Did you know that COP31 is now taking place in Turkey? This is a gathering of countries and organizations discussing how to work together to protect the environment. Too often they can come to no agreement. This weekend For the Love of Creation is inviting groups to hold Candlelight Vigils to pray for the wisdom to find ways to preserve and protect the earth. It may be a question to consider on Children’s Sabbath when we can ask ourselves the question, “what kind of world are we leaving to our children?” 🌏
Did you know that in the Celtic tradition that this Sunday is the beginning of Advent, making it 6 weeks, like Lent? Are you already preparing? Does this bring joy to your hearts or a shiver of fear instead? 🕯️
Hymn You Servants of God #342VU
Scripture Lessons: I Thessalonians 5-11
Psalm 123 p.847VU
Matthew 25:14-30
Message
Prayer: Gracious God, Creator of all things, when we are troubled by the pains of this moment in time, help us to remember that you call us toward a life that is full of promise and possibility.
Loving God, Comforter of us all, may all the children of this world who face daily sorrows feel surrounded by your care.
O God, source of our Strength, help us to be strong enough to replace hatred with love, selfishness with caring, fear with hope.
Healing God, walk with all of your children. Help those who hate and those who are hated, those who hurt and those who are hurting, those who forget and those who are forgotten. Help us to walk together in a world of peace and justice. Amen. ( from a UCC resource, Seeds and Sowers)
Hymn God of Grace and God of Glory #686
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown.
Many thanks to the Guides, Scouts, and their leaders; the Legion members as well as the members of the Community Choir who attended and participated in the Remembrance Sunday service that took place last week.
We hold the family and friends of Anne Logan in our thoughts and prayers, following her death this week.
A new newsletter has been prepared. Please let us know if you would like to receive one, by email or a paper copy.
The time has come for students connected to Howick United Church and are attending CEGEP, university, or a vocational training program, to apply for a Howden-Templeton bursary. Applications are available in the church or on the church website. The deadline for applying is December 6th. Applications may be submitted to Marlene Stuckey, Debbi Templeton, Brent Tolhurst, or Scott Templeton. We hope to present the bursaries at Howick’s Christmas Candlelight service on December 20th at 7pm.
Howick UCW will be meeting on Wednesday night, November 16th at 7pm in the church. As well as the meeting, we will also be setting up for the Seniors Friendship Luncheon the next day. Contributions to the lunch can also be brought in that night as well.
Howick UCW is hosting a Friendship Luncheon for Seniors on Thursday, November 17th beginning at 11:30 for lunch at noon. If you are hoping to attend, please contact Marlene Stuckey to reserve a place. There is no charge for the meal, but free will donations will be collected and after the expenses are covered, the rest will go to a local charity.
Next Sunday in Howick there will be a Soup Luncheon following the 11:00 service as we bring our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank to an end. Envelopes are available in our churches and donations may also be made online at food grains bank.ca.
Sunday, November 29th there will be a combined service for our Howick and Ormstown congregations. The service will begin at 11:00 and there will also be a coffee time beginning at 10:30 in St Paul’s.
There will be no Stewards meeting in Ormstown this week. It will be held on Tuesday, December 1st instead.
St Paul’s UCW will be holding its Christmas Turkey Dinner on Wednesday December 2nd at noon in the hall in Ormstown. The cost will be $25. Please reserve your dinner by November 25th by calling Lynn Bryson, Ann Carpentier, Shirley Vandor, or Wendy Denison if you wish to attend. We will also be collecting items for Residence-Elle, either toiletry items or ordinary household items for the operation of the residence. Please do not wrap the items.
Prayer: O God, on this day of remembrance, as we pause to remember the wars of the past and all who have served faithfully, we pray in thanksgiving.
On this day as we remember people and places around the world caught in cycles of war and violence, we pray for peace.
On this day when we remember the victims of war: homeless refugees; hungry children; and grieving families; and we pray for hope.
Today as we offer you our praise and our prayers, giving thanks for our own peace and security, we pray for peace, justice, and shalom for all your children.
