Hymn. O Come O Come Emmanuel #1VU
Scripture Lessons: I Corinthians 1:3-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17, 18 p. 794VU part 1
Mark 13:24-37
Meditation
Prayer: We are waiting, Jesus; come and live with us soon.
Hymn. Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus #2VU
Hymn. O Come O Come Emmanuel #1VU
Scripture Lessons: I Corinthians 1:3-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17, 18 p. 794VU part 1
Mark 13:24-37
Meditation
Prayer: We are waiting, Jesus; come and live with us soon.
Hymn. Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus #2VU
Hymn. Come Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love #574VU
Scripture Lessons: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 100 p.824VU
Matthew 25:31-46
Meditation
Prayer: O God, you have set before us a great hope that your kingdom will come on earth, and have taught us to pray for its coming: make us ready to thank you for the signs of its dawning, and to pray and work for the perfect day when your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn. Rejoice the Lord is King #213VU
This week’s services will be 9:30 in Franklin and 11:00 in Franklin with the Howden-Templeton bursary being presented to William Orr. Next Sunday will be craft activity days in both Ormstown (9:30) and Howick (11:00), and in Howick this will be followed by a soup luncheon. Hope you can join us!
Good news! The elevator has now been repaired and should be available for use on Sunday. (There is still some work to be done on the door, but we hope it will be done for Sunday.)
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Gretta Whyte, who died this past week. We continue to hold the family and friends of Vera Sutton and Allister Irving as well.
Our campaign in support of the Canadian Food Grains Bank is coming to an end. Envelopes for donations are available in our churches and donations may be made online at foodgrainsbank.ca.
Howick will be holding a fundraising sale to help cover the costs of repairing the elevator ( which is operating now) which will offer gently used books, puzzles, toys, and games, as well as Christmas decorations and baking for sale from 11:00-1:30 on December 9th in the church. Items to be donated may be brought to the church any time it is open and left in the sanctuary, but by Friday, December 8th so that they can be sorted and priced.
A mitten tree is now up in Howick and will be up shortly in Ormstown. Donations of hats, scarves, mittens, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Hymn. O Day of God Draw Nigh #688
Scripture Lessons: Judges 4:1-10
Psalm 123 p.847VU
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
Meditation
Hymn. Precious Lord Take Me Home #670
This week’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. In Howick there will be a craft and activity day, making cards for the Christmas plates. All welcome to participate. The next craft and activity day will be Sunday, December 3rd, in both Ormstown and Howick. In Ormstown, the activities will begin at 9:30, and in Howick, will begin at 11:00 and be followed by a Soup Luncheon. Volunteers for soup and other items would be appreciated.
Don’t forget the Rudolph Run that will take place next Saturday, November 25th from 9-11:00, starting from the Rec Centre. A minimum donation of $5 is requested from the adults participating. The proceeds will go to the Christmas basket program offered through La Bouffe Additionelle. If you can, wear some red or green!
The mitten tree will go up this week in Howick. In Ormstown, it will be up for December 3rd.
Howick United Church Session will meet Tuesday night, November 21st at 7:00 in the church.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday November 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall.
Next Sunday in Howick the Howden-Templeton bursaries will be presented in Howick, at its 11:00 service.
Howick United Church will be holding a fundraiser on Saturday, December 9th from 11:00-1:30. There will be a Bake Sale, book, game, puzzle, toy, and Christmas decoration sale (gently used, please). Donations may be brought to the church (before or by Friday, December 8th. They may be left in the sanctuary.
Howick Stewards will be meeting on Wednesday, December 6th at 7:00pm.
Hymn. Jesus Bids Us Shine #585VU
Scripture Lessons: Joshua 3:14-24
Psalm 78:1-7 p.792VU pt1
Matthew 25:1-12
Meditation
Prayer: O living God, in our darkness you kindle a flame that never goes out. Through the spirit of praise, you take us out of ourselves. To us you have entrusted a mystery of hope. In our human frailty, you have set a spiritual strength that is never withdrawn. Even when we are unaware of it, it is always there, ready to carry us onward. Yes, in our darkness, you kindle a fire that never dies out. We thank you. Amen. (a prayer by Brother Roger from the Taize Community.)
