An Affirming Ministry

Celebrating Diversity

Welcome to Scarboro United Church!  We seek to create a safe place for all people to worship  -  a place of diversity of race, creed, age, sexual orientation or cultural background.  May you meet God here  -  and may you discover a community gathered in God’s name!

SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Celebrate Diversity!

The * indicates that you are invited to stand when able.

VU = Voices United      MV = More Voices

We welcome Amelie Schuler Desnoyers as our guest violist and her mother, Kelly Schuler,

who will accompany Amelie.

PRELUDE  

      GATHERING SONGS: “Over My Head”         (MV 88)

                                               “Open Our Hearts”    (MV 21)

      WELCOME and OPENING WORDS

*     HYMN:  “We Praise You, O God”                                 VU 218

      PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER

         One:   As your gathered people, God, we come here to worship through

                   word and song.

         All:    In this time may we touch once again the depth of your love

                   for us. May we know once again the unity you give us. May

                   we see again the way you have set before us, the truth you

                   have taught us, the wisdom you have shown us in Jesus

                   your Christ.

         One:   God, even when we see the path of oneness you have set

                   before us, we cannot always follow it.

         All:    We have so many wants and fears which lead us from your

                   teaching. Our steps take us away from you and from each

                   other. Instead of becoming closer, we are drawn further

                   apart.  Loneliness and abandonment can overwhelm us.

              We become desperate in our search for life and fulfillment.

              Touch us once again with the gentle presence of your spirit.

                   Guide us again to your way of old, your way of love.

          One:   The Good News is that in Jesus Christ we know God's

                             forgiveness. 

       All:     The power of the spirit sets our feet back on the way,

                calling us to journey together in hope. For this and

                more we thank God.  

          One:   And so we pray the great prayer we have been given,

          All:      “Our Mother and our Father, who art …”

   ANTHEM:  “All Things Bright and Beautiful”……………Rutter

   LIGHTING OF THE DIVERSITY CANDLE (Nancy Leitch, Chair

                                                                           Christian Development)  

                        “Peace Song”

          Peace before us; peace behind us,

          Peace under our feet.

          Peace within us; peace above us,

          Let all around us be peace.    

   GRADE 4 BIBLE PRESENTATIONS

     Jessica Baker

          Cayley Hodgson

          Joey Mailloux

          Ethan Olsvik-Andrews

     Also participating:

          Erika Olsvik-Andrews, Sunday School Superintendent

          Regina Landwehr, representing the parents

  READINGS:  Reader:  Jane Allen (Sunday School teacher)

                            Older Testament:  1 Kings 21:1-10, 15-21a

                             Newer Testament:      Luke 7:36 - 8:3

*  SONG: “Where Two or Three Are Gathered” MV 14

   MESSAGE: “Is It Sin That Unites Us?”

SILENT REFLECTION: “Does Diversity Unite Us?”

*  HYMN: “When We Are Living”                                           VU 581

   PASTORAL PRAYERS  

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP

PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS

Offertory:  “Air”………………………………………………Handel  

 *       Doxology (VU 541)

 *       Dedication Prayer and Covenant:

                Today we make a covenant with this land:

As a branch is grafted onto a mature stock,

so we want to be grafted onto a mature stock,

the mature stock of the ancient heritage of this land,

so that its life may flow through us.

We commit ourselves to the land we live in,

and to all who belong to it,

most particularly to our Indigenous people

and also to the newcomers to this country

who have chosen to be one with this land.

We will care for it with gentleness, patience and compassion,

rather than something to be bought and sold.

We will see the land as a gift, for which we are truly thankful,

and undertake the duty and privilege

of respecting and caring for it.

We thank God, the Great Creator Spirit,

for all the earth provides:

water,  food and all the riches above and below the ground.

As we enter more deeply into the Spirit of the land,

we see the land as Sacrament and Icon

of our mothering Creator Spirit.

Listen to the breath of the Spirit,

which has blown through this ancient land for ages past,

today and always;

for this is the Spirit of the Dreaming.

Copyright © Elizabeth Pike, descendant of the Minang People

Western Australia. Used by permission.

*     COMMISSIONING HYMN: “Go, Make a Diff’rence”           MV 209

*      BENEDICTION AND MV 209 CHORUS

POSTLUDE

TODAY IS BICYCLE SUNDAY!

Today we celebrate the various forms of transportation we can take to church, focussing on those that help reduce our environmental footprint. 

We’ve asked you to participate, if possible, by riding a bicycle to church, or walking, or car pooling, or taking the bus.  It’s a symbolic gesture to reduce the volume of greenhouse gases we normally produce, and by taking small steps, we often move on to larger steps.  Please fill out the survey form included as a bulletin insert and we will retrieve the completed surveys later in the service. 

Thank you from the Scarboro Youth!

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TODAY IS THE DEADLINE for the summer issue of the Uniter, our congregational newsletter. Please have your submission to Melinda Lang sometime today.  You may leave your article in Melinda’s mailbox on the lower floor, or email mlang@scarborounited.ab.ca

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THIS WEEK AT SCARBORO:

Monday:       Elda Daniels Spring Luncheon, 12 pm, Social Room

Tuesday:      Staff Meeting, 2 pm, Blue Room

Wednesday: Official Board Meeting, 7 pm, Social Room

Saturday:     Worship Planning Meeting, 9 am, Chapel

Sunday:       Sandwich-making, 8:30 am, church kitchen

FATHERS’ DAY IS NEXT SUNDAY (JUNE 20).  A family time to be sure – but also a time to think about sharing with those spending this day at the Drop-In Centre.  The Elda Daniels Group will be making sandwiches in the church kitchen Father’s Day Sunday.  We will make 40 loaves of sandwiches.

