GIBSON MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH

FREDERICTON, N.B.

October 30, 2011                   11:00 a.m.             20th after Pentecost

All Saints’ Day & Communion & Baptism Sunday

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WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP

*denotes standing for those who are able

PRELUDE                 WELCOME               ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE APPROACH GOD

 

*LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

*GREETING  &  CALL TO WORSHIP:

To those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus,

called to be saints,    

together with all those who in every place

call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I Corinthians 1:2b-3

 

*OPENING PRAYER:  (all)

For all the saints who went before us, who have spoken to our hearts and touched us with your fire, we praise you, O God.  For all the saints who live beside us, whose weaknesses and strengths are woven with our own, we praise you, O God.  For all the saints who live beyond us, who challenge us to change the world with them, we praise you, O God.  Amen.

 

 

*OPENING HYMN:        Sing Praises to God                       228

(Children gather at front)

 

THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM

The Baptismal Liturgy (see insert)

*HYMN:     “God, We Pray at this Beginning”                         443

 

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WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD...

 

SCRIPTURE READING:      Revelation 7:9-17         Anne Small

 

MINISTRY OF MUSIC:

 

SERMON:  “Journey into the Unknown:  “Communion of Saints”

                                                                                               

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Friends, from many pasts and pathways

we are gathered to this one place;

a sacred space that provides homecoming and healing

for all who yearn for the mystery of love

to deepen and ripen in their soul.

And so we come, not in a show of strength,

nor presumption of privilege.

Rather to remember and be remembered;

to be held and made whole by the grace of Christ,

the mystery of God and the encouragement of the Spirit.

 

COMMUNION HYMN: “As We Gather at Your Table”         457

(The offering will be collected and presented and the Table prepared, during the singing of the hymn.)

 

PASSING THE PEACE

Blessed be Christ the Prince of Peace

who breaks down the walls that divide.

The peace of God be always with you.

Praise to Christ who unites us in peace.

Let us share signs of peace and reconciliation.

 

 

JOYS AND CONCERNS

 

 

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COMMUNION PRAYER

May God be with us.

God is with us.

Let us open our hearts to God.

We open them to God and to one another.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

 

Giver and Redeemer of life,

we offer our gratitude, we lay down our defenses

for a love that creates then calls us forth –

often from places of imprisonment and desolation.

As you are liberation and hope,

you are our mercy and courage for the journey.

As we gather we remember......

 

Before these symbols of everyday life –

bread for the sharing and wine for gladness of heart –

we pause and pray. 

For in and through them,

we seek a union of heart, mind, and spirit

with the One who has said:

This is my body, eat this in remembrance of me.

(Pause as the bread is broken.)

 

And after supper the One said,

This is my life-blood,

drink this in remembrance of me.

(Pause as the cup is lifted.)

 

Christ who calls, rescues, and ennobles,

fill us with your spirit of strength

and compassion for all.

Equip and inspire us to be your people

in this time and place. Amen!

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP

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*CLOSING HYMN:  For All the Saints                                   705

*COMMISSIONING and BENEDICTION

 

*SUNG BLESSING:

            Go now in peace.  Never be afraid.

            God will go with you each hour of everyday.

            Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.

            Know He will guide you in all you do.

            Go now in love, and show you believe.

            Reach out to others so all the world can see.

            God will be there watching from above.

            Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.

            Amen.  Amen.  Amen. 

POSTLUDE

 

CHURCH  STAFF:

MINISTER                                                          REV. CORA KROMMENHOEK

ORGANIST/CHOIR DIRECTOR                                    HEATHER DUNHAM

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR                                                  MARSHA DALEY

CUSTODIAN                                                                        EDWARD GALLANT

 

Worship & Sunday School: 11:00 a.m.

Office hours:  8 a.m. – 12 noon; 1 – 3 p.m.

183 Gibson Street, Fredericton, N.B.  E3A 4E4

Tel: 457-1951; e-mail: gibsonmemorial@nb.aibn.com

Web-site: www.gibsonmemorial.ca

 

CONGREGATIONAL INFORMATION

Welcome to all!  May this worship experience be meaningful and spiritual for you.  Everyone is invited to share in conversation and coffee/tea/juice immediately following the service.  Greeters today are George Thomson & Sherry Thomson and next week will be Mickey & Betty Lou Flanagan.  Tellers today are  Lyman Coy, Margaret Allen and Andy & Anne Small and next week will be Fred & Mavis O’Donnell and Lloyd & Charlotte Boyd.

 

 

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Meetings this week:  Oct. 30 – Nov. 5, 2011.

Monday           9:30     Shuffleboard

                        6:45     Cubs

Tuesday          6:30     Scouts

Wednesday     2:00     Bible Study

                        6:00     Sparks & Brownies

                        7:00     Choir

Thursday         1:30     UCW

                        6:30     Beavers

 

Upcoming Events & Meetings:

Nov. 6            11:00    Remembrance Day Service

Nov. 8             7:00    Worship

Nov. 15           7:00    Council

Nov. 20           3:00    Worship Service & Covenanting Service for  Rev. Cora  (see below)

 

Bible Study:  The next bible study is Wednesday, Nov. 2nd at 2 p.m.   Please note, each week will be a different topic/theme so you may attend any of the upcoming sessions.

 

Worship & Covenanting Service for Rev. Cora.  On Nov. 20th there will be only one service (no morning service).  It will be at 3 p.m. with a potluck supper to follow the service.

 

The Mission & Outreach Committee would like to thank all the University/College students and graduates for participating in last Sunday’s service. It was great to see so many of our young adults in attendance.

 

Upcoming Community Events: (see bulletin board)

Tonight           Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. Fredericton Chamber Orchestra at FHS.  Piano Soloist: Heather Dunham

Nov. 6             Fredericton’s Annual Concert to celebrate St. Cecilia at Wilmot United Church.           7 p.m.

Nov. 12           “Fill the Bus” At Regent Mall   &

Nov. 19           Concert at Grace Memorial Baptist Church in support of Bridges of Canada,  hoping to help 800 children.