Hymn. I Love to Tell the Story #343
There will be a Cenotaph service held in Ormstown Saturday November 11th on Church St beginning at 10:45.
This Sunday there will be services in all three of our churches: 9:30 in Franklin, 11:00 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick with Debbie Beattie.
This Sunday, November 12th, the Sunday after Remembrance Sunday, the United Church is joining with other churches and faith groups to call for a ceasefire in the Middle East. Members are invited to take part in demonstrations to show their concern for both Israelis and Palestinians in the region.
Wesley United Church in NDG will be holding a covenanting service with their new minister, the Rev. Cynthia Reynolds. Best wishes to the in their ministry together.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Vera Sutton, who died this past week. A memorial service will be held this afternoon.
For the next two Sundays in Howick we will be collecting items for shoeboxes for homeless women. Items such as shampoo, lotions, socks, candy, makeup or gift cards would be greatly appreciated. It is requested that nothing for specific sizes or complexions be included. Many thanks for all that will be donated.
Next Sunday in Howick, November 19th, there will be a craft and family activity Sunday, making cards for our Christmas treat plates. The service will begin at 9:30am and the activities will begin after the children’s story. There will be another craft and activity day on Sunday, December 3rd beginning with the 11:00 service and ending with a Soup Luncheon.
St Paul’s Session will meet this Wednesday, November 15th at 7:30pm in the hall.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet next Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall.
Keep in mind the Rudolph Run which will take place Saturday, November 25th from 9-11:00am from the Ormstown Rec Centre. A minimum donation of $5 per adult is requested and the proceeds go to La Bouffe Additionelle for the Christmas baskets. For more information, please check the poster on the bulletin board or check with Grace Brown or Darlene Legros.
Howick United Church is planning a book, puzzle, toy, game, and bake sale on Saturday, December 9th from 11:00-1:30 in the church hall. Items donated for the sale may be brought in any time, but please by Friday December 8th.
This Sunday we start preparing for the events of Remembrance Week. (Also it is time change weekend! Time to fall back!)
Hymn. O God our Help in Ages Past #706VU
Scripture Lessons: Joshua 3:1-16
Psalm 107:33-43 p.831-2 VU, parts 1 and 4
I Thessalonians 2:9-13
Meditation
Hymn. God of Grace and God of Glory #686
This Sunday there will be a Remembrance Sunday service in Ormstown at 9:30. In Howick there will be a community Remembrance Sunday service held in Georgetown Presbyterian Church, beginning at 10:30am.
In Ormstown there also will be a Cenotaph service held Saturday morning, November 11th, beginning about 10:30am.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family of Allister Irving, following his death this past week.
This is the time for college, university, and vocational students from Howick United Church to apply for the Howden-Templeton bursaries. The deadline is November 12th with the bursaries being presented in the 11:00 service on Sunday, November 26th. Application forms are available on the Howick United Church website, or in the church as well. Applications should be returned to one of the members of the bursary committee: Scott Templeton, Debbi Templeton, Brent Tolhurst, or Marlene Stuckey or May be mailed to the church, 2 Bridge, Howick, QC, J0S 1K0.
St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, November 15th at 7:30pm in the hall.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall. (please note that this is a change from the date set at the meeting.)
Howick united Church is planning a couple of craft and activity days for families and members. The first will be held Sunday, November 19th during and following the 9:30 service. All are welcome to come and take part. The second craft and activity day will take place the first Sunday of Advent, December 3rd during and following the 11:00 service. There will be craft activities based on the nativity scene and we will conclude with a soup luncheon.
