Sunday, November 26, 2023 Reign of Christ Sunday

 

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. 

Worship Schedule:  December 3   First Sunday of Advent and Craft Activity Day 

                                9:30 Ormstown.     11:00 Howick (with soup lunch)

December 10   Second Sunday of Advent and White Gift Sunday, gifts of nonperishable food items will be collected for the Christmas baskets and food bank

December 17   Third Sunday of Advent, Communion Sunday in Howick (9:30) and Ormstown (11:00)

                       Candlelight Christmas service in Franklin 7:30pm

December 24   Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve 11:00 Intergenerational service in Howick 11:00 and evening service in Ormstown 8pm.

December 31   Combined Christmas Sunday Carol service in hall in Ormstown 11:00, fellowship time from 10:30. 

Are you looking for a gift for someone who does not need any more “stuff”? Take a look at Gifts with Vision, the United Church’s giving catalogue that supports mission and ministry in Canada and around the world. Printed copies are available in our churches or you can check it out online at giftswithvision.ca. 

Sunday, November 19, 2023 Children’s Sabbath

 

Hymn.       O Day of God Draw Nigh #688

Scripture Lessons:     Judges 4:1-10

                                   Psalm 123 p.847VU

                                   I Thessalonians 5:1-11

Meditation 

Prayer:  A Litany of Thanksgiving and Hope for Children

We give thanks that God’s love for children was shown to us when Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.”  

We thank you God. 

We give thanks for the gifts our children offer to the world, for they are our present, future, and hope. 

We thank you, God. 

We give thanks for the delight and infectious joy children have for all wonder-filled things in your creation. We thank you, God. 

We offer prayers for the safety of children. We pray for an end to violence in the schoolyard, in the home, on our streets, and the streets and hillsides of the world. Hear our prayers, dear God. 

We pray for adults who sincerely offer a caring hand, a comforting shoulder, a listening presence, and a tireless voice on behalf of children. Hear our prayers, dear God. 

Gracious God, you have always welcomed the child. We pray that our thoughts and words and actions may reflect love for all of your children, not merely a privileged few. May we always remember children in the way you have called us to do. We will not forget, O God. (a prayer written by Bonnie Mills and shared in Seeds and Sowers.)

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. 

Sunday, November 12, 2023

 

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.)

A Prayer for Courage: We offer to you, O God, our prayers for those who seek Justice and resist evil. We pray for those who need your presence and strength to stand firm; for those who are opposed to the use of violence in any form in faithful response to the Prince of Peace. We pray for those are prepared to be firm to protect those in danger. We pray for those who walk with others who need strength. We pray for those who protest, those who organize letter campaigns, those who give sacrificially on behalf of others.

   We pray for those who speak the unpopular truth; who protect the unpopular victims; who choose the unpopular path of peace. 

   We pray for those who do not let their desire for peace hinder the requirements of justice, and for those who do not let their zeal for justice override the call for peace. Amen. (a prayer by the Rev.Dr. Neil Parker)

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. 

Sunday, November 5, 2023 Remembrance Sunday

 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 

Prayer:  on this Remembrance Sunday, we think of people around the world who fear the violence of war when troops are deployed, bombs are dropped, missiles launched, and attack rockets released. 

Help us, God, to see the light of Christ even in the light of Christ even in the midst of fear. 

As stories of war are heard all around us, we think of people who have served their country and who sought to bring stability and peace to the world even as they responded to the invitation to participate in battle. 

Help us, God, to see the light of peace even in the midst of war. 

As autumn moves into winter, and as the cold night air chills our bodies and our homes, we look for reminders of the joy we seek each new day. Turn us, God, away from the dreariness of a world torn and forlorn. 

Help us, God, to see the light of day even in the midst of night. 

As war dominates the news and is splashed across our television sets and newspaper headlines, May we know that the essence of life is in following the one known as the Prince of Peace. Keep us, God, aware of that truth, and open to your presence. 

Help us, God, to see the light of hope even in the midst of despair. Amen. ( a prayer written by the Rev. Bill Steadman and printed in Gathering S/A 

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.