As we begin the season of Advent, we prepare to celebrate. We celebrate light in a season of darkness. We prepare to welcome Jesus who comes to be the light of the world. We pray for God’s light to guide us and lead us and we seek to let our light shine for others so they may know God’s love and grace through us.
Today we light a candle, the candle of hope. May God’s light shine upon us and fill us with hope. Amen.
(You could use these words to light your own Advent candle.)
Hymn. O Come O Come Emmanuel #1VU
Scripture Lessons: Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80 p.794VU pt 1
Mark 13:24-39
Message
Prayer: We are looking for God in our world. May we see what God wants us to see.
We are looking for God in our lives. May we be who God wants us to be.
And may God our Shepherd, Protector, Awakener, and Holy Spirit, bless us through these Advent days. Amen. (from the Iona Community’s Candles and Conifers)
Hymn. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus #2 VU
Many thanks to Allyson, Mac, and Lorraine Orr (and possibly some others) who installed a crèche scene at Howick United Church this past weekend.
Also to Mary Stevenson, Bruce Sutton and others who also installed a crèche scene as well as the candles in the windows of Franklin United Church.
Anne Carpentier still has Canadian church calendars available at a cost of $10.00. If you would like one, you can give her a call at 450-264-4404.
Thank you to all who have contributed to the success of the Rudolph Run yesterday. Contributions to the Howick Christmas baskets can be made at the Town Hall and other locations. We will also collect other food donations that will go to the Christmas baskets at La Bouffe Additionelle. If people have food or gifts that they would like to donate, you can drop them off to me at the manse and I will make sure that they get to the food bank.
The deadline for the Howden-Templeton bursary is this Tuesday, December 1st. The application form can be found on the website. After the decisions are made, the cheques will be mailed out this year.
We are continuing to collect hats and mittens etc. for the Mitten Tree. They can be dropped off to Allyson Orr or to the manse, if you prefer.
Prayer: O God, as we pray for your reign on earth, we pray for your Spirit. We pray for her wisdom, to seek what is right, not just for ourselves but for all your children and all of your creation. We pray for a spirit that is open to joy and thanksgiving, even in difficult times. We pray for a spirit that unites us in heart and mind, even when we are separated by distance or disagreement. We pray for a spirit of hope that will lead us into a new church year and a new season, the season of Advent. We pray for a spirit of faithfulness that will enable us to follow in the way of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ, who revealed to us the meaning of love, sacrifice, and grace. We pray in his name. Amen.
Hymn. Rejoice the Lord is King 213VU
The deadline for the Howden-Templeton bursaries is fast approaching. These are bursaries offered to students in university and CEGEP who are associated with Howick United Church. The applications can be found on the website and must be submitted by December 1, 2020.
Are you joining the virtual Rudolph Run this year? You can run or walk any distance (maybe wearing some red or green) sometime between Friday November 27th and December 4th. Any donations or money raised can be brought to the gate of the Fairgrounds in Ormstown Saturday, November 28th from 9-11am for the support of La Bouffe Additionelle Christmas basket program. For more information, you can contact Grace Brown or check out the Rudolph Run Facebook page.
Anne Carpentier has some church calendars available, at a cost of $10.00 (an increase after many years.) You can give Anne a call at 450-264-4404 if you would like a calendar, and you can arrange how you will receive it.
Once again the United Church is inviting donations to the Emergency Response Fund. This would include the people of Central America who were hit by 2 hurricanes, Eta and Iota as well as the people of the Philippines who were hit by one of the worst storms of the year. If you wish to donate you can do so online on a secure page; by phone; or by mail. Please mark your gift as intended for Emergency Response.
Another week gone. I hope it has gone well. We continue our journey through this pandemic year, and we continue to trust and believe that God is with us as our strength and hope. In this faith we continue to praise and worship God.