O God, hear our prayers. Amen. (Source? )
Hymn God of Grace and God of Glory #686VU
This Sunday there will be a single combined service for Georgetown, and Howick at St Paul’s United Church in Ormstown at 10:30am. All welcome.
We continue to campaign for donations to the Canadian Food Grains Bank. Envelopes are available in the churches and donations may also be made at foodgransbank.ca.
Howick United Church continues to offer Muffin Mornings. All are welcome to join us around the table in the church hall at about 9:30am.
The time has come for applications for a bursary from the Holden-Templeton Fund held by the Trustees. The application is for university, CEGEP, or vocational training students and can be found on the church website or at the church. The deadline for applying is December 6th and we are hoping to give out the bursaries on December 20th at the Christmas Candlelight (evening) service. Please get your application to one of the Trustees of this fund, Marlene Stuckey, Debbi Templeton, Brent Tolhurst, or Scott Templeton.
St Paul’s Session will meet November 11th at 7pm in the hall.
Next Sunday November 15th, a newsletter will be prepared and printed. Please let Barbara know if you have items to include.
Howick UCW will be hosting a Seniors’ Friendship Luncheon on Thursday, November 19th at noon. We will gather at 11:30 for lunch at noon. Please contact Marlene Stuckey to reserve a spot. There will be no charge but a free will offering will be taken to help cover expenses and anything over that will be given to local charities.
November 22nd will bring an end to our campaign for the CFGB. In Howick we are planning a Soup Luncheon.
Sunday, November 29th will be a combined service in Ormstown. The service begins at 11:00, with coffee and goodies beginning at about 10:30.
The photos in clouded in the blog this week are Quilts of Valour that were displayed at the OHO Quilt Show in September.
Prayer: O God, we give you thanks for your saints: for the saints of the past; for the saints of the present; and for the saints yet to be.
We thank you for those who are known and honoured, and those who are in-named, un-noticed, and recognized.
We give thanks for those who have made a difference in the world, who have built up the church, and those who have touched our lives.
We pray that as we give thanks for your saints, that we will be encouraged and inspired by their example to live faithfully; to serve joyfully; and to love courageously in the way and the spirit of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Hymn For All the Saints #705VU
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. This will be our All Saints hymn request Sunday.
We continue our campaign for the Canadian FoodGrains Bank. Envelopes are available in our church or donations can be made at foodgrainsbank.ca.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Ken Brooks, following the burial of his ashes in the Dunn Cemetery this past week.
Next Sunday will be Remembrance Sunday and Howick, Georgetown, and Ormstown will be sharing a combined Remembrance service, beginning at 10:30 in St Paul’s in Ormstown. All welcome.
Howick United Church UCW will be hosting a Friendship Luncheon on Thursday, November 19th. There is no charge for this lunch but a free will offering will be taken and the proceeds after expenses will be given to local charities.
There will be a newsletter prepared for November 15th for the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season. Please let Barbara know if you have any news to be included.
The Organ Concert for November 29th has had to be cancelled. We will try to reschedule at a future date.
November 29th will be a combined service for Howick and St Paul’s. It will be held in St Paul’s in Ormstown at 11:00. We will begin with fellowship time at 10:30am.
This Sunday is being observed by some churches as Reformation Sunday, reminding us of our heritage and the heart of the Christian faith.
This Sunday is also observed as Peacekeepers’ Sunday. As we prepare for Remembrance Sunday, where we remember the cost and sacrifice of war, we give thanks for those who serve to bring peace to our world. 🌏
Hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness #288VU
Scripture Lessons: I Thessalonians 2:1-8
Psalm 90:1-6,13-7 p.805-6VU parts 1,3
Matthew 22:34-46
Message
Prayer: Wondrous God: Thirteen billion years ago your creative spark called creation to being.
Two thousand years ago you lit a spark of new creation in Jesus the Christ.
Five hundred years ago, your love and grace re-ignited the hearts of men and women with names like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Katharine Zell, Ulrich Zwingli, and Argula von Grumbach. Just when we think all is settled, everything is finished, closed, your power and presence explodes on to the scene yet again, bringing newness, bringing life. Fill us with your power and presence, O God, so we may, like our grandparents in faith, carry your truth, your beauty, your justice, and your love to the world you so love — a world in such need. In Jesus’s name and spirit we pray. Amen. ( a prayer by Ryan Slifka as part of a Reformation Sunday service, shared by the United Church, slightly adapted.)
Hymn Love Divine #333
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. This Sunday will be a Craft day in Howick. All are welcome.m
We are continuing our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank, to help hungry people be fed all around the world. Envelopes are available in our churches and donations may also be made online at foodgrainsbank.ca.
Muffin Mornings are continuing at Howick United Church at about 9:30 on Monday mornings. All welcome to come and join the conversation.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet this Wednesday, October 28th at 7:30pm in the hall.
Sunday, November 1st will be observed as All Saints Sunday and I am inviting hymn requests for that Sunday. There is a bag or box where you can place your requests or you can speak to me (Barbara) directly. These can be a favourite hymn or a hymn dedicated to the memory of someone.
November 8th will be Remembrance Sunday and there will be a combined service in St Paul’s in Ormstown for Georgetown Howick and St Paul’s. The service will begin at 10:30am. All welcome.
Sunday, November 22, Howick United Church will be planning a Soup Luncheon to bring the campaign for the CFGB to an end. This will follow our 11:00 service.
Congratulations to the Rev. Eric Hebert-Daly, who has now covenanted with the United Church to become the new General Secretary of the United Church, beginning January 1, 2027. Many thanks to the Rev. Michael Blair, the current General Secretary, who will be retiring from the role December 31, 2026.
Friday, October 16 th is officially World Food Day when we consider the fact that the earth produces more than enough food for all who live upon it, so the issue is not abundance but distribution. We launch our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank this Sunday, seeking not just to feed the hungry but also to help them to feed themselves for the future.
Hymn I Sing the Mighty Power of God #231VU
Scripture Lessons: I Thessalonians 1:1-10
Psalm 99 p. 819VU
Matthew 22:15-22
Message
Prayer: God of renewal and new life, loving and wonderful God, you know us. You know our needs and our bodies. You made us to eat. You have kept us fed. You give us bread to fill our bellies, and Scripture to feed our souls. Thank you for your bounty. Thank you for your love. Thank you for Jesus, the bread of life, who broke for us. God of bread and food, this is the season of Thankfulness. And so we thank you for caring for us. Amen
Giving and Providing God, as we sit at our tables, we remember that you have fed millions; you have made bread fall from heaven in the desert. You made a few fish and loaves multiply. Help us to feed our neighbours, as you have fed us. Through our hands, feed the hungry. Through our gifts, help the food insecure. Amen. ( from the UCC worship resources.)
Hymn Jesus Calls Us #561 VU
This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. We will be launching our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. There are some envelopes in our churches or you can make a donation at foodgrainsbank.ca.
This Sunday St Paul’s will be holding a Craft Day for children and youth during its 11:00 service.
La Bouffe Additionelle wishes to express their thanks for the food donations made last week. It amounted to 86kg of food as well as cash donations. WOW!
Next Sunday October 25th Howick United Church will be holding a Craft Day for children and young people. Come and join the fun!
Howick United Church will be holding Muffin Mornings each Monday at about 9:30am. All welcome to come and join in the conversation!
St Paul’s Stewards meeting has been delayed for a week. They will meet on Wednesday, October 28th at 7:30pm.
Howick UCW will meet this Wednesday, October, 21st at 7pm in the church hall. We will be having a chair yoga session and those attending are asked to bring a yoga mat, if possible, though we will not be doing our exercises on the floor.
Sunday, November 1st will be All Saints Sunday and we will be singing hymn requests from the congregation. Nominate your favourite hymn and/or dedicate a hymn to the memory of someone. You can speak to Barbara or nominate a hymn in the box in the entry.
Prayer: God, giver of all good, you continually pour your benefits upon us.
