Parkminster United Church
275 Erb Street East, Waterloo, ON N2J 1N6
519-885-0935 | [email protected] | www.parkuc.ca
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Reflection by Rev. Meg Grieve
“A Month on the Water: River Running in You and Me”
LARGE PRINT Bulletins, Voices United Hymn Books and
Bibles are available from the ushers.
BULLETIN NOTATIONS:
Signal to stand, for those who are able.
VU ~ Voices United Hymn Book
MV ~ More Voices Hymn Book
Welcome Visitors! We're glad to have you worshipping with us at
Parkminster and would like to make sure you feel connected. Please take
a few minutes to fill out one of the white information envelopes found in
the pews and place it on the offering plate, or put it in the mail slot outside
the office. Whether you'd like more information about Parkminster's
programs, want to request offering envelopes, or have a question about
becoming a member – or whatever else is important to you, we'd love to
hear from you! Welcome!
Living Water…
Prelude:
“Serenity”
“Come Touch Our Hearts”
 Introit:
arr. by Louis Moyse
(Tracie Klaehn, flute)
♫ MV #12, v 1-4
Welcome
One:
Spirit draws us together on this summer Sunday and draws us
toward renewed faith. We acknowledge our past as we affirm
that we are meeting today on traditional Six Nations land. We
celebrate this present moment as we remember that we are one
people and among us, we see variety and diversity. We
acknowledge our future as community, one in spirit, and
welcome just as we are.
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We cannot be healthy community unless we affirm that each
person matters, has value, and deserves to be welcomed with
dignity and respect. We offer that welcome to one another.
All:
Seeking true community, we welcome all who have no
church home, need strength, and are seeking deep
meaning. Welcome to those who have doubts or who do
not believe. Welcome to those whose faith is sure, and to
those who believe, but who are asking large questions.
One:
Welcome to visitors and to familiar friends. Welcome to
grandparents, to mothers, fathers, youth and children, couples,
and single people.
All:
Welcome to people of all colours, gender identities,
abilities, and sexual orientations.
One:
All:
Welcome to each who is searching for meaning, who is seeking
an understanding of community and what it means to
accompany one another.
As we come together as church, we turn to one another
with gratitude and pray that we will be strong together,
faithful together and loving together.
Joys, Concerns, and Greeting One Another
Moment for Mission
 Children’s Song:
Dorothy Duxbury
“Dance with the Spirit”
♫ MV #156
Story Time
Following the story time, the children and youth will leave for their
own time together. Happy fun time!
Connecting With the Holy,
Prayed together:
by Ian MacDonald, adapted
O River of Life,
You come sweeping through all the places where we have made our
beds, lived our choices, and dreamed our dreams.
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You roll through the times that are now all memory, as we toss aside
the values and traditions that brought us comfort and safety.
Where, now, do we find our sense of self, acceptance for ourselves,
our place in the meaning matrix?
Remind us. We are a community tumbling along in the River, even
when we don’t know it. If we could see the currents pushing out,
rolling over, and carving new banks, would we know what to hold
onto and what to release?
Are we now to hold loosely to what we have? Is this what it means
to be born of water and spirit?
We choose to be ready for the overflow of justice and joy.
Amen
 Song:
“River Running in You and Me”
♫ MV #163
This water song amplifies the meaning of the prayer. Like
the prayer, it was created by Ian MacDonald and Gordon
Light. The “river running in you and me” is God.
River running in you and me, Spirit of Life, deep mystery,
dancing down to the holy sea. River run deep. River run free.
River, cry my name to me. Lend me hope and memory.
Sing me the story of the holy sea. River run deep. River run free.
I stand on the edge, looking down, too scared to swim; afraid I’ll
drown.
Give me the courage to journey on. River run deep. River run free.
River sing in you and me, Spirit of Life, deep mystery.
Catch us up in your melody. River run deep. River run free.
Words and music: Ian Macdonald and Gordon Light. 2003; arr. Andrew Donaldson Words and
music copyright © 2003 Common Cup Company, www.commoncup.com Used by permission.
Arrangement copyright © Andrew Donaldson
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…Bring us to New Birth…
Ministry of Music:
“Come As You Are”
by David Crowder
(Patrick Plein & Kevin Smith)
Scripture Reading: John 3: 1-9 (NT, pg.93)
About Scripture
This is the story of Nicodemus, a religious leader in the
Sanhedrin. Nicodemus’ party wants Jesus run out of town.
He threatens them.
Believe it. Nicodemus is familiar with Jesus, with his
message, and his compassion. In Jesus, Nicodemus sees
something more than is offered by his own history and
tradition. And Nicodemus wants that “something more” for
his own life. During a night that hides his meeting with the
enemy, Nicodemus seeks out Jesus.