Because we have chosen to go ahead with the elevator repairs, Howick United Church is going to try a few new fundraising activities. The first we will be trying is a book, puzzle, gently used toys, Christmas decorations, and bake table on Saturday, December 9th (the day of the Santa Claus Parade) from 11:00-1:30.
In order to try to save money, once the elevator is repaired, we will routinely meet in the hall in the basement.
Barbara will be printing a newsletter for the Advent-Christmas season, which should be printed for Sunday, November 19th. If there is any news that needs to be included, please let Barbara know.
Hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God #262VU
Prayer: For all the saints: who went before us; who have spoken to our hearts; and touched us with your fire, we praise you, O God.
For all the saints: who live beside us; whose weaknesses and strengths are woven with our own, we praise you, O God.
For all the saints: who live beyond us; who challenge us to change the world with them, we praise you, O God. Amen. ( a prayer written by Janet Morley of England and printed in Bread of Tomorrow, edited by Janet Morley.)
Scripture Lessons: Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6p. 805VU
I Thessalonians 2:1-8
Meditation
Prayer: God, for all the saints I give you thanks— for grandparents and godparents, for doctors and teachers, for coaches and pastors.
God, for all the saints I give you thanks— for authors of books that have moved me, for friends whose advice has guided me, for strangers who proved an example, for my children and the children of others who have given me courage.
God, for all the saints I give you thanks— for those nearest and farthest away, for those who have died, and those who are living, for those who knew they made a difference and those who never will.
God, for all the saints I give you thanks. Amen. ( a prayer written by Maren Tirabassi and printed in Before the Amen, edited by Maren C. Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirabassi.)
Hymn For All the Saints #705VU
This week there will be a combined service held in Franklin United Church at 11:00, preceded by a fellowship time, beginning about 10:30. All welcome.
We hold the family and friends of Bill Lawrence, formerly of Ormstown, who died last week. We also continue to hold the family and friends of Melissa Evans, Marie-Paule Hodgson who have also died this month.
This week the United Church, along with other organizations, observed a Day of Prayer for peace in the Middle East. In some churches this Sunday is also known as Peace Sunday. As we approach Remembrance Day, we continue to pray for peace.
Hymn Jesus Calls Us #562VU
Tomorrow is World Food Day so today is World Food Sunday. We will be launching our fundraising campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. Envelopes will be available in our churches.
Hymn Joyful Joyful We Adore You #232
Scripture Lessons: Philippians 4:1-9
Psalm 23 p.749VU
Matthew 22:1-14
Meditation
Hymn I Sing the Mighty Power of God #231
This Sunday there will be services at 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. Following the early service in Howick there will be a craft/ family activity time beginning about 11:00, with plans to decorate pumpkins and preparing mini-pizzas for lunch. All welcome to come and participate. Wilene would appreciate if you could let her know if you are planning to attend, so we can ensure we have enough supplies for everyone.
Congratulations to Kristina Countouris and Shawn Woodward who were married in Howick on Friday.
This will be a Communion Sunday in Ormstown. (Ooops! I am told that I announced that the Communion celebration would be the 22nd, but it is in fact this Sunday.)
Many thanks to all who donated food to the food drive in Ormstown. It was greatly appreciated.
For those who would like to make a donation to the CFGB online, the website is: foodgrainsbank.ca.
Next Sunday there will be a congregational meeting following the 11:00 service. The Board of Stewards wish to inform the congregation about their plans to apply for Faithful Footprints funding for the church. We may also discuss the elevator.
St Andrew’s United Church and St Edward’s Presbyterian Church are planning a Musical Celebration to mark their anniversaries. It will be held Sunday, October 22nd at 7pm, in the St Andrew’s United Church at 46 DuPont W. It will include lots of singing and be followed by a a reception with coffee, tea, and lots of apple desserts. A free will offering will be taken to be given to the local food bank. For more information, there is a poster in our churches.
There will be a combined service for our three congregation on Sunday, October 29th in the Franklin United Church at 11:00. We will begin at 10:30 with a fellowship time.
