Sunday, September 22, 2024 the Fourth Sunday of Creation

 

This is the first Sunday of Autumn. We celebrate the gifts of harvest and abundance in this beautiful and blessed season. 

Hymn      Great is Thy Faithfulness #288VU

Scripture Lessons:     Proverbs 31:10-31

                                   Psalm 1 p. 724VU

                                   Mark 9:30-37

Message 

( I will admit that I recorded this on Tuesday, so the situation may change through the week. Nevertheless, the question remains, is greatness based on what we achieve for ourselves, or the difference we make for others.)

Reflection and prayer written by Lois Wilson — Veils

It’s a bit of a shock to see veiled women.  

Why can’t they be like me? 

Even the girls at the Ecumenical Centre will draw the sari across their mouths and noses in the presence of a dignitary

A sign of modesty.

I suppose it might be rather interesting to go through all of life

always peering out at other people. 

But it’s part of the culture I find hard to fathom. 

And we without veils….

What do our faces reflect? 

           Anxiety? 

              Despair?

                 Frustration? 

                    Boredom? 

                        Preoccupation? 

May my face O God reflect like a mirror your presence in my life.

May my face Christ Jesus transparently announce to all that You live in me. 

May my face Holy Spirit be shining with love and holiness. ( from Lois Wilson’s Like A Mighty River, published in 1981).

Hymn       I Love to Tell the Story #343

This Sunday’s services will be Ormstown at 9:30 and Howick at 11:00. Next Sunday we will holding a combined service in Ormstown, at 11:00, with coffee etc. beginning about 10:30. All welcome. 

For those who would like to contribute to the Faithful Footprints project at St Paul’s, donations may be made by e-transfer to: ucwormstown@gmail.com. The security question is project funds and the password is church1234. Please include your fill name and address in the message box for the tax receipt. Donations may also be made by cheque to St Paul’s United Church 19 Lambton Ormstown QC J0S 1K0, or dropped off to the Treasurer. 

Howick is trying out a different kind of fundraiser: on October 6th we are offering Benny &Co chicken dinners, (including fries and cole slaw) to be picked up either for eating in or taking out. Adult dinners will be $20 and children’s dinners (nuggets) will be $12.  Meals can be picked up at noon, following the 11:00 service. Meals must be pre-ordered. Please contact Wilene Cullen for tickets. 

Worship Schedule for October:  October 6th Communion Sunday 9:30 Ormstown    11:00 Howick

                                                       (Howick’s fundraiser will follow at noon)

        October 13 Thanksgiving Sunday.  9:30.  Howick.     11:00.    Ormstown ( Ormtown will continue its tradition of collecting food for La Bouffe Additionelle, our local food bank. Both non-perishable food and fresh items would be appreciated)

        October 20 World Food Sunday 9:30.  Howick.     11:00.    Ormstown Craft Activity Day in Ormstown

        October 27       9:30.  Ormstown.     11:00   Howick    Pizza and Pumpkin activities for Howick

Riverfield Curling Club is planning its Homecoming Celebration for Saturday October 12th, beginning with a Scottish Lunch, followed by exhibits and games for the children, then a BBQ in the evening. Tickets are available from RCC members and the RCC website, at a cost of $10. 

St Andrew’s United Church in Chateauguay will be holding its 2nd annual Music Celebration on Sunday, October 27th at 7pm featuring music from local choirs and Everything Apple Desserts. A free will offering will be taken for the Châteauguay Food Bank. 

A date and time have been chosen for Lois Wilson’s funeral, which will be live-streamed on October 15th at 11am from Metropolitan United Church in Toronto ON on YouTube for the wider church. An endowment fund in her name is also being created to support UCC program work. Contributions would be gratefully appreciated.