Sunday, May 24, 2026 Pentecost Sunday

 

Hymn.      As Comes the Breath of Spring #373

Scripture Lessons:        Acts 2:1-21

                                     Psalm 104:24-34 p.827VU pt 2

                                     John 20:19-23

Hymn.       Breathe on Me Breath of God #382VU

Message

Prayer:  Holy God, we thank you for the gift of your Spirit in the church and in all who love you and try to keep your commandments. Without the power of your Spirit, we would faint and die, but in your Spirit all things are possible. We thank you that you have been stronger than we knew, better than we believed we could be:  you have given us the courage to forgive, despite our anger, peace, in the midst of confusion and grief, and the grace to carry on, when we were sure we had reached the end. You have given us laughter and love and beauty: we are fed from your hand. Amen. (from the United Church’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence.)

Hymn.        Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart #378VU

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

Next Sunday’s service, on May 31st will be a combined service at 11:00 in St Paul’s in Ormstown. There will be a fellowship time with refreshments beginning at 10:30, also in the church. 

The Board of Stewards of Howick United Church will meet on Wednesday May 27th at 7pm in the church. This is to finalize the plans for upkeep for the church in the coming months. 

The deadline for applying for the bursaries that the Regional Council is offering is quickly approaching. Bursaries are available for confirmed members of congregations in the region who are attending university, college or CEGEP. The application form can be found on the Regional Council’s website, Nakonhaka.ucc.ca and the deadline for applying is May 31st. 

Please keep in mind the birthday celebration for Anita Greig which will be held on Sunday, June 7th in Howick United Church. There will be a lunch after the 11:00 service for members of Howick and St Paul’s, which will be followed by a reception beginning at 1:30 in the church hall. Just best wishes, please. 

Worship Scedule for June:  June 7.  9:30 Ormstown        11:00.  Howick

June 14.       no service in Howick (Fair).       11:00.      Ormstown

June 21.       9:30.     Howick.        11:00.  Ormstown.      Father’s Day service

June 28.       9:30.   Ormstown       11:00 Outdoor service in Howick with Communion

July     Barbara on vacation

August 9.    Services begin again

Sunday, May 17, 2026 The Seventh Sunday of Easter

 This Sunday can have many names: Ascension Sunday, when we remember the story of Jesus’ return to heaven, and bringing to an end the Season of Easter;  Rogation Sunday, when we pray for God’s blessing on our fields and seeds and planting;  as well as the middle of a long weekend, when we may have many tasks to do. 

Hymn.        Give Praise to God #875

Scripture Lessons:       Acts 1:6-14

                                     Psalm 68 p.787VU

                                    John 17:1-11

Message

Prayer:  O Christ, tirelessly you seek out those who are looking for you and who think that you are far away:  teach us, at every moment, to place our spirits in your hands. While we are still looking for you, already you have found us. However poor our prayer, you hear us far more than we can imagine or believe. Amen

Risen Christ, today, tomorrow and always, your Spirit lives in us. Sometimes we feel we understand so little. But remaining in your presence, wherever we are, is prayer. And perhaps close to you, O Christ, silence is often everything in prayer. And then we sense that, our whole life long, we advance when trust in you guides every step, when a trusting heart is at the beginning of everything. Amen. (prayers  from the Taize community.) 

Hymn.         What a Friend We Have in Jesus #664VU

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

We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Elwood Quinn who died in December and whose life and legacy is being remembered this weekend at Quinn Farm. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, May 20th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

The Stewards of Howick United Church will meet on Wednesday May 27th at 7pm in the church, to finalize the plans for repairs and upkeep this spring and summer. 

Next weekend the First Third Ministries (formerly Youth and Young Adults) of the Nakonhaka Regional Council will be holding a Youth Forum at Emmanuel United Church in Cowansville. Please contact Barbara for more information. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is once again offering bursaries to university, college, and CEGEP students who are confirmed members of a congregation in the region. The application form is available on the council’s website, Nakonhaka.ucc.ca and the deadline for applying is May 31st. 

Sunday, May 10, 2926 The Sixth Sunday of Easter

 Today is, of course, Mother’s Day, sometimes known in the church as Christian Family Sunday. We give thanks this day for all kinds of mothers and families who share our lives with us. ❤️

This Thursday May 14th will be observed across this country as a day to stand and work and pray against violence against women, particularly indigenous women, known as the Moosehead Campaign. There will be ceremonies across the country, and the one in Toronto will be live-streamed. 

