This is the first Sunday of the summer season. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
We can also recall that Friday was World Refugee Day. At a time when we remember how we found a place to live and to thrive, maybe we could consider how other newcomers might add to our country’s and community’s richness and wellbeing.
Hymn. Praise to the Lord the Almighty #220
Scripture Lessons: I Kings 19:1-18
Psalm 42-3 p.768-9VU
Galatians 3:23-28
Message
Prayer: God, Creator and Great Mystery, we praise you for the Sacred Fires that burn today and for the prayer-filled smoke that you receive and bless. We offer our deep gratitude that the Fire’s light informs and guides our journey. We pray, just as the Elders prayed, for renewal and for the restoration of beauty to the land and its people.
We acknowledge the diverse and abundant gifts of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. We recognize that their knowledge and wisdom have benefited generations past and present, and that this blessing will continue for generations to come. We remember the many who are committed to the healing of family, community, and nations.
We pray for Mother Earth, the waters, the winds, for our siblings the animals, birds, and fish, and all of life that surrounds us. We pray that we will walk the good Red Road of life, and that we will walk with courage, honesty, humility, love, respect, truth and wisdom.
We offer this prayer in humility and hope, and in the name of our brother Jesus the one who lights our path to wholeness, justice, and peace. Amen. ( a prayer written by the Rev.Maggie Dieter and Bill Snow, shared by the United Church of Canada)
Hymn Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah #651VU
This week we are back to our usual schedule, 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. Next Sunday will be a combined service in Ormstown, at 11:00, with fellowship time starting at about 10:30.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Rachel Jacob, whose memorial service was held yesterday in St Paul’s.
We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Darel Lang this week. The plan is for a memorial service to be held on Saturday June 28th at 11am in St Paul’s United Church in Ormstown, with a visitation beginning at 10am. The service will be followed by a reception at the Dining Hall on the Fairgrounds.
Many thanks to those who have been doing work around our churches: painting, reframing the doors and other jobs. It really makes a difference!
In Howick, the annual Outdoor service will be held on July 6th at 11:00. We will not be at the Knox Cemetery, but at Howick United church, so please join us there. Bring your lawn chair if the weather looks good, but we will be holding the service rain or shine, inside or out. (Ormstown will be holding its usual 9:30 service.)
St Paul’s will be holding its Strawberry Shortcake Takeout on Thursday, June 26th from 5-7:00 in the hall. Prices will be $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12.
We will be preparing the berries on Wednesday, June 25th starting at about 11:00 in the hall. If you are able to help us out, please bring your own bowl and knife, (and apron) if you are able to. Your help would be greatly appreciated!
Today is also Father’s Day. We wish the fathers in our congregations a happy day, and also give thanks for many who take on the role of father in their lives.
Hymn Holy, Holy, Holy #315
Scripture Lessons: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Psalm 8 p.732VU
Romans 5:1-5
Message
Prayer/ Statement of Faith: O God, the source of our being and the goal of all our longing, we believe and trust in you. The whole earth is alive with your glory, and all that has life is sustained by you. We commit ourselves to cherish your world and seek your face.
O God, embodied in a human life, we believe and trust in you. Jesus ours brother, born of the woman Mary, you confronted the proud and the powerful, and welcomed as your friends those of no account. Holy Wisdom of God, first born of creation, you emptied yourself of power, and became foolishness for our sake. You laboured with us upon the cross, and have brought us forth to the hope of the resurrection. We commit ourselves to struggle against evil and to choose life.
O God, life-giving Spirit, Spirit of healing and comfort, of integrity and truth, we believe and trust in you. Warm-winged Spirit, brooding over creation, rushing wind and Pentecostal fire, we commit ourselves to work with you and renew our world. Amen. ( from Janet Morley’s All Desires Known)
Hymn Faith of our Fathers #580VU
This week there will be no Sunday service in Howick. There will be an 11:00 service in St Paul’s in Ormstown, however. All are welcome to join us there in worship.
Many thanks to all who made last Sunday’s Centennial celebration in Howick United Church such a special service. Thanks to the Community choir who lifted us up with their music, to the speakers who reminded us of the histories of our congregations, to the people who brought food to share in the lunch and all who worked to plan and prepare for this special celebration.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet Wednesday, June 18th at 7:30pm in the hall.
The Howick UCW will be holding a hymn sing on Wednesday, June 18th beginning at 7pm. All are welcome to join in this event.
Next Sunday June 22nd we will be back on our usual schedule, services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick.
St Paul’s will be holding its Strawberry Social/Takeout on Thursday, June 26th from 5-7:00. Prices will be $10 for adults and $6.00 for children. Your support will be gratefully received.
We will be fixing and preparing the strawberries from 11:00 on Wednesday, June 25th in the hall. If you are able to join us and help out, please bring your own bowls, knife, and apron, if possible.
On Sunday, June 29th there will be a combined service in Ormstown, beginning at 11:00. We will be gathering at 10:30 for coffee and fellowship, in the church.
On Sunday, July 6th Howick will hold its annual Outdoor service (weather permitting). This service will be held at the church, as the driveway to the Knox Cemetery is not usable. ( There will be a 9:30 service in Ormstown in the church as well.)
This Sunday may be observed as Union Sunday in many United Churches, though some have started celebrating last Sunday, leading into the national celebration this Sunday. We are celebrating 100 years!
Hymn O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing #326
Scripture Lessons: Joel 2:21-29
Psalm 104:24-34
Acts 2:1-21
Hymn Breathe on Me Breath of God #382
Message
Prayer: Holy One, we are your church, your people gathered. Since the beginning you have been with us. In the dry and desert-like moments when decline and death surround us, you teach us that we need you and to trust in you. When these truths have been remembered, your people have flourished.
We have been together as the United Church for 100 years. On this historic threshold we remember yet again that we live and move and have our being in you. It is time to dance with the Holy Spirit as we move past this moment. Empower us, loving God, to live by your Spirit, unafraid of where she is taking us. Now is the time to dig deep in our faith! To dare to be your resurrection people, for Christ’s way is our way. Let us be alive by your Spirit’s power! Awaken us to your moving among us, even now, so we can boldly follow your call into tomorrow. Amen. (a prayer from the bulletin of the national Centennial service)
Hymn The Church’s One Foundation #331
This Sunday there will be a single service in Howick United Church, beginning at 10:30, as we celebrate the United Church’s Centennial. We will be sharing the history of the churches in our community, as well as looking forward to the next 100 years. Following the service there will be a BBQ lunch to share: hotdogs, munchies, salads, as well as cake and ice cream. We hope to see you there!
For those who are not able to join us, but who want to share in the celebrations, there are a couple of opportunities to take in the national celebration that will be held in Gower St United Church in St John’s NL this evening. It will be live-streamed on the United Church’s YouTube channel this evening (June 8th) from about 5:30pm, and may be found there later as well, and it will be broadcast on Vision TV on Tuesday evening, June 10th, the exact date of the founding service in 1925.
There is a special envelope offered for this service which will offer choices for making a special gift to the United Church’s in honour of the Centennial. Gifts may be made to the local church, for an endowment fund, or to the indigenous, diasporic, or Francophone churches which would appreciate your support. These envelopes are available in both Howick and Ormstown.
Next Sunday June 15th, there will not be a service in Howick, due to the Ormstown Fair, but there will be an 11:00 service in Ormstown.
On Wednesday, June 18th the UCW in Howick, with the support of the Community Choir, will offer a community hymn sing, open to all who would like to take part. It will begin at 7pm. A lot of favourite hymns will be sung.
St Paul’s will be holding its Strawberry Takeout, aka Social on Thursday, June 26th from 5-7:00 in the hall. We will be preparing the berries on Wednesday, at the hall starting from 11:00. If you are able to help, please bring your own knives, bowls, and aprons, if you can.
There will be a Memorial Service for Rachel Jacob held in St Paul’s in Ormstown, Saturday June 21st at 2pm. The service will be followed by a reception at the hall.
On Sunday, June 29th there will be a combined service in Ormstown at 11:00. We will begin with a fellowship time at 10:30 in the church.
In a number of churches today may be celebrated as Pride Sunday, reflecting the United Church’s choice to be a welcoming, accepting, and affirming denomination. 🌈
Hymn Sweet Hour of Prayer
Scripture Lessons: Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
John17:29-26
Message
Prayer: Risen Christ, today, tomorrow and always your Spirit lives in us. Sometimes we feel we understand so little. But remaining in your presence, wherever we are, is prayer. And perhaps close to you, O Christ, silence is often everything in prayer. And then we sense that, our whole life long, we advance when in you guides every step, when a trusting heart is at the beginning of everything. Amen.
Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus #664
This Sunday is Confirmation and Communion Sunday in both of our congregations. We will be gathering in St Paul’s at 9:30 and in Howick at 11:00. We are delighted to welcome Ashton Bryson, Preston Mason, Alex Quinn and Jacob Tannahill in Ormstown and Ryley Chisholm, in Howick, along with Billie Nussey by Profession of Faith and Winnifred and Cameron Sherry by Transfer of membership.
Next Sunday we will be holding our Centennial celebration for the United Church next Sunday in Howick, beginning at 10:30am. The service will be followed by a BBQ lunch potluck salads, and cake and ice cream. An RSVP to Anita Greig, Wilene Cullen, or Allyson Orr would be appreciated to help us plan for the lunch, if possible.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Marjorie Coffin, whose memorial service was held yesterday.
