THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
KIRK-MCCOLL UNITED CHURCH
70 King Street, St. Stephen, NB
E3L 2C3
Minister: Rev. Dr. Mark Hatfield H: 466-5459
Organist: Norma Caswell Choir Director: Sharon Allen
Youth Choir Directors: Wanda Casey & Roxanne Grant
Pianist: Steve Backman Official Board Chair: Kathy Helpert
Web Master: Tara Moore
Secretary: Barbara Greenlaw
Church Office Hours: Thurs & Fri: 9:00 - 3:00 Office: 466-1380
*Indicates to stand if you are able.
April 24th, 2016 - Fifth Sunday of Easter
GATHERING
PRELUDE: “Tranquillity” by May F. Lawrence
*INTROIT:MV# 96 - And When You Call for Me
LIFEANDWORK OF THE CHURCH:
CALL TO WORSHIP: (Helen Steiner Rice, adapted)
God, all of us have a need in our heart that is too deep for any creed or doctrine to fill. That is why we are here.
H
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE:
This is our prayer. Intellectually and emotionally, let us sense your presence. Grant us peace. Let our restless murmurings cease.
*HYMN:VU# 395 - Come In, Come In and Sit Down
UNISON AFFIRMATION:
Life is a great and worthy experiment, a divine and holy privilege. This gift is a sacred trust committed to our care by God. Ultimately, as caretakers, we will be accountable to him for the quality of our stewardship. Remember, God is counting on you to continue Christ’s work.
“More things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of. Therefore, I will raise my voice to you like a fountain day and night.” (Tennyson)
Life is an overflowing cup of joy, hardship and mystery. The Spirit gives us this cup saying, “Drink all of it.” By doing so, we become more aware of his presence in all circumstances.
Drink deeply, taste and see that the Lord is good. Let us strive to release God’s power with our prayers. (Psalm 34:8)
For even if we do not know how we ought to pray, the Spirit himself speaks on our behalf with groans deeper than words. (Romans 8:26)
God of Easter and Pentecost, as we live, as we pray, let us know that when we work your name, we have the power to roll away the stone.
We embrace the paradox of life. Sometimes, we do all things in your strength. Other times, your power is perfected in our weakness.
At all times, we live, move and have our being in you. For you are above all, through all and in all. (Acts 17:28, Ephesians 4:6)
WORDS ABOUT GOD
RESPONSIVE PSALM: Psalm 148, VU page 871
SCRIPTURE:Romans 10: 2, John 3: 16-17, I John 3: 15-18
ANTHEM:“Christ Arose”
MESSAGE:Random Thoughts on Prayer, “Recipes” and the “Tyranny of Language”
*HYMN:MV# 154 - Deep in our Hearts
OUR RESPONSE
OFFERTORY: “Prayer of Thanksgiving” by Edward Kremser
*OFFERTORY CHORUS: VU# 542 - We Give You But Your Own
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER:
*HYMN:We Are One in the Spirit
BENEDICTION & CHORAL BLESSING:
May God’s Blessing Surround You Each Day
POSTLUDE: “March” arranged by David Paxton
LIFE AND WORK OF THE CHURCH
Welcome! Settle in, breathe in the Spirit, relax. The nursery is open, and there is a changing table in the women’s washroom. There are audio enhancers available to assist in better hearing. If you are having a birthday, we would love for you to let us know so we can celebrate it with you. If you wish, come forward and put some coins in our Birthday Church. Please join us in the lounge following worship for coffee and conversation.
Today’s bulletins are sponsored in loving memory of
Charles Nixon
by Millen & Laura.
April 25th at 10:00 am - Discussion group will meet in the lounge.
April 25th at 7:00 pm -The General UCW will meet in the lounge.
April 28th at 7:00 pm - The first practice of the “Voices of the Bay” will be held here at Kirk McColl. All are welcome! Contacts - Debbie MacDonald at 466-2947 and Carol Baker at 466-5861
May 1st at 8:30 am - There will be a very important Men’s Club breakfast to discuss upcoming events. Please make an effort to attend.
May 4th - The St. Croix Presbyterial UCW will be holding their Annual Meeting here at Kirk McColl United with registration beginning at 9:30 am. A pot luck meal will be enjoyed at noon.
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Financial Report
January 1st- March 31st
Receipts$35,082
Expenses$47,201
Deficit$12,119
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Romans 10:2 - I can testify … they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened.
John 3:16-17 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
I John 3:15-18 - Anyone who hates a brother or sister is (like) a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.