This Sunday is our final Sunday for the blog until August. I will be taking vacation time and I hope you will be enjoying some rest and recreation as well. This Sunday is also the day for our final service in Franklin United Church. Please join us if you can, at 11am.
Hymn O Day of Rest and Gladness
Scripture Lessons: Mark 1:35-39
Psalm 130 (p.853VU)
Mark 2:23-3:6
Message
Prayer: Generous and loving God, we thank you for your blessings without number. We bless you for the beauty of creation: for day and night, for summer and winter; for sun and rain, for seed-time and harvest; for your bounty supplying all our needs.
We bless you for protecting us in our weakness, and renewing our strength of spirit; for guiding us as we resist evil, and calling us to your truth, and to your service.
We praise you for sending Jesus to be among us: for his life on earth, his sufferings and death, for his resurrection to new life, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Grant, O God, that our hearts may grow in thankfulness for these and all your gifts of grace, so that as the people of new life, we may proclaim your praise; in Jesus’ name. Amen. (from Voices United, Daily Prayer for morning.)
Hymn I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say #626
This week we will be holding a single combined service for our three congregations, which will be held in Franklin United Church at 11am. There will be a lunch offered after the service. This will be Franklin’s final worship service. Please join us if you can.
Congratulations to all the graduates! Well done! 👨🎓👩🏻🎓
Thanks for the support for St Paul’s Strawberry Shortcake Takeout, which was held on Thursday. You support is greatly appreciated.
Following this Sunday’s service, Barbara will start her vacation. She will be back in the office no later than August 1st. We will back to worship (and the blog will appear again) on August 4th. The worship schedule will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick that Sunday.
Happy birthday to Bill Templeton who is celebrating his 90th birthday this Saturday, June 29th at his home in Ormstown. Drop in between 1-4:00 and wish him a happy birthday yourself.
The Executive Minister of our Regional Council, Eric Hebert-Daly, is on a sabbatical, doing the Camino, and he has let us know that he will be praying for our congregations on July 14th.
This is the first Sunday of summer! Let us celebrate! Also, June 21st was National Indigenous Day, which we can remember as we celebrate summer as well, remembering the lessons about this land and how to live on it and in it that they have shared with us. Megwich!
Hymn Praise to the Lord the Almighty #220
Scripture Lessons: I Samuel 17:32-49
Psalm 107:1-9, 23-32 p.831-2, pts 1, 3VU
Mark 4:35-41
Hymn Tell Me the Stories of Jesus #357
Message
Prayer: As the green ripens,
As the flowers blossom,
As the gardens bear their first abundance,
As the season turns,
Warmth and light awaiting us still,
But soon, so soon the days shortening,
The nights lengthening—
Let us savour the radiance of each new Dawn,
And the long unfolding of sunset over waters we so love.
May our love for this earth deepen and unfold and expand so that we are a blessing to the ground we walk and the air we breathe, and the life hidden in the depths of the waters.
And as we emerge slowly from these many months careful and apart,
Still measuring the risk of each step,
May we make way for bright new beginnings - yet unknown-
Within us,
Within our land,
within our world.
May there be light within our hearts,
The fierce Light of the noonday sun,
The tender light of the evening dusk
And the night sky,
The hidden Light within the cloud of unknowing.
A blessed Light, a holy Light,
For you and me and all the beloved world.
Blessed be! (written by Jane Doull, printed in Let Us Pray, vol. 4, and shared by Janice MacLean in the Prayer Bench.)
Hymn Will Your Anchor Hold #675VU
This Sunday there will be services in Franklin (9:30) and in Howick (11:00). It will be Communion Sunday in both churches. In Franklin, it will be a traditional Sunday service with Communion. In Howick we will be holding an Outdoor service at the church(weather permitting). After the service there will be a lunch provided and from 1-3:00 there will be an Open House, as we invite the community to come in and see the renovations we have been able to complete, with the help of the Community and the Faithful Footprints program of the United Church.
St Paul’s United Church will be holding its Strawberry Shortcake Takeout on Thursday, June 27th from 5-7:00 in MacDougall Hall. Prices will be $10 for adults and $6 for children.
The Bee to prepare the berries will be Wednesday, afternoon in the hall. If you can, you can bring your bowl(s) knife, and apron. All volunteers welcome!
There will be a celebration for Bill Templeton’s 90th birthday on Saturday, June 29th from 1-4:00 in his home on Prince Arthur in Ormstown. Please drop by to wish him a happy birthday.
The final service for Franklin United Church will be held Sunday, June 30th at 11:00. The community is invited to come and share in the celebration of this church’s ministry over many years. A lunch will be offered after the service, when we can share our memories and stories.
Barbara will be having her vacation during the month of July. There will be no services held or blogs posted for the month. If you need help during the month, you are invited to contact one of the elders of your congregation.
Today is also being observed as an Indigenous Day of Prayer in many United Churches.
Hymn. Great is Thy Faithfulness #288
Prayer: Spirit of the living God, be the gardener of my soul. For so long I have been waiting, silent and still— experiencing a winter of the soul. But now, in the strong name of Jesus Christ. I dare to ask:
Clear away the dead growth of the past,
Break up the hard clods of custom and routine,
Stir in the rich compost of vision and challenge,
Bury deep in my soul the implanted Word,
Cultivate and water and tend my heart,
Until new life buds and opens and flowers. Amen. (by Richard J. Foster, collected in Richard J. Foster’s Prayers from the Heart)
Scripture Lessons: II Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17
Psalm 20 p, 742VU
Mark 4:26-34
Message
Prayer: Sower of Seeds, you have planted in our hearts the potential for many gifts of your love to grow and develop within us: charity, authenticity, mercy, honesty, humility, forgiveness, loyalty, patience, understanding, courage, kindness, faith, respect, and other qualities reflective of your goodness dwell within us. We give thanks for these seeds you plant within us and pray that they will continue to bear fruit in our lives. We rejoice in the diversity and richness of all we receive and can share and we offer you our thanks, now and always. Amen. (adapted from a prayer written by Joyce Rupp and printed in Prayer Seeds)
Hymn. Faith of our Fathers #580
This week Sunday services will be held in Howick at 9:30 and in Ormstown at 11:00. We give thanks and pray for fathers, here and everywhere.
This week, June 20th will be Refugee Day. Let us consider the joy we can give and the gifts we can receive when we welcome people seeking a safe and a just place to call home.
We celebrate and give thanks for the ministry of the Rev. Dr Phyllis Smythe who is celebrating the 60th anniversary of her ordination this afternoon with a gathering and special service at Westmount Park United Church beginning at 4pm.
Next Sunday there will be Communion Sunday in Franklin at 9:30, a traditional service, and in Howick at 11:00 as part of our annual Outdoor service which will (hopefully) take place in the church parking lot. This will be followed by a lunch, which will take place before the Open House we will hold from 1:-3:00, which will enable community members to see the renovations that have been completed.
St Paul’s will once again be holding its Strawberry Takeout Thursday, June 27th from 5-7pm at MacDougall Hall. (Please note new hours.) Prices will be $10 for adults and $6 for children. We will be holding a Bee to prepare the berries on Wednesday, June 26th, in the hall, in the afternoon. If you can, please bring your own bowl, paring knife and an apron. Many hands make light work!
Bill Templeton will be celebrating his 90th birthday on Saturday, June 29th. You are invited to drop in and wish him a happy birthday between 1 and 4:00 at his home at 25 Prince Arthur in Ormstown. Best wishes, Bill!
Sunday, June 30th will be the final service to be held in Franklin United Church at 11am. This will include members of the Franklin Ensemble as well as Kent Sutton. The service will be followed by a lunch. All welcome to share in this special service.
Not only is June Pride month, it is also Indigenous History Month as well. We give thanks for the generosity of the indigenous peoples who share knowledge of this land with us and seek reconciliation so we can live together with respect and justice.
Hymn. There is Sunshine in My Soul
Scripture Lessons: II Corinthians 4:13-5:1
Psalm 138 p.860VU
Mark 3:20-35
Hymn Be Still My Soul #652VU
Message
Prayer: God in whom we live and move and have our being: from sea to sea to sea we share in prayer; on this anniversary we give thanks for your care, your guidance, and correction. In this heritage of trust we pray for this United Church and for faithful living on this land, our Source of Life, Living Word, and Bonding Love. Amen. (a prayer written by Catherine MacLean for Union Sunday)
I am leaning on the heart of God.
I am resting there in silence.
All the turmoil that exhausts me
Is brought to bear on this great love.
No resistance or complaint is heard
As I lean upon God’s welcome.
There is gladness for my coming.
There is comfort for my pain.
I lean, and lean, and lean
Upon this heart that hurts with me.
Strength lifts the weight of my distress.
Courage wraps around my troubles.
No miracle of instant recovery.
No taking away of life’s burdens.
Yet, there is solace for my soul,
And refuge for my exiled tears.
It is enough for me to know
The heart of God is with me,
Full of mercy and compassion,
Tending to the wounds I bear. ( Joyce Rupp from Out of the Ordinary)
Hymn. Take Time to be Holy #672VU
This Sunday there is no service in Howick, but there will be services in Franklin (9:30) and Ormstown (11:00).
This Wednesday, June 12th St Paul’s Stewards will meet in the hall at 7:30pm.
There will be no Official Board meeting this year for the Ormstown-Franklin Pastoral Charge, due to the closing of the Franklin congregation.
Sunday, June 23rd will be Communion Sunday in our congregations. Franklin will be celebrating a traditional communion service. Howick will be (hopefully) holding its annual outdoor service, on the church property, with Communion. This will be followed by a lunch for attendees then the public Open House for the community to see the renovations that have been completed with the help of the United Church’s Faithful Footprints program.
Also, St Paul’s in Ormstown has now been approved for the Faithful Footprints program as well.
Please keep in mind the Strawberry Takeout that St Paul’s will be holding Thursday, June 27th from 5-7pm in the hall. The costs will be $10 for adults and $6 for children.
The Bee to prepare the strawberries will be Wednesday, June 26th. Officially this will begin at 1:00, but the strawberries are expected at about 11:00, so come when you can! Please bring your own bowls, knives, and apron, if you can.
There will be a celebration for Bill Templeton’s 90th birthday on June 29th from 1-4pm at his home at 25 Prince Arthur St. Please drop by for a few minutes or longer to wish him a happy birthday.
Franklin United Church will be holding its final service Sunday, June 30th at 11:00 and will be followed by a lunch. Please join us to help us celebrate the legacy of faithfulness of this congregation.
Prayer: O Christ, you are within each of us. It is not just the interior of the church’s walls: it is our own inner being you have renewed. We are your temple not made with hands. We are your body. If every wall should crumble, and every church decay, we are your habitation. Nearer are you than breathing, closer than hands and feet. Ours are the eyes with which you, in the mystery, look out with compassion on the world. Yet we bless you for this place, for your directing of us, your redeeming of us, and your indwelling. Take us outside, O Christ, outside holiness, out to where soldiers curse and nations clash ( where families and children weep) at the cross roads of the world. So shall this building continue to be justified. We ask it for your own name’s sake. Amen. ( a prayer, adapted, from one from the Iona Community printed in the Iona Abbey worship book.)
Hymn. How Firm a Foundation #660VU
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. In Howick, we will be holding our anniversary Sunday service, followed by a waffle and sausage lunch. We will also be saying “thank you” to Debbie Beattie and Sally Kyle for their worship leadership to our congregation.
We extend our sympathy and support to the family and friends of Bill Blair of Franklin, who died this past week.
This Sunday, June 2nd is the deadline for applying for the Regional Council bursaries. Forms are available in the churches or on the regional council website, nakonhaka.ucc.ca.
Next Sunday June 9th there will not be a Sunday service in Howick as it is Fair Sunday. There will be services in Franklin (9:30) and Ormstown (11:00).
St Paul’s Session will be meeting this week, Wednesday, June 5th at 7:30pm in the hall.
The United Church will be holding a pre-Centennial celebration as we begin our 100th year. The celebration will be held on Sunday, June 9th at 4pm in the Metropolitan United Church in Toronto. It will also be live-streamed on YouTube for the whole church.
There will be an Outdoor service in Howick with Communion on Sunday, June 23rd at 11:00 to be held on the church grounds. This will be followed by a lunch for attendees. From 1:00-3:00 there will be an Open House for community members to view the renovations that have been completed.
Please keep the Strawberry Takeout in Mind! St Paul’s will be holding it Thursday, June 27th from 5-7:00 (new hours!) in MacDougall Hall. There will be a Bee on Wednesday the 26th at 1:00 in the hall to fix the strawberries. If you can come and help, please bring your own bowl, knife, and apron. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
On Sunday, June 30th Franklin United Church will be holding its final service at 11am. This will be a celebration of the many years of ministry that the Franklin United Church has offered its community. All are welcome to share in this service, as well as the lunch that will follow the service.
June is Pride Month in Canada. Many events are being planned and the Moderator has prepared a message which can be found on the United Church’s website, its YouTube channel or on Facebook.
Prayer: O God our Maker, God beyond us, we adore you. You are the depth of all that is. You are the ground of our being.
God the Redeemer, God beside us, we adore you. You are the perfection of humanity. You have shown us what human life can be.
God the Spirit, God around us, we adore you. You are the power within us. You can make us the people we are meant to be. God our Maker Redeemer and Sustainer, God beyond, beside and around us, we adore you. Amen. (adapted from a prayer of approach from the UCC service book.)
Scripture Lessons: Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29 p.756VU
John 3:1-17
Hymn God Reveal Your Presence #391VU
Message
An Affirmation: We believe in a loving God, whose Word sustains our lives. GOD IS LIFE.
