| Minister: the Rev. Dr. Steven Davis Organist/Choir Director: Henry Remiz Children & Youth Program Leader: Moira Robertson Office Administrator: Arleane Ralph Custodian: John Herscheid May 3, 2026, 10:00am UCW Sunday |
Welcome and Announcements (Pat Nowell)
Lighting of the Rainbow Candle (Robin MacKenzie)
Lighting of the Christ Candle (Robin MacKenzie)
Holy One, as we light our candle today, we are reminded of the light that dwells within us. We light the Christ Candle as we gather here today, to trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence.
Honouring the Land (Susanne Gray)
Introit: “Gather Us In” (More Voices #7)
Call to Worship (Pat Nowell)
Come and join us in our time together, to be with God in this place, with these people, at this time. To share our love and humble service, to let the light of Jesus shine in our hearts. Here we are, this is us.
Opening Hymn: “Come In, Come In and Sit Down” (Voices United #395)
Gathering Prayer (Anne Summers)
Lord, you walk beside us.
You are always there.
Come be in our waking
Go with us everywhere.
Lord, your hand will lead us
Your light will show the way.
Come be in our thinking
Be our guide today.
We join our voices in the words of prayer that Jesus taught us:
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn: “We Are One” (Voices United #402)
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (Dorothy Pierce)
Time with Kids’ Church (Moira Robertson)
Purpose of the UCW (Pat Nowell)
Please stand if you are able. The purpose of the United Church Women is to unite women of the congregation for the total mission of the church, and to provide a medium through which we may express our loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in Christian Witness, Study, Fellowship and Service.
Introduction to the UCW (Nancy Smith)
The United Church women of St. Mark’s are a group of ladies that pray, play and work together. There are two units, the New Horizons unit and the Open Door unit. The UCW has a general meeting three times a year where we all gather to hear various speakers, worship, play games and discuss upcoming projects. Of course, coffee, tea and goodies are served.
Our various projects have helped in many ways. We donate to the St. Mark’s general fund, the Mission and Service fund.
We also contribute to local charities such as Durham Hospice, St. Andrew’s outreach, Back Door Mission, Footprints4Autism and the St. Mark’s Christmas outreach. This morning you will hear from different ladies about how we have built our quilt of friendship that brings us all together throughout the year.
Here we are, this is us.
Sermon: Quilt Video
Adapting to Changes (Ada O’Connor-Pinti)
Over the years, the women of the UCW have gone through changes and challenges. We are proud of our ability to accept new situations, to move forward and be flexible. For example, our Anniversary Roses are now beautiful cards, the Bazaar now includes the Market Place, we no longer host the Scout Banquet and we don’t sell the Apostle Bean Soup Mix.
No room in the Inn and the Fashion Show are on hold for a possible come back in the future. We no longer hold a coffee club, but several ladies from that group joined the New Horizons unit. We have embraced technology, Zoom became a part of our lives and the Auction is now held online. New Horizons now meets in the afternoon. We no longer host a Quilt Show; however, our quilting group is going strong. Over the years we have evolved.
Here we are, this is us!
Hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (Voices United #288)
Receiving the Offering (Sandra Chase)
God, you are truly the source of our lives. From you, all loving kindness, justice and mercy flow to us. We pray for you to bless these gifts so that acts of kindness, justice and mercy may flow through us, as well. Beyond this act of offering, may our everyday lives show your Holy Spirit at work in us and through us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our friend and our Saviour, Amen.
Offering Hymn: “What Can I Do?” (More Voices #191)
Offering Prayer (Sandra Chase)
Loving God, you have given us so much, have called us to use our time and talents and treasures, united in your service. Receive our gifts as an expression of or love for you and our loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ. May they be used for the total mission of the United Church responding to your call to build a new and better world for tomorrow.
Choral Song: “Flying Free” (D. Besig; women choristers only)
UCW Prayer (Pat Nowell)
And now, go with us, God, Into the days ahead. Strengthen us for peace. Give us wisdom, keep us humble, and may we live and work together, and so striving, build a new and better world for tomorrow. Amen.
Choral Closing: “Go Now in Peace” (Sung by congregation)
Go now in peace, go now in peace.
May the love of God surround you everywhere,
everywhere you may go.
Recessional: “Ave Maria” (F. Schubert)
Music reproduced with permission under licenses:
OneLicense A610919 and CCLI license #11269798
