Sunday, November 10, 2024 Remembrance Sunday

 

Hymn       O God our Help in Ages Past #806VU

Scripture Lessons:      Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17

                                   Psalm 127 p.851VU

                                    Mark 12:38-44

Message

Prayer:  O God, whose heart is broken by the violence in the human race, forgive us that we have lacked the imagination and collective will to create a war less world. 

Forgive us for breaking faith with those who gave their lives, for the unconscionable gap between the rich and poor, for corruption and deceit in high places, for the profit gained by the sale of weapons, for the spirit of domination in our world leaders, for learning so little from the deaths of 100 million in the past century. 

In you alone is our hope; in your power, which can purify the human heart and set our feet upon the path of peace, do we trust. You can do great things in willing hearts. Break, then, our hardened hearts. Break them with grief, with memory, and with hope. In the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen. ( a prayer by Bruce Sanguin printed in If Darwin Prayed.) 

Hymn      God of Grace and God of Glory #686

This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. Both will be Remembrance Sunday services. In Howick we are welcoming members of the Georgetown Church and members of the local Guiding and possibly Scouting groups as well.

The Session of Howick United Church will meet on Tuesday, November 12th at 7pm in the church hall. 

St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

The Trustees of Howick United Church are inviting applications from students in post-secondary educational programs from the Howick congregation. Applications are available at the church or on the congregational website. The deadline will be December 1, 2024 and the bursaries will be presented later in the month of December. 

Next Sunday November 17th, will be a craft activity day in Howick, during its 9:30 service. We will be making Christmas decorations to decorate either our church or our homes. 

We are planning to hold a Soup Luncheon on Sunday, November 24th following the 11:00 service in Howick. This will bring our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank to an end, though envelopes for donations may still be available. 

A new (paper) newsletter will be produced later this month. Please let Barbara know if you have items to be included. 

St Paul’s will be holding a Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 4th beginning at 11:30am, in the church hall. The cost will be $23.00. If you wish to attend, please reserve a meal by calling either Shirley Vandor at 450-829-2518 or Lynn Bryson at 450-829-3011 or Wendy Denison at 450-829-3419. 

Sunday, November 3, 2024 All Saints Sunday

 This weekend also marks the Indian festival of Diwali, a time to rejoice in good overcoming evil and light over darkness. Happy Diwali! 

Hymn.     For All the Saints #705

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Scripture Lessons:      Ruth 1:1-18

                                    Psalm 146 p.868VU

                                    Mark 12:28-34

Message 

Prayer:  We pray for the saints from ancient times who lived humbly, serving others, facing hardships, and faithfully following the Way. 

God of love and mercy, receive our prayer. 

We pray for the saints in our world today who face hardship in defending justice, working for peace, and caring for those suffering in the midst of violence, oppression, hunger, and fear. 

God of love and mercy, receive our prayer. 

We pray for the saints no longer living among us, who supported and encouraged us in our faith development by helping us grow in our love for God through Jesus Christ. 

God of love and mercy, receive our prayer. 

We pray for saints living among us today, companions on our journey of faith, connected to one another by Christ. 

God of love and mercy, receive our prayer. 

We pray for ourselves that we may be the saints you call us to be, companions to each other as we follow the Way of Jesus. 

God of love and mercy, receive our prayer. Amen. ( a prayer by Carol Frost printed in Gathering, Pentecost 2 2024.)

Hymn.       Love Divine #333

This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. Next Sunday will be Remembrance Sunday in both churches. In Howick the service will be held at 9:30 and will be a community service including the Georgetown Presbyterian congregation as well as Scouting and Guiding groups. In Ormstown the service will be held at 11:00 and will lead into Ormtown’s Cenotaph service that afternoon. 

We hold in our thoughts and prayers Marina Templeton and her family, following the death of her mother this past week. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet Wednesday, November 6th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

Howick United Church’s will meet Thursday, November 7th at 7pm in the church hall. 

