ST. MARK'S MISSION AND SERVICE LETTER-EASTER 2017

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY APRIL 30TH 2017

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader (St. M.): Judy Castle
                    (St. D.): Marie Mac Kinnon
Mission Moment (St. M.): Larry Evans
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.):  Andy Palmer, Ingram Fowlie 
Greeters (St. D.): Bruce Oliver
Collectors (St. D.): Bob Downard, Donnie Mac Gregor

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 May 15th at 1:00 p.m.

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

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

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

Moving out of Leeside—clean, sturdy furniture needed for small apartment—sofa, end and coffee tables, dining table and chairs (small), chest of drawers and bedside stand, lamps. If you have any of these you might donate, contact the church office or speak to Nan.

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ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers

May 7th – David Chapman
May 14th – Brenda Mac Innis
May 21st – Jean Mac Pherson
May 28th – Vida Hood

Coffee time: The first Sunday in May and June there will be coffee time after Worship Service. Please join us.

The May FundScrip Order Dates are May 7th and 21st and the Delivery Dates are May 14th and 28th.
The May Promotions are as follows:
Winners-Home Sense                             8% (Regular 5%)
Chapters-Indigo                                    7.5% (Regular 5%)
If you have any questions about FundScrip or if you wish to join the program please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838.

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 of or in memory of a loved one.  Place your donation on the collection plate in an envelope marked "More Voices", please include your information. 

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ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers: 
May 7th – Julia Mac Kinnon
May 14th – Erin Hart-Breen    
May 21st – Mary Jess Mac Donald
May 28th – Dave Pringle

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 of 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”. 

Over the next few months St. David's UCW will be collecting mittens, socks, scarves, hats, etc. to be delivered to Brunswick St. Mission in the fall.   There is a box in the church entry if anyone wishes to make a donation.

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

Saturday, June 3, 8:30 am to 12 noon. A Yard and Bake Sale will be held at St. David’s Church Hall sponsored by St. David’s Board of Stewards.

St. David's UCW is looking to sponsor a 3 Hour Food Safety Course for Volunteers.   Twenty (20) people are required for the course.   Anyone interested please call Maxine Smith (902-625-1516) or Julia MacKinnon (902-625-2794).

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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 Assoc. 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.

Mark Wednesday, May 3rd at 7 pm. on your calendar for the monthly Port Hastings Historical Society meeting which will be held at the Museum which is located north of St. David's church and across the rotary from the Tourist Bureau. Pass the word,  please.

Enterlift  Productions presents, 'Stormy Weather', featuring vocal standards in all types of music genres and musical theatre, Friday, May 5th, 2017, 7 p.m., St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Whycocoamagh. Tickets, $15.00 Call Burton MacIntyre  902.756.2769 or Fred Matthews 902.756.2764.

Ashley MacIsaac And Friends In Concert, Saturday, May 27th, 7 P.M., First United Church, Truro, N.S.  Musicians to include Ashley MacIsaac, John Pellerin...fiddle and stepdance; Jackie Dunn MacIsaac...Piano; Cheryl Reid O'Hagan....Harpist; The MacKinnon Sisters....Vocals. Tickets $40.00 Adult; $20.00 Students. Proceeds for First United Church Restoration Fund and the Alumni Association Of The Nova Scotia Teachers College. Tickets are available from Margie MacIntyre at 902.890.1538

Breakfast at the Port Hastings Fire Hall on May 20, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Adults $8.00/Children $5.00 Sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department.

Please join us for “ A tribute to The Beatles" a spring concert by the Inverness County Singers and the Young County Singers, directed by Laurel Browne with piano accompaniment by Lawrence Cameron. Performances will be on Thursday, May 11th, at 7:30 pm at Mabou Parish Hall, Mabou; Saturday, May 13th, at 7:30 pm St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury; and Monday, May 15th at 7:30 pm at Inverness County Centre for the Arts.  Freewill donations go to local charities after expenses

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY APRIL 30TH 2017-3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER

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

April 30th, 2017-3rd Sunday of Easter

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 Fresh as the Morning verse 1 MV 28

Call to Worship 

One: Come and see: signs of the risen Christ are all around us! 
All: We come to worship God. 
One: Come and know: the presence of the risen Christ in this community! 
All: We come to worship God. 
One: Come and believe: the risen Christ is with us now and always. 
All: We come to worship God.

Opening Prayer

We have heard the call, loving God, to come into your pres­ence. We have heard the challenge to be baptized in the name of Christ and receive new life. We have heard the invita­tion to turn away from a society focused on greed and self-centredness, and to turn our lives toward loving and serving one another. Guide us and lead us, we pray. Amen.

*Hymn Called By Earth and Sky MV 135

Prayer of Confession

Response: One: O God,   All: O God, forgive us.

Assurance of Pardon 

One: No matter where we find ourselves on life’s journey, Jesus comes and travels with us. Jesus offers us for­giveness and new life at every turn of the path. So know, friends, that whenever you turn to God, God welcomes you and forgives you. 
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Acts 2:14a, 36–41 Three thousand new followers of the Way.

