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.