This past week has included a number of special days: December 1st, World AIDS Day, Saturday, December 6th is not only St Nicholas Day, but also National Day of Remembrance and Action against Violence against Women, recalling the events in the Ecole Polytechnique and a call to make this world safe for all people.
Hymn. Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus #2VU
Advent CandleLighting:
1: Today is the second Sunday of Advent.
2: Today we give thanks for God’s gift of hope, and we pray for peace.
1: Today we wait for the coming of God’s messenger who offers us a vision and calls us to dare to believe.
2: We watch and wait for signs of God with us.
(Light 2 purple candles)
1: Today we light the candles of hope and peace.
2: and we pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, and in our world.
Prayer: Creator God, you have made this world for joy and justice, prepare us to live accordingly with hope and tenderness for those we share this world with. We pray with thanksgiving for all that is strong and beautiful, for all that is resilient and flourishing. And we pray for all that is polluted or drought-stricken or drowning. We pray for the strengthening of all who defend and protect your world, for those who seek to heal and to comfort. We pray for agencies of care and for the aid and encouragement they bring. Keep alive in us all the dream of justice and mercy.
( We pause to reflect on the gifts and needs of this created world.)
Jesus the gift of life and hope, we pray that all who pray in your name may be inspired and equipped to live lives of hope and encouragement. And we pray for those who do not have hope or purpose, for the lonely, the forgotten, the overlooked, and the exhausted. May the gift of your life and love bring good news to our community and world.
(We pause to reflect on the gifts and needs of all peoples, especially those known to us.)
Spirit of the Living God, who inspires and revives, help us live alert to the surprising gifts in every day life and help us see and reveal the possibilities of your dream for us hidden in the world as it is.
( We pause to reflect on those in need of inspiration and healing and entrust our beloved to the care of our God.)
Living God, Creator, Reconciling Lover of all, Spirit that sustains, we pray in the name of the Christ who came among us for us. Amen. (from companions on the way.com.)
This Sunday there will be services in Ormstown at 9:30 and 11:00 in Howick. In Howick, this will be our White Gift service, when we collect non-perishable food items for the Howick Christmas baskets. They will be filled and distributed next Saturday.
Many thanks to all who donated, worked, and supported Howick’s Book, Puzzle, and Bake Sale on Saturday, December 6th, from 11-1:30 in the church.
Howick UCW will meet on Wednesday, December 10th at 6pm for a Christmas Potluck Supper. Please let Marlene Stuckey know what you are planning on bringing for the supper. We will also be collecting gifts for women for the Christmas baskets in Howick.
On Friday, December 12th the Ormstown UCW will be holding its Christmas Turkey dinner at noon in the hall. Meals needed to be reserved by Friday, December 5th. We will also be collecting personal items for the residents of Residence-Elle. The items are not gifts and do not need to be gift-wrapped.
Sunday, December 14th will be the White Gift service in Ormstown. We will collect non-perishable food items and donations for La Bouffe Additionelle, our local food bank. The gifts of hats, mitts, scarves etc. will also be given away after this service.
The deadline for making a gift to Howick’s Memorial Fund is December 30th. Please get your donation to Grace Brown by or before that date.
Worship Schedule for theAdvent-Christmas season:
Sunday, December 21st 11:00. Communion Sunday in Ormstown
7pm Candlelight Christmas Communion service in Howick
Wednesday, December 24th Christmas Eve service in Ormstown 7:30pm
Sunday, December 28th Christmas Sunday Carol service in hall in Ormstown 11:00
Advent Candle-Lighting 1. Today we begin the season of Advent.
2. Today we celebrate God’s gift of hope.
1. We listen to the prophets and apostles of long ago,
2. And we hear good news.
1. Even when we are tempted to despair,
2. We are called to be people of hope. (Light one candle)
1. Today we light a candle of hope
2. And we give thanks for God’s gift of hope.
Scripture Lessons: Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122 p. 845VU
Matthew 24:36-44
Message
Prayer: An Advent Candle Prayer
Encouraging God, we pray to be a spark of hope For those who need it most this Christmas.
Gentle God, we pray to be a bringer of peace, A creator of calm in a hectic season.
Celebrating God, we pray to be a reminder of joy, For this is a time of celebration.
Caring God, we pray to be an embodiment of love, To follow your teachings to care for each other.
Newly arriving God, Help us live in the spirit of Christmas all the rest of the year. Amen. (from the Mission and Service Unit of the United Church of Canada)
Hymn O Lord How Shall I Meet you #31VU
This Sunday’s service will be a combined service held in Howick at 11:00. We will begin at 10:30 for coffee and the service will be followed by a soup luncheon. (Please note that Esther Guillien who was going to be our guest speaker, is not able to join us. We are hoping to welcome her in the new year.) This will close our annual campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. There are envelopes in our churches or donations may be made online at food grains bank.ca.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Garth Cavers and Peter Eddie, who have died recently. The memorial service for Garth Cavers will be held in St Paul’s in Ormstown on Saturday, November 29th at 2pm with visitation beginning at 1:00 in the church.
