Sunday, June 22, 2025 First Nations Day of Prayer

 This is the first Sunday of the summer season. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! 

We can also recall that Friday was World Refugee Day. At a time when we remember how we found a place to live and to thrive, maybe we could consider how other newcomers might add to our country’s and community’s richness and wellbeing. 

Hymn.      Praise to the Lord the Almighty #220

Scripture Lessons:        I Kings 19:1-18

                                      Psalm 42-3 p.768-9VU

                                      Galatians 3:23-28

Message

Prayer:  God, Creator and Great Mystery, we praise you for the Sacred Fires that burn today and for the prayer-filled smoke that you receive and bless. We offer our deep gratitude that the Fire’s light informs and guides our journey. We pray, just as the Elders prayed, for renewal and for the restoration of beauty to the land and its people. 

       We acknowledge the diverse and abundant gifts of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. We recognize that their knowledge and wisdom have benefited generations past and present, and that this blessing will continue for generations to come. We remember the many who are committed to the healing of family, community, and nations. 

        We pray for Mother Earth, the waters, the winds, for our siblings the animals, birds, and fish, and all of life that surrounds us. We pray that we will walk the good Red Road of life, and that we will walk with courage, honesty, humility, love, respect, truth and wisdom. 

        We offer this prayer in humility and hope, and in the name of our brother Jesus the one who lights our path to wholeness, justice, and peace. Amen. ( a prayer written by the Rev.Maggie Dieter and Bill Snow, shared by the United Church of Canada)

Hymn      Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah #651VU

This week we are back to our usual schedule, 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. Next Sunday will be a combined service in Ormstown, at 11:00, with fellowship time starting at about 10:30. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Rachel Jacob, whose memorial service was held yesterday in St Paul’s. 

We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Darel Lang this week. The plan is for a memorial service to be held on Saturday June 28th at 11am in St Paul’s United Church in Ormstown, with a visitation beginning at 10am. The service will be followed by a reception at the Dining Hall on the Fairgrounds. 

Many thanks to those who have been doing work around our churches: painting, reframing the doors and other jobs. It really makes a difference! 

In Howick, the annual Outdoor service will be held on July 6th at 11:00. We will not be at the Knox Cemetery, but at Howick United church, so please join us there. Bring your lawn chair if the weather looks good, but we will be holding the service rain or shine, inside or out. (Ormstown will be holding its usual 9:30 service.) 

St Paul’s will be holding its Strawberry Shortcake Takeout on Thursday, June 26th from 5-7:00 in the hall. Prices will be $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12. 

   We will be preparing the berries on Wednesday, June 25th starting at about 11:00 in the hall. If you are able to help us out, please bring your own bowl and knife, (and apron) if you are able to. Your help would be greatly appreciated!