Hymn       Praise My Soul the God of Heaven #240VU

Prayer:  As the morning light appears, May I be ready to walk humbly and gently on Mother Earth, with all my relations; May I be ready to share all that I have with my sisters and brothers and may I be open to hearing your voice as it speaks to me. 

    As the light reaches its zenith in the sky, May I continue to lift my hands and my heart in service of others. 

    As the evening light meets the horizon May I always be ready to come to you, Creator, with peace in my soul and with a gentle spirit. Amen. ( a prayer by Alf Dumont and printed in That All May Be One, 2004) 

Scripture Lessons:      I Peter 3:13-22

                                    Psalm 66:8-20 p.785VU pts 2 & 3

                                    John 14:15-21

Hymn       Love Divine.  #333VU

Message

Prayer:  Loving God, in the Bible we find many kinds of families, and we learn that your love has no boundaries. Just as you called Peter to recognize the God-given worth in all people, so help us to affirm all the families and homes in our community. Singles, couples, people with and without children, groups large and small, people who are related and those who have simply found each other:  we pray that you would bless them all, and help us to make room at the table of our hearts for all your children. May homes and families - of all shapes and sizes- model your unconditional love, be places of safety and trust, nurture and laughter, so that, grounded in their love, we may reach out in love to all our brothers and sisters - your family. Amen. (from the Seasons of the Spirit worship resources, 2004)

Hymn      For the Beauty of the Earth #226VU

This week’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. We will be observing Christian Family Sunday. 

We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Marion Bannerman who died this past week. 

St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, May 13th at 7pm in the hall. 

Howick UCW will be holding a Friendship Luncheon on Thursday, May 14th in Howick United Church. We will begin gathering at 11:30 to be ready to serve lunch at noon. The seatings will be limited to 30, so a place needs to be reserved. You can reserve a place by speaking to the person who may have invited you, contacting Marlene Stuckey, or, if you attend the Seniors Card Party at the Town Hall, speaking to Helene Monache. The lunch itself is free, but donations will be collected, and if there is more than is needed, the excess will go to a local non-profit chosen by the attendees. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is once again offering bursaries to university, college, or CEGEP students who are confirmed members of a congregation in this region. The application form is available on the region’s website, Nakonhaka.ucc.ca. The deadline for applying is May 31st. 

              

Sunday, May 3, 2026 The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Friday was May 1st, May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day. We pray for God’s blessings on all those who work, for a living and for others. 

 Tuesday, May 5th is Red Dress Day, a Day to bring awareness to the problem of murdered and missing indigenous women. It is a day to hang up a red dress or wear red to show your awareness of the problem and to seek for solutions. 

Hymn.       How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds #344

Scripture Lessons:        I Peter 2:2-10

                                      Psalm 31 :1-5, 15, 16 p.758VU pts 1 & 3

                                      John 14:1-14

Message:

Prayer:  The earth awakens after winter’s sleep:  Awaken us to your glory, O God. 

Leaves emerge from winter’s shelter and stretch out to face the sun:  Awaken us to your light, O God. 

Birds that hid from frost and snow now sing out from the treetops: Awaken us to your presence, O God. 

That which seemed dead has now been born anew:  Awaken us to your life, O God. Amen. ( written by Simon Taylor, printed in Spring from Wild Goose Publications of the Iona Community) 

Hymn.        God, Take My Hand and Lead Me #638VU

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

St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, May 13th at 7pm in the hall. 

Howick UCW will be hosting a Friendship Luncheon on Thursday, May 14th in Howick United Church. The gathering will begin at 11:30 so the lunch can be served at noon. The lunch is limited to 30 people, so if you wish to attend, please reserve a place. You can do so by responding to the person who invited you, by sending an email to Marlene Stuckey at marlenestuckey68@gmail.com, or if you attend the Seniors’ Card Party, by speaking to Helene Monaste. A donation box will be available to help cover expenses. Any extra funds will be directed to a local non-profit organization, chosen by those who are attending. 

Nakonhaka Regional Council is once again offering bursaries to university, college, or CEGEP students who are confirmed members of a congregation in the region. Application forms are available on the Regional Council website, nakonhaka.ucc.ca and the deadline for applications is May 31st. Please speak to Barbara if you have any questions.