Please keep in mind the Rudolph Run which will be held Saturday, November 29th from 9-11:00, from the Ormstown Rec Centre. This event raises money for the Christmas baskets in the area and the minimum donation requested is $5. Much appreciation to Elen Cameron and the 4-H members who have taken on the organization of this event this year.
Tomorrow, December 1st is the deadline for applying for the Holden-Templeton bursaries. They are available to CEGEP, university, or vocational school students who are members or adherents of Howick United Church. Applications should be given to Marlene, Stuckey, Debbi Templeton or Scott Templeton.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, December 3rd at the home of Wendy Denison at 7:30pm.
Friday December 5th is the deadline for reserving a meal at Ormstown UCW’s Christmas Turkey Dinner to be held on Friday, December 12th at noon in the hall in Ormstown. The cost is $25. We will also be collecting items for residents of Residence-Elle ( these are not gifts and so do not need to be wrapped.)
On Saturday, December 6th Howick United Church will hold a Book, Puzzle, and Bake Sale from 11-1:30 in the church. Books and puzzles can be dropped off anytime, and the baking can be dropped off Saturday morning.
Sunday, December 7th will be White Gift Sunday in Howick United Church. We will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Howick Christmas Baskets.
Howick UCW will hold its Christmas Potluck Supper will be held on Wednesday, December 10th in the church at 6:00.
Sunday, December 14th will be White Gift Sunday in Ormstown. We will be collecting non-perishable food items for La Bouffe Additionelle, the local food bank. This will also be the last Sunday we will be collecting hats, mittens, etc., so they can be distributed.
Prayer: O God, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others;
Open my ears that I may hear their cries;
Open my heart so that they need not be without succor;
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong.
Nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places.
And so open my eyes and ears that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee. Amen. (a prayer by Alan Paton printed in Richard Foster’s Prayers from the Heart).
Hymn. Rejoice the Lord is King #213
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. There will be crafts for children and families in Ormstown, in the church during the service. Also, there will be an organ concert at 2pm in St Paul’s in Ormstown.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Garth Cavers, who died last week. The memorial service for Garth will be held on Saturday, November 29th at 2pm in St Paul’s in Ormstown, with visitation beginning at 1:00.
Next Sunday November 30th there will be a combined service in Howick United Church. Coffee will be available at 10:30 before the services, the service will begin at 11:00 and will be followed by a Soup Luncheon, to bring our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank to an end for this year. (Unfortunately, our guest speaker Esther Guillien has had to cancel, so she will not be joining us on that day, hopefully early next year.)
The deadline for applying for the Holden-Templeton bursaries is fast approaching. The deadline is December 1st and bursaries are available to CEGEP, university, and vocational school students who are members or adherents of Howick United Church. Applications are available in the church or on the website. Please get your application to Marlene Stuckey, Debbi Templeton, or Scott Templeton by the deadline. We hope to present the bursaries at our Candlelight Christmas service, December 21st.
On Saturday, December 6th Howick United Church will be holding a Book, Puzzle, and Bake Sale in the church from 11:00-1:30, leading up to the Santa Claus parade in Howick. Donations of books and puzzles can be brought in now, and the baking can be brought in earlier Saturday morning.
Sunday, December 7th will be the White Gift service for Howick United Church. We will collect non-perishable food items for the Christmas basket program.
The White Gift service for Ormstown will be held on Sunday, December 14th at 11:00. We are collecting non-perishable food items, for La Bouffe Additionelle along with hats, scarves, mittens etc for the Mitten Tree.
Ormstown UCW will be holding a Christmas Turkey Dinner on Friday, December 12th at noon in the hall in Ormstown. The cost for the meal is $25, and if possible, it is requested that that would be prepaid. Meals must be reserved by Friday, December 5th by contacting Lynn Bryson, Anne Carpentier, Wendy Dennison or Shirley Vandor. We will also be collecting personal items for the residents of Residence-Elle. These are not gifts, so they do not need to be gift-wrapped.
Prayer: Today we celebrate the gifts of children, gifts of love, trust and joy. And we ask for God’s blessing upon them.
Today we remember the needs of children, for food, clean water, safe homes, education, and medical care. And we ask for God’s blessing upon them.
Today we acknowledge the vulnerability of children to war, violence, abuse, and neglect. And we ask for God’s blessing upon them.
Today we recognize the openness of children, to faith and belief, to surprise and discovery, and to joy and delight. And we ask for God’s blessing upon them.
Today we consider the ambition of children, to grow and to become, to learn and to experience And we ask for God’s blessing upon them.
Today we recall that Jesus offered a child as an example of both humility and greatness. Today we remember Jesus’ words that it is to children that the kingdom of God belongs And we ask for God’s blessing upon them.
