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. 

Sunday, February 22, 2026 The First Sunday of Lent

 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. 

We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Dorothy McNaughton McCaig and of Keith Rennie, who died this past week. The service for Dorothy will be held on Monday at 2pm with visitation at 1:00 at the Huntingdon United Church. 

Sunday, February 15, 2026 Transfiguration Sunday

 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. 

Sunday, February 8, 2026 The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

 

Hymn         Jesus Bids Us Shine #585VU

Scripture Lessons:        Isaiah 58:1-9a

                                      Psalm 112 p.834VU

                                      Matthew 5:13-20

Message 

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.)

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.