Hymn Immortal, Invisible #264VU
Scripture Lessons: I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Psalm 123 p.847VU
Matthew 25:14-30
Hymn Jesus Bids Us Shine #585 VU
Message
Prayer: O God, we continue to live in these in-between-times: between Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, and Christmas; between harvest and winter; between normal times and crisis. Help us, in these in-between -times to continue to be faithful: to be thankful even in difficult times; to remember the sacrifices of others; and to be ready to live and serve as your servants and your people each and every day. Help us to overcome our fears and to be daring and courageous Christians, following in the way of Jesus who surprised the people around him with his stories and teachings and his willingness to reach out to those that others too often overlooked, ignored, or forgot. We pray for the children in our midst, that they may not be overcome with fear but know that safety and security that you intend for all your children. Bless us with your Spirit that we may live and serve in your way all the days of our lives, even in uncertain times. Amen
And in the spirit of this week’s reading from I Thessalonians, a prayer written by our Moderator, the Right Reverend Richard Bott, which you may have seen before: Creator, as I prepare to go into the world, help me to see the sacrament in the wearing of this cloth— let it be “an outward sign of an inward grace”— a tangible and visible way of living love for my neighbours as I love myself. Christ, since my lips will be covered, uncover my heart, that people would see my smile in the crinkles around my eyes. Since my voice may be muffled, help me to speak clearly, not only with my words, but with my actions. Holy Spirit, as the elastic touches my ears, remind me to listen carefully— to all those I meet. May this simple piece of cloth be shield and banner, and each breath that it holds be filled with your love. In your name and in that love, I pray. May it be so. May it be so.
Hymn. This Little Light of Mine
For members and adherents of Howick United Church, this is the time to apply for the Howden-Templeton bursaries, if you are a Cegep or university student. The application is on the website and the deadline for applying is December 1st.
Grace Brown would like to let people know that if they would like to make a donation to Howick United Church’s Memorial Fund, you can send it to the church at 2 Bridge St, Howick, QC or directly to her as well. These donations need to be made by the end of the year so Grace can close the books.
Also, the Rudolph Run will be virtual this year. You choose the day, time, distance, and place between Friday November 27th to December 3rd. And you can also wear some green or red during your walk/run to bring a little brightness in a dark season. The donations will go to La Bouffe Additionelle in Huntington. There will also be a drop off on Saturday, November 28th between 9 and 11am at the front gate of the Ormstown Fair grounds. Receipts can be sent upon request. More information will be available on the Rudolph Run on its Facebook page which is being set up, or you can call Grace Brown directly.
Are you knitting for our virtual Mitten Tree? We will be collecting hats, mittens, scarves and gloves for sharing with those who need them. (Bought items are also welcome!)
This will be a different Remembrance Sunday this year, but we can still pause to remember. I know that some churches in Ormstown will be ringing bells before and after the11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month to invite us to pause, to remember and reflect.
Hymn O God our Help in Ages Past #806VU
Scripture Lessons. Joshua 24: 1-3,14-25
Psalm 78:1-7 p. 792VU pt 1
I Thessalonians 4:13-17
Message
Prayer: O God, our Creator and Redeemer, we pause in your presence at this solemn time, aware of how much war has cost the world that you love. In spite of fighting between nations and neighbours, you have come to us in Jesus the Christ, carrying no sword, and calling us to serve as peacemakers and to be lights to the world, as he was. In this time of remembrance and reflection, renew in us the hope that you will help us learn to turn our swords into ploughshares, and lead the world from the study of war to the promise of peace with justice for all your peoples. Amen. (from a Presbyterian Church of Canada Remembrance Day resource 2019.)
Hymn. Lead Kindly Light #640
As we begin a new month, (November) it does not seem likely that we will be starting public worship soon. Please stay connected with us so we can keep in touch with you about our services and other events and concerns that may arise.
The UCW annual meeting in Howick has been cancelled. As we are not meeting at the moment, you are invited to have a cup of coffee (and a muffin!) and stopping to think about these faithful members of our church. The Executive and Committees will continue for another year, and we are hoping that in 2021 we will be able to hold our luncheons and other events.