Nicodemus comes seeking Jesus as someone who
knows God, and he wants to know God, too. Jesus tells the
searcher that to know God, he must be born again of water
and spirit. Nicodemus gets confused with the “re-born”
language, and becomes quite literal in his understanding.
How can he experience a re-birth? Does he, a grown man,
have to climb into his mother’s womb for a new labour?
Jesus, of course, is not using literal language. He is
using metaphor, spirit language. The re-birth is spiritual, not
physical. And it involves God, not a birth mother.
Rebirth will come for Nicodemus when he allows the
river of living water to flow through him. It will come when he
allows spirit wind to touch him, and to draw him into spirit’s
purposes. Being born from above means letting the Godflow of hope and joy move through the core of his being.
God is water, the river of delight and possibility that runs
in you and me. Our job is to let God flow.
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Reflection: A Month on the Water: River Running in You and Me
Song:
“Like a Healing Stream”
♫ MV #144
…By Your Love
Offertory:
“Berceuse”
Dedication:
“What Can I Do?”
by Gabriel Faure
(Tracie Klaehn, flute)
♫ MV #191
Offering Prayer, said by all
For the river of love that flows through us, for the river of hope
that carries us along, for the river of love that renews us, we are
grateful. Our gifts are our thanks. Amen.
Prayers for Being Reborn
Hymn:
“I Feel the Winds of God”
♫ VU #625
Commissioning and Blessing
♫ MV #52
Sung Alleluia
Postlude
Greeter:
Ushers:
Lay Reader:
Chancel Arrangements:
Music:
“Andante”
by W.A Mozart
(Tracie Klaehn, flute)
Mary Jane Leask
Wendy & Terry Ridgway; Norma Hutton
Isobel Field
Chancel Committee
Neil Murray; Patrick Plein; Kevin Smith;
Tracie Klaehn
The Ministry of Parkminster: All of us
Ministry of Word & Sacrament (Interim) ~ Rev. Meg Grieve (ext. 23)
Ministry of Pastoral Care ~ Rev. Mary Jo Patterson (ext. 22)
Ministry of Christian Education ~ Kelly Moores (ext. 24)
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Music Director: Neil Murray (ext. 25)
Office Administrator: Melanie Chisholm (ext. 21)
Caretaker: Allen Switzer (ext. 26)
Parkminster United Church honours all copyright laws holding licenses which cover copying
activities that assist with congregational singing, computer projections, song sheets, bulletin
inserts, and recording services, etc.
FROM PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE:
 If you become aware of someone who might be ill, in hospital or in need
of some support, please leave a message for Rev. Meg Grieve on her
confidential phone # at 519-885-0935 ext. 23 or send her an email
at [email protected]
 Pastoral Care Emergencies: In the event of a pastoral care crisis,
please contact the minister directly.
IN PRAYERFUL SUPPORT
Kathryn Lamb (Trinity Village)
Marian Atkinson (Parkwood Menno.)
Catherine Klea
Olive Cooper (LeisureWorld)
Elinore Ray (Sunnyside)
Audrey Hannigan
Walter Runge (Stirling Heights)
Ecumenical Prayer Chain: This week let us pray for
Bruce Cooperative, (Teeswater, Salem).
*****
PARKMINSTER ANNOUNCEMENTS
During July & August, Parkminster announcements will be listed in the bulletin.
Big screen announcements will not be shown over the summer months. Events
happening in our greater community will continue to be listed in our weekly
“What’s Up” email. Please also remember to check the bulletin board upstairs!
Pastoral Care – Vacation Coverage
Rev. Mary Jo is on vacation for the month of July, returning in August.
Rev. Meg will be responding to pastoral care needs in July. Please
contact her directly should you, or anyone you know of, need support.
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July Staff Vacation:
Kelly:
Mary Jo:
Melanie:
Neil:
Allen:
July 16 - 28
off for the month
July 13, 20, 27
July 13 – August 15
July 13 - 17
The July Men's Breakfast will be at the Dearborn restaurant at 8
am on Wednesday July 15. All Parkminster men are welcome.
NEXT WEEK AT PARKMINSTER
Sunday, July 12
10:00am
Worship
Monday, July 13 – OFFICE CLOSED
Tuesday, July 14
9:00am-7:00pm The Sustainable Market – rental: gym
6:00pm
Karate classes – rental: double classroom
Thursday, July 16
9:30am-5:30pm The Squeezy Lemon – rental: kitchen
6:00pm
Karate classes – rental: gym
Friday, July 17
9:00am-7:00pm The Sustainable Market – rental: gym
Saturday, July 18
9:00am-4:00pm rental: sanctuary & gym
Sunday, July 19
10:00am
Worship