Today we hear God’s promise that we are all children of God And we ask for God’s blessing upon us all. Amen. ( prayer from the United Church’s resource, Seeds and Sowers, adapting resources prepared by the Children’s Defense Fund)
Hymn. How Firm a Foundation #660VU
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown.
We are saddened to hear of the death of Garth Cavers of St Paul’s United Church. We hold Ruth and all of the family in our thoughts and prayers.
The newsletter for the Advent-Christmas- New Year’s season has been printed. If you cannot pick one up, one will be delivered to you, on request.
The time has come to apply for theHolden- Templeton bursaries. They are available to students of CEGEP, university, or vocational school who are connected (members or adherents) of Howick United Church. The deadline for applying is December 1st. The applications are available at the church or on the church website. Please get your application to Marlene Stuckey, Debbi Templeton, or Scott Templeton by the deadline. We hope to present the bursaries at the December 21st Christmas Candlelight service.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, November 19th at 7:30 pm. We will be reviewing the results of the MRC inspection of the church and the hall.
Next Sunday November 23rd at the 9:30 service St Paul’s will hold a Craft Day for children and families, in the church, at the same time as the service. All welcome.
Sunday, November 23rd we have asked Emily MacDonald to offer us an organ concert, at 2pm in St Paul’s. Come and hear what our pipe organ can do!
Keep in mind the Rudolph Run this year, which is being organized by 4-H. It will be held on Saturday November 29th from 9-11:00, departing from the Ormstown Rec Centre at 9:00, and followed by goodies once you have finished your course. You can choose your distance to run or walk. A minimum donation of $5 is requested (more would be accepted!) to help raise funds for La Bouffe Additionelle for the Christmas baskets and continuing to provide food for families into the new year. If you have questions, please contact Elen Cameron.
On Sunday, November 30th, there will be a combined service held in Howick United Church at 11:00. We will be welcoming Esther Guillien as a guest speaker from the Regional Council. We will follow the service with a Soup Luncheon to bring our campaign for the CFGB to an end.
The Mitten Trees are now up in both churches. We are collecting hats, mittens, scarves and socks as part of our Adventure preparations.
The UCW in Ormstown is once again planning a Christmas Turkey Dinner for Friday December 12th at noon. The cost is $25 and if possible, it is requested that it be prepaid. If you wish to reserve a place, please contact Wendy Dennison, Lynn Bryson, Shirley Vandor, or Anne Carpentier. We will be collecting items for Residence-Elle: toiletries and other personal items for the use of the residents. These are not gifts, so they do not need to be gift-wrapped.
On Saturday, December 6th, the day of the Santa Claus parade in Howick, Howick United Church and its UCW will be holding a Book, Puzzle, and Bake Sale from 11-1:30 in the church. Donations of books and puzzles would be appreciated earlier, and the baking can be dropped off that morning. Thank you for your support.
Prayer: God, we know you take no joy in death. We know you take no joy in our wars, in our battles, in our conflicts. We know that your tears are for all your children, of every land and race, in every time and place.
We know that what you want for all creation is life — abundant.
And so we ask for your wisdom.
We ask for your guidance.
We ask for your peace. Your shalom. Your salaam.
We ask for your hands to guide your creation, for your love to sustain your creation, for your grace to surround your creation— now. Forever. Amen. ( a prayer by Richard Bott, then of Maple Ridge BC, later Moderator of the UCC, printed in Gathering Pentecost 2 2016.)
Hymn Thou Shalt Arise
This Sunday’s service will be held at 10:30 at Georgetown Presbyterian Church (no services in Howick or Ormstown). We will be holding a combined Remembrance Sunday service for the community, including the Community choir as well.
Ormstown will also be hosting a Remembrance Sunday Parade and service with the Legion at the Cenotaph that afternoon, on Church Street.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Father Gabriel Clement. We hold his family and friends as well as the parish of the Church of Saint Joseph in Huntingdon in our thoughts and prayers. He will be missed and we give thanks for his ministry in our community which was both a gift and a blessing.
St Paul’s Session will meet this Wednesday at 1:00 in the hall.
Howick UCW will meet in the church on Wednesday evening at 7pm.
The time has come for students in CEGEP, university, or vocational training programs who are members or connected with the Howick United Church to apply for the Howden-Templeton bursaries. The deadline to apply is December 1st. The applications are available on the website or in the church. Please submit your applications to Marlene Stuckey, Debbi Templeton, or Scott Templeton. We hope to present the bursaries at Howick’s Christmas Evening service December 21st.
Please do keep in mind our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. As we hear distressing news about wars, storms, earthquakes, and more, our gifts to the CFGB help make a difference in the lives of people and in the world. Donations may be made with the envelopes in the churches or online to foodgrainsbank.ca.
The Mitten Tree baskets are now in the sanctuary in St Paul’s to collect both hand-made and bought mittens, hats, scarves and socks for families in need. They will be in the church until White Gift Sunday.
Barbara is hoping to print a newsletter next week. If you have items to be included, please let her know, by phone or by email.
