Sunday, June 11, 2023

 In Ormstown this is known as Fair Sunday, the closing day of the Ormstown Fair, where we can go to meet friends, family, and neighbours as well as admiring many animals: cows, sheep, horses, among many others. 

Hymn.      Praise to the Lord the Almighty #220

Scripture Lessons:  Genesis 12:1-9

                                Psalm 33 p.760VU

                                Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Reflection 

Prayer:  O God, source of our love, you journey with us, offering endless compassion and enduring visions. Hear our prayers as we seek to join with you in weaving patterns of healing and hope wherever the fabric of life is torn. We pray for all whose lives are diminished by difficulty, suffering or loss we name before you now: for those in need of healing…..

       For those facing difficulty….

       For those suffering from injustice…..

       For those seeking courage…..

       For those harmed by violence……

       For those in sorrow…..

       For those we name before you now…

May strength be theirs. 

May comfort be theirs. 

May love uphold them. 

May we, in turn reveal compassion to them in our words and our ways. 

Source of our mercy: journey with us now as we seek to walk your path of blessing. Amen. ( adapted from a prayer by Kerry Wehlander’s printed in Circles of Grace.) 

Hymn.     Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour #665

This week there is no service in Howick United Church, due to the Ormstown Fair, but there will be services in Franklin (9:30) and in Ormstown (11:00). Next week there will be services in Howick at 9:30 and Ormstown at 11:00. We are planning an outdoor service for Howick on June 25th at 11:00, weather permitting, so plan to bring your lawn chairs and your sun hats (and maybe your bug spray too).

We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Irene (Robinson) Hamilton this past week. She was a faithful member of St Paul’s United Church and its UCW. The public celebration of Irene’s life will be held on Saturday, June 24th from 2-5pm in the Ormstown Curling Club. 

Next week there will be a week of meetings:

  There will be the presentation offered by the Howick WI on Organ and Tissue Donation with Wendy Sherry Tuesday at 7pm in the Howick United Church. All welcome. 

St Paul’s Stewards will be meeting Wednesday June 14th at 7:30pm in the hall.

Howick’s Stewards will be meeting Thursday, June 15th at 7pm in the hall. 

The Official Board of the Ormstown Franklin Pastoral Charge will meet on Tuesday, June 20th at 7:30pm in the Franklin United Church. 

St Paul’s United Church in Ormstown will be holding its Strawberry Social Thursday, June 29th as a Takeout only, from 5-8pm in MacDougall Hall. Prices will be $8 for adults and $5 for children 5-10 years old. (Volunteers will also be needed to prepare the berries on Wednesday afternoon, from about 1:00 in the hall. Please bring your bowls, knives, and aprons!)