Sunday, May 11, 2025 Good Shepherd Sunday

 Today we celebrate the gifts that families can bring to us, and especially mothers, on what is often known as Mother’s Day, though in the church we sometimes  call it Christian Family Sunday instead. 

Hymn      The Lord’s My Shepherd 747VU

Scripture Lessons:      Revelation 7:9-17

                                    Psalm 23 p.749VU

                                    John 10:22-30

Hymn         The Lord’s My Shepherd (Brother James’ Air) #748VU

Message

Prayer:  O God, our good shepherd, in you is fullness of life. When we experience lack and loss, in you there is fullness of life. 

When we walk through the valleys of uncertainty, fear, evil, and death, in you there is fullness of life. 

When we need correction and guidance, in you there is fullness of life. 

When you provide wisdom and healing, in you there is fullness of life. 

When your goodness and steadfast loving-kindness pursue us, in you there is fullness of life. 

When you receive us in your abode and provide a feast for us, in you there is fullness of life.  

When all of your children and creation sing together in joy, O God, you are our good shepherd, in you there is fullness of life. Amen. (a prayer written by Sharon Winegarden, of Lion’s Head, ON, printed in Gathering, L/E 2022, adapted) 

Hymn       The King of Love My Shepherd Is #273VU

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

Howick UCW will meet on Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm in the church hall. The subject of the meeting will be mothers and mothering and members are invited to bring a photo of your mother if possible. 

Howick Stewards will now meet on Thursday, May 15th at 7pm in the Howick church. Please note the change in date and time! 

St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, May 14th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, May 21st at 7:30pm in the hall. 

Nakonha:ka Regional Council is offering bursaries to post-secondary students who are confirmed members of the United Church of Canada. Applications are on the website, nakonhaka.ca and the deadline for applying is June 2nd. Please speak to Barbara if there are any questions or concerns. 

We pray for God’s blessings of the new Pope of the Roman Cathipolic Church, Popoe Leo the 14th. We join him in praying for peace, for peace for all the world. 🙏🏽

Sunday, May 4, 2025 The Third Sunday of Easter

 May 5th is Red Dress Day, a day when we remember the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and their families. We pray for healing and true reconciliation that brings an end for the need of this day. 

Hymn      When Morning Gilds the Skies #339VU

Scripture Lessons: Revelation 5:11-14

                               Psalm 30 p. 757VU

                               John 21:1-19

Hymn       Jesus Stand Among Us #396VU

Message

A Blessing:  Christ of the morning’s rising blesses you. 

Christ of the moon’s setting blesses you. 

Christ by the lakeside edge blesses you. 

Christ of the birdsong hymns blesses you. 

Christ of all creation, all the gifts of creation, blesses you. 

Christ of the cooked fish offered blesses you. 

Christ of the sweet syrup blesses you. 

Christ of the fruits of the earth blesses you. 

Christ within you. 

Christ around you. 

Christ in creation. 

Blesses you, keeps you, holds you, from the dawning of the day to its dawning again. 

All your days. All your places. Until your life here becomes your life in Christ forever. Christ of Easter blesses you always. Amen. 

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! ( written by Bob Root of Peterborough, ON and printed in Gathering, L/E 2025

Hymn        This Joyful Eastertide #177VU

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

The Confirmation Class continues to meet on Monday afternoons from 4pm in the hall in Ormstown. 

The UCW in Howick will meet Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm in the church. The subject will be mothers and mothering and members are invited to bring a photo, if possible. 

We send our best wishes to the graduates of both the United Theological College and Diocesan College who will be holding their Convocation tomorrow at St George’s Church in Montreal. 

Barbara is planning to produce a new (paper) newsletter for June, with its special events. If there are other news items to be included, please let Barbara know. 

The Nakonhaka Regional Council is once again offering bursaries for post-secondary education to students who are confirmed members of congregations in the region. The application is available on the Regional Council website, nakonhaka.ca, and the deadline for applying is June 2nd. 

A special Spanish language service for foreign workers is being held at Georgetown Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 9th at 2pm. The gathering will begin at noon, with a lunch and to allow the workers to get to know each other. 

Sunday, April 27, 2025 The Second Sunday of Easter

 This Sunday is also being observed as Earth Sunday, when we give thanks to God for the world in which we live, and committing to be faithful stewards of it. 