The Craft Sale season has arrived! The Hospital Bazaar is/was Saturday November 8th at CVR.
Howick Elementary School will be holding its Craft Sale next Saturday, November 15th, from 9:00-3:00.
These sales support the work of local organizations, please support them if you can.
St Paul’s In Ormstown will be holding a Craft Day for families Sunday, November 23rd at 9:30, alongside the Sunday service.
Also on Sunday, November 23rd at 2pm in the church, Emily MacDonald will be offering an organ concert to continue our Centennial celebrations of the United Church of Canada. We look forward to hearing what our Casavant pipe organ can really do.
Plans are being made for the UCW Christmas Turkey Dinner in Ormstown. It will be held Friday, December 12th at noon. The cost for the dinner is $25. The deadline for registering is December 5th. We will be collecting items and cash for Resience-Elle at that time. All welcome.
Sunday, November 30th will be a combined service held in Howick United Church for the Ormstown and Howick congregations. We will be welcoming Esther Guillien, a staff person of the Regional Council, to the service and the service will be followed by a Soup Luncheon, to bring to an end to our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank.
This Sunday can be observed as All Saints Sunday and All Souls Day. It can also be observed as Reformation Sunday, remembering our Protestant heritage. However we observe this day, we give thanks for God’s faithfulness throughout the ages and generations.
Hymn For All the Saints #705
Scripture Lessons: II Thessalonians 1:1-4,11,12
Psalm 137-144 p.841VU pt 6
Luke 19:1-10
Message
Prayer: O God, we thank you for the many people throughout the ages who have followed your way of life joyfully;
for the many saints and martyrs, men and women, who have offered up their very lives,
so that your life abundant may become manifest.
For your love and faithfulness we praise and thank you, O God.
O God, we thank you for those who chose the way of Christ. In the midst of trial, they held out hope;
In the midst of hatred, they kindled love;
In the midst of persecutions, they witnessed to your power;
In the midst of despair, they clung to your promise.
For your love and faithfulness we praise and thank you, O God.
O God, we thank you for the truth they passed on to us: that it is by giving that we shall receive;
It is by becoming weak that we shall be strong;
It is by loving that we shall be loved;
It is by offering ourselves that the kingdom will unfold;
It is by dying that we shall inherit life everlasting.
O God, give us the courage to follow in the Christ’s way.
For your love and thankfulness we praise and thank you, O God. ( a prayer from the National Council of Churches of the Philippines and printed in the UCC’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence)
Hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God #262VU
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. We will be observing this Sunday as an All Saints Sunday, singing hymns nominated by our members and remembering past members, and giving thanks for their lives.
We continue to hold the family and friends of Gordon Lang in our thoughts and prayers. Gordon died last week and his funeral was held on Saturday at St Paul’s.
This is the absolutely final day to order the Canadian Church calendar. Please speak to Anne if you would like one (or more!). The cost is $15 and the order should be going in tomorrow.
This afternoon the reception to recall the history of the old Ormstown Medical Centre and to have a chance to thank the doctors for their many years of care and service will be held from 1-4:00 in the hall.
Next Sunday November 9th we will be participating in a combined Remembrance Sunday service at Georgetown Presbyterian Church, beginning at 10:30am. This will be a service for the Georgetown, Howick, and Ormstown congregations.
Now is the time to apply for the Holden-Templeton bulletins, which are provided for students in CEGEP, university or vocational training who are members or connected with Howick United Church. The application can be found in the church or on the website. The deadline for applying is December 1st with the bursaries given at the Sunday, December 21st evening service. Please give or send your completed application to Marlen Stuckey, Debbi Templeton, or Scott Templeton by December 1st.
Barbara will be printing a new newsletter for Sunday, November 16th. If you have items to include, please get them to Barbara by November 13th.
On Sunday, November 23rd St Paul’s will be offering a Family Craft Day on Sunday, November 23rd at 9:30am. We will be making Christmas decorations to decorate the church or home.
We will be offering an organ concert in St Paul’s that afternoon at 2pm. As part of our celebrations for the Centennial of the United Church. We are hoping that Emily will really let her rip so we can appreciate the instrument we have in our church.
Sunday, November 30th we will be holding a combined service in Howick United Church at 11:00 (coffee and goodies at 10:30). We will also be welcoming Esther Guillien from the Regional Council as a guest. We will be sharing a Soup Luncheon following the service to close off our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. (There are envelopes in the churches and donations may also be made online to food grains bank.ca.)
St Paul’s has now placed baskets in the church for mittens, hats, socks, etc. (I am sure Howick’s will not be far behind!) They will be there to collect items until the White Gift service in December.
St Paul’s UCW will be holding its Christmas Turkey Dinner on Friday December 12th at noon at MacDougall Hall. The cost will be $25 and the deadline for signing up is December 5th.
Prayer: God, our creator and sustainer, you loved us long before we knew ourselves to be lovable, and you loved us long us still.
