This Week - at Nelson United Church

Sunday, October 12 — Thanksgiving Sunday

           8:00 a.m. – Outdoor Worship Service at Gyro Park

           8:45 a.m. – Potluck breakfast in the Church Hall

           9:30 a.m. – WonderCafé is OPEN in the Narthex.

         10:00 a.m. – WORSHIP

   In Worship, we use MV (More Voices) and VU (Voices United)

              WE GATHER IN GOD'S LOVE

   GATHERING HYMN: VU 415 "God, We Praise You for the morning"

   WELCOME & THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY

   PRELUDE: "Haymakers Dance" by Betty Roe

   CANDLELIGHTING / PRESENTATION OF THE BIBLE

   CALL TO WORSHIP

   HYMN: VU 520 "We Plough the Fields"

   GATHERING PRAYER

              WE TELL THE STORIES OF FAITH

   STORYTIME: "Thanks for Thanksgiving"

   SONG: "Prayer of Thanksgiving"

   RESPONSIVE READING: Psalm 65, VU 782

   EPISTLE READING: Philippians 4: 4-9
       "Wisdom for the Church..." Thanks be to God.

   SPECIAL MUSIC: "Come, You Thankful People, Come" by L. Smith; Piano and organ duet by Charlotte Nelson and John Pengelly

   THANKSGIVING DRAMA: "Time for Thanks"

   THANKS FOR CREATION: A time of silent thanksgiving for God's creation as we watch some of the National Geographic magazine's "Best Photos".

              WE RESPOND TO GOD'S LOVE

   HYMN: MV 30 "It's a Song of Praise to the Maker"

   OFFERING: "This Our Song of Praise" by William Stickles

   OFFERTORY: MV 185 "Ev'ry Day is a Day ..."

   PRAYER OF DEDICATION

   PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND JESUS' PRAYER

               WE GO FORTH IN GOD'S LOVE

   HYMN: VU 236 "Now Thank We All Our God"

   COMMISSIONING / BENEDICTION

   CHORAL BLESSING: VU 477 "I Come With Joy", vs 5

   POSTLUDE: "Sing to the Lord of Harvest" by Dennis Eliot

              Coffee, Tea and Conversation in the Church Hall following Worship

Monday, October 13.

                Thanksgiving Holiday – the church office is closed today

Tuesday, October 14.

               ELECTIONS CANADA – Don't forget to VOTE

               10:30 a.m. – Worship service at Jubilee Manor

                 2:00 p.m. – Worship service at Mountain Lakes

                 3:00 p.m. – Worship & Music Committee meeting in the Trinity Lounge

                 7:00 p.m. – The Christian Development and Communications Committee Meeting in the Fairview Room

                 7:00 p.m. – Outreach Committee meeting in Trinity Lounge

Wednesday, October 15.

               12 noon – Stewards & Finance Committee meeting at the Hume Hotel

                7:00 p.m. – Bell Choir practices in St. Paul's Room

Thursday, October 16.

                 7:00 p.m. – Chancel Choir practice in the Sanctuary

Friday, October 17.

                 KootenayPresbytery meetings at Christina Lake/Grand Forks.

Saturday, October 18.

                 KootenayPresbytery continues

Sunday, October 19.

                 9:30 a.m – WonderCafé, in the Narthex. Avoid the rush! Come early for a good cup of coffee or tea and early conversation!

                10:00 a.m. – Worship — The lectionary readings are Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10; and Matthew 22: 15-22

Staff Schedule: David and Christine will be attending Presbytery meetings next Friday, Oct. 17^th to Sunday Oct. 19^th at Christina Lake/Grand Forks.

The UCW thanks all who supported the Alzheimer's Coffee Break either through attendance or donations. We were able to raise a substantial $636 to be sent off to the foundation.

Fall Bazaar at Jubilee Manor is having their Fall Tea and Bazaar on Friday, October 17^th, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Please come and bring a friend.

Sunday School Teacher Opportunity: Beginning Sunday October 19^th, we would like to offer two Sunday School classes, a beginners' class – ages 4 to grade 4, and a seniors' class – grade 5 and up. To do this we need a second teacher from October 19^th to November 23^rd. If you are able to lead, learn and have fun with either of these classes, please contact Janet Boyd after October 13^th or leave a message at the office.

Mark Your Calendars: the 22^ndAnnual Fowl Dinner Returns! Saturday, November 8^th; Prices remain the same: $12 per adult, $5 for ages 6-12, $30 for a family. Tickets go on sale Sunday, October 19^th.

World Food Day — Shop at Kootenay Co-op on Baker Street on October 16^th between the hours of 10:00am to 6:00pm for food to donate to the Nelson Food Cupboard and the Co-op will match the dollar value up to $1,000. Last year we donated $3,000!

Homelessness Action Week, October 12^th – 18^th: Events organized by the Homelessness Action Week Committee:
Wednesday, Oct. 15^th at 7:30 , doors open at 7pm, TNT Theatre at the Anglican Church – Film and Panel Discussion on homelessness – free to everyone
Friday, October 17^th- Rally (This is to coincide with International Day to Eradicate Poverty), Location: City Hall –12:00 noon; Soup and Bread served.
Saturday, October 18^th Community Connect Day, 10 am – 4 pm: at Central School Gym; a variety of services to connect homeless people and people living in poverty with services in the community. Thanks to our United Church Women for donating Salads for the BBQ and Karen Logan for volunteering on-site Chair Massage Services

International Day to Eradicate Poverty, Friday, Oct. 17^th noon to 1 pm, in the square in front of the White Building. This is an initiative supported by Nelson CARES Society and they would appreciate support from faith groups. The focus will be on affordable housing in the lead up to the civic elections on November 15^th. Please come out and show your support for affordable housing in Nelson.

