Sunday, February 1, 2026 The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

 

Today marks the beginning of Black History Month ( and last Tuesday was also International Holocaust Remembrance Day) this is a time when we are called to remember and learn from our past to build a better future for all. 

Hymn         Joyful, Joyful # 232VU

Scripture Lessons:          Micah 6:1-8

                                        Psalm 15 p.736VU

                                        Matthew 5:1-12

Message

Prayer:  How blest are those who humbly see how much they need the Lord.

How blest are those who deeply grieve the suffering in this world. 

How blest are those who find God’s strength in gentleness and grace. 

How blest are those who long for truth and seek God’s loving ways. 

What joy! When mercy fills our lives— when kindness is our style. 

What joy! When— pure in heart— we strive to do what is worthwhile. 

What joy! When people work for peace— for justice in this land. 

What joy! When whole communities seek goodness hand in hand. 

When thousands join in peaceful song; when hundreds kneel and pray;

When one, alone, stands up to wrong; when love becomes our way; 

When neighbours by the things they do, reach out to those in pain; 

Lord Jesus may we learn anew the blessings of your reign. ( a hymn we are singing in church written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, used with permission and in the spirit that those who sing pray twice. Tune: Forest Green)

Hymn        Blest Be the Tie that Binds #602 VU

This week’s services are 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. 

Please mark your calendars! Howick United Church will be holding a Waffle Dinner on Pancake Tuesday February 17th in the church hall from 4:30-6:30pm. Tickets for eat-in or takeout will be available from Wilene Cullen. If there are any people who would like to volunteer to help out or to donate items for the dinner, please speak to Wilene. 

The Official Board meeting for St Paul’s and Franklin United Church will be held February 18th in the hall at 1:30pm. 

The annual meeting for Howick United Church will be held on Sunday, February 22nd, in combination with the Sunday service, beginning at 11:00. The storm date for this meeting and service will be March 1st. 

The annual meeting for St Paul’s United Church will be held on Sunday, March 8th, in combination with the Sunday service, at 11:00.  The storm date for this meeting and service will be March 15th. 

Did you know that the Anglican Communion has selected a new Archbishop of Canterbury? Her name is the Rt Rev and the Rt Hon Sarah Mulally and she has been installed in a service in St Paul’s in London. We look forward to her leadership. 

Sunday, January 25, 2026 The Third Sunday of Epiphany

This is the closing Sunday of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We continue to pray for and work with our sisters and brothers in other denominations and faith communities.  

Hymn        Jesus Calls Us #562VU

Scripture Lessons:         I Corinthians 1:(1-9) 10-18

                                       Psalm 27:1,4-9 p.754VU

                                       Matthew 4:12-23

Message

Prayer:  My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself and the fact that I think that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you dies in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen. ( a prayer/ poem by Thomas Merton)

Hymn         O Master Let Me Walk with Thee #560VU

This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. This is also the deadline for reports to be included in the annual report. Please speak to Wilene (Howick) or Barbara (Ormstown) if there is a problem so we can sort it out. Thank you to all who have already prepared and submitted their reports. 

Please mark your calendars! Howick United Church will be holding its 2nd annual Waffle Dinner on Mardi Gras aka “Pancake Tuesday” February 17th from 4:30-6:30pm in the church hall. Tickets are available for eat-in or takeout. If you can volunteer to help out or make a donation, please speak to Wilene. 

The Official Board meeting for Franklin and Ormstown is tentatively set for Wednesday, February 18th at 1:30pm in the hall in Ormstown. 

The annual meeting for Howick United Church will be held on Sunday, February 22nd in combination with the Sunday service, beginning at 11am. In case of a storm or other reasons for cancellation, the storm date will be Sunday, March 1st. 

The annual meeting for St Paul’s United Church in Ormstown will be held Sunday, March 8th, in combination with the Sunday service, beginning at 11am, in the church hall. In case of a storm, or another reason for cancellation, the alternate date will be March 15th. 

