ORDER OF SERVICE FEBRUARY 22ND 2015-LENT 1 SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

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/

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

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

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

February 22^nd, 2015

1^st Sunday of Lent-Sacrament of Communion

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

The liturgy for Lent follows traditional lines though it is written in a pattern to employ a “river” theme:

R     reflect

I      invite

V     voice

E     engage

R     realize

REFLECT

Greeting

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit

Introit       Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery, v. 1        VU 121

Poem “Wilderness” For quiet reflection as we gather

Here,

in this demanding place,

accompanied by wild things,

and nourished by nature,

considerations are made clear.

Here,

the echo of your boldly claimed words

“you are my beloved,”

reside with me these forty days,

and I know these words are not just for me,

but are for all things

and is the good news

that I will proclaim.              © Neryl McCallum

INVITE

Call to Worship      At the first bend in the river...The font

People of God, gather around.

In this sacred space, in this sacred moment,

leave your daily concerns aside

for here we recall the stories of faith;

here we see the extraordinary in the ordinary;

here we hear good news;

here we remember whose we are.

*Hymn      Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights      VU 108

Lenten Triad Candle Extinguishing (Tenebrae) (Five purple candles, pink candle, and Christ candle are lighted prior to worship.)

Adult: ...Our choices have not always been wise ones.

Let us pray: All: Creator God, we come before you

as a people who have been tempted and have yielded.

We have fallen to the way of ease,

and lack of concern for future generations.

We have not been good stewards of your creation.

Gracious God, forgive our weakness.

Strengthen and encourage us,

as we journey through our own wilderness experiences. Amen.

Sung Assurance:      Like a Mighty River Flowing Verse 1 VU 267

VOICE

Genesis 9:8–17 The covenant between God and Noah.

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

Psalm 25:1–10 Lead me in your truth, O God. Refrain 2 VU 752

*Hymn         Shall We Gather at the River          VU 710

Opening the Word & Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation

Mark 1:9–15 The baptism, temptation, and mission of Jesus.

A: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth,

B: …leaving home behind,

A: and was baptized by John,

B: …proclaiming his faith.

A: And the spirit descended on him like a dove,

B: …acknowledging his call,

A: and a voice came from Heaven

B: …recognizing his ancestry.

A: He was then driven into the wilderness,

B: …to consider it all.

A: But when John was arrested, he came to Galilee

B: …assured of his purpose,

A: to proclaim the good news,

B: …that this was the time of the fulfillment of God’s very good adventure of love.

A: So the story begins again,

B: … and once again we commence our journey in the eternal flow of divine life.

Prayer

We too have left our homes and journeyed to this place; a place where we can proclaim our faith, acknowledge your call, recognize our history, and take time to consider it all. Here we come to be assured of our purpose and our participation in the fulfillment of your very good adventure of love. Amen.

ENGAGE

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

These gifts are offered today, that they may flood and flow into your world bearing your good news of justice and compassion to all. Amen.

*Hymn          As We Gather at Your Table          VU 457

Congregational Covenant with Elders-St. David’s

Sacrament of Communion Insert, cover of Voices United

Distribution Hymn         Donna Nobis Pacem        Printed

Dona nobis pacem pacem

Dona nobis pacem

REALIZE

*Hymn         All the Way My Saviour Leads Me        VU 635

*Commissioning

WEEKLY LENTEN REFLECTION-FEBRUARY 22ND

February 22

Mark 1:9–15

For 40 days, Satan temps Jesus in the wilderness. The scriptures tell us Jesus was there with the wild animals and that the angels waited on him. The image of animals with Jesus sends a clear message about our connection to all God’s creation. God desires peace among God’s creation and an end to violence and cruelty against nature. No matter what our negative associations with “wilderness” are, we know that God is there, God’s creation is connected. We do not journey alone through Lent.

This week, reflect on the moments when you’ve been in the “wilderness” of life – a physical, emotional, or spiritual wilderness. Think about who and what was with you at that time. Recall how your connections with God, creation, and others came to your aid. Carry these moments with you as you begin your Lenten journey. 

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Lent • Easter 2015 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2014

LIVING THE SEASON OF LENT

Lenten Creation

Lent is an opportunity for great spiritual and personal examination, a time to study our relationship with God and others, a time to improve those relationships and make them more meaningful. But our desire for deeper connection to God, one another, and all of God’s creation this Lent has to compete with the rest of life. Our spiritual practices go up against our everyday lives, busy schedules, work and family demands, emotional trials, and more.

This Lent, we look to God’s creation to help us find our way on our spiritual journey. In the scriptures we see the links between the Lenten journey and Creation. Jesus is in the company of wild animals while he faces his tempter in the desert. God’s language – when addressing Abraham and Sarah directly and the people of Israel through Jeremiah – refers to the land, the mountains, and the very hearts of humankind. The psalmist looks for God’s glory in creation and refers to God as rock and redeemer. The Israelites face their fears of God leaving them in the desert and are strengthened for more of their journey. And Jesus rides a colt into Jerusalem – from the wilderness, through small towns, and now arriving in the city where he will face his enemies.

It is a sacred thing to bring the ancient practice of Lenten examination into the modern world. The Lenten scripture readings, which speak to our human desires and failures, help us see our own lives in a new way. This Lent there will be moments of stress and times when you might feel frustrated. Times when you don’t think you have enough time for Lent, or even times when you feel like a failure.

But the river – the divine – continues to flow. Even if our spiritual lives seem to be nothing more than a dried up riverbed, God is there with a trickle of water to refresh us. As life twists and turns, we flow – God flows – with it. Every turn is a chance to slow down, reflect, and then flow onward toward Easter.

During the Season of Lent, may you find not only moments for reflection, but moments for connection with others and all of God’s creation. 

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2014 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Lent • Easter 2015, p.15

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP-ST. DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH

Ash Wednesday Prayer Service 2015

One moment we feel close to God and can see signs of our

deepening faithfulness. But all too suddenly our faith becomes fragile, we know sorrow and emptiness, we hurt those who are closest to us. This is the human condition. The Season of Lent gives us the opportunity to give honest voice to this human mixture within and around us. And this Ash Wednesday service blends the ashes of regret with the oil of renewal as a sign of the Lenten season.

Gathered in community

we share spiritual union

with God and one another.

Surrounded by Love,

we express our deepest thoughts and feelings

(bring stones forward and arrange in a spiral leaving space in the middle for the candle).

The Ever Present One

moves within, between, and beyond

and we rest in gentle currents of peace.

Surrounded by Love,

we express our deepest thoughts and feelings

(place the candle in the middle of the spiral and light).

Sensing the vulnerability of this season,

we shiver at our frailty

and seek the strength of Love.

Surrounded by Love,

we express our deepest thoughts and feelings

(bring pieces of palm branches forward, and place them around the spiral).

Longing for renewal

we turn to Love

knowing Love, alone, is our hope.

Surrounded by Love,

we express our deepest thoughts and feelings

(place the bowls of ashes and oil on the table).

Opening prayer

(Lift the bowls of ashes and oil.)

We pray that Love will hold all of us –

our deepest thoughts and feelings –

and that all that we are

can be welcomed into this community.

(Mix the oil into the ashes.)

May Love hold and heal

and shape us into something new.

Amen.

The church bell is rung to “sound the alarm!”

Based on Joel 2:1–2, 12–17

One: Blow the trumpet! Sound the alarm!

All: We return to God.

One: Gather the people! Assemble the aged! Gather the children!

All: We return to God.

One: Return to God with all your heart. For God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

All: We return to God with all our heart.

A bell is rung again to “sound the alarm!”

Scripture reading Isaiah 58:1–7

ONE: Shout out, do not hold back!
   Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
   to the house of Jacob their sins. ² Yet day after day they seek me
   and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practised righteousness
   and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgements,
   they delight to draw near to God.