Howick United Church will be sharing a Remembrance Sunday service with Georgetown Presbyterian Church. The service will be held at 10:30am in the Georgetown Presbyterian Church.
This is the final Sunday of the season of creation. As this season comes to an end, let us rejoice in the wonderful gifts and blessings that God provides to us in God’s wonderful world.
Hymn. Come You Thankful People Come #516VU
Prayer: Creator of the world, and all that is in it, you crown the year with your goodness. May we who have been blessed give thanks always, sharing from God’s abundance. In all the earth, May we recognize your gifts and treat them with reverence. So be it! Amen. ( from the United Church’s worship resource)
Scripture Lessons: Deuteronomy 8: 7-18
Psalm 65
Luke 17:11-19
Hymn. We Plough the Fields and Scatter #520
Meditation
Hymn. Now Thank We All our God #236
After consultation, the Franklin United Church has cancelled their service for Sunday, as many people cannot attend. There will be services in both Howick and Ormstown at 11:00. Ormstown will also collect food for the food bank as well. Howick United church will be welcoming Tad and Muriel to the service. Coffee and munchies will be available from about 10:00.
St Paul’s in Ormstown will be holding their fall communion celebration on Sunday, October 22nd at 11:00. This is also World Food Sunday.
Many thanks to all who planned and took part in the craft activity Sunday last Sunday in Ormstown.
St Paul’s United Church Session will meet on Wednesday October 11th at 7:30pm in the hall.
St Paul’s Stewards will delay their meeting until Wednesday, October 25th at 7:30pm in the hall.
Howick United Church will be holding a family activity day following the 9:30 Sunday service on October 15th. This will include decorating mini-pumpkins and preparing mini-pizzas for lunch. (This is a change of date from what was originally discussed. Please make note!) If you are planning on attending, please let Wilene Cullen know so we can make sure we have enough materials for everyone.
Howick will also be holding a congregational meeting following the 11:00 Sunday service on Sunday October 22nd to discuss plans for applying for Faithful Footprints funding to make the church more sustainable and also possibly to discuss the expenses for repairing the elevator in the church. Sandwiches and coffee will be available.
St Andrew’s United Church, Chateauguay, and St Edwards’s Presbyterian Church in Beauharnois will be holding a special anniversary musical celebration at St Andrew’s United Church, 46 DuPont West on Sunday, October 22nd at 7pm. This will include lots of singing and be followed by tea, coffee, and apple desserts. The free will offering taken will be donated to the local food bank.
There will be a combined Sunday service for our three congregations on Sunday, October 29th at 11:00 in Franklin United Church. There will be a time of fellowship beginning about 10:30 am.
This weekend our country marks National Truth and Reconciliation Day, (also known as Orange Shirt Day) remembering and repenting the damage and injustice that many policies, including residential schools, did to the indigenous peoples of this country.
Hymn When Morning Gilds the Skies #339VU
Scripture Lessons: Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 p.792VU
Philippians 2:1-13
Mediation
Hymn All the Way My Saviour Leads Me #635
This week there will be no morning service in Howick, to allow members to attend the 200th anniversary celebration in Georgetown Presbyterian Church, beginning at 10:30am. There will be a service in Ormstown beginning at 9:30am, but it will be a shorter service for the same reason. There will also be some craft activities for children offered at the same time.
Unit C of Howick’s UCW will be gathering for dinner out this coming week, on October 5th. Location to be determined. Keep in touch!
There will be a memorial gathering in honour of Donald and Rosemary Hooker held Saturday, October 7th from 1:30-4:30 in the hall in Ormstown. All are welcome to come and to share your stories and your memories of Don and Rosemary with their family.
Next Sunday will be Thanksgiving Sunday, and there will be services in all three of our congregations: 9:30 in Franklin, 11:00 in Ormstown, where there will also be a collection of food for the food bank, and also 11:00 in Howick led by Debbie Beattie.