Sunday, January 18, 2026 The Second Sunday after Epiphany

 The Sunday and next are the beginning and ending of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in all Christian churches and all communities of faith as well.  🙏🏽

Hymn.       Just As I Am #508VU

Scripture Lessons:        Isaiah 49:1-7

                                      Psalm 40 p.764VU 

                                      John 1:29-42

Message

Prayer:  O God, we thank you for the many colours, cultures, and customs that we share in this world. In our differences, unite us by your love. Enable us to act together to uphold life and to make this world a just and peaceful household for all humanity. Today we ask you:  O God, hear our prayer and grant us us your peace. Amen. (from w.weekofprayer.ca)

Hymn       You Servants of God #342VU

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

St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in the hall to review the last year’s results and also look forward to the coming year. 

Please mark the date: Howick United Church is beginning to plan a Waffle Dinner as a fundraiser, to be held on Pancake Tuesday, February 17th. More details to follow. 

We continue to hold the families who have lost members since Christmas in our thoughts and prayers. 

We have been saddened to hear of the deaths of a couple of former Moderators of the United Church of Canada recently: the very Reverend Robert Smith and the very Reverend Bruce McLeod. We give thanks for their witness and their service to the church and to Jesus the Christ. 

Sunday, January 11, 2026 The Baptism of Jesus

 

Hymn        Songs of Thankfulness and Praise #101 VU

Scripture Lessons:        Acts 10:34-43

                                      Psalm 29 p. 756VU

                                      Matthew 3:13-17

Message

Prayer:  Jesus, beloved of God, you were drawn into the water of the Jordan, draw us ever more fully into you. Jesus, our model, you were strengthened by the Spirit, enliven within us the grace and strength given to us in baptism. Jesus our brother, you heard God call you “beloved,” let those words resonate deeply within our hearts. Jesus, may all that is in you flow into me. Keep calling to us that we too may be your servants and witnesses to all the world. Amen. (from Taste and See, prayer services for gatherings of faith edited by Jacqueline Syrup Bergman and S. Marie Schwab, adapted)

Hymn        All Beautiful the March of Days #530VU

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

We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family of Phil Quinn and Stephanie Maynard following the death of Phil’s father, Elwood this past week. 

We also hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Annette Marcil Lemieux who died recently. 

We hold the family and friends of Julie Brooks in our thoughts and prayers following her unexpected death. 

The time to prepare our annual reports has come. If possible, please have your reports ready for Sunday, January 25th so we can have them printed and distributed in time for our annual meetings. 

St Paul’s Session is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, January 14th at 1:00 in the hall. 

The Board of Stewards of Howick United Church will meet on Wednesday, January 14th at 7pm in the church to review the results of 2025 before the annual report is prepared. 

Sunday, January 4, 2026 Epiphany Sunday

 We are still in the season of Christmas, but the Day of Epiphany and the season of Epiphany is about to begin. (January 6th) Are you celebrating? Holding a party? Let us continue to rejoice in the Christ’s coming! 

Hymn        As with Gladness #81

Scripture Lessons:         Isaiah 60:1-6

                                       Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 p. 

                                       Matthew 2:1-12

Carol        What Child is This #74VU

Message

Prayer:  Beckoning God, who called the rich to travel toward poverty; the wise to embrace your folly; the powerful to know their own frailty; who gave to strangers a sense of homecoming in an alien land; and to stargazers true light and vision as they bowed to earth: we lay ourselves open to your signs for us. 

        Stir us with holy discontent over a world which gives its gifts to those who have plenty already; whose talents are obvious; whose power is recognized; and help us both to share our resources with those who have little and to receive with humility the gifts that they bring to us. 

        Rise within us, like a star, and make us restless till we journey forth to seek our rest in you. Amen (a prayer by Kate Compton printed in Bread of Tomorrow edited by Janet Morley)

Hymn        The First Nowell #91

There is no Sunday service this Sunday as Barbara is away. I have been confused about next Sunday’s service ( apparently I was planning to hold a service on January 32nd!) So for Sunday January 11th there will be a 9:30 service in Howick and an 11:00 service in Ormstown. Sorry for the mixup. 

The time for getting annual reports ready has now arrived.  Please get your reports ready and in by the end of the month. 