ALL: Why do we fast, but you do not see?

Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?

ONE: Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day,
   and oppress all your workers. ⁴ Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
   and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
   will not make your voice heard on high. ⁵ Is such the fast that I choose,
   a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
   and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
   a day acceptable to the Lord?

ALL: What kind of fasting do you desire?

ONE: ⁶ Is not this the fast that I choose:
   to loose the bonds of injustice,
   to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
   and to break every yoke? ⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
   and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
   and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

ALL: May our love shine like the dawn

and may the healing of the world

burst forth like flowers in the spring.

Ashes and Oil

In ancient times, the Jewish people used ashes as a symbol to show God that they were sorry. Name actions that people do that bring harm and loving actions that people sometimes do not do, and things for which people are sometimes sorry.

Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent, a time when we bring our deep feelings and thoughts to God. It is a time to say we are sorry and also to make changes so we can live in new, healing ways.

Oil was an ancient symbol of healing. It reminds us that Love is always willing and ready to forgive. No matter what we do, God is ready to forgive. That’s another part of Lent: to remember God’s great love for the world.

Silence is kept (5 minutes) Bell is rung to start and end

Chant: Within our darkest night, you kindle the fire that never dies away, never dies away.        

Love is with us always (indicate the lit candle on the table).

Leader: You are invited to come forward and receive

the symbol of the ashes.

Dip two fingers into the bowl and take out some ashes,

making a sign of the cross with them in the palm of your other hand. Or if you would like the presider to anoint your forehead, stand with folded hands.

Words for the anointing: You are renewed and reborn in love.

Response to the anointing

Let us pray:

At this moment, on Ash Wednesday,

we have made our choice.

We choose to travel the Lenten way

and we carry in our lives the ashes and oil

of human and Divine reality.

The path is uncertain,

some days may feel unfamiliar.

Still, may we choose to go deeper along the way

for nothing can separate us

from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.

BLESS

Let us move into Lent in faith and truth,

touching each other’s lives as we go.

(You are invited to place your hand on the shoulder of a person near you)

And may God in Christ call us on,

the God who is our Loving Parent

comfort us as we go

and the Holy Spirit light the way ahead. Amen.

CANCELLATION

The February 17th, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, has been cancelled.

CANCELLATION--ST. DAVID'S WORSHIP SERVICE; POSTPONEMENTS-ST. MARK'S

We have decided to cancel tomorrow's worship service at St. David's, anticipating the storm that is predicted will be hitting us about that time. So NO WORSHIP SERVICE AT ST. DAVID'S TOMORROW MORNING.

St. Mark's Men's Group monthly breakfast postponed from Sunday, February 15th to Sunday, February 22nd at 8:00 a.m. St. Mark's church hall. 

Annual Meeting of St. Mark's United Church postponed from Sunday, February 15th to Sunday, February 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

LOOKING FORWARD TO A FUN WINTERLUDE!

St. David's & St. Mark's

WINTERLUDE

WEEKEND

Fun for all ages—everyone welcome

Saturday, February 28th

A) Parking Lot Hockey games-- at St. Mark's Parking Lot 10 a.m. -12 noon. Open to all ages, boys and girls, men and women. You need to bring your own hockey stick, water bottle. Prize Draws. A light lunch to follow in the church hall at Noon. Please pre-register with Margie MacIntyre 902.625.1361, by, Friday, February 27th, if you would like to participate in this fun hockey game.  Any cancellation will be on 101.5 CIGO-FM (The Hawk)

B) Indoor Curling games--St. Mark's hall—1 p.m.- 3 p.m.

Join us for lunch in the hall at Noon, then have fun with your team, curling.  This activity is open to children 7 and up, men and women. Prize draws.  Please pre-register with Margie MacIntyre 902.625.1361, by Thursday, February 26th, if you would like to participate in this activity.  Indoor footwear is required. Any cancellation will be on 101.5 CIGO-FM (The Hawk)

Sunday, March 1^st

* Children accompanied by parent or guardian

A) Coasting on  MacIntyre's hill, MacIntyre Mountain, 

2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Helmets required.

B) Snowshoeing on the trails on the top of MacIntyre Mountain.  Park your car at the top on MacIntyre Mountain and snowshoe along the trails.  Get the snowshoes there or bring your own.

C) X Country Skiing on the top of MacIntyre Mountain. Bring your own skis for this activity. Any cancellation will be on 101.5 CIGO-FM (The Hawk)

HOT SUPPER TO FOLLOW AT ST. DAVID'S CHURCH HALL

ANNOUNCEMENTS FEBRUARY 15TH 2015

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist:                                  Al Fougere

Lay Reader (St. M.):                Joyce Oliver-Snair

                    (St. D.):                Bonnie Hatcher

Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Jim & Sarah Chiasson

Greeters (St. D.):                  Maxine Smith

Collectors (St. D.):                Ashley Mac Leod, Marie Davis

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

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

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle  Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is February 16th at 1:00 p.m.

February 17th, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper, St. David's, Port Hastings, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Donations to Missions and Service.

February 18th, Ash Wednesday worship, 10:00 a.m. St. David's, Port Hastings

Wednesdays in Lent, 10:00 a.m. Half hour Scripture, Song & Silence, St. David's, Port Hastings

February 22nd, Lent 1, Sacrament of Communion St. Mark's & St. David's

February 25^th -  10:30 a.m. Service at Nursing Home

April 2nd, Maundy Thursday Potluck supper and Table Communion, 6:00 p.m. St. David's Port Hastings

April 3rd Good Friday worship 11:00 a.m. St. Mark's Port Hawkesbury

April 5th Easter Sunrise St. David's 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast at Port Hastings Firehall

April 5th Easter Sacrament of Communion St. Mark's 9:30 a.m.; St. David's 11:00 a.m.

Copies of The Upper Room  for March- April are available.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Mark’s Welcomes You!            

Refreshments in the church hall following worship—please join us!

There is a quiet nursery space above the stage in the hall—reached via the stairs by the church office door. There you will find toys, change table, crib, rocking chair for your use. We’re so glad you came today.

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

FundScrip Order Sunday for February will be February 22^nd.  The February Promotions are as follows:

la Vie en Rose/                              11% ( Regular 8% )

la Vie en Rose Aqua

Roots/                                          14% (Regular 10% )

Roots Home/Roots Kids

The Gap/Old Navy/                        7% ( Regular 5% )

Banana Republic

Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions about the program or if you wish to join the program.

Lay Readers:

February 22^nd – David Chapman

March 1^st – Jim Chiasson

March 8^th – Brenda Mac Innis

March 15^th – Jean Mac Pherson

March 22^nd – Vida Hood

March 29^th – Connie Fowlie

Please Note: 

Triennial Visit of presbytery Pastoral Care and Oversight Committee Tuesday, February 24th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s    
         

What is a Presbytery Oversight Visit?

Oversight visits are part of the Presbytery’s ministry to the Pastoral Charges within its bounds. It is the Presbytery’s responsibility to keep in touch with all Pastoral Charges, supporting in times of struggle and celebrating and encouraging achievements.

February 15^th – 7:00 p.m. - Annual Congregational Meeting.

February 17^th – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting.

February 24^th – Senior’s Lunch at St. Mark’s.

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:

February 22^nd – Maxine Smith

March 1^st – Malcolm Parsons

March 8^th – Margaret Ashford

March 15^th –Alicia Vink

March 22^nd – Kenzie Mac Lean

March 29^th – Kevin Pierce

St. David’s UCW Have placed a box in the narthex for new or gently used womens & children’s scarves, mittens, gloves, hats and or socks. These will be sent to the Brunswick Street Mission in Halifax once enough have been collected.

