Sunday, April 26, 2026 Good Shepherd Sunday

 This past week has not only been Earth Week but Volunteer week, and Library week as well! We can give thanks for all that we receive and share and have a chance to discover. This coming week will be organ transplant awareness week, so more to consider! 

Hymn       I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say #626VU

Scripture Lessons:       Acts 2:42-47

                                     Psalm 23 p.749VU

                                     John 10:1-10

Message

Prayer:  O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me! I am small and weak. I need your strength and wisdom. 

       Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

       Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. 

       Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. 

       Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.

       I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy, myself.

       Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. 

So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you  without shame. (a Lakota prayer, printed in In Touch with the Word  by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart)

Hymn        He Leadeth Me #657VU

This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. This will be a Craft Day in Ormstown for young people in the congregation. All welcome. 

The Stewards in Howick will meet on Tuesday, April 28th at 7pm in the church. 

Howick UCW will be hosting a Friendship Luncheon on Thursday, May 14th at the church for a time of friendship, food and fellowship. We will begin to gather at 11:30 for the meal to begin at noon. To help with the planning, reservations are required, as space is limited to 30 guests. Please reserve your place by responding to the person who gave the invitation, or emailing marlenestuckey68@gmail.com. If you are part of the Wednesday afternoon seniors card group, please give your answer Helene Monaste. All responses must be in by May 10th. A donation box will be available to help cover meal expenses. Any removing funds will be directed to a local non-profit organization, chosen by those attending. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Georgetown Presbyterian Church will be holding a Youth Rally on Friday, May 1st beginning at 7pm. It will include worship and praise, games, words of encouragement and snacks. Young people from local congregations are invited to attend. 

There will also a Youth Forum offered by the First Third Ministries of the Nakonhaka Regional Council held May 22-4th at Emmanuel United Church in Cowansville. More information will follow. 

Once again Nakonhaka Regional Council will be offering bursaries to university, college, and CEGEP students who are confirmed members of a congregation in the region. Application forms are available on the website, Nakonhaka.ucc.ca and the deadline for applying is May 31st. 

On Monday, May 4th the current Moderator of the United Church, the Rt Rev Kimberly Heath will be in Montreal and will be speaking on the Future of Christian Witness in Canada at 3:30-5:00 at St George’s Anglican Church at Place du Canada in Montreal. (This precedes the Convocation celebration for the United and Diocesan Theological Colleges which will take place at 7pm at St George’s as well.)

Sunday, April 19, 2026 The Third Sunday of Easter

 This Sunday is the beginning of Earth Week, as we prepare to mark Earth Day on April 22nd. 🌏

Hymn       All Creatures of our God and King #217VU

Prayer:  Loving and gracious God, you are a God of Creation.  Create in me a faithful steward of your world, showing me opportunities to make a difference, that I may live with respect in Creation. 

You are a God of Incarnation. Make me your heart and mind, equipping me to work for change. 

You are a God of Resurrection. Help me see new ways and new hope, planting in me the seeds of restoration and renewal. 

God of Creation, Incarnation, and Resurrection, help me go gently in this fragile world. Amen. ( from the United Church website, prayers for Earth Week.)

Scripture Lessons:       I Peter 1:17-23

                                     Psalm 116 p. VU

                                     Luke 24:13-35

Message

Prayer:  Creating God, you have called us to be in loving relations with all the Earth, living with respect in creation, choosing love and seeking justice at all times. 

Instead, humankind has acted in hateful ways, exploiting natural resources, choosing power and seeking wealth in the present over future abundance. 

We need your help to fight for a better future. 

Help to reawaken our love for Creation, that is so magnificent that we, with all our creativity and knowledge, could never articulate it, and so passionate that we, with the personal price and communal cost, would still fight for it. 

Help to deepen our relationships and love for each other: affirming the wisdom of youth strikers, so that we are not discouraged by empty platitudes and naysayers; and growing our community of allies, so that we can create a sustainable and faithful response to the imminent climate crisis. 

For the sake of your majestic creation, and for the love of all our relations. Help us to fight for a better future. Amen. (also from the UCC website.) 

Hymn     Thine is the Glory #173VU

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

We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Sharon Fletcher, who died this past week. No arrangements have been made at this time. 

Wilene Cullen Treasurer for Howick, has prepared a quarterly financial statement that she wishes to share with the congregation.

St Paul’s Ormstown will be holding a Craft Day for young people on Sunday, April 26th at the 9:30 service in the church. All welcome. 

Howick Stewards will meet Tuesday, April 28th at 7pm in the church. 

Howick WI will be holding an Anniversary Tea Thursday, April 23 at 1:30 in the Howick United Church. The program will include Evie Kerr, Abby Stonehouse and some music and will be followed by refreshments. Wear your hat, gloves, or fascinator and come share in the celebrations. All welcome. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is once again offering bursaries to university, college, or CEGEP students who are confirmed members of a congregation in the region. The application form can be found on the Regional Council website, Nakonhaka.ucc.ca and the deadline for applying is May 31st. Please contact Barbara if you have any questions. 

Sunday, April 12, 2026 The Second Sunday of Easter

 

Hymn.       Jesus Stand Among Us #396VU

Scripture Lessons:         I Peter 1:3-9

                                       Psalm 16 p.738VU

                                       John 20:19-31

Hymn.        The Strife is O’er

Message

Prayer:  O Christ, today, gloriously, joyfully, you live for ever in the life of the world, in the hearts of those who love you, in the power of the Spirit to transcend even death. May we who love you, and find in our hope, bear witness, as Thomas did, that your risen body still carries the marks of the world’s violence, injustice, and greed, and as we remember and rejoice, help us to keep faith with all who still, today, suffer the outrages of violence, injustice and greed. In our actions, in our prayers, in our choices and in our commitment, teach us the true meaning of good news for the poor. Amen. (a prayer by Kathy Galloway from Friends and Enemies)

Hymn        The Day of Resurrection #164

This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. We will continue to celebrate our Easter faith and joy. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet at 7:30pm on Wednesday, April in the hall in Ormstown. 

Howick UCW will meet on Wednesday April 15th at 7pm in the church hall. 

Howick’s Stewards will meet on Tuesday, April 28th at 7pm in the church. 

Howick WI will hold an Anniversary Tea on Thursday, April 23rd at 1:30 in Howick United Church. There will be a program including Evie Kerr, Abby Stonehouse, and music, followed by refreshments. Memorabilia will also be displayed. If you choose, you might put on a hat, gloves, or fascinator for the celebration. All welcome. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is once again offering bursaries to university, college, and CEGEP students who are confirmed members of a congregation in the region. Applications can be found on the council website, Nakonhaka.ucc.ca and the deadline for applying is May 31st. Please contact Barbara if you have any questions. 

Sunday, April 5, 2026 Easter Sunday

 This week both Jews and Christians are celebrating our major holidays. Many Jews will be observing Passover and sharing in a Seder. As Christians we will be celebrating the central holy day of our faith, Easter and celebrating the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. 

Hymn       Welcome Happy Morning #161

Prayer:  Almighty and everlasting God, we come with joy to worship you this Easter Day. And our joy is this, that the one who was crucified, dead and buried is now alive forevermore, our risen and reigning Lord. As we celebrate his resurrection, we pray that his joy may abide in our hearts and that our lives may proclaim his praise. To him be the honour and glory, this day and forever. Amen. (a prayer from Frank Colquhoun’s Contemporary Parish Prayers, written by Frank Colquhoun, adapted.)

Scripture Lessons:        Acts 10:34-43

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

                                      John 20:1-18

Hymn        Come Children Join to Sing #345

Message

Prayer:  it is the Lord, in the dawning, in the renewal, in the arrival, in the new day. 

It is the Lord, in the crowd, in the church, in the conversation, in the crisis. 

It is the Lord, in our joys, in our sorrows, in our sickness, in our health. 

It is the Lord, in the stable, in the humble,in the stranger, in the poor. 

It is the Lord, risen and returned, alive forevermore, giving me new life, saving me in strife, it is the Lord. (by David Adam, printed in Bread of Tomorrow, edited by Janet Morley)

Hymn        Jesus Christ is Risen Today #155VU

Benediction:  May the love of the cross, the power of the resurrection, and the presence of the Living Lord, be with you always. And the blessing of the Eternal God, Creator, Sustainer, Risen Lord and Saviour, Giver of Holiness and love be upon you now and evermore. Amen. 

This Sunday we will be celebrating Easter with a Communion service in both congregations: in Ormstown at 9:30 and Howick at 11:00. All are welcome to join us in this celebration. 

Did you know that our Moderator , Kimberly Heath has prepared an Easter message? You can find it on the United Church’s YouTube channel, on Facebook or on the United Church’s website, united-church.ca. 

Our Regional Council is once again offering bursaries to university, college, or CEGEP students who are confirmed members of a congregation in the region. Application forms are available on the council’s website, Nakonhaka.ucc.ca and the deadline for applying is May 31st. Please speak to Barbara if you have any questions. 

A new newsletter has been prepared and printed and is available in our churches, or you can request a copy from Barbara or one of the elders. 

The Howick Women’s Institute will be holding a Tea to celebrate its 115th anniversary on Thursday. April 23rd from 1:30, in Howick United Church. We are invited to dress up to celebrate the occasion, with entertainment offered by Evie Kerr, Abby Stonehouse, as well as music, and followed by refreshments. The event is open to the public, so you can share the invitation. 

