ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26TH 2017

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader (St. M.): Julia Mac Quarrie
                    (St. D.): Malcolm Parsons
Mission Moment (St. M.): Linda Howlett
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Larry & Sherille Mac Keigan
Greeters (St. D.): Maxine Smith
Collectors (St. D.): Ashley Mac Leod, Marie Davis

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday & 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. The next time of gathering is March 20th at 1:00 p.m.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for March/April are available.

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

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

February 28th – Shrove Tuesday

March 5th - First Sunday In Lent. Sacrament of Communion.

**********

 ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
March 5th – Bruce Corrigan      
March 12th – Malcolm Matheson
March 19th – Barb Mac Intyre      
March 26th – Wayne Simpson

Coffee time: Beginning March 5 and continuing the first Sunday in April, May and June there will be coffee time after Worship Service. If you enjoy this fellowship and would be available to prepare coffee on one of these Sundays, please leave your name on the sign up sheet on March 5.

The February FundScrip 
The Order Date is Sunday February 26th.
The February Promotions are as follows:
Esso                                          3% ( Regular 2% )
The Ultimate Dining Card       5% ( Regular 3% )
Please note: The Ultimate Dining card is listed on the order form as – East Side Mario’s, Harvey’s, Montana’s, New York Fries, Swiss Chalet.
 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 the program.

Hymn Books entitled "More Voices" have been purchased by St. Mark's, you may help offset the cost by making a donation of $15. A  hymn book will be labelled  if you wish to make your donation in honour or in memory of a loved one.  Place your donation on the collection plate in an envelope marked "More Voices", please include your information. 

PLEASE NOTE: There is an urgent need to fill the position of Chairperson on our Congregational Board. Without a Chairperson, the Board cannot hold meetings. Please consider putting your name forward to fill this vital role. Contact persons are Hayward Hollett, Annabel Butts, Coleen MacKichan or Linda Howlett.

Sunday, March 20th – 8:00 a.m. – St. Mark’s Men’s Group Breakfast

Tuesday, March 21st – Congregational Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m. – Executive; 7:00 p.m. – Committees, 8:00 p.m. – Combined Board

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
March 5th – Amy Mac Killop
March 12th – Alicia Vink
March 19th – Gillian Vink
March 26th – Kevin Pierce

February 28th – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. Donations to the Mission and Service Fund.

If you would like to help St. David’s offset the cost of our new “More Voices” hymn books, please consider making a donation in honour or in memory of a loved one. Place your donation ($15.00 per book) and dedication information on the collection plate in an envelope marked "More Voices”. 

Hall Cleaners for March area Maxine Smith & Dianne Mac Kinnon

**********

Prayer for Christian Unity Walk: Wed, March 8th at 6:30 p.m.
Ecumenical Pilgrimage Prayer Service beginning at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury, walking together to Holy Trinity Anglican Church and then to St. Mark’s United Church. Prayer, song and scripture. Prayers for our community and world at each intersection. Strait Area Transit will provide transportation for those needing it. Hospitality and fellowship to follow at St. Mark's. If weather inclement, will be held at St. Mark’s. All welcome. Dress warmly and bring a light to carry.

Anyone wishing a drive to New Glasgow or Truro, please contact Margie Mac Intyre at 902-625-1361 for dates and times she will be going.

Donate your gently used clothing to Port of Welcome Settlement  Association. Drop off clothing at Cathy's Consignment shop and ask that proceeds of sales go to the POWSA account (act#4488). Once our family arrives they will be able to use the credit in that account to purchase clothing items.

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26TH 2017-TRANSFIGURATION 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: 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

February 26th, 2017-Transfiguration Sunday

A thought around which to gather as we worship—Peter wants to cling to both the past and to the present, conveniently ignoring the future. Spotting two representa­tives of the good old days, he wants to build a monument and stay there, tending it. He can’t see the new thing God is doing in and through Jesus, and he won’t until he leaves Moses and Elijah back in the Prophets Hall of Fame, and goes down the mountain into God’s uncertain future. Like Peter, we think we are caretakers of something that hap­pened in the past, rather than eyewitnesses to what God is going to do tomorrow, the next day, and the next, and . . .

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2016–2017 

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016, p. 191

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   Listen, God is Calling MV 97

Call to Worship 

One: We gather as the faithful of God. 
We come to listen to what God has to say to us. 
All: God has invited us to this place; 
may our faces reflect our hopes and our hearts. 
One: We gather as the faithful of God, 
people of the new covenant of hope and promise. 
All: We boldly enter into the presence of God, 
hoping to be transformed into new people. 
One: We gather as the faithful of God, 
our fears melting away in the heart of God. 
All: We come to share in the freedom of the Spirit. 
We come to praise God’s holy name.

Opening Prayer       Response to prayer:

One: And, so, we do not lose heart. 
All:We do not lose heart as we gather in worship this day. Amen.

*Hymn This Day God Gives Me VU 410 

Prayer of Confession 

One: God calls us into the presence of glory in these mo­ments, not to judge and condemn us, but to forgive and set us free. Let us bring our prayers to God who longs to embrace us with mercy, as we pray saying, 

All: We may not actively conspire against you, gracious God, but we do make those conscious choices which draw us away from you. We fear ridicule from neigh­bours and co-workers, and so do not mention who you are in our lives. We want to walk your path, but find ourselves going down rabbit trails which lead to trouble. We find it so easy to listen to the seductive words of our culture, but have trouble hearing your whispers of hope and healing. 

Forgive us, Revealer of mystery and wonder. Call us to that discipleship that is found on mountaintops in your presence, and in the valleys where we serve others in your name. As people of faith, we would not stay here, but follow Jesus the Christ into every place that longs for your glory and your grace, your strength as well as your gentleness. Amen.

Words of Affirmation 

One: Listen! You are God’s children, the beloved of God’s heart. God speaks words of healing and hope to you in these moments. Listen! 
All: It is good to be here in the presence of the One who forgives us. Thanks be to God. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Exodus 24:12–18 God calls Moses up the mountain

One: Herein is Wisdom.  All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 99   God delights in justice. VU 819

* Hymn I Have Called You by Your Name MV 161 

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 17:1–9 Jesus transfigured on the mountain.

One: Herein is Good News.   All: Praise be to God.

Opening the Word 2   Shhh…Listen!

Ponderings on Matthew 17:1-9: The Transfiguration
Anna Murdock / Lay Servant / 
Broad Street United Methodist Church / Statesville, NC 
“View From the Pew”www.pewponderings.blogspot.com.

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn     Holy Ground Printed 

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Prayer

There is so much we could do with our abundance, Moun­taintop God – building grand cathedrals, installing mighty pipe organs, creating great endowments and investments (and we do). 
So remind us, as we offer our gifts this morning, of those who need a simple home, who long to hear the songs of hope, who need help with paying for food or medicine or clothes. Transfigure not only our gifts, but our hearts as well, we pray. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession 

Times for silent prayer are offered 

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Be Thou My Vision VU 642

*Commissioning and Benediction 

One: Tempted to stay here, let us go, 
All: to carry God’s peace to a broken world. 
One: Having heard the call to follow, 
All: we will journey into life’s valleys, carrying the hope of Jesus. 
One: We will walk with the Spirit who leads us on a journey of humility. 
All: We will walk together in the light!

* Choral Amen

MARITIME CONFERENCE YOUTH AND INTERMEDIATES FROM INVERNESS GUYSBOROUGH

  

  

 

 Maritime Conference: May 25-28, 2017

Youth Forum & Intermediates

Registration for Youth Forum and Intermediates is online this year.

Deadline is March 31

http://marconf.ca/47674-yf-invernessguysborough/

http://marconf.ca/47692-iac-invernessguysborough-presbytery/

ST. DAVID'S ANNUAL MEETING

ST. DAVID'S ANNUAL MEETING ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH AFTER WORSHIP AND LUNCH. 

WINTERLUDE EVENTS-PIRATES HOCKEY & FLOOR CURLING TOURNAMENT

Go Pirates! They went on to win in a shootout--thrilling to watch.

Bruce Corrigan, Darren & Anne Louise Blundon in our box seats

Sarah Chiasson, Wanda Radford, Rosemary Morrell, Sally Fox, Cathy MacLean, Bruce Corrigan

Sally MacKinnon & Alan at their first Canadian hockey game (with Nan C)

Sarah C & Sally F enjoying the comforts of the box seats

Floor curling at St. Mark's on Saturday, February 11th

An enthusiastic group of floor curlers. Thanks Margie MacIntyre for organizing and running the events this week!

24 floor curlers sat down together to a delicious lunch

Having a great time--when can we do this again? 

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19TH 2017

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader (St. M.): Larry Evans
                    (St. D.): Maxine Smith
Mission Moment (St. M.): Larry Evans
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Larry & Sherille Mac Keigan
Greeters (St. D.): Maxine Smith
Collectors (St. D.): Ashley Mac Leod, Marie Davis

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday & 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. The next time of gathering is February 20th at 1:00 p.m.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for March/April are available.

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

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

Wednesday, February 22nd – 10:30 a.m.– Service at Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home. Everyone welcome.

February 28th – Shrove Tuesday

March 1st – Ash Wednesday

March 5th - First Sunday In Lent. Sacrament of Communion.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
February 26th – Julia Mac Quarrie March 5th – Bruce Corrigan
March 12th – Malcolm Matheson March 19th – Barb Mac Intyre
March 26th – Wayne Simpson

The February FundScrip Delivery Date is Sunday February 26th and the Order Date is Sunday February 26th.
 The February Promotions are as follows:
Esso                                    3% ( Regular 2% )
The Ultimate Dining Card       5% ( Regular 3% )
Please note: The Ultimate Dining card is listed on the order form as – East Side Mario’s, Harvey’s, Montana’s, New York Fries, Swiss Chalet.
 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 the program.

Hymn Books entitled "More Voices" have been purchased by St. Mark's, you may help offset the cost by making a donation of $15. A  hymn book will be labelled  if you wish to make your donation in honour or in memory of a loved one.  Place your donation on the collection plate in an envelope marked "More Voices", please include your information. 

PLEASE NOTE: There is an urgent need to fill the position of Chairperson on our Congregational Board. Without a Chairperson, the Board cannot hold meetings. Please consider putting your name forward to fill this vital role. Contact persons are Hayward Hollett, Annabel Butts, Coleen MacKichan or Linda Howlett.

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers 
February 26th- Malcolm Parsons March 5th – Amy McCormack

March 12th – Alicia Vink March 19th – Gillian Vink
March 26th – Kevin Pierce

St. David’s Annual Congregational Meeting will be held TODAY 

February 28th – Shrove Tuesday- Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. Donations to the Mission and Service Fund.

If you would like to help St. David’s offset the cost of our new “More Voices” hymn books, please consider making a donation in honour or in memory of a loved one. Place your donation ($15.00 per book) and dedication information on the collection plate in an envelope marked "More Voices”. 
Hall Cleaners for February are Margie Mac Intyre, Beryl Mac Leod

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Prayer for Christian Unity Walk: Wed, March 8th at 6:30 p.m.
Ecumenical Pilgrimage Prayer Service beginning at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Port Hawkesbury, walking together to Holy Trinity Anglican Church and then to St. Mark’s United Church. Prayer, song and scripture. Prayers for our community and world at each intersection. Strait Area Transit will provide transportation for those needing it. Hospitality and fellowship to follow at St. Mark's. If weather inclement, will be held at St. Mark’s. All welcome. Dress warmly and bring a light to carry.

Donate your gently used clothing to Port of Welcome Settlement  Association. Drop off clothing at Cathy's Consignment shop and ask that proceeds of sales go to the POWSA account (act#4488). Once our family arrives they will be able to use the credit in that account to purchase clothing items.

Anyone wishing a drive to New Glasgow or Truro, please contact Margie MacIntyre at 902-625-1361 for dates and times she will be going. 

The Port Hawkesbury Branch Library will be hosting a Trunk Show with the folks from the Stitch'N Post on Wednesday February 22 from 1:00-3:00pm. They will bring a sampling of quilts and other projects for all to enjoy. Come out and hear what's New in the quilting world!