We send our best wishes to the new members of the order of ministry of this region, following the Celebration of Ministry service yesterday: Florence Bukam, Lisa Byer-de Weber, Jean Philippe Dubé-Goupil, Bailey Eastwood, Adedeji Sunday Akintayo, and Virginia Wallace, who were admitted, commissioned and ordained, as well as to those who have completed their ministries and are retiring.
We also send best wishes to Maureen Kabwe, who was commissioned in Kahnawake United Church last Sunday.
Loving God, creator of water on which all life depends, we are close to you on this wet day.
Thank you for the rain which softens and refreshes the earth, making springs rise and streams flow.
Thank you for rivers, lakes, and oceans, and for all that lives beside them and in them.
Thank you for all that is green and growing. Thank you for the rain, on which our food depends.
Thank you for the water in our taps.
We pray for all those in drought-stricken lands, where women trudge many miles for water and men toil on barren land. Thank you for clean water. We pray for those whose water is contaminated, bringing disease and death.
Thank you for the rain washing the earth, cleaning the air in cities, sparkling as jewelled droplets in the sun, bringing out the deep colours in rocks and stones.
Thank you for warm clothes and dry houses. We pray for all who are living rough or in inadequate housing.
Thank you for the rain without which there would be no rainbows!
Forgive us when we grumble or complain on wet days.
Forgive us when we only want sunshine in our lives.
Forgive us when we take for granted and waster your life-giving water.
So, our loving Creator, thank you for this wet day. Amen. (a prayer by Frances Hawkey and printed in the Iona Community’s Fire and Bread)
Hymn We Plough the Fields and Scatter #520
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick.
Next Sunday will be Confirmation and Communion Sunday in both congregations.
A new newsletter has been printed and is available, with information for upcoming events such as the combined Centennial service (June 8th, 10:30 in Howick) and the Strawberry Social (Takeout, June 26th, 5-7pm) in the hall in Ormstown.
This afternoon (May 25th) at 3pm there will be a time of gathering to remember the life of Brian Smith at the Legion in Ormstown. This will be an opportunity to drop by and share memories and stories with his wife, Robin Wright and family.
On Saturday, May 31st at 2pm there will be a service and reception to remember and celebrate the life of Marjorie Craig Coffin. There will also be a visitation the night before at the McGerrigle Funeral Home. The service and reception will be held at the Dining Hall on the Ormstown Fairgrounds. All welcome to come and share your memories of Marjorie.
I be liege that this one of the earth’s finest moments, that the sun lifting yellow and greens into life of tiny poplar leaves is much like God’s own Spirit of love lifting life into me.
I believe that the Word of God has many times been planted in my life, often because of another who received the seed in ready soil, brought forth a harvest, and shared that goodness with me.
I believe that the call to be a sower of the Word is a privilege and a blessing, that no one can ever earn the right or claim the duty, that is a gift, freely given and a ministry to be constantly celebrated in gratitude.
I believe that great things can come forth from even the tiniest seed planted in love and cared for tenderly in the heart of another.
I believe that usually only God knows what sprouting and greening will come from the Word planted through my ministry. I am content in knowing that I have tried, with the Sower’s grace, to seed that Word in faith and with joy.
I believe that even the most insignificant aspects of life can be the seed of God’s gifting, that deeper faith can root and mature in very ordinary soil.
I believe that some dying of seed has to take place before it can give itself over to life, that every heart has its germination time, it’s dark moment, before future hallowedness of harvest comes.
I believe that it takes much patience to sow a seed, to freely give it away to the heart of earth, to allow it to take root and to grow in its own good time.
I believe that my life will always know the season of hope, that I will find flowers after every finality of ice and snow, that I will find green, growing things after every harsh, barren reign of winter’s rage.
And most of al…..
I believe in the Sower of all seeds, in the God of Springtime, in the Giver of all good and growing things, my Lord and my God! (written by Joyce Rupp and printed in Fresh Bread and other gifts of spiritual nourishment)
Hymn Rejoice the Lord is King #213VU
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. We will be celebrating a Rogation Sunday, blessing the fields, seeds and plants that are being planted in this season.
There will be no Confirmation Class this Monday, as it is the long weekend.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, May 21st at 7:30pm in the hall in Ormstown.
There will be a (paper) newsletter next Sunday, with plans for the combined anniversary service in Howick, June 8th beginning at 10:30am and followed by a BBQ lunch, with salads, as well as the Confirmation and Communion and the Strawberry Social. If you have other news to be included, please let Barbara know.
The Nakonha:ka Regional Council is once again offering the Hugh Duncan and IFE bursaries for post-secondary students who are confirmed members of the United Church of Canada. Applications are available on the website, nakonhaka.ca, and the deadline for applying is June 2nd, 2025.
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. 🙏🏽