We continue our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. Envelopes are available in the churches and donations may also be made online to foodgrainsbank.ca. 

St Paul’s women are going to hold a Christmas Dinner this year, on Wednesday, December 4th beginning at 11:30 in the hall. The cost will be $23 and you need to sign up to join in. Please call either Shirley Vandor at 450-829-2518, Lynn Bryson at 450-829-3011 or Wendy Denison at 450-829-3419 if you wish to attend. The deadline for signing up is November 24th. We will also be collecting items for Residence-Elle at the dinner. 

As was indicated in the last newsletter, St Paul’s will begin collecting its items for the mitten tree earlier than usual. A basket will be placed in the church so that items may be brought in now. They will be distributed following the White Gift service on December 8th. 

Anew newsletter will be coming out for the end of the month. If you have items to include, please let Barbara know. 

Sunday, October 27, 2024 Reformation Sunday

 

Hymn      Open My Eyes #371VU

Scripture Lessons:     Job 42:1-6, 10-17

                                   Psalm 34:1-9 p.761VU

                                   Mark 10:46-52

Hymn      A Mighty Fortress is our God #262

Message

Prayer:  Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (from the re:worship website) 

Hymn      Be Thou My Vision #642VU

This week’s services are Ormstown at 9:30 and Howick at 11:00. This will also be a craft activity day in Howick, including decorating pumpkins and making mini-pizzas for lunch. 

We continue to hold the McCormick-Peddie family in our thoughts and prayers, following the death of Mary Anne McCormick last weekend and the memorial service held on Saturday at St Paul’s. 

We also hold the family of Mary Seniuk in our thoughts. She died last week. A private service will be held to give thanks for her life. 

We continue to invite donations for the Canadian Food Grains Bank, following our World Food Sunday service last Sunday. Envelopes are available in our churches and donations may also be made online at foodgrainsbank.ca. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, November 6th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

Howick Stewards will meet on Thursday, November 7th at 7pm in the church hall. 

Sunday, October 20, 2024 World Food Sunday

 

Hymn       Let Us with a Gladsome Mind #234

Scripture Lessons:      Job 38:1-7, 34-41

                                    Psalm 104 p.826-7 VU pts 1,2

                                    Mark 10:35-45

Message

Prayer:  Creator God, you make all things and weave them together in an intricate tapestry of life. Teach us to respect the fragile balance of life and to care for all the gifts of your creation. Guide by your wisdom those who have power and authority, that, by the decisions they make, life may be cherished and a good and fruitful Earth may continue to show your glory and sing your praises. 

Almighty God, you have called us to tend and and keep the garden of your creation. 

Give us wisdom and reverence for all your plants and animals who share this planet with us and whose lives make possible our own. Help us to remember that they too love the sweetness of life and join us in giving you praise. Amen. 

Holy Lord, make our eyes and our hearts more open to the needs of others, especially the hungry, the hurting, and the poor. Help us to see that in caring for the Earth, we are also caring for one another. And help us, O Lord, to live in ways that promote respect, compassion, justice, and peace for all people, and for all of your broken and yet beautiful creation. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen ( prayers from the CFGB prayer resource.)

Hymn       I Sing the Mighty Power of God #231

This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. In Ormstown we will be holding a craft activity day for families and children which will take place in the church alongside the Sunday service. 

Next Sunday the services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. In Howick we will be holding a pumpkin and pizza craft time, followed by a lunch and extra munchies. Please plan on joining us if you are able. 

We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Mary Anne McCormick, who died this past weekend. A service to celebrate her life will be held in St Paul’s United Church in Ormstown on Saturday, October 26th at 2pm, preceded by a time of visitation beginning at 12:00. 

We continue to hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Jean McClintock, whose celebration of life was held on Friday. 

We will be beginning our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank this Sunday, which is World Food Sunday. If you wish to make a donation online, that can be done at foodgrainsbank.ca, or with the envelopes available at our churches. 

( a few late blooms I found before the cold weather began.) 

Sunday, October 13, 2024 Thanksgiving Sunday

 Our Jewish sisters and brothers continue to mark some of their most solemn holy days. Rosh Hashanah has passed and on Friday, Oct 11th at sundown until night on the 12th, it is time for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a time for fasting and for prayer. 

We also pray for peace in the Middle East, for Israel, for Gaza, for the West Bank, and for Lebanon, for all people, families, and children. 

Hymn      Come You Thankful People Come #516 VU

Scripture Lessons:      Joel 2:21-27

                                    Psalm 126 p.850VU

                                    Mark 6:24-33

Hymn         We Plough the Fields and Scatter #520

Message 

Prayer:  L:  For the beauty and wonder of creation, we thank you God. 

For our daily food, for our homes, families, and friends, we thank you God. 

For minds to think and hearts to lose, we thank you God. 

For health, strength, and skill to work, and for leisure to rest and play, we thank you God. 

For those who are brave and courageous, patient in suffering and faithful in adversity, we thank you God. 

For all who pursue peace, justice, and truth, we thank you, God. 

For all that is gracious in lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ, we thank you God. 

Today we give thanks for those we love and for all the saints whose lives have reflected the light of Christ, we thank you God. Amen. (from the United Church’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence.)

Hymn     Now Thank We All our God #236 VU

This Sunday’s services, will be a Thanksgiving Sunday service held at 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. In Ormstown we will be collecting food for the food bank, both seasonal produce and non-perishable food items. 

We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Jean (Robinson) McClintock, who died this week. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, October 18th from 2-5:00 in the Dining Hall on the Fairgrounds. Please come and share your memories of Jean. 

We hold also in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Milton Reddick, including the members of the Georgetown Presbyterian Church, following his death this past week. 

We also hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Kelsey Watt, following the celebration of her life held on Saturday. 

Howick United Church wishes to express its thanks for the support it received for its BBQ chicken fundraiser, it was a great success. Many thanks again to those who helped make it happen, as well as those who supported it, both from the churches and from the community as well. 

Next Sunday, October 20th, in Ormstown there will be a craft activity day for children and families. It will take place in the church along side the 11:00 service. All welcome. 

Sunday, October 27th, we will once again be holding a pumpkin and pizza Sunday in Howick, with our 11:00 service. Families are invited to come and share in the beginning of the service and then to decorate a pumpkin and to prepare a mini-pizza for lunch. All are invited to stay for lunch following the end of the service. 

St Andrew’s United Church in Chateauguay (46 DuPont W, Chateauguay) will be holding its 2nd annual Music Celebration, with lots of singing on Sunday, October 27th, beginning at 7pm. The music celebration will be followed by “everything apple” desserts. A free will offering will be taken to support the local food bank. 

The funeral service for the Rev. Lois Wilson will be live-streamed on the United Church’s YouTube channel this Tuesday, October 15th at 11:00, from Metropolitan United Church in Toronto. 

Sunday, October 6, 2024 The Fifth Sunday of Creation

This week begins the Jewish high holidays, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which comes to an end today, and followed by the Yom Kippur and the Day of Atonement, some of the most solemn days of the Jewish calendar. Shanah Tovah! 

Hymn        Great God We Sing that Mighty Hand #529VU

Scripture Lessons:       Job 1:1, 2:1-13

                                     Psalm 26

                                     Hebrews 1:1-4

Message

Prayer:  Loving God, be with our family and friends today, hold them in your love. 

THROUGH OUR LIVES AND BY OUR PRAYERS YOUR KINGDOM COME. 

Be with the poor today, show them you care. 

THROUGH OUR LIVES AND BY OUR PRAYERS, YOUR KINGDOM COME. 

Be with the suffering of our world, give them peace. 

THROUGH OUR LIVES AND BY OUR PRAYERS, YOUR KINGDOM COME. 

Be with the depressed, hold out your hand to them. 

THROUGH OUR LIVES AND BY OUR PRAYERS, YOUR KINGDOM COME. 

Be with the lonely, let them know you are with them. 

THROUGH OUR LIVES, AND BY OUR PRAYERS, YOUR KINGDOM COME. 

Be with the homeless, shelter them in your arms. 

THROUGH OUR LIVES, AND BY OUR PRAYERS, YOUR KINGDOM COME. 

Be with us and stay with us, we need you, God. We need you! Amen. (from the Iona Community’s Praying for the Dawn, edited by Ruth Burgess and Kathy Galloway.) 

Hymn       In Suffering Love #614 

This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. It will be Communion Sunday in both congregations. 

St Paul’s Session will meet Wednesday, October 9th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

Next Sunday, October 13th, will be Thanksgiving Sunday. In Ormstown we will be collecting food, both non-perishable food items and seasonal food items for the local food bank, La Bouffe Additionelle. Services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. 

In Ormstown there will be a craft activity day for families on October 20th, in the church, in combination with the 11:00 Sunday service. 

In Howick we will be holding a pumpkins and pizza day on Sunday, October 27th for families. Come and join in the fun, preparing individual mini-pizzas and decorating pumpkins for Halloween, beginning with the 11:00 service in Howick. 

Sunday, September 29, 2024 The Fifth Sunday Creation

Tomorrow will be National Truth and Reconciliation Day across Canada (aka “Orange Shirt Day”) so people are invited to wear, if you can, an orange shirt to church if you are coming, and/or on Monday to mark this day. 

  

Hymn.      Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #220VU

Scripture Lessons:       James 5:13-18

  

                                     Psalm 124 p.848VU

                                     Mark 9:38-50

Message

Prayer:  Today we wear orange to remember and honour all the indigenous children who went to residential schools.

   Today we wear orange and we pray for the residential school and intergenerational survivors who are still struggling. 

   Today we wear orange and we are thankful for those speak the truth, and who work to shine a light on injustice. 

    Today we wear orange in the name of compassion and the spirit of truth and reconciliation. 

     Help us, God, to remember and act on this and every day. Amen. 

In the light of the events of this past week:  O God, maker of the whole human family in heaven and on earth; stand by those who sorrow; that as they lean on your strength, they may be upheld, and believe the good news of life beyond life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We trust that beyond absence there is a presence, 

That beyond the pain there can be healing, 

That beyond the brokenness there can be wholeness, 

That beyond the anger there can be peace, 

That beyond the silence there may be the word,…. 

That beyond silence … there may be Love. by Anonymous.

Hymn.         Tell Me the Old, Old Story

This Sunday there will be a combined service that will be held in St Paul’s in Ormstown at 11:00. We will begin at 10:30 with coffee and goodies. 

We hold Debbie Beattie and her family in our thoughts and prayers at this time. 

We also hold Debbie Templeton and family in our thoughts and prayers following the death of her mother in Ottawa. 

Once again Anne Carpentier will be ordering United Church calendars for sale. This year we are inviting you to let Anne know if you would like a calendar. They are $15.00 due to increases in the cost of the calendar and shipping. She will be making the order in a few weeks, so please let her know if you would like one (or more). 

Next Sunday will be Communion Sunday in Ormstown (9:30) and Howick (11:00). All welcome to share in this sacrament. 

This will also be the Sunday Howick will be holding its BBQ chicken fundraiser. We are taking orders for Benny &Co chicken dinners, either $20 for adults, a quarter chicken with fries and cole slaw, or a children’s order with chicken nuggets for $12.  Orders need to be received by Wednesday, October 2nd, and are required. Meals can be eaten in the church as a community meal or taken out to share family or friends. 

Sunday, October 13th will be Thanksgiving Sunday. Services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. In Ormstown we will also be collecting food for La Bouffe Additionelle, our local food bank. Both fresh and non- perishable food items would be welcomed.