November 9, 2014 Remembrance Sunday FONTHILL UNITED CHURCH 9:30 a.m. ORDER OF SERVICE * indicates please stand, if you are able WE GATHER Silent Prayer and Preparation Prelude Welcome and Announcements * Gathering Hymn 260 – God Who Gives to Life Its Goodness * Opening Words: (responsive) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news; who publish peace, who bring good tidings, who publish salvation, and proclaim, “Your God reigns!”• God will judge among many peoples, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and nation shall not lift up sword against nation: neither shall they learn war any more. Let us lift up our voices and praise the God of peace and justice. Let us worship God. (Congregation may be seated.) Prayer of Approach: (in unison) O God, at this annual time of remembrance, our thoughts turn to the violence, fear, and pain of war. Come gently in our worship this morning that we may know your peace— not the peace of violence ignored and fear repressed, but the true peace of evil confronted, injustice exposed, and reconciliation achieved. We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ who taught us to pray as we sing … The Prayer of Jesus: VU 959 (sung) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Choir Anthem: “World Peace Canon” - D. Moore WE LISTEN Bible Reading: Matthew 18: 21-33 Stories of Peace and Non-violence: The Christmas Truce - Alvin Penner The Singing Revolution - Beryl West Leymah Gbowee and a Women’s Peace Movement - Joan Wells Inviting the Enemy for Coffee - Keith Rae Forgiving a Murderer - Sharon Middleton Instead of Violence - Stephen Bronn WE GIVE THANKS * Hymn MV 154 – Deep In Our Hearts Invitation to the Offering Choir Anthem: “I Find My Peace in You” - Price-Besig * Offertory Response: MV 191 What can I do? What can I bring? What can I say? What can I sing? I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer. I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share. (Repeat) * Prayer of Dedication: (in unison) Gracious God, receive our gifts. These are the tokens of thanks for your extravagant blessings, and our signs of trust in your coming reign of justice, peace, and love; in Jesus’ name. Amen. Service of Remembrance Statement of Purpose Prayers of God’s People Call to Remembrance The Last Post Two Minutes Silence Reveille Words of Assurance WE GO FORTH * Closing Hymn 677 – O God of Every Nation * Benediction - Rhonda Baker, trumpet * Choral Blessing: MV 215 Peace be with you, peace forever, peace be with you, my friends. Till we meet again, may God be with you. Peace, peace, peace. Postlude (The congregation is invited to sit and listen to the postlude.) WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS We welcome all who worship with us today, but especially our guests. We invite you to record your visit with us by signing the guest book at the entrance. After worship, the congregation visits over refreshments in the Lower Hall and we hope you will join us. If you would like the minister to call on you, please contact the church office. We welcome and thank Rhonda Baker for playing the trumpet for the Remembrance service today. Large print copies of the hymns, including the responsive Psalm, are available for use every Sunday. Please feel free to ask an usher for a copy. After the service, please return the booklet to the pew at the back of the sanctuary or leave it in your seat. Thank you. Ushers: Bruce and Louise Stayzer Counters: Helen Wismer and Keith Rae -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Next week the Choir will lead the service. It will be a special musical treat. Church Renovation Tour – Some Council members are going to visit Transfiguration Anglican Church after worship next week to view their recent renovations. They’ll be leaving about 11:15 to arrive at 11:30. The church is at the corner of Glendale and Glenridge in St Catharines. Anyone who wants to come along is welcome. The Discussion Group will meet this week but not next week. “Homes for the Holidays” Christmas House tour sign-up sheets will be available in the Narthex today. We need many volunteers to act as hosts in the homes and to work in the kitchen on the day. There are morning and afternoon shifts available. Please consider signing up to support this fundraiser. Tickets will be on sale today after worship in the Narthex. Amalgamation Report – The Liaison Committee offered a report last June and we have had four months to think about it. Following worship on November 23, plan to stay after the service to share your views. This will be the first of two information meetings. The other is planned for December 7. You may also share your views in writing to Rich Miller. Copies of the Liaison Committee report can be obtained from the church office or be read on the church website. Taize for Peace Service will be held today at Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre, 7021 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls at 3:00 pm. Music with guitar, flute and violin, and piano music by William Outred. Free-will offering. UCW Meeting will be held this Wednesday, November 12 at 1:30 pm. Paul Owen will be giving a slideshow presentation about his recent trip to Peru. All ladies of the congregation are welcome to come. From Stewardship – Thank you to all those who shared their personal testimonies, to Brenda and Barbara Peszle for their participation and especially for Brenda’s dramatic reading on October 26; for the many positive personal comments directed to the Stewardship Committee over the three weeks; and to Garry for his participation over the past year and for his message of November 2. Those who have not as yet submitted their intention forms and wish to be included in this year’s report are asked to bring them in by next Sunday. Newsletter – The Advent issue of the Grapevine will be going out on November 23. Anyone who would like to submit an article for the newsletter is asked to bring it in or email it to the church office by November 17. From the Finance Committee – As you may know, the United Church Foundation offers a “share transfer program” through which members can make gifts to the church. In essence, a member authorizes their broker to transfer shares of a publicly traded company to the Foundation, at which point the shares are sold and funds remitted to the member’s congregation. A tax receipt is issued by the Foundation for the full amount of the gift which effectively offsets any tax to be paid on a capital gain. If you are interested in making a special one-time or year-end gift by this process, please contact Jim Bradley. Thank you. Men’s Breakfast will be held on Saturday, November 22 at 8:00 am. The guest speaker, Norm Kraft will give a presentation for the Niagara Recycling program. Choralis Camerata will present A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten and Wachet Auf by J.S. Bach on Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 pm at First Grantham United Church, St. Catharines and on Sunday, November 23 at 2:30 pm at Central United Church, Welland. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for seniors; available by calling (905) 646-9255 or at www.choraliscamerata.com. Town Square Manor is a life-lease seniors apartment building created with the support of this congregation, located in Pelham Town Square. Currently available is a two-bedroom suite with all appliances, A/C, ensuite laundry and storage room. For further information please check out our website at www.townsquaremanor.ca or call Harland Young at (905) 892-0927. The Week Ahead Mon. Nov 10 Tues. Nov 11 Wed. Nov 12 Thurs. Nov 13 Sat. Nov 15 Sun. Nov 16 3:30 pm 6:30 pm 9:00 am 9:00 am 9:30 am 2:00 pm 3:30 pm 5:00 pm 6:30 pm 10:00am 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 6:30 pm 9:00 am 11:30am 2:00 pm 7:30 pm 10:00am 10:00am 9:30 am 11:15am Prayer Circle Cubs Badminton Pedicure Salon UCW Presbyterial Meeting Music Lessons Worship Committee Meeting Weight Watchers Beavers Faith & Order Committee Mtg. UCW Meeting Music Lessons Scouts Badminton Stress Busters Meeting Music Lessons Choir Practice Piano Lessons Christmas House Tour Worship Service – Choir Service Trip to Transfiguration Church Fonthill United Church 42 Church Hill, Box 926, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 Office (905) 892-6433 email: [email protected] website: www.fonthillunited.com Minister: Garry van Bruchem Music Director: William Outred Council Chair: Richard Miller Secretary: Patrice Walker