Give us, we pray, a greater awareness of your love for all people, and a confidence in the action of your grace in us and in your church. Inspire us with a greater sensitivity to the poor and oppressed. Give us the courage to act on their behalf.
We praise you today for your mysterious ways among us: for your presence in the midst of human affairs and your seeming absence. By the power of your Spirit, may we grow in the truth that impels us to act justly, and thus give expression to the compassion of your child, Jesus. This we ask through this same Jesus Christ, who lives among us as friend and Saviour. Amen. ( a prayer from Janet Schaffran and Pat Kozak’s More Than Words)
Hymn. What a Friend We Have in Jesus #664VU
This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick.
In Ormstown this will be a Baptism Sunday and in Howick this will be a Family Craft Day followed by a mini-pizza lunch. All welcome. You can let Wilene Cullen know if you are planning to come so we can have enough supplies and food for everyone.
We have been deeply saddened by the news of the death of Gordon Lang this past week. We hold his wife Thelma and all the family in our thoughts and prayers.
We continue our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. Envelopes are available in our churches and donations may also be made online to: foodgrainsbank.ca.
Next Sunday will be All Saints Sunday and I am inviting people to suggest or nominate hymns to sing on that Sunday. They may be your favourite hymn or a hymn chosen in memory of someone else. Boxes have been placed in the churches for suggestions, or you can speak to Barbara directly.
Next Sunday there will also be a drop-in celebration for the Ormstown Medical Centre and its doctors, from 1-4:00, in MacDougall Hall in Ormstown.
Do you want a copy (or copies) of the 2026 Canadian Church calendar? If so, please speak to Anne Carpentier by November 1st. They are available at a cost of $15.00.
On Sunday, November 9th there will be a combined Remembrance Day service for Ormstown, Howick and Georgetown held at the Georgetown Presbyterian Church, beginning at 10:30am.
Barbara will be preparing a new newsletter for the Advent-Christmas season as well as the New Year, for Sunday, November 16th. If you have items to be included, please let Barbara know.
Thursday, October 16th was World Food Day and we observe today as World Food Sunday. We are beginning our campaign to support the Canadian Food Grains Bank.
Hymn Let Us With a Gladsome Mind #234
Scripture Lessons: Jeremiah 31:27-35
Psalm 119:97-104 p.840 VU pt 4
Luke 18:1-8
Message
Prayer: Our Loving Creator God, we bring before you this day the burden the whole world carries as it endures extreme poverty and hunger in every land.
Stretch out your loving arms, we pray, to embrace the suffering women, men and children whose bodies, minds, and spirits are shrinking before our every eyes.
Help us to look, really look, with clear eyes and open hearts, to see the pain and hopelessness in their bewildered eyes.
Kindle within each one of us a flame of love and purpose and then
Enable us to channel love into action in every way, possible and impossible. For this we pray. Amen.
( a prayer written by Mimi Simpson and shared through the CFGB.)
Hymn I Sing the Mighty Power of God #231
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. We will also be beginning our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank, which provides funding, tools, and education to help people around the world have food for themselves and their families, and also to help them to feed themselves. Envelopes are available in our churches and donations can also be made online to:
foodgrainsbank.ca.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen Dowker, the organist in St Paul’s whose father died this week.
This afternoon there will be a classical concert offered at Georgetown Presbyterian Church at 2pm. The concert will be free, but a free will offering will be taken to support research on orphan diseases.
Many thanks to all who brought food and donations for our local food bank, La Bouffe Additionelle. The gifts have been delivered and they were greatly appreciated!
If you would like a 2026 Canadian Church calendar, please let Anne Carpentier know. The cost is $15 (please note that the cost has changed after some calculations on shipping etc.) The deadline will be November 1st.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet this Wednesday, October 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall in Ormstown.
Next Sunday will be Craft Day in Howick next Sunday, at 11:00. This will be followed by a mini-pizza lunch.
Did you know? Our Regional Council is offering a Youth Forum on the weekend of November 7-9 at the Riverside United Church (Rosemere) for youth across the region. If you would like more information, please contact Barbara and she can provide it.
Worship Schedule:
Sunday, November 2nd, nominate your favourite hymn in memory of past members of the church.
Sunday November 9th, combined Remembrance Sunday service 10:30am in Georgetown (for Howick and Ormstown)
Sunday, November 23 9:30 Craft Day in Ormstown
Sunday, November 30 11:00 Combined service for Ormstown and Howick
This Sunday is also the final Sunday of the season of Creation. We will continue to delight and rejoice in God’s wonderful world.
Hymn Come You Thankful People Come #516
Scripture Lessons: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 100 p.824VU
John 6:25-35
Hymn We Ploughed the Fields and Scatter #520
Message
Prayer: God of renewal and new life, Loving and wonderful God, you know us.
You know our needs and our bodies. You made us to eat. You have kept us fed.
You give us bread to fill our bellies, and Scripture to feed our souls.
Thank you for your bounty.
Thank you for your love.
