Sunday, February 1, 2015 4th after Epiphany “For Hannah” Jeremy Patterson Lithograph Halifax © 2010 “Exorcizing the Demons in Our Midst!” Rev. Mary Jo Patterson Parkminster United Church | 275 Erb Street East | Waterloo | N2J 1N6 519-885-0935 | [email protected] | www.parkuc.ca 1 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! SEEKING WHOLENESS Prelude:  Introit: "Rondeau in D" by Luigi Boccherini (Tracie Klaehn on flute) “You, God, Are My Firmament” ♫ VU #279 Welcome Joys and Concerns and a Time to Welcome One Another Time to Deepen Spirit from Jan L. Richardson’s blog, “The Painted Prayer Book” Blessing for a Whole Heart You think if you could just imagine it, that would be a beginning; 2 that if you could envision what it would look like, that would be a step toward a heart made whole. This blessing is for when you cannot imagine. This is for when it is difficult to dream of what could lie beyond the fracture, the rupture, the cleaving through which has come a life you do not recognize as your own. When all that inhabits you feels foreign, your heart made strange and beating a broken and unfamiliar cadence, let there come a word of solace, a voice that speaks into the shattering, reminding you that who you are is here, every shard somehow holding the whole of you that you cannot see but is taking shape even now, piece joining to piece in an ancient, remembered rhythm that bears you not toward restoration, 3 not toward return— as if you could somehow become unchanged— but steadily deeper into the heart of the one who has already dreamed you complete. – Jan Richardson The reading will be followed by a long silence. Mary Jo will close the silence and we will sing: ♫ MV # 85 “Take, O Take Me as I Am” Take, o take me as I am. Summon out what I shall be. Set your seal upon my heart and live in me.  Children’s Song “I Can Feel You Near Me God” ♫ MV #48 Story Time Following the story time, our children and youth will leave for their learning time. They carry the congregation’s blessing. HEARING THE PROMISE Ministry of Music “Like the Stars of the Sky” (Tracie Klaehn on flute) Scripture Reading: Mark 1: 21-28 (NT pg. 35) About Scripture It is tempting to disregard Mark 1: 21-28 altogether as an irrelevant era piece, pertinent only to studies of a bygone era. Progressive Christianity seldom deals with the supernatural or demonic. We have exorcized the devil and Satan from our theologies, and have doubts about angels and demons. Yet, there is a side of life that goes beyond reason and human control. We know that we can be possessed by “powers” beyond ourselves – addictions, mental illnesses, compulsive behaviors, and 4 obsessional thought patterns. As intellectually well-read as we may be, we still may find ourselves under the influence of powers that we try to explain away. Today’s reading from Mark begs the question: Are there spiritual powers that influence our lives for good or ill? In many ways, we need to consider this question simply because of the many television programs, cable investigations, and movies depicting dark and destructive powers just outside human consciousness. Many of us have inadvertently wandered into the “twilight zone,” experiencing shadowy realities or intuitions pointing to negative energies beyond ourselves. Others in our congregations have encountered angels and other spirits. Still, others claim or know people who claim to have had near death experiences. We must honor these paranormal encounters even if we cannot explain them. Reflection: “Exorcising the Demons in our Midst!”  Hymn “When A Poor One” ♫ VU #702 LIVING HOLY Offertory Dedication “Largo No.6” “What Can I Do?” by Antonio Vivaldi ♫ MV #191 Offering Prayer, said by all Our gifts are both practical and spirit-filled. We offer them for the good they can do and the healing they can bring. And we offer them as thanks for renewed spirit, for freedom, and for peace. Prayers for Free Spirits Mother -- Father God: Help us to hear the word and put it into practice. Let us hear again the challenge of the great prophets. Let us do what is right and love with enthusiasm. Sophia – Wisdom: Help us to hear the word and put it into practice. Help us to discern the way of peace. 