Wednesday was also Genocide Awareness Day, and we recall the genocides of the past, learn the lessons we can, and seek to prevent genocides of the future. 

Hymn        All Creatures of our God and King #217VU

Scripture Lessons:        Revelation 1:4-8

                                      Psalm 150 p. 875VU

                                      John 20:19-31

Hymn.       The Strife is O’er #159

Message

Prayer:  God of renewal and new life, like the first snowdrops of spring, help us to be harbingers of a new beginning, filled with light and warmth and love. 

       Like the yellow daffodils, help us to bring joy to all that see us. 

       Like the many-coloured tulips, help us meet different needs for different people, doing what we can to bring hope and peace. 

        God of renewal and new life, may your spring come soon, and may we help usher it in. Amen. ( a prayer from the United Church’s Philanthropy Department)

Hymn.       Christ the Lord is Risen Today #157

This week’s services will be Ormstown at 9:30 and Howick at 11:00. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Marjorie Coffin, who died earlier this past week. 

The Confirmation Class will begin to meet again on Monday, April 28th at 4pm in the hall in Ormstown. 

Sunday, April 20, 2025 Easter Sunday

 

Hymn       The Day of Resurrection 

Prayer:  O God, we celebrate this wonderful day! Jesus has shown us that your love and your way are more powerful than the forces of evil in our world. You have shown us that life cannot be defeated by death, and through faith in you we do not have to fear. We thank you and praise you as we celebrate Jesus alive again and with us forever. Amen. (a prayer from Seasons of the Spirit, 2007)

Scripture Lessons:          Acts 10:34-43

                                        Psalm 118:14-24 p.837VU parts 2 & 3

                                        Luke 24:1-12

Hymn       Welcome Happy Morning

Message

Prayer:  For the life of Jesus which brings us new life, let us give thanks to God. 

For the death of Jesus, which shares the power of death, let us give thanks to God. 

For the resurrection of Jesus, which brings us hope in all things, let us give thanks to God. 

For the life of the church, sharing the Good News in word and deed, let us give thanks to God. 

For our new life in Christ, moving us to acts of courage and compassion, let us give thanks to God. 

On this Easter Day, let us lift our voices in thanksgiving. Let us give thanks to our God. Amen. 

( a prayer written by Frances Flook and printed in Gathering, L/E 2013.)

Hymn      Jesus Christ is Risen Today #155

This Sunday’s services will be Easter Sunday services with Communion in Howick at 9:30 and in Ormstown at 11:00. 

We continue to hold the families and friends of Jean Templeton and Mary Greer in our thoughts and prayers following their memorial services this weekend. 

The Confirmation Class will not meet this week, but will begin again next Monday at 4:00 in the hall in Ormstown. 

The deadline for renewing a subscription to Broadview (the United Church’s general interest magazine) is coming up! If you would like to start or renew your subscription, the cost is $30 for the year. Please let Wilene Cullen you would like this, and get your name, address, and payment to her by April 27th. Payment may be made in cash, cheque, or by e-transfer. 

Friday, April 18, 2025 Good Friday

 

Hymn.      There is a Green Hill Far Away #152

Prayer:  Holy God, who has opened our ears to hear your Word and our lips to proclaim your truth: 

open our eyes this day to see n the cross the revelation of your love; through Jesus the Crucified, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, be honour and praise, now and forever. Amen. (from the United Church’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence) 

Scripture Lessons:        Isaiah 52:13-53-12

                                      Psalm 22:1-22 

                                      Luke 23:36-5

Hymn

Message

Prayer:  Jesus Christ, may your death be my life and in your dying may I learn how to live. 

May your struggles be my rest, your human weakness be my courage, 

Your humiliation be my honour, your passion be my delight, your sadness be my joy, 

In your shame may I be exalted.  In a word, may I find all my blessings in your trials. Amen. 

( a prayer written by Peter Faber and printed in Taste and See, edited by Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and S. Marie Schwan.) 

Hymn        When I Survey the Wondrous Cross #149

We will be holding Easter Sunday services with Communion in Howick at 9:30 and in Ormtown at 11:00. 

Easter blessings for us all! 

