Sunday, May 12, 2024 Christian Family Sunday

 

Hymn.     Praise My Soul the God of Heaven #240

Scripture Lessons:       Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

                                     Psalm 1 p.724VU

                                     John 17:6-19

Message: 

Prayer:  Today, O God, on this Christian Family Sunday, we give thanks and we pray for families. We thank you for families rooted in love, where character is formed and values are learned, where lives are filled with hopefulness and laughter. We acknowledge that families can disappoint us. People fight; people hurt one another. Forgive us, gracious God. Where there is pain, resentment, or bitterness, enter with your healing love. Open our hearts to families who suffer abuse and violence. Increase our compassion towards all with painful memories. We pray with hope that all families may be a source of blessing and abundant life. Amen. (a prayer written by Ted Dodd, from the United Church’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence, slightly adapted) 

Hymn.       For the Beauty of the Earth #226

This Sunday there will be services in all three of our services, 9:30 in Franklin, 11:00 in Ormstown, and 11:00 in Howick with Debbie Beattie. 

St Paul’s in Ormstown will be offering a craft activity day this Sunday, May 12, for children and families. All welcome to participate. This will take place in the sanctuary during the 11:00 service. 

The Franklin Joint Board is called to meet at 9:00 to discuss plans for the closing of the church on Sunday, May 26th, at 9:00 before the 9:30 service. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is inviting applications for the Hugh Duncan and IFE bursaries for college and university students, who are confirmed members of the United Church. Copies of the application form are available in our churches, on the council website (nakonhaka.ucc.ca) and from Barbara. The deadline for applying is June 2nd. 

Next Sunday will be Pentecost Sunday. The Moderator has prepared a Pentecost message for the church which can be seen on the United Church’s website (united-church.ca), on Facebook, and on the United Church’s YouTube channel. Take a look and a listen! 

I am hoping to produce a newsletter for next Sunday. If anyone has any news to include, please let me know. 

Registrations are now being received for Rendezvous-Vous 2024, which is a gathering for Young Adults, which takes place July 3-6 at Brock University in Ste Catherine’s ON. The theme is Audacious Hope and there is some help for travel costs available. 

Congratulations to the UCC graduates from the United Theological College, Marie Silvenie and Adedeji Akintayo, who received their testamurs at the Convocation celebration this past week.