Thank you for Jesus, the bread of life, who broke of us.
God of bread and food, this is the season of Thankfulness.
And so we thank you for caring for us. Amen ( a prayer from the United Church of Canada)
Hymn Now Thank We All our God #236
This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. Ormstown will once again be collecting food for the food bank, both seasonal produce and non-perishable food items would be grateful received.
Many thanks to all who supported the BBQ Chicken lunch last Sunday. It was a great success and a great time to gather together to share a meal.
Does anyone want to order a Canadian Church calendar, if so please speak to Anne Carpentier, to order what you need.
Howick UCW will be meeting on Wednesday, October 15th at 7pm in the church. Marlene will be sharing ideas on using air fryers.
Georgetown Presbyterian Church will be hosting a classical concert offered by Ryan Hull on Sunday, October 19th at 2pm. The concert is offered free of charge, but a free will offering will be taken to support research into orphan diseases.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday October 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall, to review and finalize decisions discussed last month.
On October 26th Howick United Church will be holding a Craft Day for children and will offer a mini-pizza lunch following the 11:00 service.
On November 2nd we will be holding an All Saints service in both congregations. You can suggest some hymns for this service in memory of past family and church members.
On Sunday, November 9th we will sharing a combined Remembrance Sunday service for Howick, Ormstown, and Georgetown churches. It will be held in Georgetown Presbyterian Church beginning at 10:30am.
Prayer: O God our Creator, your kindness has brought us the gift of a new day. Help us to leave yesterday, and not to covet tomorrow, but to accept the uniqueness of today.
By your love, celebrated in your word, seen in your Son, brought near by your Spirit, take from us what we need carry no longer, so that we may be free again to choose to serve you and to be served by each other.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us.
I believe that God forgives and sets us free.
We believe that God forgives and sets us free, At the day’s beginning, we commit ourselves to following where Christ calls and to loving one another. Amen. ( a prayer from the Iona Community.)
Hymn New Every Morning #405
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick (which will be followed by the BBQ Chicken Luncheon). It will be Worldwide Communion Sunday in both Churches.
Many thanks for all the support the BBQ Chicken Fundraiser has received. The deadline for tickets has now passed and the response was phenomenal. Please recall that you can pick your lunches up at the church, back door or you can eat in as a fellowship lunch as well. We look forward to seeing you there.
Thanks also to those who came out on Tuesday night for the work bee at Howick United Church.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our Jewish sisters and brothers following the attack on the synagogue in Manchester on one of its holiest of holidays, Yom Kippur.
St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, October 8th at 7pm in the hall.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, October 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall to finish some decisions that were discussed at last month’s meeting.
Next Sunday, October 12th, will be Thanksgiving Sunday and we will be celebrating the end of the season of Creation as well as the harvest season. St Paul’s will also be collecting food items for the food bank, La Bouffe Additionelle, both seasonal produce and non-perishable food items.
On Sunday, October 19th we will be observing World Food Sunday and starting our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains bank. Envelopes will be available (for when the mail actually starts moving again) or donations may be made online.
On Sunday, October 26th Howick United Church will be holding its annual Craft Day and mini-pizza lunch following the 11:00 service.
Nakonhaka Regional Council will be holding a consultation on the future of the church on two dates and two locations: first at Beaconsfield United Church on Friday, October 17th from 9:30-4:00 and at Lennoxville United Church on Saturday, October 18th from 9:30-4:00. Registration is requested. Barbara would be happy to send you the link.
This is the Sunday before September 30th, National Truth and Reconciliation Day, so we observe it as Truth and Reconciliation Sunday, or Orange Shirt Sunday, when we remember with sadness and shame our church’s involvement in the residential school system here in Canada. The United Church has apologized for its failure to respect the culture and languages of our indigenous peoples and the harm that was done.
Hymn Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life #681VU
Scripture Lessons: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Psalm 91:1-6,14,15
I Timothy 6:6-19
Message
Prayer: Today we wear orange to remember and honour all the indigenous children who went to residential schools.
Today we wear orange and we pray for the residential school and intergenerational survivors who are still struggling.
Today we wear orange and we are thankful for those who speak the truth and who work to shine a light on injustice.
Today we wear orange in the name of compassion and the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation.
Help us, O God, to remember and to act on this, this and every day. Amen.
Hymn Fight the Good Fight #674VU
This Sunday will be observed as Orange Shirt Sunday, aka Truth and Reconciliation Sunday. Services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick.
We wish our Jewish brothers and sisters a very blessed Holy Week as they have already celebrated Rosh Hoshanah and are preparing to mark Yom Kippur as well.
This afternoon (Sunday, September 28th) Rennies United Church will be holding an Open House and Anniversary celebration at 1:30, beginning with a short service and historical reflection and display and ending with refreshments. We can also see the renovations which have been completed with the United Church’s Faithful Footprints program.
Congratulations to Adele Bryson and Michael Robidoux who welcomed their daughter Elizabeth Gisele into their family last Sunday.
Barbara has prepared a newsletter for the fall season. A copy can be emailed or delivered to you, if you wish.
Do you want a Canadian church calendar for 2026? If so, please speak to Anne Carpentier and let her know. The price will be $10 per calendar. We will place the order when we know how many we need.
Next Sunday will be Worldwide Communion Sunday and the sacrament of Communion will be celebrated in both our congregations, 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick.
Next Sunday is also the day for Howick United Church’s BBQ Chicken Dinner. If you wish to order a meal, it must be ordered by Wednesday, October 1st. Tickets are limited and may be reserved by contacting Wilene Cullen, Anita Greig, or Allyson Orr. The cost is $20 for and adult meal or $12 for a child’s (nuggets).
On Thanksgiving Sunday St Paul’s (Ormstown) will once again be collecting food for our local food bank, La Bouffe Additionelle. Seasonal produce or non-perishable food items would be greatly appreciated.
Nakonhaka Regional Council will be holding a consultation on the future of the church in 2 locations: in Beaconsfield United Church on Friday, October 17th from 9:30-4:00 and in Lennoxville United Church on Saturday, October 18th. Registration is requested.
Mysterious as the essence of life, there is hope and healing at the core of life.
Expand our awareness of the hurts and hopes of the world around us,
Arouse us, God of the life-giving water, to serve and to care.
Nations struggle together and internally, erupting in violence, polluting rivers and streams, destroying land and leaving the lives of their people in ruins.
Inspire within us hearts and minds of deep compassion that we may not be idle, paddling our feet, or watering our gardens while people are hungry for food, for water, and for love.
Nurture within us a sense that the time is now, to look beyond our own fears, and share with those who have grasped already the urgent need to heal the earth.
Grow us in wisdom, knowledge, and love that we may be like trees along the river bearing fruit and providing for the healing of the nations from the life-giving core of our lives. Amen. ( a prayer from Seasons of the Spirit 2013)
Hymn There is a Balm in Gilead #612VU
This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown.
We continue to hold the family and friends of Gerry Cavanaugh following the Memorial service held for him on Saturday.
Happy birthday to Thyra (Tolhurst) Ness who celebrates a birthday on Saturday. 🎂
A new (printed) newsletter will be printed for Sunday, September 28th. If you have any items of news to include, please get them to Barbara by September 25th, by phone (450-829-3855) or by email.
Please keep in mind Howick United Church’s BBQ Chicken Luncheon and fundraiser. It will be held on Sunday, October 5th following the 11:00 service. The meals can be taken out from the church for eating at home or eaten at the church in the church hall, with other church members. The costs will be $20 for adults and $12 for children (nuggets). Meals must be pre-ordered by October 1st. Tickets are available from Wilene Cullen, Anita Greig, Allyson Orr or from Barbara Bryce.
Rennies United Church’s BBQ will be holding an Open House and Annuversary celebration on Sunday, September 28th at 1:30. The celebration will include a brief service, historical reflection and display, and refreshments as well as an opportunity to view the renovations done to the church building.
Nakonhaka Regional Council is holding a consultation on the future of the church on two dates, the first on Friday October 17th at Beaconsfield United Church from 9:30-4:00, and the second at Lennoxville United Church on Saturday, October 18th. Registration is requested for planning purposes. Please speak to Barbara if you would like the contact information.
Prayer: My God, when your love spilled over into creation
You thought of me.
I am
From love, of love, for love.
Let my heart, O God, always
Recognize, cherish, and enjoy
Your goodness in all of creation.
Direct all that I am toward your praise.
Teach me reverence for every person, all things.
Energize me in your service.
Living God, may nothing distract me from your love….
Neither health nor sickness
Wealth nor poverty
Honor nor dishonor
Long life nor short life.
May I never seek nor choose to be other
Than you wish or intend. Amen. ( a prayer from Taste and See, by Jacqueline Syrup Bergman and S. Marie Schwan)
Hymn Amazing Grace #266 VU
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers Bob Brooks, who lost his wife Wendy this summer and the family and friends of Gerry Cavanaugh, who died this past week.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet this Wednesday, September 17th at 7:30pm in the hall.
Howick UCW will hold their Supper meeting this week, on Wednesday, September 17th.
I will be preparing a newsletter for the fall season. Please let me know of any events that should be included. Deadline will be September 21st.
Howick United Church is planning a fundraising luncheon on Sunday, October 5th, and will be offering Benny’s BBQ chicken dinners at a cost of $20 for adults and $12 for children (nuggets). Meals must be pre-ordered by October 1st and tickets are available from Wilene Cullen, Barbara Bryce, and other Howick United Church members.
Rennies United Church will be holding an anniversary celebration and Open House to show its renovations to their church building on Sunday, September 28th at 1:30. The celebration will begin with a brief service, a historical account, and end with refreshments.
Nakonhaka Regional Council is holding meetings to explore the future of the church for both lay leaders and ministers. This will be offered in 2 locations: Beaconsfield United Church on Friday, October 17th from 9:30-4:00 and in Lennoxville United Church on Saturday, October 18th. Members of the United Church are invited to come and share their hopes, their visions, and their concerns for the church, to help to shape its future.
Prayer: Gracious Creator God, how amazing is your name.
While you are over and above all things, still you are right here, with us, and we are so very grateful.
We think of the vast and wonderful families of your people that we are invited to participate in: our churches, our schools, our workplaces.
We think of sisters and brothers we know and love, and others whose faces we recognize but who we do not really know.
Touch their lives, God.
May they feel your presence as we do.
Help all to know all are loved
Unconditionally
By you, who shaped us in your image and breathed your wondrous Spirit deep in our lives.
May we always be mindful of the need to speak out for the rights of any who cannot find or use their voices, and to uplift one another every chance we get.
We are wonderfully made, gracious God, and as your humble people we pray. Amen.
Hymn Have Thine Own Way
I hope that your summer has gone well. We are beginning to plan and look forward to events for the coming year.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers Bob Brooks and family and friends, following the death of his wife Wendy over the summer. A private memorial has been planned for close family and friends.
Howick’s Board of Stewards will meet on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 7pm in the church hall. There will be discussion about a quote for finishing the insulation of the church tower. (Please note this is a correction, as my fingers were not listening to my brain!)
The Session of St Paul’s will meet on Wednesday, September 10th at 7:30pm in the hall.
Howick United Church will once again be holding a fundraising lunch offering Benny’s chicken on Sunday, October 5th following the 11:00 service. The cost will be $20 for an adult meal and $12 for a child’s. Meals must be pre-ordered. Tickets will be available at church or by contacting Wilene Cullen.
Prayer: God of prayers for parking spots and prisons, of hospitals and holidays, of anger and angels, of travelling mercies and tired ones, of decolonization and deconstruction, of wilderness and wandering, of feasts and ferocity, of goodness and grief, we come to you today with our whole selves.
God of our honest prayers and more honest silences,
Open our eyes to see and our ears to hear and our hearts to understand how you are already here with us.
Mother God, gather us as a hen gathers her chicks and let us catch our breath for one hot second and remember how you hold the whole world in your kind, capable, wise hands, including us.
Spirit, when we cannot part the weeds of our own traditions and old languages, when the pathways of prayer feel choked with briars and thorns, would you make a path in the wilderness for us to find you in new ways, new words, new practices, new permissions? Would you meet us in the wilderness and set out a feast? We are hungry and thirsty.
We are grateful for (mostly) every moment that brought us here to you. Help us to sink down into your Love, to push our roots down into that marvellous Love. And be planted within your power and grace as we practice loving this world as you have loved this world.
May we laugh harder because we have learned to let ourselves weep with you.
May we see and know and name Beauty because we have learned to bring the ugliness to you.
Surprise us and startle us. We’re open to all the weird ways you want to Speak — in us and to us and through us.
May we be Peacemakers, Joy-bringers, Truth-tellers, Status-Quo-Disrupters, Wanderers, Wonderers, and Misfits to our time (because of Resolute contentment), who never settle for the sit-down-and shut up life but rise up in your She-who-the Son-sets-free-is-free indeed, birthright of freedom.
May we be the ones who come close to you because of our vulnerability and not because of our false certainties; teach us to lay down our masks and pretenses. You tore down the veil between us and the Holy of holies, keep our hands from rehanging that curtain.
Give us opportunities to practice mercy and courage (this may backfire but we’re feeling bold now.)
Call us to humility, confession, and repentance even when pride feels more comfortable and superior. Teach us how to rest, how to abide, and how to light candles and be satisfied. Don’t let us get away with divorcing our prayers from our politics and policies and practices. May we love our neighbours.
May we learn to sit with you, in silence, and know it is enough to know you and be known by you and know ourselves.
Teach us to pray, God, as you have always welcomed us to pray: fully human, fully yours, fully held, and fully loved.
We will tell you the truth of our lives and of this world. And we will listen to the truth you speak to us the truth of our beloved Hess, of your justice, of your faithfulness, of love. And say let it be so, let it be in me.
Amen. (a Benediction by Sarah Bessel and printed in A Rythm of Prayer)
Hymn Blest Be the Tie that Binds #602VU
This will be last blog posted for a while. Barbara will be on holiday through the month of August. Another blog will be posted for September 7th.
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. Services will begin again on Sunday September 7th, once again at 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick.
Keep in mind that the United Church’s General Council will be meeting in August in Calgary. A new Moderator will be elected and new decisions will be made for the church’s future. You can sign up for updates through the United Church’s website, united-church.ca.
On Sunday, August 17th a fundraiser for Ukrainian families will be held from 11-4:00 at the Georgetown Presbyterian Church. Quilts, Cars, and Community will offer a quilt display inside and vintage vehicles outside. Admission will be $10. Box lunches may also be available.