One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God. 

Psalm 116:1–4, 12–19 How can I repay you, God? VU 836

*Hymn We Will Take What You Offer MV 196

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Luke 24:13–35  Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus.

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

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn     Open My Eyes, That I May See VU 371

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

What can we give back to you, O God, for all the good things you have done for us? We lift up the cup of salvation. We call on your name. We keep the promises we have made to be your people, proclaiming your goodness to all the world. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn    The Head That Once Was Crowned VU 190

*Commissioning and Blessing

This is 1 Peter 1:20–23 from Good As New: a Radical Retelling of the Scriptures by John Hanson. 
“You are changed people since you accepted the truth. You’re learning the true meaning of love. Now you must love one another with honesty and enthusiasm. You’ve begun a new life. You no longer have the personality you inherited from your natural parents. You now have the new personality you’ve been given by God, your eternal Parent.” 
So go in peace, and know that the risen Christ will travel beside you always.

*Choral Amen

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE AT ST. DAVID'S PORT HASTINGS

EASTER APRIL 16TH 2017-SACRAMENTS OF COMMUNION AND BAPTISM (ST. DAVID'S)

How exciting it was! Malcolm and Knox were baptized on Easter Sunday.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY APRIL 16TH 2017

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist:                                 Al Fougere, St. Mark's

                                               Adam Cooke, St. David's

Mission Moment (St. M.):       Linda Howlett
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.):  Andy Palmer, Ingram Fowlie
Greeters (St. D.):                     Bruce Oliver
Collectors (St. D.):                  Bob Downard, Donnie Mac Gregor

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 3^rd Monday of each month. The next time of gathering is April 17^th 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.

Nan is on vacation from April 18^th to 24^th. Rev. Heather Manuel will cover for Pastoral Care during Nan’s week of vacation.

Wednesday, April 26^th – 10:30 a.m. – Service at Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home. Everyone welcome.

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ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers              

April 23^rd – Clark Brander      April 30^th – Judy Castle

Coffee time: Continuing the first Sunday in May and June there will be coffee time after Worship Service. Please join us.

The April FundScrip Order date is Sunday April 23^rd and the Delivery dates are Sunday April 16^th and 30^th.

The April FundScrip Promotions are as follows:

Giant Tiger                           5% ( Regular 3% )

Way Spa                              13% ( Regular 10% )

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 and Swiss Chalet.If you have any questions about FundScrip or if you wish to join the program please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838.

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. 

April 23^rd – 8:30 a.m. – St. Mark’s Men’s Group Breakfast Meeting.

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ST. DAVID’S BAPTISM

Being Baptized this morning at St. David’s are:

KNOX JOHN ALLEN DOWNING 

MALCOLM MACKINNON FOX DOWNING

Sons of Darren Jason Downing and Tanya Evonne Joy Ashford

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers

April 23 – Rose Mary Morell           April 30^th – Marie Mac Kinnon

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”.

Over the next few months St. David's UCW will be collecting mittens, socks, scarves, hats, etc. to be delivered to Brunswick St. Mission in the fall.   There is a box in the church entry if anyone wishes to make a donation.

Hall Cleaners for April are Heather Graham & Marie Mac Kinnon

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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  Assoc. 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.

Denim Day Walk on April 26, 2017 at 6:30 pm at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre (ouside, Reeves Street entrance) Wear you denims and join us as we bring attention to Sexual Assault Awareness with a peaceful March. Be creative and make a poster to carry. Refreshments and snacks to follow. For more information contact Strait Area Women’s Place Suite 102, 609 Church Street, Port Hawkesbury  902-625-1614.

Blood Donor Clinic – Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre on Wednesday, April 26^th, 2017 from 1-3 pm & 5-8 pm and Thursday, April 27^th, 2017 from 1-3 pm & 5-7 pm. Make your appointment online at www.blood.ca or by calling 1 888 2 Donate (1 888 236-6283)

Enterlift  Productions presents,'Stormy Weather', featuring vocal standards in all types of music genres and musical theatre, with musicians Robyn Cathcart, Margaret MacPherson, Ross Hunter and Michele Stephens, Friday, May 5th, 2017, 7 p.m., St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Whycocoamagh. Tickets, $15.00 per person and are available from Burton MacIntyre 902.756.2769 or Fred Matthews902.756.2764.

Ashley MacIsaac And Friends In Concert, Saturday, May 27th, 7 P.M., First United Church, Truro, N.S.  Musicians to include Ashley MacIsaac, John Pellerin...fiddle and stepdance; Jackie Dunn MacIsaac...Piano; Cheryl Reid O'Hagan....Harpist; The MacKinnon Sisters....Vocals. Tickets are on sale now,  $40.00 Adult; $20.00 Students. Proceeds for First United Church Restoration Fund and the Alumni Association Of The Nova Scotia Teachers College. Tickets are available from Margie MacIntyre at 902.890.1538

ORDER OF SERVICE-EASTER SUNRISE-ST. DAVID'S PORT HASTINGS 6:15 A.M.

Easter Sunrise Service

April 16^th, 2017

6:15 a.m. Outdoors St. David’s United Church

 Ministers: Each one of us

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WE GATHER TOGETHER

GATHERING AROUND THE NEW FIRE

This is the dawn of a new creation: come to the new fire!

CALL TO WORSHIP & EASTER ACCLAMATION

At Christmas, Hope was born in the manger.

On Friday, all Hope was lost on the cross.

The earth seemed to stand still.

And we held our breath.

But today it is Easter! The earth is alive again!

We can breathe again! Hope is alive again!

Jesus lives again!  Hallelujah! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!

HYMN                 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ  VU 468

1     Let us talents and tongues employ,

       reaching out with a shout of joy:

       bread is broken, the wine is poured,

       Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

            R Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

            pass the Word around: loaves abound!

            Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,

            pass the Word around: loaves abound!

2     Christ is able to make us one,

       at the table he sets the tone,

       teaching people to live to bless,

       love in word and in deed express.  R

3     Jesus calls us in, sends us out,

       bearing fruit in a world of doubt,

       gives us love to tell, bread to share:

       God (Immanuel) everywhere!  R

OPENING PRAYER

Great Living God, the cold of this early morning

casts a chill on our spirits and threatens our joy.

As we gather, we seek to erase what we have witnessed

on the cross of Jesus.

We come seeking the brilliance

of your new creation in the Risen Christ.

We come to hear the good news

of your love for us.

We come to be reassured

that life follows death.

As we huddle together in the early morning,

we ask you, to break through the chill,

to warm our bodies and our hearts,

to ignite our spirits and our souls

that we might be the living light

of the joyful mystery of resurrection. Amen.

Written by Heather McLure, Wesley U.C., Montreal, Que.

Gathering, Lent/Easter 2017, p. 37. Used with permission.          

WE APPROACH GOD

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God, we confess to you that while we know well

the story of your victory over the grave,

it is not a story we always live.

We are dragged down by all manner of death –

Fear may suffocate us: the loss of dreams and hopes

for ourselves, our families, our communities and our nation.

Sorrow may wall us off like a grave,

isolating us with anger, frustration, and grief.      Silence

Yet the smooth stones of our faith are inscribed

not with the marks of death,

but with the word, “Alleluia!”

So on this Easter morning,

we pray that you will fill us with “fear and great joy”

so that, like those women who came

to the tomb expecting death,

we may instead find the radiant new life

that is ever before us in your Resurrection! Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Just as Christ did not come to condemn but to liberate,

so too is Christ raised from death not to judge but to celebrate.

Cast off the yoke of sorrow and instead raise up the scepter of joy – Christ lives! We live!

All is made new on this Resurrection morning!

Alleluia and amen!

Written by the Rev. Elizabeth Dilley, Minister for Ministers of Local Congregations, UCC. Copyright 2017 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Used with permission. 

All publishing rights reserved. 

HYMN    Morning Has Broken                                VU 409

1          Morning has broken like the first morning,

            blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

            Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!

            Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

2          Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,

            like the first dewfall on the first grass.

            Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,

            sprung in completeness where God's feet pass.

3          Ours is the sunlight! Ours is the morning

            born of the one light Eden saw play!

            Praise with elation, praise every morning,

            God's recreation of the new day!

PASSING THE PEACE  We share the Easter Greeting

Hallelujah! Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, indeed! Hallelujah!

WE LISTEN FOR GOD'S WORD

Matthew 28:1-10  He is not here; for he has been raised

One: This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.  

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD

PRAYER

God of light, the darkness of Friday gave way to the glorious light of resurrection shining on the risen Christ and in the face of Mary. Let that light shine in our lives to reach the darkest corners of our world and proclaim your presence in our midst. Let that light glow from our faces, and show in all our actions and words. For we ask it in the name of the light of the world, the One who taught us to pray saying: Our Father who...

HYMN   Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks      VU 179

            R Hallelujah, hallelujah.

            Give thanks to the risen Christ;

            hallelujah, hallelujah!

            Give praise to God's name.

1          Jesus is Lord of all the earth,

            firstborn of all creation.  R

2          Spread the good news o'er all the earth:

            Jesus has died and is risen.  R

3          We have been crucified with Christ,

            now we shall live for ever.  R

4          Come let us praise the living God,

            joyfully sing to our Saviour.  R

SENDING OUT AND BLESSING

Go, with the Easter joy deep within your hearts.

Thanks be to God!

Go, with the Easter songs singing on your lips.

Thanks be to God!

Go, with the hopeful message of Easter clear in your minds.

Thanks be to God!

Go, certain that in time and beyond time,

God’s love is with you and will never leave you.

Thanks be to God!         Written by David Sparks, Summerland, B.C.

Gathering Lent/Easter 2017, p. 44.

Used with permission.

POSTLUDE The light is carried into the church.