for good news, 
for our voices sing out with words of God's grace.

Written by Gord Dunbar, Port Nelson U.C., Burlington, Ont.

Gathering, Lent/Easter 2016, p. 45. Used with permission.

*Choral Amen

DEADLINE FOR MEMORIAL HYMN SING HYMN REQUESTS SUNDAY APRIL 17TH

Deadline for submission of hymn requests is 

Sunday, April 17th. 
See previous blogpost: Letter re 50th Anniversary Hymn Sing and Ringing of Memorial Bell

This year St. Mark’s United Church is marking a significant milestone as we celebrate our 50^th Anniversary. The congregation of St. Mark’s is pleased to announce that we will be holding a Memorial Hymn Sing and Ringing of the Memorial Bell on Sunday, May 1^st at 2:30 p.m. A Memorial Hymn Sing is an opportunity to offer thanks for the lives of deceased loved ones and to honour them in a sharing of joyful, sacred music. In this, our Jubilee Year, it seems especially appropriate to look back and pay tribute to all the faithful congregation members who have played such important roles in St. Mark’s history. 

We hope that you’ll consider remembering your loved ones at this special anniversary service of song. A candle will be lit and the Memorial Bell rung with each selection of music as the names of those being remembered and those of donors are read. At this event, the Memorial Bell which came to St. Mark’s from Zion-Robertson United Church will be rung at worship for the first time in 50 years. A time of light refreshment will follow the service.

PORT OF WELCOME SETTLEMENT ASSOCIATION BENEFIT CONCERT AT ST. JOSEPH'S