Worship

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Regular services at George Street United Church take place every Sunday at 11:00 AM from the main Sanctuary. Our Church is located
in beautiful Downtown St. John's on George Street West, immediately across the street from the Delta St. John's Hotel and Conference
Centre, and there is ample parking.

For more information about our regular Sunday Worship or special activities and services taking place at George Street United Church,
please visit our "Announcements Page", or contact the Church Office at (709) 726-8775 or by e-mail.

When visiting St. John's, feel free to make George Street United Church your "church home away from home"... we would love to meet
you!

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GEORGE STREET UNITED CHURCH

ROOTED IN THE ROCK: TRANSFORMING FOR TOMORROW

Sunday July 18th. 2010 – 8th. Sunday After Pentecost

*indicates the congregation is to please stand, as you are able

ROOTED IN THE ROCK: TRANSFORMING FOR TOMORROW

WE GATHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE

Organ Prelude

*Welcome

Life and Ministry of George Street United Church

*Call to Worship

We come into the house of the Lord, seeking shelter from the outside world

May we know the safety and comfort of this place.

We come into this worship space to celebrate the love of God.
We gratefully accept the grace of God’s loving arms wrapped around us.

We come, thankful for all that God provides. All our needs are met.
Thanks be to God!!

*Opening Hymn: Come Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love VU # 222

Prayer of Approach (in unison):
Loving God, we enter into your house knowing that here we are safe from the pressures and concerns of the
world. Allow this to be a time of renewal, that by your Holy Spirit, we might be open to receive all you offer
to us. Bless our gathering, and enrich our worship and our fellowship through the assurance of your presence.
This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Children’s Hymn: A Little Child the Saviour Came VU# 342 (1&2/3&4)

Children’s Time

SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM

Prayer of Confession: (in unison):
Gracious and Compassionate God, you call us into your presence for our own sake; you know our brokenness
and our need. You offer us a place of rest and safety, and even to this gift of grace we are not fully present.
Forgive us, and help us accept all that you offer for our lives. Guide and direct us in your hope and your way
that we might better serve you. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Our Assurance: God offers us the love and the guidance that we might be on the level, with all that God seeks for each of us.
God is the builder and shaper of all things. Thanks be to God!

*Hymn: Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation VU # 325

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Old Testament Reading:                            Amos 8:1-12                                Gerard Marche
                                     God holds a plumb line in the midst of the people
                                                The Word of God – Thanks be to God

*Responsive Reading: Psalm 52 VU # 777 Gerard Marche
God judges in the midst of the divine council

Anthem: Soloist – Christina McNeily

Epistle Reading: Colossians 1:15-28 Rev. Sue
The Word of God bears fruit in you

Gospel Reading:                              Luke 10:38-42                                               Rev. Sue
                                                         the Good Samaritan
                                         The Word of our Lord – Thanks be to Christ

Meditation Safe and Sound??

*Hymn: In the Bulb There Is a Flower VU # 703

Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession and the Lord’s Prayer

Offering:

*Doxology Grant Us, God, the Grace VU # 540

*Offertory Prayer:
Loving God we risk bringing a small portion of who we are knowing that you will always receive us. Accept our gifts as a token
of all that we intend to do and be as we strive to serve you and offer your gift of love and safety to a world in which so many
need it. Amen

*Hymn: Blessed Assurance VU# 337

*Commissioning and Benediction

Minutes for Mission

July 18, 2010

Transformation through Drama

Gary MacDonald is an overseas personnel serving with the Amity Foundation and is funded by Mission and Service. He works as an English
teacher at Hexi College, Gansu Province, China. Many of his students are from small villages and are timid and shy in their approach to English and
even to life in general.

Gary and another teacher decided to put on a play. Not one student had participated in such a thing and most were unsure what drama was.
With more faith than common sense, the project began.

To accommodate a cast of 30, a simple plot was turned into a full-length story with singing and dancing, even though none of the students had
sung for an audience before and most had never thought of dancing anywhere! There were many rehearsals and much doubt. Songs were
practised. Dances were taught to students wearing homemade cloth shoes.

Then something happened: faces became brighter; students who had spoken English in shy whispers opened up in beautiful confidence; imaginations
emerged as students developed their roles.

That was three years ago. Many of those students are still on campus, role models among their fellow students both in and outside the classroom.
In the annual drama, seasoned performers guide novices. Onstage new confidence and strengths are found. In real life, characters are
transformed and developed. It is a wondrous thing.

Your Mission and Service gifts support Gary’s work helping young Chinese students become excellent teachers and strong individuals.
Please give generously.

We are a united church! We work together to support education
across Canada and in many foreign countries.