Trinity – Clifton Community of Faith
                    United Church of Canada

           March 27, 2022    10:30 am
 
               Fourth Sunday in Lent

                                 Welcome

We are glad that you are here as a visitor, a seeker, someone looking for a new church home, or as a regular worshipper or member.  
All are welcome in this place. 
* Please stand if you are able

Trinity-Clifton Vision Statement: We are a joyful, welcoming, inclusive Christ-centered community of faith, reaching out to others, providing a safe space where we respect differences. We learn from the past and dare to change.

Acknowledging Traditional Territory: We follow the lead of the United Church of Canada in acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the traditional and unceded territory of the Abegweit Mi’kmaq First Nation.
 
Prelude 

Words of Welcome
	God is good
	all the time.
	All the time
	God is good.

Lighting of the Candles

Call to Worship MV #92 Like a Rock

Opening Prayer

*Hymn   The Wonder of Your Cross (Robin Mark)

Lent IV – The Nails Reader: Heather Nicholson
Today we lay before the cross the nails that pierced the hands and feet of the Son of God. The nails were our verdict, condemning this innocent Man to the undeserved suffering and disgrace of crucifixion. The empty tomb is God’s verdict, vindicating Him. Yet in Him God comes to roll away our own, deserved, disgrace.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Forgive us our cruelty, and fear, and quickness to condemn. We see the disgrace You bore because of us and confess it as our own. In the shadow of Your cross we cry, “Have mercy on us.”
Despite God’s provision of manna, the Israelites feared, and refused to trust. They wandered in the wilderness, unable to enter the promised land. In His life and death Jesus was the true manna come down from heaven, true bread broken for us. Although He offers the eternal nourishment of His very self, we too fearfully refuse to trust, and to enter into God’s promises.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. In fear we refuse to trust You fully; we reject Your provision for us. In the shadow of Your cross we cry, “Have mercy on us.”
Let us pray together . . .O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: We look at Jesus, and we look at ourselves, and we confess the great difference. Forgive us our fearful lack of trust. Deliver us from our willful fear; conform us to His trust and obedience. We thank You that through the resurrection, your grace abundantly pardons and transforms us!
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

*Assurance Hymn VU #600 When I Needed a Neighbour

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession

Prayer of Illumination

Scriptures  	2 Corinthians 5:16-21
                     Psalm 32 (VU 759)
                     Luke 15:1-3,11b-32
Special Music

Sermon 

Pastoral Prayers & The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn VU #271 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

Benediction and Blessing

Postlude 

Transitional Minister: Rev. Dr. Arthur Davies  
Music Director: Donald Fraser
Custodian: Andy Gagnon
Office Administrator: Ellen Locke
Web Page: www.trinityclifton.org Email: trinityunited@eastlink.ca
Phone: 902-892-4114 Office Hours: Mon. – Fri., 8:30 am – 4 pm

Announcements

Sympathies of the congregation are extended to Miriam Lank and family on the death of her son Edward.

Happy Birthday today to Marven MacDonald, Lori Ann MacDonald & Clair Gidney, to Thomas Hughes, Finley Campbell & Marion MacKenzie on Apr. 1 and to Coleen Mumford on Apr. 2.

Thank you to Ian Soloman, this morning’s soloist, for his musical contribution to this service.

UCW will meet on Apr. 4 at 10 a.m. With the ventilation work completed, we are excited to be back in the chapel for this meeting. We look forward to having more of our members return to join us.

Sunday, April 3: Lectionary Readings – Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8

Readers are needed for Lent and Easter. Please contact Rev. Arthur if you are interested.

Strawberry Jam and Chow – made in our kitchen by our volunteers is available for sale in our church office for $5 per bottle. Limited quantities available. 

Wearing Masks: As of Sept. 17 and until further notice, CPHO has stated that wearing non-medical masks will be mandatory for all Islanders in indoor spaces which includes in worship and while singing. Thank you.