5 Help us to discern the way of right action. God of heaven and earth: Help us to hear the word and put it into practice. Let us hear again the stories of our ancestors in faith. Let us create new stories today – stories of faith in action. God of peace and justice: Help us to hear the word and put it into practice. Help us to listen to the world and the cries of those in need. Help us to respond in solidarity with all those in need. Holy Spirit: Help us to hear the word and put it into practice. Fill us with an enthusiasm and joy for what is right and good. Fill us with virtue that we might do what is good for all. Let us lift up now our silent prayers for those we know …..(silence) Amen. Closing Hymn “Spirit, Open My Heart” ♫ MV #79 Commissioning and Blessing ♫ MV #52 Alleluia Postlude Greeters: Ushers: Lay Reader: Candle Lighter: Chancel Arrangements: Music: Coffee Hour Hosts: “Piccol O'Reilly” by James Christensen (Tracie Klaehn on piccolo) Lyn McNiffe & Janet Holland Kyle, Brooke, Paul & Karen Schertzberg Lorna Hundt Child/Youth Trudie Robbins Voices United Choir; Neil Murray Tracie Klaehn (flute, piccolo) Wendy & Terry Ridgway The Ministry of Parkminster: All of us Ministry of Word & Sacrament (Int.) ~ Rev. Meg Grieve (ext. 23) Ministry of Pastoral Care ~ Rev. Mary Jo Patterson (ext. 22) 6 Ministry of Christian Education ~ Kelly Moores (ext. 24) Music Director: Neil Murray (ext. 25) Office Administrator: Melanie Chisholm (ext. 21) Caretaker: Allen Switzer (ext. 26) FROM PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE:  If you become aware of someone who might be ill, in hospital or in need of some support, contact Rev. Mary Jo Patterson (519-885-0935 (ext. 22); [email protected] or 519-426-8837 (hm)) or Virginia McQuay (519-742-8944; [email protected]) or a member of the committee.  If you are interested in our Prayer Shawl ministry, please contact Virginia. Prayer shawl knitting instructions and yarn are available in the upper hall. Thank you to all our faithful knitters!  Pastoral Care Emergencies: In the event of a pastoral care crisis, please contact the minister(s) directly. Ecumenical Prayer Chain: This week let us pray for Grace-Roseville (Waterloo Presbytery). IN PRAYERFUL SUPPORT Marjorie Campbell (Stirling Heights) Marian Atkinson (Parkwood Mennon.) Catherine Klea Olive Cooper (LeisureWorld) Kathryn Lamb (Trinity Village) Audrey Hannigan Walter Runge (Stirling Heights) Elinore Ray (Sunnyside) Note from Neil: If you’d like to listen to the beautiful musical groups at Parkminster, please visit: https://soundcloud.com/parkminstermusic __________________________________________________________ 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. 7 NEXT WEEK AT PARKMINSTER TODAY: Sunday, February 1 9:15am Prayer Lab with Mary Jo - Chapel 9:45am Self-directed Prayer - Chapel 10:00am Worship 11:30am Talking Scriptures with Meg – CANCELLED 2:00pm – 4:00pm This Changes Everything – McGregor’s home Monday, February 2 9:29am The Jesus Fatwah – Family Room 2:00pm Spanish Class – Family Room 6:30pm Beavers – Gym 7:00pm Pathfinders – Double Classroom 7:00pm Living the Questions 2 – Linkletter’s home Tuesday, February 3 6:30pm Cubs – Gym 7:00pm Inclusive Ministries – Family Room Wednesday, February 4 6:45pm Scouts – Gym 7:00pm-9:00pm Book Study of “The Last Week” – Family Room 7:30pm Bell Choir practice – Sanctuary Thursday, February 5 7:30pm VU Choir practice – Sanctuary Friday, February 6 9:50am Sustainable Soul – member’s home Saturday, February 7 10:00am – 4:00pm TCOW Activity – Kitchen & Gym NEXT Sunday, February 8 9:15am Prayer Lab with Mary Jo – Chapel 9:45am Self-directed Prayer – Chapel 10:00am Worship 4:00pm – 7:00pm Videos with Vision – postponed to Feb 22nd 7:00pm-8:30pm Inclusive Ministries “Movie Night” – Sanctuary