Age after age the living wait upon you and find that your faithfulness has no end,
That your care is unfailing.
We praise you that the mystery of life is a mystery of infinite goodness.
We praise you for the order and constancy of nature;
For the beauty and bounty of the earth;
For day and night, summer and winter, seed time and harvest;
For the varied gifts of loveliness which every season brings.
We give you thanks for all the comfort and joy of life, for our homes, for our friends,
And for all the love, sympathy, and goodwill of all people. Amen. ( from the UCC’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence.)
Hymn. Now Thank We All our God #236
This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. In Ormstown we will be collecting food and donations for our local food bank, La Bouffe Additionelle. Donations of seasonal produce and non-perishable food items as well as monetary donations by cash or cheque would be welcome.
Howick United Church will begin its Muffin Mornings this coming Wednesday, October 14th at about 9:30, in the church hall/ basement. We will discuss how to go forward, and the day might change to Monday, as Wednesday seems to be quite a busy day. Please let us know if you are interested.
St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, October 14th at 7pm in the hall.
St Paul’s Stewards have delayed their meeting to Wednesday, October 28th at 7:30pm in the hall.
On Sunday, October 18th we will be launching our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. Envelopes for donations will be available in our churches.
St Paul’s will hold a Craft Day for children and youth Sunday, October 18th at the 11:00 service.
Howick United Church will hold a Craft Day for children and youth Sunday, October 25th during the 11:00 service.
This Sunday is also Worldwide Communion Sunday and we will be celebrating the sacrament of Communion in both St Paul’s and Howick United Church this Sunday.
This Sunday is also St Francis of Assisi Day. St Francis is the saint of animals and creation. Today many churches will bring their observance of the Season of Creation to an end ( I like to continue it to Thanksgiving Sunday, I think it makes sense) and to hold blessing of the animals services. May the joyful, loving, and peaceful spirit of St Francis be revealed in our living and our serving. 🌏🌈
Hymn How Firm a Foundation #660
Scripture Lessons: Exodus 20:1-4,7-9,12-20
Psalm 19 p.740VU
Philippians 3:4b-14
Message
Prayer: We thank you, O God, that you have strengthened us through your nearness and we pray:
Grant that the ears that have heard your Word may be closed to the voice of discord;
That the eyes which have seen your great love may see the blessedness which you have promised;
That the tongues which have sung your praise may testify henceforth to the truth; that the hands that have received your gifts may do good to your honour; that the feet which have brought us to this place may not stray from the way of your light; that the bodies that have been strengthened by your gifts may be ready to live a new life in you. And to you be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen. (a prayer from the Church Office of the Evangelical Church of Kurhesses-Waldeck, Germany, printed in Gifts in Open Hands edited by Maren Tirabassi and Kathy Wonsan Eddy)
Hymn O Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts #472
This Sunday’s services will be Communion services, offering the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In Ormstown this will be held at 9:30 and in Howick at 11:00.
Many thanks to all who supported Howick’s Benny’s BBQ Chicken dinner last Sunday. It raised more than $2000 for the life and work of the church.
We express our appreciation to Claude Gervais and his helpers who have decorated the St Paul’s Church and Main Street in Ormstown with seasonal fruits and vegetables and help us to rejoice in the harvest season and prepare for our Thanksgiving celebrations.
Next Sunday will be Thanksgiving Sunday in both our churches. In Ormstown we will be collecting food for La Bouffe Additionelle (the local food bank), both non-perishable food items as well as seasonal food items. Donations of cash and cheques can also be made.
St Paul’s in Ormstown will be holding a Craft Day on Sunday, October 18th during the 11:00 service.
Howick United Church will hold its Craft Day on Sunday, October 25th during its 11:00 service.
If you know of anyone interested in taking part in a Confirmation Class, either this fall or in the new year, please contact Barbara.
Congratulations to the Rev. Eric Hebert Daly, who has been the Executive Minister for the Nakonhaka Regional Council, as well as 2 others, and who has now been named as the incoming Executive Secretary of the General Council level of the United Church.