Church Hall Cleaners for February are Irene Wheaton & Beryl Mac Donald.

**********

Trivia Night:  The Port Hastings Historical Society will host trivia night on Saturday February 28th and March 28th at 7pm in the Port Hawkesbury Fire Hall.  Admission is $5 person (teams of 4). Categories include general trivia, sports, entertainment and more. A licensed event.  Prizes for the top team.  Proceeds support the Port Hastings Museum.

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15TH 2015-TRANSFIGURATION

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/

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: The Whole People of God

Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

February 15^th, 2015

Transfiguration Sunday

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 have come at Christ’s own bidding, vs. 1 VU 104

*Call to Worship

One: Go up to a high mountain, to the thin place where you can meet God.

All: May we open our senses to discover God is near.

One: Look over the landscape, look with discerning eyes.

All: We see the world struggling, and hear its despair.

One: Listen for the Word – present and pressing,

All: challenging injustice, urging compassion, calling for peace. One: Find your place with saints and prophets and Jesus himself, All: whose lives give inspiration, whose words encourage and guide.

One: Move through this time of worship – meeting, looking, listening, preparing.

All: God, send your Spirit to be with us and show us how to live.

Opening Prayer

God of light and glory, may we recognize your glory around us – a sense of the sacred found in the everyday: in the stories of faith we tell, in the lives of the people we meet, in the words we use to speak. May your majesty and mystery always be within our seeing, close enough for our hearing, and present in our living. Amen.

*Hymn                     Joyful, Joyful We Adore You                VU 232

Prayer for Wholeness             Based on Psalm 50:1-6

One: Our holy God has spoken (bell tone) and proclaimed to the world from east to west. Out of Zion God shines forth in radiant beauty (bell tone).

All: Lord, have mercy.

One: Our God comes not in silence (bell tone), 

but as a consuming fire, a mighty tempest raging all around.

All: Christ, have mercy.

One: O Holy One, you summon heaven above and the whole world to judge your people (bell tone). 

You say, (bell tone; pause) “Gather to me my faithful people, who have covenanted with me.”

All: Lord, have mercy.

One: “Let the heavens declare my faithful justice.”

All: Surely our God is our judge! (bell tone)

From Songs for the Holy One by Thomas Barnett and Donald Patriquin. Copyright © 2004 Thomas Barnett and Donald Patriquin, Wood Lake Publishing Inc. Used by permission.

Words of Affirmation

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

2 Kings 2:1–12              Elijah is taken up into heaven.

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

Psalm 50:1–6              God summons the earth.                    VU 775

*Hymn                   This Little Light of Mine

1. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
2. Hide it under a bushel (NO!), I’m gonna let it shine
3. Don’t let anyone “whfff” it out, I’m gonna let it shine
4. Let it shine in my hometown, I’m gonna let it shine
5. See the light spreading round the world, see all the faces shine

Opening the Word & Lord’s Prayer
The Gospel Acclamation

Mark 9:2–9               The transfiguration of Jesus

One: The gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Opening the Word 2

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

*Hymn                    This Is God’s Wondrous World           VU 296

Minute for Mission
Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

Responding to your blessing on us, O God, and our love for you, we bring these offerings of our resources, our best efforts, and ourselves. May we prove faithful to you and to those faithful ones who have come before us. And may our lives also shine brightly in the world as evidence of our hope. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

*Hymn                 Jesus Shall Reign                     VU 330

*Commissioning

Let's go in the glory of God

to be the glory of God, shining in the world.

Let's take the presence of God

with us wherever we go.

Let's go out, sharing God's light and love.

*Choral Amen

ST. MARK'S MEN'S GROUP ROAST BEEF SUPPER WAS HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH, 2015

ST. MARK'S MEN'S GROUP ROAST BEEF DINNER 

Ready for the dinneer!

Jim & Carl discuss the dinner music.

Chef Jim George and his crew

This is how you do it boys!

Mmmmmmm Dessert!