Covid 19 Protocols: This is just a reminder that Trinity United Church has an Operational Plan to allow in person services and we need to adhere to the Rules under the plan so we can continue to have in person services. No socializing within the Church. People will be seated from the front to the rear and exit from the rear to the front as instructed by the Ushers. You are reminded that you are to stay in your seat until instructed by the ushers to leave. We are now allowed to have 375 people but please continue to register for Church service before 4 pm each Thursday. In person services provide a connection to Trinity and following these simple rules will make sure we can continue to have in person services.

Upcoming Tatamagouche workshops:  For more information, please see their webite. 
April 6 at 3pm Weaving the Threads of Healing and Radical Hospitality: Ruth Harvey, the leader of The Iona Community, will be joining leaders from Naramata Centre in British Columbia, Five Oaks Centre in Paris, Ontario, Tatamagouche Centre in Nova Scotia, and Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center in Pennsylvania. Our retreat centres were all inspired by The Iona Community in Scotland made of dispersed community or "common life" groups working to join spiritual, peace and social justice practices.  
April 8 – 10 Gaming Retreat – Onsite ﻿A weekend get-away to play tabletop roleplaying games with Josie Baker of PEERS Alliance and her team of volunteers. Subject to Nova Scotia Covid-19 restrictions for gathering (currently 25). Participants will be notified Mar. 25 if program is going ahead.

Upcoming Services for Holy Week

Palm Sunday, April 10, 10:30 am (Bring small dry branches)

	How can I get my Palm Sunday praise through 
Good Friday?
I want to praise God, trust God 
even when I do not understand God.

Maundy Thursday, April 14, 7 pm

Why did Jesus allow Peter to fail so miserably and deny his Lord three times? Are we stronger than Peter?

Good Friday, April 15, 10:30 am

	What “Good” is the world presenting to us today?
	Can it overcome our denials?

Easter Sunday, April 17, 10:30 am

“The cross, O the wonderful cross, what glory, what victory, I’ve found. I’ll come to the wonderful cross and my whole life I lay down.”

Trinity Clifton UCW’s 
“Elaine MacDonald Memorial Bursary”

On June 4, 2021 we lost a dear friend in UCW whom we decided we should honour. Elaine’s dedication, care and compassion for others were evident in all aspects of her life. We were lucky to have been the recipients of that caring and sharing as she worked so diligently and tirelessly amidst our UCW on the Membership Committee, as well as in many other activities of our group of women. Elaine will be missed dearly.

A motion was presented, and passed unanimously at the October 4, 2021 meeting of UCW General, to the effect that Trinity Clifton UCW present a bursary, in loving memory of Elaine MacDonald, to be awarded to a deserving student entering a program of study in the field of nursing. Following that meeting much discussion and research ensued to determine the many details concerning the Bursary. 

This bursary will be presented to a deserving graduating student of Colonel Gray High School who is entering post-secondary education in the field of nursing. This may include a program in nursing leading to a degree or in a program such as LPN, LNA or RCW. The recipient must display an interest in his/her /their classmates, caring and compassion for others, as well as a concern for their well-being – that is, a student exhibiting a concern for humanity. The recipient must display an interest in all parts of their education (e.g. an “all-round student” who has been involved in extracurricular activities) and not based solely on academic achievements. The recipient of the bursary will be determined by the Student Services Department of Colonel Gray High School. 

The Trinity Clifton UCW is pleased to announce that the “Elaine MacDonald Memorial Bursary” will be presented for the first time this coming June. This will be presented annually and will be non-renewable. The Bursary will be funded by Trinity Clifton UCW through special fund-raising projects and hopefully through memorial donations from interested persons.   

To be printed in the graduation program and/or read at 
the time of the presentation of the Bursary:

Elaine MacDonald Memorial Bursary
Presented by Trinity Clifton United Church Women, this Bursary is to be given to a deserving, all-round, graduating student of Colonel Gray High School who is entering a program in the field of nursing and who displays caring, concern and compassion for humanity.