Sunday, December 28, 2025 Christmas Sunday

 

Carol.       Good Christian Friends Rejoice #35VU

Scripture Lessons:        Isaiah 63:7-9

                                      Psalm 148 

                                      Luke 2:8-20

Carol        See Amid the Winter’s Snow VU 76

Message

Prayer:  God of overwhelming love and grace, in this Christmas season we come before you in prayer. We remember how you chose to live among us, declaring that our world was a worthy place for you, the Creator, to be present. And so, at this time, we pray for the world and for all who live in it. We especially think this day of those for whom this is a difficult time. For those who are missing loved ones who have died, or are far away. For those who are unable to be surrounded by others and who struggle with all the emphasis on family and togetherness in this season. We think of all for whom the emphasis on “stuff” simply underscores not having enough. And we think of how grateful we are that you have sent Jesus into our world and into our lives. How might we reflect his message in our daily living? How might we share with others the true joy that Christ brings into our lives? How can we—like all creation— offer you the praise you deserve? Open our hearts, loving God. Stretch our understandings of our world that we might find new ways to travel with others in the days to come. We pray in the name of the Christ. Amen. (A prayer from a service from Seasons of the Spirit 2015)

Carol        Joy to the World #59VU

This Sunday there will be a single service, a carol service, held in the hall in Ormstown at 11:00. 

Next Sunday January 4, there will not be a service held, as Barbara will be away. 

The deadline for making a donation to Howick United church is tomorrow, December 29th. Please get your donation to Wilene by tomorrow, if you wish it to be credited to this year. December 30th is the deadline for making a donation to Howick’s Memorial Fund. Please get your donation to Grace Brown by that date. 

December 24, 2025 Christmas Eve

 

Hymn.        O Come All Ye Faithful # 60VU

Advent-Candlelighting Litany:  1:  Today is the final day of Advent. 

2:  Our waiting has come to an end.

1:  Tonight we rejoice in the gift of a Saviour, God’s gift love for us. 

2:  Tonight we welcome the Prince of Peace, in whom we put our hope. 

1:  Tonight we light all the candles: the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, and at the centre of them all, the Christ candle.

2:  and we welcome the one who comes to be the light of all the world. 

Scripture Lessons:        Isaiah 9:2-7

                                      Psalm 96 p.816VU

                                      Luke 2:1-20

Carol.      Away in a Manger #69VU

Message

Prayer:  Lord, in the beginning when all was very dark, you said: “Let there be light.” And there was light and life throughout the universe. 

        And when the human race was exhausted, tired and weary, in the darkness of anxiety, confusion and sin, into that darkness you came as light in Jesus Christ God became a human being among us all.

         Once again it is dark. Not just dark at midnight but dark in ourselves:  dark with doubt, dark with fear and uncertainty, dark with confusing and conflicting voices in our ears. 

        Come, light of life, lighten the darkness in our lives with your mighty word of love. Lighten our hearts with the joy of your promised coming. Lighten our world with the hope that faith in you still brings. 

         We go out into Christmas Day in the peace of Jesus Christ. May his peace, that lightens the soul with faith, lifts the spirit with hope and leaven’s the world with love, be yours tonight and always. 

       And the blessing of God, the Creator, the Son and the Spirit, go with you, and remain with you, now and always. Amen. ( a prayer by John Harvey, printed in the Iona Community’s Candles and Conifers.)

Hymn.            Silent Night #67VU

There is a Christmas Eve service in St Paul’s in Ormstown tonight at 7:30pm. There will also be a Carol service at 11:00 on Sunday, December 28th at 11:00 in the hall in Ormstown. 

The Moderator of the United Church, the Right Rev. Kimberly Heath has posted a Christmas message, which can be found on the United Church’s website, united-church.ca or on Facebook or on the United Church’s YouTube channel. (There is also an Epiphany edition coming up.) 

May the Blessing of God, whose faithfulness and love is made in the birth, the life, the teachings, and the death and the resurrection of Jesus the Christ and through the power and possibility of the Holy Spirit.