 This amount goes only a small way toward filling the needs at the Centre.

If you would like to join in this endeavour, please make your sandwiches at home and bring them to the kitchen prior to the church service.  Our thanks to the Davis family who will make the delivery to the Centre.

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Scarboro United Church Building

Discussion Questions

These are the questions that will be discussed with the architects.  The answers and the general discussion will guide plans for the building changes. Please plan to attend one of the meetings.  If you prefer, write down your thoughts and email them to jnewman@scarborounited.ab.ca or deliver a paper copy to the church.  Please help determine how your church will move into the future.

1)  What do you find valuable in the existing facility?

2)  What would you value in a new facility?

3)  Describe shortcomings in the existing facility.  What changes need to occur to relieve them?

4)  Does your group function efficiently in the existing facility, if not why?

5)  Does your group intend on expanding its needs?  If so can the needs be met by the existing facility?

6)  How greatly would the potential changes to the facility affect your group?

7)  What significant change/changes could undermine your needs?

8)  If you could change only one component of the existing facility what would it be?

9)  If you could only keep one component of the existing facility what would it be?

The last meeting will be held tomorrow: (Mon., June 14, 5:30 –

7:30 pm in the Social Room.    FOCUS:  Other users of the building.

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 SUMMER SERVICES: During the month of July we will worship at St. Matthew’s United Church (2035 – 26A St. SW; Phone: 403-249-1721).  The Services will begin at 10:30 am.  and will be led by the Rev. Clint Mooney.

     In August, St. Matthew’s congregation will worship with us at Scarboro Church at 10:30 am.  The Rev. Paul Mullen will lead  worship.

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OUTDOOR WORSHIP AND

 CONGREGATIONAL  PICNIC      

        SUNDAY, JUNE 27  

   10:30 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.

LOCATION:   Sandy Beach Park   (Picnic Area No. 2)

                                 50 Ave and 14A St SW

(A well-shaded area close to parking, bathrooms,

  a play park and the river.)

Ø Our regular Worship Service will be held outdoors, followed by a hotdog roast and games.

Ø You are very welcome to bring your dog(s) (on a leash).  We would love to meet these members of your family!

Ø In case of bad weather, we will meet in the church gym.  There will be a message on the church answering machine (244-1161) if the weather forecast is unclear.

Ø Hotdogs, chips and drinks will be provided.  We ask that you bring your own lawn chairs and coffee.

SCARBORO IS HERE FOR YOU!

§ Mailboxes, name tags, and envelopes are available for everyone.

§ Our bi-weekly e-newsletter lists opportunities for faith formation, fellowship, fun and interesting events and information.

§ In the fall a class will be available for faith exploration and membership (aka Inquirers, Seekers, Confirmation). If you know everything already this may not be of interest. 

For more information please indicate your interest and leave your contact information on the Ritual of Friendship sheet when it comes by or contact the church office (403-244-1161).

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WILD ROSE UNITED CHURCH (1317 - 1 Street NW) will be hosting a “Film Night” Thursday, June 24 at 7:00 pm.  The film, A Jihad for Love, is the world's first documentary feature to explore the complex global intersection between Islam and homosexuality. The film features multiple stories of gay and lesbian Moslems...stories as diverse as Islam itself.  This feature was created by Parvez Sharma, a gay Muslim filmmaker.  Running time is 81 minutes and there will be popcorn!  We will take some time for conversation following the film.

Others who have seen this award winning documentary have called it "revealing", "fascinating", "provocative", "deeply  moving."

Admission:  Free

 Calling ahead is not necessary, but helpful....403-277-5576.  We want to make sure we have lots of popcorn for everyone!

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18 YEAR OLD CELEBRATED CLASSICAL PIANIST, Tiedan Yao, will be performing at McDougall United Church (8516 Athabasca St. SE) Saturday, June 26 at 7:30 pm.

Advance Tickets: 2 for $35, at the door: $20; students: $5.

Phone 403- 253-5866 for tickets.

“MY JOURNEY TO RWANDA”:  Christine Magill will discuss her experiences from her two-week visit to Rwanda during July, 2009.  She will recount stories from genocide survivors and both the horrors and the strength of humanity she witnessed. 

The presentation will be at Symon’s Valley United Church (38

Kincora Rise NW) at 7:30 pm tonight.

For more information call 403-274-2361 or visit www.symonsvalleyuc.com

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BLIND AUCTION FUNDRAISER:  Often we don’t get to see the People we help. Here we take it just a little bit further.

A group of Calgary youth will be hosting a Blind Auction on Sunday, June 20 to raise funds for a Calgary couple who are struggling financially and face possible deportation to England.

If you have not been to a blind auction before, the lots are hidden until after all the bidding is done. For the less adventurous, we will have some pictures on display that you may bid on as well.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

When:     Sunday June 20, 2010, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Where:    Robert McClure United Church, 5510 26 Ave NE

For more information contact Rob at 403-616-0013

Hope to see you there!!

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“Courage is the most important of all the virtues,  because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.  You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.”

Maya Angelou

SCARBORO UNITED CHURCH

Minister:                              Paul Mullen     403-244-1307

           Office Administrator:           Mela Becker    403-244-1161

           Coordinator:                        Jill Newman    403-245-6624

           Music Director:                    Liz Paynter

           Custodian:                           Cindy Clark

           Chair, Official Board:          Lora Wyman

           Church email:                     mbecker@scarborounited.ab.ca

Paul Mullen:                       pmullen@scarborounited.ab.ca

Jill Newman:                       jnewman@scarborounited.ab.ca

Liz Paynter:                        scarboroarts@scarborounited.ab.ca

Web site:                             www.scarborounited.org