palm sunday prayer - affirming | caring
TRANSCRIPT
Sunday, March 28, 2021 Theme: Palm Sunday
Online VU = Voices United MV = More Voice Worship link can be found here: https://stthomasunited.ca/
Order of Service:
Prelude: Kari Orosz: Lift Up Your Heads, G.F. Handel Acknowledgement of Treaty 7, Métis Region 3 Land Candle Lighting & Silence
Introit: Throughout These Lenten Days & Nights (vs1)
VU#108
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer: Holy One, you draw near to the gates of our hearts as we lift our voices. As we gather like the crowds to shout in awe, draw near to us once more. With palms outstretched, may we lay down all reservations to walk with you through the days that follow. Amen. Hymn: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna VU#123 Scripture: John 12: 12-16 Reader: Drina Nixon
The Message:
Ministry of Music: Adult Choir with Dick Worton on trumpet: Blessed is He Who Comes by Lloyd Larson Invitation to Open Hands
Offertory Prayer: Holy One. with cries of Hosanna and palms laid down, we offer you our gifts. That through your blessing our gifts might be joined together as wit-ness to something larger than ourselves. Help us, in all that we do, to be blessings to the world as we follow your ways. Amen. Hymn 2: Senzeni Na? (2x) MV#66
Pastoral Prayers & Prayer of Jesus
Hymn: All Glory Laud and Honour VU#122
Commissioning & Benediction
Postlude: Kari Orosz: How Beautiful Are the Feet
by G.F. Handel
Palm Sunday Prayer Creator of Heaven and Earth, we pray and come as we are to remember and shout: Hosanna in the highest, save us we pray. This the Palm Sunday approach reminds us that God has entered our lives. As we take the time in our own way to unite in Spirit the coming of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem, as he did on what we recognize as Palm Sunday, Jesus enters our lives now during our time of need today as we pray for all of life’s creation.
Hear us, loving God, as we pray. We pray for our Nations living together here on Turtle Island, within this country we call Canada, and the numerous territories of the Indigenous peoples of this great land. We pray for children and youth to grow strong and be mindful of your teachings and the wonderful land you have provided for all creations to live together as one. We appreciate the wisdom of our peoples, the Elders, and the many ancestors and loved ones who came and left before us, and who are with us still. For they are your wisdom and knowledge, and teachers of livelihood.
All your teachings, the good and the bad, are great. They make us the loving and blessed people we are today. Jesus taught us about the path of love. Let your blessed love embrace all those, including us here today, wherever we may dwell, that need and require a source of comfort and joy. And may we all journey along a humble path in the many ways we do—for the sake of unity and understanding, the acceptance of our differences, and kindness. With your gentle breeze, give us hope. We pray for this in Jesus’ name and for the ways of peace and grace.
Hosanna in the highest. Save us, we pray. Amen. Prepared by Murray Pruden, Indigenous Minister for Pacific Mountain Region
UPDATES
Coffee Chat Sunday Mornings: Join us Sunday mornings as we gather via Zoom to watch the online worship service together as community starting at 9:45 am (service starts at 10 am.) Then stay after the service for a time of checking in and conversation. To receive the Zoom invite send us an email at [email protected]. Youth Group (grades 7-12) meets weekly for social events with a mix of in-person, physically distanced and virtual meetings. If you would like to join us, please email the youth leaders at [email protected].
Junior Youth Group (grades 4-6) meets virtually through ZOOM every second week. The next meetings are April 2 & 16. If interested, please email [email protected].
Wanda's Preserves: Between birthday celebrations, shoveling snow, and watching curling, I've managed to fill my stock pile of preserves again. If you are needing more jars of goodness, let me know, and I'll send you the inventory list. [email protected] 403-239-5964. Thanks folks. - Wanda Veer
Gift Card Fundraiser: Thank you to those who continue to support our church via this important fundraiser. To order your Safeway/Sobeys, Co-op or Superstore gift cards please email [email protected]. and we will gladly arrange pickup/delivery.—Richard Taylor-Kerr
Easter Envelopes: Thank you to all who submitted items for this publication; those who stuffed the envelopes; those who delivered them; and especially to Halyna who pulled it all to-gether and turned it into a precious, beautiful gift. Happy Easter from your St Thomas Hospitality Committee!
UPDATES
Broadview Subscribers: We have been informed that as of the April/May 2021 issue, Broadview will go from 10 issues down to 8 issues/year. All group subscribers will receive all of the 10 issues remaining in our current subscription. This will extend our renewal date to April 10, 2022. If you have any questions, please call me at 403-909-7402. Peace—Jan Campbell May—June Newsletter: Please email your newsletter submissions to [email protected] by April 15th at the latest. Please also ensure your email subject line states “Newsletter”. Note that this will be our final news-letter until the end of August. Thanks so much!
WILLIAM RONALD TONER: Sept. 7, 1935, Toronto, ON—March 15, 2021, Calgary, AB William (Bill) died at age 86, from advanced dementia and physical decline. He will be remembered by his four children, grandchildren, many friends, colleagues and his bookkeeping clients. Among Bill’s many interests, he en-joyed being a ham radio operator and having lunch and theological conversations with friends. Bill requested that there be no funeral. His friends suggest that those of you wishing to think of your time with Bill or wishing to say goodbye, find a quiet place and allow your
thoughts to remember Bill. Condolences can be messaged on line at www.MyAlternatives.ca/condolences. Bill’s ashes will be scattered at Alto Reste Cemetery Scattering Garden in Red Deer. Special appreciation to the staff at Bow View Manor for all of their kindness and caring. Any memorial contributions may be made to the Brenda Strafford Foundation or to the char-ity of your choice.