There will be a town hall meeting for rural congregations and communities in the Nakonhaka Regional Council to be held on Zoom October 12th at 7pm. This is part of a consultation process to set priorities for our region for the coming years. If you would like to participate, please let Barbara know and she will forward you the link. (There will also be other meetings held for intercultural communities and an in person meeting in the city on Tuesday, October 3rd at 7pm at Wesley United Church, 5964 Ave. Norte-Dame-de-Grace, Montreal.)
For those who would like to attend an information session on Zoom concerning the remit sent to our congregations by the General Council, on creating an autonomous and independent Indigenous church, one will be held this coming week October 4th at 7pm. Please let Barbara know you are interested and she will send you the link.
There will be a congregational meeting held in Howick to inform the congregation about the Stewards work on an application for Faithful Footprints, an ecological program for United Church buildings. It will follow the 11:00 service on Sunday, October 22nd.
There will be a combined service for our three congregations held Sunday, October 29th in Franklin beginning at 11:00. There will be a time of fellowship preceding the service with coffee etc and snacks provided.
Hymn. Let Us With a Gladsome Mind #234
Scripture Lessons: Exodus 16:2-16
Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45 pp.828-9VU
Matthew 20:1-16
Meditation
Hymn. Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah #651
This week there will be services in Franklin, at 9:30, and in Howick, at 11:00. This Sunday will be Communion Sunday in Howick. There will be no service in Howick next week, October 1st, as we are inviting members of the congregation and the community to join in the 200th anniversary celebration service at Georgetown Presbyterian Church at 10:30am.
Sunday, October 1st there will be a short service offered at St Paul’s in Ormstown, and a Family Activity Sunday with crafts to do for young people. All welcome to join in. We begin at 9:30.
On Saturday, October 7th there will be a time of remembrance and thanksgiving held at MacDougall Hall in Ormstown 1:30-4:30 for Donald and Rosemary Hooker. Friends and members of the community are invited to drop in, share stories and memories of Rosemary and Donald and to visit with members of the family.
St Paul’s will be holding its Communion Sunday service on October 15th at 11am.
There will be a combined service for our three congregations to be held Sunday, October 29th at 11:00 in Franklin United Church.
Hymn Praise to the Lord the Almighty #220
Scripture Lessons: Romans 14:1-11
Psalm 103:1-11 p.825VU
Matthew 18:21-35
Meditation
Hymn Amazing Grace #266VU
This week’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown.
St Paul’s Stewards will be meeting this coming week, on Wednesday, September 20th at 7:30pm in the hall.
Congratulations to Georgetown Presbyterian Church who are preparing to celebrate their 200th anniversary on October 1st of this year. In order to be able to share in the celebrations, Howick Session has decided to cancel the 11:00 service in Howick on October 1st and invite members of the congregation to attend the 10:30 service in Georgetown instead. A lunch is being prepared to follow the service, but space is limited so an RSVP to either Brian or Nancy Tannahill or Amy Tolhurst is needed.
As a result of cancelling our October 1st service the fall Communion celebration in Howick will be held September 24th at our 11:00 service instead. All welcome.
Congratulations are also due to Harvey Satewas Gabriel and to Kanesetake United Church who celebrated the completion of Harvey’s complete translation of the Bible into the Mohawk language. This was celebrated in the Kanesetake United Church last Sunday.
A special celebration is being planned to remember and give thanks for the lives of Rosemary and Donald Hooker, Saturday October 7th from 1:30-4:30 in MacDougall Hall, 17 Lambton in Ormstown QC. Donald died earlier this year and Rosemary died during the pandemic, so this is a chance to remember them and to share our memories with the family.
In Ormstown the service on October 1st will be a shortened service and a family activity day, with crafts for young people, beginning at 9:30am.
October 8th will be a Thanksgiving Sunday service and food will be collected to be taken to the local food bank for both Franklin and Ormstown.
October 15th will be the Communion Sunday for St Paul’s in Ormstown, at their 11:00 service.
