Sunday, April 19, 2026 The Third Sunday of Easter

 This Sunday is the beginning of Earth Week, as we prepare to mark Earth Day on April 22nd. 🌏

Hymn       All Creatures of our God and King #217VU

Prayer:  Loving and gracious God, you are a God of Creation.  Create in me a faithful steward of your world, showing me opportunities to make a difference, that I may live with respect in Creation. 

You are a God of Incarnation. Make me your heart and mind, equipping me to work for change. 

You are a God of Resurrection. Help me see new ways and new hope, planting in me the seeds of restoration and renewal. 

God of Creation, Incarnation, and Resurrection, help me go gently in this fragile world. Amen. ( from the United Church website, prayers for Earth Week.)

Scripture Lessons:       I Peter 1:17-23

                                     Psalm 116 p. VU

                                     Luke 24:13-35

Message

Prayer:  Creating God, you have called us to be in loving relations with all the Earth, living with respect in creation, choosing love and seeking justice at all times. 

Instead, humankind has acted in hateful ways, exploiting natural resources, choosing power and seeking wealth in the present over future abundance. 

We need your help to fight for a better future. 

Help to reawaken our love for Creation, that is so magnificent that we, with all our creativity and knowledge, could never articulate it, and so passionate that we, with the personal price and communal cost, would still fight for it. 

Help to deepen our relationships and love for each other: affirming the wisdom of youth strikers, so that we are not discouraged by empty platitudes and naysayers; and growing our community of allies, so that we can create a sustainable and faithful response to the imminent climate crisis. 

For the sake of your majestic creation, and for the love of all our relations. Help us to fight for a better future. Amen. (also from the UCC website.) 

Hymn     Thine is the Glory #173VU

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

We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Sharon Fletcher, who died this past week. No arrangements have been made at this time. 

Wilene Cullen Treasurer for Howick, has prepared a quarterly financial statement that she wishes to share with the congregation.

St Paul’s Ormstown will be holding a Craft Day for young people on Sunday, April 26th at the 9:30 service in the church. All welcome. 

Howick Stewards will meet Tuesday, April 28th at 7pm in the church. 

Howick WI will be holding an Anniversary Tea Thursday, April 23 at 1:30 in the Howick United Church. The program will include Evie Kerr, Abby Stonehouse and some music and will be followed by refreshments. Wear your hat, gloves, or fascinator and come share in the celebrations. All welcome. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is once again offering bursaries to university, college, or CEGEP students who are confirmed members of a congregation in the region. The application form can be found on the Regional Council website, Nakonhaka.ucc.ca and the deadline for applying is May 31st. Please contact Barbara if you have any questions.