This past week has marked a number of beginnings: we began the season of Lent on Wednesday, the season of Ramadan in the Muslim faith began Tuesday night as we were celebrating Mardi Gras (or Pancake or Waffle Tuesday) and it was also the lunar New Year this week, marking the year of the horse. Many reasons to pause, to reflect, and also to celebrate.
Hymn Take Time to be Holy #672
Prayer: Teach us, O God, so to use this season of Lent that we may be drawn closer to our Lord, and in fellowship with him may learn to hate sin, to overcome temptation, and to grow in holiness, that our lives may be strengthened for your service and used for your glory. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen. (a prayer by Frank Colquhoun and printed in Contemporary Parish Prayers, edited by Frank Colquhoun.)
Scripture Lessons: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Psalm 32 p.759 VU
Matthew 4:1-11
Message
Prayer/ Reflection: The desert waits, ready for those who come, who come obedient to the Spirit’s leading; or who are driven, because they will not come any other way.
The desert always waits, ready to let us know who we are— the place of self-discovery.
And whilst we fear, and rightly, the loneliness and emptiness and harshness, we forget the angels whom we cannot see for our blindness, but who come when God decides that we need their help; when we are ready for what they can give us.
Hymn On Jesus I Have Promised
This Sunday’s services are Ormstown at 9:30 and Howick at 11:00. Howick will be combining its annual meeting with the Sunday service, a time to look back at what has been done, is being done, and what we might be planning to do in the future.
Many thanks for all who helped and supported our Waffle Dinner on Tuesday, a profit of $1447 was made, which will be a help in the coming months. If you have any feedback, please let one of us know. Thanks again!
The annual meeting for St Paul’s will be Sunday, March 8th, beginning at 11:00, combined with the Sunday service. Annual reports are now available for review.
Happy Valentine’s Day or weekend! In this time of upset and division, let us celebrate the power of love to bring us together and take care of one another. 💞
Hymn Open My Eyes #371VU
Scripture Lessons: Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 99 p.819 VU
Matthew 17:1-9
Hymn Unto the Hills #842VU
Message
Prayer: God of the Mountaintops, from up here you can see forever—
Down onto fluffy white clouds, down further to the patchwork fields below.
The air is so crisp and clean, a little thin… Is that part of my giddiness? I love you Jesus!
When I am up here with you, everything is perfect.
When I am up here, with a new friend, or a longtime love, everything else is so far away it doesn’t matter.
But you are not just up here— You are God of the Plains and God of the Valleys,
God of the Every Day.
You are still God when friends betray, careers collapse, when temptations’ snares have me struggling and I feel that I am below the bottom. Help me realize you were there and you carry me through, bringing me back to the here and now.
God, you called Moses to lead your people and a bush glowed.
You gave Moses the law, and his face glowed.
Spirit, you called Elijah home, and the chariot glowed.
Jesus, you brought Peter, James, and John up the mountain, and you glowed.
Glow through us, as we go through our valleys that others may see you and find the way. Amen. (prayers from Before the Amen, edited by Maren C. Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirabassi.)
Hymn Be Thou My Vision #642VU
This Sunday’s services will be Howick at 9:30 and Ormstown at 11:00.
We are shocked by the reports of the shooting in Tumbler Ridge and pray for the victims, their families and all touched by this tragedy.n
The annual reports are now ready. You can pick one up or let Barbara or Wilene know you would like to receive a copy. ( Unfortunately a page is missing from Howick’s report. I believe Wilene has sent it out online and copies will be available in the church as well.)
The Waffle Dinner fundraiser is coming up! Please join us at Howick United Church on Tuesday, February 17th from 4:30-6:30pm. Tickets for eat-in or takeout meals are available from Wilene, Anita, Grace, Allyson, and Barbara, at a cost of $15 for adults, $8 for ages 6-12, and 5 and under free.
The Official Board meeting for Franklin and St Paul’s United Church will be held on Wednesday, February 18th at 1:30 pm.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, February 18th at 7:30pm in the hall.
The annual meeting for Howick United Church will be held on Sunday, February 22nd, in combination with the Sunday services, beginning at 11:00. The storm date for this meeting will be March 1st, also at 11:00.
The annual meeting for St Paul’s United Church will be held on Sunday, March 8th, in combination with the Sunday service, beginning at 11:00. This meeting will be held in the hall. The storm date will be Sunday, March 15th at 11:00.
Prayer: Living God, help us to be bearers of hope; to bring your love to those who despair, to see the possibility for change even in the darkest experience.
May we encourage, reconciliation, healing, and justice, and where our hope is weak, grant us the courage to wait in the darkest experience until your light breaks through.
O God, we watch the news and we read the headlines about crime, cruelty, and abuse. We don’t want people to be hurt — but what can we do to help?
Light of the world, when there is darkness, help us to light a candle. Amen. (a selection of prayers from the Iona Community)
Hymn New Every Morning #405 VU
This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown.
The annual reports are now available. You can pick them up or give Barbara or Wilene or give us a call and we will get one to you.
On Tuesday, February 17th Howick United Church will be holding a Waffle Dinner for Pancake Tuesday, from 4:30-6:30pm. Tickets for the eat-in or takeout dinner are available from Wilene Cullen at a cost of $15 for adults, $8 for ages 6-12 and 5 and under free.
The season of Lent is quickly approaching. If you would be interested in the Lenten study the United Church has prepared for this year, Bless, Break, and Share, it is available through ucrd.ca.
Howick United Church will be holding its annual meeting, in combination with the Sunday service on Sunday, February 22nd, beginning at 11:00. The storm date for this meeting will be March 1st.
The Official Board meeting for St Paul’s and Franklin United Churches will be held on Wednesday, February 18th at 1:30pm in the hall in Ormstown.
The annual meeting for St Paul’s United Church will be held on Sunday, March 8th, in combination with the Sunday service, beginning at 11:00. (The storm date for this meeting will be March 15th, at 11:00.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