This month, until Thanksgiving Sunday we will be observing the season of creation in our services. We are invited to celebrate the wonderful world we live in and all that it provides for us.
Hymn. All Creatures of our God and King #217
Scripture Lessons: Exodus 3:1-5
Psalm 149 p.873VU
Romans 13:8-14
Meditation
Prayer: All-powerful God, you are presenting the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey upon it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for Justice, love, and peace. Amen. ( a prayer of Pope Francis shared by Diana Butler Bass in her Substack page.)
Hymn. This is God’s Wondrous World #296VU
For the month of August:
Scripture Lessons: Psalm 113
Romans 12:9-21
Hymn I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say #626
Reflection
Hymn Saviour, Again to Thy Dear Name we Raise #426
Hymn Tell Me the Stories of Jesus #357
Scripture Lessons: Romans 8:26-39
Psalm 105:1-11 p.828VU
Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
Meditation
Hymn I Love to Tell the Story #343
This Sunday’s service, July 30th is our final summer service for our 3 congregations, as Barbara will be on holiday through the month of August until after Labour Day. This Sunday’s service will be a combined service in Howick beginning at 11:00, preceded by a fellowship time beginning about 10:30. All welcome.
There will be a shared service for our cluster (South Shore and Valley) to be held on Sunday, August 13th at 10:30am in the Kahnewake United Church. This will be followed by an introduction to the Teepee project and a lunch will be served. I have been asked for numbers for this, so if you are planning or hoping to attend, could you let me know and I will let the planners know. Also, I now have some info about where the service is to be held that I could forward to those who would like to receive it. Barbara
There will be an outdoor Quilt Show to be held this Sunday, July 30th from 11-4:00 at Tolhurst Farms. Admission is $5.00 and you are asked to bring a non-perishable food item as well. A light lunch will be provided.
Huntingdon United Church will be holding its second Ice Cream Social Thursday August 17th from 5-9pm. Prices will be $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12 and under 5 free. Mark your calendars!
I am hoping to prepare one more blog for the month I am away. It should be available after Monday.
(Rose among the briars instead of the wheat and the weeds!)
Hymn This is God’s Wondrous World #296
Prayer: O God, increase our faith. Within us all you have placed seeds of faith. Help us to let them grow, to give space and time and place to nourish and strengthen our faith. Make us powerful, moving forces for good. In Christ’s name. Amen (a prayer written by Camilla LaRouche of Mitchell ON and printed in GatheringS/A 2008.)
Scripture Lessons: Genesis 28:10-19a
Psalm 139:1-12 p.861VU
Matthew 13:24-30
Song We are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder
Reflection
Prayer: O God, you have called us together and named us your people and your children. We come just as we are. We cannot pretend to be what we are not, for you have made us and know us through and through. In our weakness, we come with prayers for strength; in our doubt we come with prayers for faith and hope; in our strength we come with prayers of thanksgiving. Open our hearts that we may come before you with honesty and await your answers with renewed faith. May our prayers and worship offered this day be joyful and thankful. Amen. (a prayer from the United Church’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence, adapted.)
Hymn O God of Bethel #650
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Franklin and 11:00 in Howick. Next Sunday will be our final Sunday service and it will be a combined service in Howick beginning at 11:00. There will be a time of fellowship before the service with coffee and munchies. (Maybe more! ) Please plan on joining us there.
There will be a combined service for our Cluster (South Shore and the Chateauguay Valley) held on Sunday, August 13th at 10:30am in the Kanewake United Church. Following the service, there will be a visit to the Tipi Project that will include lunch. Please try to let Barbara know if you are planning to attend so she can let the planners know.
Please note that Huntingdon United Church will be holding a second Ice Cream Social Thursday, August 17th from 5-9:00pm. Prices will be $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12, and under 5 free.
We have been saddened to hear of the death of Dorothy Clark this month. We hold her family in our thoughts and prayers.