BEYOND ST THOMAS
Veterans Association Food Bank – Did you know that the Food Bank can use feminine hygiene supplies and pet food? Here are more suggestions for this month:
Paper towels Hamburger Helper Toilet paper Macaroni and Cheese Toothpaste & brushes Pasta and pasta sauce
Rice, Condiments Canned fruit, vegetables and meat
Your donations can be dropped off at the church. Please email the office to arrange. Thanks so much for supporting our veterans!
Seeking Computer Hardware Donations: Westminster
Presbyterian Church is accepting computer hardware
(laptops, towers, displays, cables, tablets, mice, etc.) that
can be refurbished and given to those in need. I have vol-
unteered to help out and will be happy to collect any hard-
ware that is offered. The first thing I or WPC will do is se-
curely wipe all information from the hard drive. I can be contacted at:
[email protected]. Thank you—Bud Berges
THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 26:
Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/
BEYOND ST THOMAS
United Church of Canada Guaranteed Liveable Income: UCC has developed a Guaranteed Liveable Income Team (GLI), another name for Basic Income. They are organizing all of the United Churches to support GLI by writing letters and/or attending vigils to let our federal politicians know that we sup-port the implementation of a GLI program for all of Canada. A vigil will be held at the office of local MP Pat Kelly on Thurs. April 8 at 12:30pm. This is not a protest, it is a statement that we support the federal government in creating a GLI for all who need it. The UCC is planning to hold vigils all across Canada that day, a day before the Liberal and NDP National Conventions. A press re-lease will be sent out so we are hoping for media coverage of our event. As we can only have 10 people gather outside, please let me know if you are planning to attend. We also ask that you write a letter to your local MP, the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister and ask them to support GLI. All the information you need, including contact information for all three and sample letters is at https://www.calgarycommongood.org/basic_income, or the UCC website at https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/create-guaranteed-livable-income-program. For more information about GLI/Basic Income, please contact me at [email protected] or 403-286-8073. We can make a difference in the lives of so many who need the hand of Christ to help them rise up with dignity, please support our efforts to make GLI a reality. The Bear Clan Patrol is a grassroots, Indigenous-led group that patrols the streets of Forest Lawn and East Village. They talk to Indigenous people, the homeless, sex trade workers and other marginalized people to ensure they are ok or to refer them to services. BCP provides safety supplies, food and clothing. At this time the BCP is made up entirely of the Indigenous Council members due to Covid restrictions. They are using vehicles to patrol the streets, picking up sharps and helping the people they encounter. The patrols are in desperate need of gloves, socks, backpacks and hygiene items. Dona-tions can be brought to the church (by appointment) or call or email Karen at [email protected] or 403-286-8073 for alternate arrangements.
BEYOND ST THOMAS
BowWest is seeking Board & Committee Members: The BowWest Community Support Services Society is always looking for individuals who want to make their communities a better place to live, work and play! Guided by a strategic plan, our volunteer Board and Committee Members pursue programs and projects that purposefully connect economically-vulnerable individuals and families to the resources they need to leverage the economic, social and educational opportunities that are available to help them lead more resilient lives. Our commitment to Support, Connect and Educate objectively “connects the dots” that lead people and communities to action and positive change. The Board is open to all. Board work may be especially rewarding for individuals who live or work in one of the communities we serve.
Board Directors (Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chair and Directors at Large) : 5-10 hours weekly, 2 year minimum commitment
Marketing & Communications Committee Members: 10 hours weekly, 2 year minimum commitment
https://www.bowwest.org/contact
THIS WEEK AT ST. THOMAS
Sunday, March 28 10 am Online Palm Sunday Worship Monday, March 29 no events Tuesday, March 30 Wed, March 31 no events Thursday, April 1 9 am Worship Filming evening Virtual Choirs Friday, April 2 Good Friday Virtual Service noon Al Madinah Islamic Group Prayer evening Youth & Junior Youth Virtually Saturday, April 3 no events
Ministers: Rev. Tracy Robertson Rev. Justin McNeill
Office Administrator: Halyna Kinasevych
Music Team: Pam Bazinet, Barb Robertson, Dick Worton, Erin MacLean-Berko
Accompanists: Kari Orosz, Kloria Wen
Youth Leaders: Heather Robertson Caitlin Hornbeck Jacqueline Verwaayen
Sunday School Coordinator: Erin MacLean-Berko
Upcoming Service Themes:
March 28: Palm Sunday April 2: Good Friday April 4: Easter Sunday April 11: Doubting Thomas April 18: Jesus Shares a Meal April 25: By What Power?
Through our gifts we commit ourselves to live out the mission and ministry of the church. Please give generously to the Mis-sion and Service Fund to make this possi-ble.
St. Thomas is an Affirming Ministry within The United Church of Canada. LGBTQ2 people are whole people and full mem-bers in this community of faith.
The United Church of Canada St. Thomas is proud to be part of the United Church of Canada which ministers to close to 3 million people in 3,500 congregations across the country. For more info about the United Church visit www.united-church.ca
100 Hawkwood Blvd. NW Calgary AB T3G 2S9
[email protected] www.stthomasunited.ca
403-241-0366
Each Sunday we acknowledge that we are on Treaty 7 land, not out of guilt or shame, but in recognition of the land on which we gath-
er. We give thanks for the traditional territo-ries and oral practices that have lived on this land for thousands of years through the Indigenous Nations of the Siksika, Kanai, Piikani. Stoney-Nakoda and Tsuut’ina and all people who make their homes in this, our Treaty 7 region of Alberta, and the Region 3 Métis Nation.