Benevolent Fund: This fund is used for emergency assistance by our Ministers for people in crisis. The money in this fund has been depleted. If you feel you can make a special donation it will be much appreciated.

Youth Gathering in October at the next Kootenay Presbytery meeting in Christina Lake October 17^th – 19^th. This will be a fun event building networks across the presbytery; all youth grade 7 and up are welcome. Speak to David for more information; registration forms are in the office.

For the Comfort and Inclusion of All... Please refrain from wearing perfumes and all other scented products to church. We have some members with allergies to these products.

Children's Corner: A special area has been set up at the front of the church so that our children can participate in worship services during the summer months. Quiet toys, books and activity materials will be available. If you would be willing to sit with the children in this area one Sunday, please talk to Christine Dudley or Leah Gray.

U. C. W. Executive: Please note that the first meeting of the UCW executive has been changed from Monday, September 15^th to Monday, September 22^nd. It will be a lunch meeting at the Hume Hotel at 11:30 am.

Mark Your Calendars – We will again this year be treated to a wonderful concert featuring Steven Palmer, on November 24^th at Nelson United Church. As a fund-raising effort for the church, we will be doing another "extended" Silent Auction (items will be out for bids on November 9, 16 and 23, prior to the concert). We need your help both with donations (new items and/or services) and with managing the auction. If you can donate or help, please talk to Leah Gray or Lynne Busby.

Thursday Morning Book Group: It has been suggested that we read Gretta Vosper's new book, With or Without God. Let's read it together and find out what she is saying. The value in reading a book is that it enables us to think about what we really do believe about something. Join us for breakfast and book discussion Thursday mornings at 6:45 a.m. See David for more info.

Thank-You: "A grateful thank-you to the congregation for your generous support of the Nelson Grans to Grans." Grans to Grans Nelson have items for sale to raise funds to contribute to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign     (see here)

Wisdom Vespers with Gregorian chant and English plainsong accompanied with Tibetan singing bowls are sung every 3^rd Sunday of the month at 7 pm at St. Saviour's Anglican Church, with Studio Cantilena under Tobias Jenny.

Food for Thought will break for the summer and resume in September. This is an opportunity for our church and our community. Tuesdays, at noon, you are invited to gather in our library (located in the Church Hall). Bring a lunch and your questions or thoughts to share in this informal time together. This is a Wondercafe offering... All are welcome... What's on your mind?... Come and share...

United for Peace: The olivewood pins are available for $20 in the church office. The proceeds will go towards the United Church of Canada's United for Peace Campaign.

Memorial Window Project: The centre window in the sanctuary will be dedicated as our Memorial Window. If you wish to commemorate someone, you may make a donation to the Windows Fund, and the name or names of those you wish to have remembered will be put on a plaque which will be attached to the wall adjacent to this window. This is an ongoing fund raiser to replace all windows which will save heat, provide better ventilation, and be more aesthetically pleasing. Please speak to Donna Strongman, Mildred Anderson or Bill Costain for more info.

54th Annual Banff Men's Conference will be held Friday, Oct. 17 to Sunday Oct. 19, 2008. The theme is "Two Faiths ? One God" and is designed to learn more about Islam and Muslims, particularly as they relate to Christianity and Christians.

Have you always wanted to see the Oberammergau Passion Play? Well now is your chance. The play is re-enacted only once every 10 years in the little village of Oberammergau in the heart of the Bavarian Alps. If you are interested in exploring group options for 2010, please talk to Peter Busby or Leah Gray.

Rides available - Do you need a ride to church on a regular or occasional basis? The Pastoral Care Committee is happy to connect you with a driver. Contact Edna Whitely or Judy Cameron if you need this service.

Did You Know? – We do our best to be an interactive church. There are many ways that you can be active. Did you know that there are 20 church members who regularly write the Prayers of the People, and 52 who regularly read scripture during the service? If you aren't on one of those lists and would like to be, please talk to Leah Gray.

WonderCafe is OPEN in the Narthex, Sundays at 9:30 a.m. We need a couple of people to add to our team. If you have a pleasant smile, can make good coffee and spend 1-1/2 hours some Sunday mornings then you qualify. Please contact Robert Borrie

Watch for: HOT TOPICS, DISCUSSIONS, BLOGS, and FEATURES on wondercafe.ca

The pillar candle on the communion table is a PEACE CANDLE which will be lit during each Sunday Worship to symbolize our continuing prayers for peace. This peace, hope, and justice candle comes from Ivory Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, and is part of the Nehemiah Project. The candle is sold through Hobson Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn., as an international fund-raising ministry of self-determination for craftspeople of South Africa and their families.

Taizé Guided Weekend Retreat, titled "Christian Hope: Keeping the World Open to God", is being held at the Marywood Retreat Centre in Cranbrook on October 17^th to 19^th, 2008. The facilitator is Denise Bérubé CND. Applications forms are available in the Narthex. For further information contact Marywood Retreat Centre

Pre-authorized Remittance (PAR): If you contribute to your church monthly, why not try PAR? For those who are unfamiliar with PAR, it is a payment authorization to have funds come out of your bank account and sent to your church on a monthly basis. You can designate funds however you like, e.g. General Funds, Mission & Service, Nelson Food Cupboard, Building Funds, etc. Please contact Lois or Mildred at the office if you have any questions or would like to pick up an application form. Please think about it.

Send an e-hug to someone in the Nelson hospital! you can now send an e-hug through the Kootenay Lake Hospital web page and link to "send an e-hug".

The Upper Room Devotional Booklet, current edition is available on line, or in print in the pamphlet shelf in the Narthex. A donation of $1.25/copy (given to the ushers) would help to offset costs and be greatly appreciated.

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