Announcements
~ANNOUNCEMENTS & INVITATIONS as of August 17, 2018~
o Welcome Sunday, September 09 ~ Enjoy worship at 10:30 am, and following the service come to the CE wing for a "progressive lunch". The small groups (and perhaps a few committees) will be here each offering a different "snack" for you to enjoy while visiting with leaders and/or members. Watch for more details closer to the date. **I have heard that there is a possibility of "drumsticks" & "Jelly Belly's" being served (hmmm I wonder which small groups those belong to)....I also heard that Scrapper's Unite have been having secret meetings to talk about what they will serve/do.... hmmmmmm
***I need to know if you will be attending so I have numbers for the dust fairies to setup.*** Please let me know ASAP!
o Fall Newsletter ~ I am working on the fall newsletter, if you are a small group leader please give me your fall start dates, or if anyone has any important dates, please let me know so I can add them to the September calendar, as well as the newsletter. Thank you
o Shared Summer Worship Services ~ August worship services will be held at St. George’s Anglican starting at 10:00 a.m.- ***Please remember to identify your offerings by clearly marking the cheque or envelope which church you’re supporting.***
o Worship Services @ Lodge & Care Homes:
o Tuesday, August 21st @ Willow Creek (2:00) and @ Paragon Place (3:30)
o Friday, August 24th @ Points West (3:30)
o Sunday, August 12th @ Heart Haven (2:45) and Heritage House @ (3:30)
o Tuesday, August 21st @ Willow Creek (2:00) and @ Paragon Place (3:30)
o Friday, August 24th @ Points West (3:30)
o Jan is away on holidays from July 28th, returning August 29th. Please call the church office and/or Barbara Lieurance (minister serving with Erskine & Big Valley United Churches) if you have urgent pastoral needs during this time. Thank you to the Worship committee for looking the after the service on July 29th!
• Imagine …a Community Kitchen at Stettler United Church... partly in response to knowing that many people eat alone and experience isolation. There are also those who want to learn about cooking. Why not come together to prepare and eat a meal together, and take other meals home for the freezer?
Firstly there would need to be a coordinator! Is that someone you?
• Website Updates: http://www.stettlerunitedchurch.org/news
Announcements.
~ WIDER CHURCH ~
• Our moderator at prayer with/for us and the world/times we're in... Richard Bott
Jesus,
when your disciples were terrified
at the strength of the storm,
worried that their boat might capsize,
you saw their fear, and said to the wind,
"Be still."
Holy One,
we are terrified, again,
but this time by the strength of fire in the forests,
fire in the bush;
worried that its force will displace and destroy
all the creatures of the land and the air,
including us.
We ask that you would speak your words of peace,
that cool temperatures,
steady rains,
and still air,
would calm these blazes.
We pray for the safety of all who are on the fire lines,
and for wisdom for those making the decisions.
We pray for cool heads in the face of evacuation,
and open doors of hospitality
for all who need shelter.
We pray for the health and well-being
of all your world, Creator -
help us to be sustainers and good stewards
of the land and all that lives in it.
Help us to change,
for the healing of all creation.
May it be so.
May it be so.
• General Council 43 ~ Rev. Miriam Spies preached at the opening worship service of General Council 43. Drawing upon the story of the loaves and fishes, she reminded the church that we do not have the privilege of despair. We must live into a new time of hope. On Sunday afternoon, she spoke with Lauren Hodgson, reflecting upon the experience of preaching at General Council opening worship. http://ow.ly/NahT30l4dKJ #UCCan #GC43
o Check out the pictures from General Council 43 at https://www.flickr.com/photos/unitedchurchcda/sets/72157699302450095/
o Did you miss any news from the 43rd General Council? You can catch up on all the decisions and happenings at GC43 here:. https://generalcouncil43.ca/news #UCCan#GC43
o The United Church still hasn't confronted the racism within it. 'Let us ensure that the people who sit at the table are there not as guests but as valued members of the family.'By Paul Walfall https://ucobserver.org/columns/2018/07/paul_walfall_general_council/#6003/slide1
o During #GC43, there was an Embracing the Spirit Recognition Dinner to highlight some of the amazing stories and hopeful things that are happening across the country. One of the most inspiring moments was when it transpired that a young leader was called to ministry through this dinner! Watch the story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0gCU3NUdDk
o New Moderator Elect ~ Introducing the Moderator-Elect of The United Church of Canada, Rev. Dr. Richard Bott. https://generalcouncil43.ca/news/introducing-moderator-elect-united-church-canada-rev-dr-richard-bott
o Did you know that you can read/watch the events from the general councel 43?? Just follow this link and it will take you right to the page.
https://generalcouncil43.ca/
• United Church ~ Susan Lukey: The United Church of Canada is a denomination that is not afraid of the questions, the difficult wrangling to make sense of faith. http://ow.ly/4z5s30ljRrf #UCCan
o Please pray for all those affected by the shooting in Fredericton this morning, including the victims, their families and communities, and the first responders. http://www.cbc.ca/…/brookside-drive-fredericton-police-1.47…
• Gaetz Memorial United ChurchOur ministers are out advertising the Coming Out in Faith Monologues at Gaetz Memorial United church on Tuesday Aug 14th at 7pm! All are welcome! https://www.gaetzmemorialunitedchurch.ca/
• Alberta & Northwest Conference UCC ~ BOOST FOR THE JOURNEY II: MOVING FORWARD IN TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION is going to be held at Kamp Kiwanis near Calgary, from October 26-28, 2018. We hope you can save this date and come in October. There promises to be networking with other witnesses, Indigenous teachings, a KAIROS blanket exercise, and more as we continue to live into good relationships with one another. https://albertanorthwestconference.ca/15836-boost-for-the-journey-ii-scheduled-for-october-26-28/