Sunday, June 8, 2025 Pentecost Sunday

 This Sunday may be observed as Union Sunday in many United Churches, though some have started celebrating last Sunday, leading into the national celebration this Sunday. We are celebrating 100 years! 

Hymn       O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing #326

Scripture Lessons:       Joel 2:21-29

                                     Psalm 104:24-34

                                     Acts 2:1-21

Hymn        Breathe on Me Breath of God #382

Message

Prayer:  Holy One, we are your church, your people gathered. Since the beginning you have been with us. In the dry and desert-like moments when decline and death surround us, you teach us that we need you and to trust in you. When these truths have been remembered, your people have flourished. 

      We have been together as the United Church for 100 years. On this historic threshold we remember yet again that we live and move and have our being in you. It is time to dance with the Holy Spirit as we move past this moment. Empower us, loving God, to live by your Spirit, unafraid of where she is taking us. Now is the time to dig deep in our faith! To dare to be your resurrection people, for Christ’s way is our way. Let us be alive by your Spirit’s power! Awaken us to your moving among us, even now, so we can boldly follow your call into tomorrow. Amen. (a prayer from the bulletin of the national Centennial service)

Hymn     The Church’s One Foundation  #331

This Sunday there will be a single service in Howick United Church, beginning at 10:30, as we celebrate the United Church’s Centennial. We will be sharing the history of the churches in our community, as well as looking forward to the next 100 years. Following the service there will be a BBQ lunch to share: hotdogs, munchies, salads, as well as cake and ice cream. We hope to see you there! 

For those who are not able to join us, but who want to share in the celebrations, there are a couple of opportunities to take in the national celebration that will be held in Gower St United Church in St John’s NL this evening. It will be live-streamed on the United Church’s YouTube channel this evening (June 8th) from about 5:30pm, and may be found there later as well, and it will be broadcast on Vision TV on Tuesday evening, June 10th, the exact date of the founding service in 1925. 

There is a special envelope offered for this service which will offer choices for making a special gift to the United Church’s in honour of the Centennial. Gifts may be made to the local church, for an endowment fund, or to the indigenous, diasporic, or Francophone churches which would appreciate your support. These envelopes are available in both Howick and Ormstown. 

Next Sunday June 15th, there will not be a service in Howick, due to the Ormstown Fair, but there will be an 11:00 service in Ormstown. 

On Wednesday, June 18th the UCW in Howick, with the support of the Community Choir, will offer a community hymn sing, open to all who would like to take part. It will begin at 7pm. A lot of favourite hymns will be sung. 

St Paul’s will be holding its Strawberry Takeout, aka Social on Thursday, June 26th from 5-7:00 in the hall. We will be preparing the berries on Wednesday, at the hall starting from 11:00. If you are able to help, please bring your own knives, bowls, and aprons, if you can. 

There will be a Memorial Service for Rachel Jacob held in St Paul’s in Ormstown, Saturday June 21st at 2pm. The service will be followed by a reception at the hall. 

On Sunday, June 29th there will be a combined service in Ormstown at 11:00. We will begin with a fellowship time at 10:30 in the church.