April 3, 2026 Good Friday

 

Hymn       Go to Dark Gethsemane #133 VU

Prayer:  Holy God, who has opened our ears to your Word and our lips to proclaim your truth; open our eyes this day to see in the cross the revelation of your love; through Jesus the Crucified, to when 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

                                     Matthew 27:27-55

Hymn      There is a Green Hill Far Away #152

Message

Prayer:  Christ, when we survey the wondrous cross, strengthen us to face the very worst in our world:  hatred, greed, lust for power, fear that we are small or in significant or ugly or unworthy, violence, oppression. Help us to bring your truth, grace, faith, hope, wisdom, and love— the greatest of these being love. For your love has the power to destroy all that has brought you to this cross and us to your side. Amen. (a prayer from the UCC’s 2016 Lenten study, Parables, Prayers, and Promises)

Hymn       When I Survey the Wondrous Cross #149

There is no Good Friday service in Ormstown or Howick. There is the walk of the Cross led by the Huntingdon Ecumenical Community that begins at 9:30am in Huntingdon, at St John’s Anglican Church. 

We will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with an Easter Sunday service with Communion in both our churches, 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. All are welcome to join in this celebration. 

Sunday, March 29 Palm Sunday

 

Hymn       All Glory Laud and Honour #122VU

Prayer:  Merciful God, as we enter Holy Week, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, to the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Bring us at the last with him and all the faithful to your new Jerusalem, your kingdom of peace and justice for all. We ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen ( from the United Church’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence, slightly adapted.)

Scripture Lessons:       Philippians 2:5-11

                                     Psalm 118:19-29 p.837VU

                                     Matthew 21:1-11

Hymn          Hosanna Loud Hosanna #123VU

Message

Prayer:  O God, we give you thanks for the gift of Jesus Christ, your Son.  We thank you for the splendour of Christ’s life of faithfulness, compassion and service. We thank you for the symbols of love and humility he has given us to remind us. We ask that you will strengthen us for the service to which you call us, that we may find in serving and in other acts of mercy the fullness of life that we see in Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit live in eternity, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (a prayer from the Book of Worship of the United Church’s of Christ, adapted) 

Hymn      Ride On, Ride On in Majesty #127VU

This Sunday’s service will be a combined service in Howick United Church at 11:00, with members of the community choir taking part. We will begin with a fellowship time at 10:30 in the church hall downstairs

There will be a new newsletter available this Sunday. 

There will be an extra blog this coming week for Good Friday. The walk of the cross will also take place in Huntingdon on Good Friday, April 3rd beginning at 9:30am at St John’s Anglican Church.

There will also be a Sunrise Easter service at the Huntingdon Hospital Gazebo at 7am followed by a Pancake Breakfast at Huntingdon United Church. 

The Easter Sunday services will be held at 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. We will be celebrating the sacrament of Communion as well. 

The time has come to apply for the Regional Council bursaries off to university, college, and CEGEP students who are confirmed members of congregations in the region. Applications are available at the Regional Council website, nakonhakaucc.ca and the deadline for applying is May 31st. 

Sunday, March 22, 2026 The Fifth Sunday of Lent

 Ramadan ends this weekend, with Eid. Meanwhile, we continue our journey through Lent. Saturday, March 21st is also the International Day to Eliminate Racism, so perhaps something to consider in our Lenten reflections. 

Hymn.       As Comes the Breath of Spring #373

Prayer:  Almighty God, who did not spare your own Son, but did deliver him up for us all: in humility and penitence we draw near to you. As we call to remembrance the passion and sufferings of your Son, we beseech you to stir up within us the precious gift of faith, that we may rejoice in your great salvation, and offer to you the worship of our hearts and the service of our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen. (adapted from a prayer in the United Church’s 1968 Service Book)

Scripture Lessons:           Ezekiel 37:1-14

                                         Psalm 130 p.853VU

                                         John 11:1-45

Hymn.      All People that on Earth Do Dwell #822VU

Message 

Prayer:  Eternal God, late in this season we gather beneath the lengthening shadow of the cross, and we are very much aware of evil’s reality and death’s power. There are times when this awareness makes us captives of our fears and imprisons us in the tomb of despair, and there is no life in us. 

Living and Eternal One, breathe your Spirit upon us that we may awaken to the life that is ours in Jesus Christ and rise with him to serve you in faithfulness and justice all our days. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. ( from Gathering LEP2011, written and shared by John Moses then of Trinity UC, Charlottetown PEI.)

Hymn         Beneath the Cross of Jesus #135VU

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

We continue to hold in prayer the family and friends of those we have lost in the past weeks. This includes Donald Grant, Bill Templeton, and Jean Niles. 

Next Sunday will Palm Sunday and we will be holding a combined service in Howick at 11:00. We will also be welcoming the Community choir to the service. There will be a fellowship time before the service, beginning at about 10:30. 

There will be an extra blog on Good Friday, April 3rd. 

We will be celebrating Easter Sunday with a Communion Sunday service, at 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick.