Sunday, November 2, 2025 All Saints and All Souls Sunday

 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.