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.

Sunday, March 15, 2026 The Fourth Sunday of Lent

 St Patrick’s Day is coming soon! We can enjoy the music, the parades and the celebrations, but let us remember this is also a religious celebration, celebrating St Patrick’s faithfulness, forgiveness, and vision of the faith, informed and shaped by his relationship with nature that helped to spread the Christian faith. 🙏🏽☘️

This is also the Sunday in Lent sometimes known as Mothering Sunday, which is not in fact a Sunday celebrating mothers, but our mother churches, where our faith was born and nurtured. 💒

Hymn        Open My Eyes #371VU

Prayer:  Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, 

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, 

Christ in breadth, Christ in length, Christ in height, 

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, 

Christ in the heart of everyone who speaks of me, 

Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. 

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the threeness, 

through confession of the oneness of the Creator of creation. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ. May your salvation, O Lord, be ever with us. Amen. ( the closing words of St Patrick’s Breastplate.)

Scripture Lessons:      I Samuel 16:1-13

                                    Psalm 23 p. 749VU

                                    John 9:1-41

Message

Prayer:  The Lord is our hope, we shall not let go of. 

She makes us seek universal justice, peace, and dignity. 

She leads us toward reconciliation. She restores broken communities. 

She takes us to places of horror, so that we can better proclaim the gospel of peace for her sake. 

Even though we walk through uncertainty, indifference, and opposition, 

We will continue to seek a better future for Israelis and Palestinians, for Iranians and Iraqis, and Lebanon. 

For you are with us, your kingdom of justice, peace, and dignity for all comforts us. 

You prepare tables of dialogue and opportunities for truth-telling around us. 

You open the hearts of hurting people. 

We witness to small signs of hope! 

Surely we will continue to seek justice and resist evil, all the days of our lives, until we are all able to live abundantly. Amen. ( a prayer based on Psalm 23 and the Kairos document, developed and shared by the United Church of Canada.) 

Hymn        He Leadeth Me #657VU

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

We continue to hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Donald Grant, whose memorial service is Saturday, March 14th at the Athelstan Presbyterian Church.

We also remember the family and friends of Bill Templeton who died last weekend and whose memorial service will be next Saturday, March 21st at 2pm in St Paul’s United Church. There will be visitation held on Friday, at the McGerrigle Funeral Home from 2-4 and 7-9pm as well as from 1:00 at the church. 

The Howick UCW meeting scheduled for last Wednesday was cancelled and will be rescheduled, probably to Wednesday, March 18th at 7pm in the church hall. 

St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, March 18th at 1pm in the hall. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

Have you heard of PIE Day? It is March 14th 03/14) when individuals and churches and other organizations show their Public, Intentional, and Explicit support for LGBTQ2S+ people in our community and world. The Moderator the Right Rev. Kimberley Heath has prepared a message for this day which can be found on the UCC YouTube channel, Facebook, as well as the United Church’s website, united-church.ca. 

Sunday, March 8, 2026 The Third Sunday of Lent

 Today is International Women’s Day! Who are the women you would like to celebrate? Let us recognize and celebrate the gifts that many women bring to our community and to our world! 💐

Hymn.        I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say # 626

Prayer:  God of the Wilderness, God of the journey, soften our ears that we might heed Wisdom’s call. Stir us to vision and action, that we may extend your love wherever there is need for hope and healing. Amen. (a prayer from the United Church’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence.) 

Scripture Lessons:        Exodus 17:1-7

                                      Psalm 95 p. 814VU

                                      John 4:5-42 

Hymn       Rock of Ages

Message

Prayer:  O 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 I am following your will does not mean I am actually doing so. 

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. 

I hope I will never do anything apart from that desire. 

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. 

Therefore will I trust you always 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. 

(prayer by Thomas Merton, found in In Touch with the Word by Lisa-Marie Calderon-Stewart)

Hymn        Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah #651VU

This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown, which is the annual meeting service for the congregation. 

Barbara will be preparing another newsletter before Easter. Please let her know of any items to be included. 

Howick UCW will meet Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm in the church. This will be a planning meeting for the rest of the year. 

There will not be a St Paul’s Session meeting this week. It will be held next week instead, on Wednesday March 18th at 1pm, in the hall. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday March 18th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

We hold the family and friends of Donald Grant (Wilene Cullen’s father) in our thoughts and prayers following his death on Friday. There will be a service to remember and celebrate his life next Saturday, March 14th, at 1:30 in the Athelstan Presbyterian Church. 

Upcoming Worship Schedule for Holy Week: 

Sunday, March 29 11:00 Palm Sunday service, combined service in Howick for Howick and Ormstown. 

Sunday April 5. Easter Sunday service with Communion, 9:30 Ormstown, 11:00 Howick 

A Good Friday blog will also be prepared and posted along with the Easter Sunday one. 

Sunday, March 1, 2026 The Second Sunday of Lent

This week events will be held leading up to next Sunday’s International Women’s Day. Let us acknowledge the variety of gifts that women bring to our communities, country, and world. 

Hymn.       My Faith Looks Up to Thee #663

Prayer:  Your blessings, O God, poured out into our lives, are more numerous than the stars. When we hear your word aright, we are sometimes dazzled by the brightness of new insights. Open to us fresh thoughts; then move us beyond mere thinking to appropriate action. In Christ we pray. Amen.(a prayer by Lavon Baylee, printed in Flames of the Spirit, edited by Ruth C. Duck.) 

Scripture Lessons:        Genesis 12:1-4a

                                      Psalm 121 p. 844VU

                                      John 3:1-17

Message

Prayer:  Abraham and Sarah went out, not knowing where they were headed, because they trusted in you. Jesus went forward to his death in Jerusalem, trusting in your purpose. Help us, like them, to take you at your word, and thus to move onward in faith. Be the lamp to our feet, and the light to our path, through your Spirit of life and wisdom. Amen. (a prayer by Ruth C. Duck, printed in Flames of the Spirit, edited by Ruth C. Duck.) 

Hymn.        Love Divine 

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

We continue to hold the families of Dorothy  McCaig and Keith Rennie in our thoughts and prayers, following their deaths last week. 

The annual meeting for the Union Cemetery will be held on Monday, March 2nd at 2pm in the hall in Ormstown. Directors are asked to gather at 1pm, also in the hall. 

The Howick UCW will meet at the church on Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm.