Sunday, February 15, 2026 Transfiguration Sunday

 Happy Valentine’s Day or weekend! In this time of upset and division, let us celebrate the power of love to bring us together and take care of one another. 💞

Hymn         Open My Eyes #371VU

Scripture Lessons:         Exodus 24:12-18

                                       Psalm 99 p.819 VU

                                       Matthew 17:1-9

Hymn         Unto the Hills #842VU

Message

Prayer:  God of the Mountaintops, from up here you can see forever—

Down onto fluffy white clouds, down further to the patchwork fields below.

The air is so crisp and clean, a little thin… Is that part of my giddiness? I love you Jesus! 

When I am up here with you, everything is perfect. 

When I am up here, with a new friend, or a longtime love, everything else is so far away it doesn’t matter.

But you are not just up here— You are God of the Plains and God of the Valleys, 

God of the Every Day. 

You are still God when friends betray, careers collapse, when temptations’ snares have me struggling and I feel that I am below the bottom. Help me realize you were there and you carry me through, bringing me back to the here and now. 

God, you called Moses to lead your people and a bush glowed.

You gave Moses the law, and his face glowed. 

Spirit, you called Elijah home, and the chariot glowed. 

Jesus, you brought Peter, James, and John up the mountain, and you glowed. 

Glow through us, as we go through our valleys that others may see you and find the way. Amen. (prayers from Before the Amen, edited by Maren C. Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirabassi.)

Hymn        Be Thou My Vision #642VU

This Sunday’s services will be Howick at 9:30 and Ormstown at 11:00. 

We are shocked by the reports of the shooting in Tumbler Ridge and pray for the victims, their families and all touched by this tragedy.n

The annual reports are now ready. You can pick one up or let Barbara or Wilene know you would like to receive a copy. ( Unfortunately a page is missing from Howick’s report. I believe Wilene has sent it out online and copies will be available in the church as well.)

The Waffle Dinner fundraiser is coming up! Please join us at Howick United Church on Tuesday, February 17th from 4:30-6:30pm. Tickets for eat-in or takeout meals are available from Wilene, Anita, Grace, Allyson, and Barbara, at a cost of $15 for adults, $8 for ages 6-12, and 5 and under free. 

The Official Board meeting for Franklin and St Paul’s United Church will be held on Wednesday, February 18th at 1:30 pm. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, February 18th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

The annual meeting for Howick United Church will be held on Sunday, February 22nd, in combination with the Sunday services, beginning at 11:00. The storm date for this meeting will be March 1st, also at 11:00.

The annual meeting for St Paul’s United Church will be held on Sunday, March 8th, in combination with the Sunday service, beginning at 11:00. This meeting will be held in the hall. The storm date will be Sunday, March 15th at 11:00.