Sunday, April 13, 2025 Palm Sunday

 This Saturday Jewish families will be preparing to celebrate Passover. May this truly be a time of celebration and joy.🙏🏽

Hymn.       All Glory, Laud, and Honour #122

Scripture Lessons:      Philippians 2:5-11

                                    Psalm 118:19-29

                                    Luke 19:28-40

Hymn.       Hosanna Loud Hosanna #123VU

Message

Prayer:  Living God, Jesus suffered with all humanity because he became “like human beings” (Philippians 2:7). He died on the cross because someone like Jesus who confronts injustice, heals the sick, breaks the chains of oppression, feeds the hungry, and loves his sisters and brothers so fully always makes enemies of tyrants and bigots, people filled with hate. The forces of evil cannot tolerate such good ness. Cleanse my soul and will of all that is destructive, so that I can love as Jesus did, even if it means that I too will suffer for it. I know from Christ that death will not have the last word. Bring me to the glorious Resurrection, the true victory of the cross. Amen. (from “The Cross” in taste and See by Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and S. Marie Schwan.)

Hymn        Ride On, Ride On, in Majesty #127VU

This Sunday is Palm (or Passion) Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. Services will be held in both Howick at 9:30 and Ormstown at 11:00. In Ormstown there will also be craft activities for families. 

There will be an extra blog this coming week, for Good Friday, as well as Easter Sunday. 

Next Sunday we will be celebrating Easter Sunday with Communion. The services will be the same times: 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. 

We hold the family and friends of Brian Smith in our thoughts and prayers following his death last week. 

We hold the family and friends of Jean Templeton in our thoughts and prayers, following her death last Sunday. A service to remember and celebrate her life will be held on Friday, April 18th at 2:00 in Howick United Church. Visitation will also be held at the church, from 1:00. A reception will follow the service.

We hold the family and friends of Mary Greer in our thoughts and prayers following her death on Thursday. Plans have now been made: there will be visitation on Friday night and the funeral service celebrating Mary’s life will be held Saturday, April 19th at 2pm. 

The Confirmation classes will begin on this Monday and will be held on Monday afternoons 4-5:15pm at the hall in Ormstown. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is inviting applications for bursaries for post-secondary education from confirmed members of the United Church. The applications are available on the website, nakonhaka.ca, or from Barbara. The deadline for applying is June 2nd. 

Sunday, April 6, 2025 The Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

This Friday, April 4th was World Refugee Day. We can take some time to reflect on whether these times of uncertainty make us more or less inclined to be welcoming to others. 

Hymn      Beneath the Cross of Jesus #135

Scripture Lessons:       Isaiah 43:16-21

                                     Psalm 126 p.850VU

                                     John 12:1-8

Message

Prayer:  O God, sometimes life’s events call for extravagance and sometimes for restraint. Sometimes they call for thrift and other times they call for abandon. Help us in our discernment so that we can respond to life’s events in the way that are both faithful and life-giving, ways that show others and ourselves that you are present in all events even if we cannot feel you there. Show us your way to share your love. Amen. ( a prayer written by Catherine Tovell of Kilworth UC in London ON and printed in Gathering L/E 2025, slightly adapted.) 

Hymn        Take My Life and Let it Be #506

This Sunday’s services will be Ormstown at 9:30 and Howick at 11:00. Howick will also offer craft activities for families. Ormstown’s worship services will return to the church this week. 

Howick UCW will meet next Wednesday, April 9th at 7pm. The subject for discussion will be technology. You are invited to bring your devices, if possible, so we can try out the solutions we find for each other. 

St Paul’s Session will meet Wednesday, April 9th at 1pm in the hall, to plan and prepare for Holy Week and Easter. 

Next Sunday, April 13th will be Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. There will be services in Howick at 9:30 and Ormstown at 11:00. There will be craft activities for families in St Paul’s as well. 

There will be an extra blog for Good Friday, April 18th, as well. 

Easter Sunday, April 20th there will be Easter Sunday services with Communion, in Howick at 9:30 and in Ormstown at 11:00. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is inviting applications for the IFE and Hugh Duncan bursaries for postsecondary students. Applications are available from the website, Nakonhaka.ca, and the deadline for applying is June 2nd.