We believe in God’s Son amongst us, sowing the seed of life’s renewal. He lived with the poor to show the meaning of love. JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.
We believe in the Holy Spirit of Life, making us one with God, renewing our strength with Her own. THE SPIRIT IS LOVE. ( written by John Harvey and printed in the Iona Community’s Fire and Bread)
Hymn. Spirit of God, Descend upon my Heart #378
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Franklin and 11:00 in Howick. Members of the Joint Board in Franklin are asked to meet at 9am, prior to the service to review and discuss plans for the closing service of the church.
Many thanks to all who have helped out and supported the renovations in Howick United Church, undertaken in partnership with the Faithful Footprints program of the United Church.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family of Margaret (Bryson) Littler who died this past week.
The deadline for applying for the Hugh Duncan and IFE bursaries from the Nakonhaka Regional Council is now approaching. The deadline is June 2nd. Application forms are available from our churches, from Barbara, and from the regional council website, nakonhaka.ucc.ca.
There will be a pre-anniversary worship held in Metropolitan United Church will be held on Sunday, June 9th at 4pm. This service will also be live-streamed on the United Church YouTube channel.
Next Sunday, June 2nd will be the anniversary service for Howick. We will hold our anniversary service, followed by a waffle and sausage L/Brunch. This will also be our opportunity to say our thank yous to Debbie Beattie and Sally Kyle for their leadership in our worship services over the years.
St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, June 5th at 7:30pm in the hall.
There will be no Sunday service in Howick on June 9th, as it is Fair Sunday.
On Sunday, June 23rd Howick United Church will hold an outdoor service (if the weather cooperates). This will also be a Communion service followed by lunch. There will also be an Open House held in the afternoon from 1-3:00 for those who would like to see the completed renovations in the church.
Sunday, June 30th will be a combined service for our 3 congregations. It will also be the closing service for the Franklin United Church. All are welcome to come and share in this celebration of their ministry.
Prayer: May the enthusiasm of the Spirit leap incessantly within you and help you to live a vibrant life.
May the warmth of Spirit’s fire be extended through your concern and care for all those who need your love.
May the blaze of Spirit’s courage enable you to speak the truth and to stand up for respect, dignity, and justice.
May the undying embers of Spirit’s faithfulness support you when you feel spiritually dry and empty.
May the strength of Spirit’s love sustain your hope as you enter the pain of our world.
May the clear light of Spirit’s guidance be a source of effective discernment and decision-making for you.
May Spirit’s patient endurance be yours while you wait for what is unknown to be revealed.
May the steady flame of Spirit’s goodness within you convince you every day of the power of your presence with others.
May the joyful fire of Spirit dance within you and set happiness ablaze in your life.
May the spark of your relationship with Spirit catch fire in the hearts of those with whom you live and work.
May you be mindful of the Eternal Flame within you. May you rely on this Source of Love to be your constant ally and steady guide. (a blessing for Pentecost by Joyce Rupp, published in Out of the Ordinary.)
Hymn Breathe on Me Breath of God #382
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. We will be celebrating Pentecost, one of the great festivals of the church calendar.
On Monday, May 20th members of the Howick UCW are invited to come to help cleanup the kitchen after the renovations. We are in the home stretch now!
On Wednesday, May 22nd a pilgrimage to Ottawa is being held to call for a fair and sustainable peace in the Middle East, with a number of leaders of national churches. Members of this regional council are invited to participate.
Next weekend the Regional Council will be meeting and will also hold a Celebration of Ministry service at Montreal West United Church on Friday May 24th. Beryl Barraclough will be ordained at this service. If there are those who would wish to attend, you are requested to register so the planners will know how many people to expect. The service will also be available online.
The deadline for applying for the Hugh Duncan and IFE bursaries is approaching. These bursaries are for university and college students who are confirmed members of the United Church of Canada. The deadline is June 2, 2024 and is available in our churches, on the regional council website (nakonhaka.ucc.ca) or from Barbara.
On Sunday, June 2nd Howick United Church will be holding its anniversary celebration, and will be followed by a lunch. Debbie Beattie will be present as well, so we can say our “Thank yous” to her.
On Fair Sunday, June 9th there will be no Sunday service in Howick. There will be services in Franklin (9:30) and Ormstown (11:00).
Nakonhaka Regional Council will be offering a workshop on worship on Saturday, June 8th, from 9-4:00 at Cedar Park United Church in Pointe Claire. If you wish to attend, you are asked to register so the planners can prepare properly.
On Sunday, June 9th at 4pm the United Church of Canada will be holding a special pre-centennial celebration to kick off our preparations for our centennial in 2025, at Metropolitan United Church in Toronto. This service will also be available online on the United Church’s YouTube channel.