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19TH 2017-7TH AFTER EPIPHANY

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

February 19th, 2017-7th Sunday after Epiphany

A thought around which to gather as we worship—“Love your enemies is as radical today as it was in ancient Galilee. Most political leaders who embrace conventional forms of Christianity ignore this saying because they con­sider it impracticable. The problem is that although peace­making has been exemplified in the lives of our spiritual forerunners, it has not been lived out on a large scale on the socio-political-economic plane. Jesus’ way, and the way of peace in the major religions, is still pretty much an untried experiment.” (Susan McCaslin)

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2016–2017 

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2016, p. 179

 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   Listen, God is Calling MV 97

Call to Worship 

One: We are called to turn the other cheek. 
All: We will seek to be vulnerable in our lives of faith and service. 
One: We are called to go the extra mile. 
All: We will be with those around us in the journeys of hope as well as fear. 
One: We are called to love those who make that so hard. 
All: We will rely on the One who loves us to fill us with that special grace.

Opening Prayer   

*Hymn Take My Life and Let It Be VU 506

Prayer of Confession 

One: God would teach us all we need in order to live in peace, to love others, to walk the right paths. Let us confess how foolish we are when we choose not to listen to such wisdom, as we pray together, saying, 
All: A friend hurts us, we hurt them back; 
someone hits us, we strike back; 
a family member ridicules us, we gossip about him or her. 
That is how we have been taught to deal with those around us. 
But now, God of mercy, you call us to a different life,
the life of forgiving, not avenging; 
the life of peace, not anger; 
the life of love, not hate. 
As you forgive us of all we have done, and not done 
may we walk in your new ways of living, 
as we follow Jesus the Christ. Amen. 

Words of Affirmation 

One: It begins with God and ends with God – that love which can create, renew, restore. God loves you and forgives you – now and forever. 
All: As we listen to God’s songs of mercy, we are cradled in grace – now and forever. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Leviticus 19:1–2, 9–18      Living the holy life.

One: Herein is Wisdom.  All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 119 Teach me, O God, your ways  Pt. 3, VU 839

* Hymn Love Us into Fullness MV 81

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 5:38–48 Turn the other cheek; give your cloak.

One: Herein is Good News.   All: Praise be to God.

Opening the Word 2  

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn     When a Poor One VU 702

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Prayer

We are called to share with everyone – our coats, our cloaks, our love, our forgiveness. May these gifts we offer be tangible hope to those walking in despair, real food for hungry chil­dren, safe shelter for the homeless, peace and reconciliation for the broken. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession 

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Take Time to Be Holy VU 672

*Commissioning and Benediction 

One: God teaches us to love,
even imperfect people like ourselves. 
All: We go to love those all around us. 
One: God would teach us to deny ourselves, 
even walking the extra mile with us. 
All: We will seek to give ourselves to others 
as generously as Jesus has been given to us.

* Choral Amen

ST. MARK'S ANNUAL MEETING THIS SUNDAY

Annual Congregational Meeting this SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12TH  at 2:00 p.m. 

Pre-meeting discussion at 1:15 p.m. Returning to Strategic Planning: 

An exercise to re-imagine St. Mark's.

St. Mark’s Planning        Understanding who we were, are, and…might yet be!

	FOUNDING ERA—ZION ROBERTSON	GLORY DAYS	NOW
CONTEXT What was going on in out context?      -local community      -wider culture      -wider church
CONGREGATION How did we understand ourselves as a congregation? Our distinctive “calling”? Clues:      -name      -location      -building style and size      -clergy strengths      -primary programs
DEFINITION OF “RIGHT SIZE” What was our definition of the “right size”? How did that definition relate to:      -our context      -our distinctive calling

(above is the chart received in worship this morning and used for conversation today)

Please fill in as many of the spaces above as you can and either drop your responses off at the table in the entry or bring this page along with you for conversation prior to the Annual Meeting this afternoon. 

Pre-meeting discussion (Nan facilitating) this afternoon at 1:15 p.m.  

 ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TODAY AT 2:00 P.M.