After this Sunday, the season of Creation begins tomorrow. As the season begins to change, as the harvest begins to be gathered, we give thanks to God for God’s wonderful world! In celebration of the beginning of the season of Creation, there will two special services offered online on September 1st. There will be an international one at 9am and a Canadian one offered at noon. I think I can share the link if anyone is interested.
Hymn This is God’s Wondrous World #296VU
Scripture Lessons: Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26 p. 828-9VU parts 1& 3
Matthew 16:13-28
Message:
Prayer: Loving God, the seasons are beginning to turn
In more evident ways: days shorten,
air crisps and leaves begin to smell
Like toast in this northern clime. South,
Spring is just beginning, with hints of
Summer in warming winds. There is
Comfort in this regularity of seasons,
Reminding us that your world turns on
A recurrent cycle, a pendulum that
Swings back and forth like a heartbeat.
May we remember this when we worry
About the way we see events unfolding
Whether personal or political. May we
Strive to find balance, a mean bringing
Stability, peace in which we may create
And reach out to others in helpful ways,
A centre path that is kind and inclusive.
May we seek to restore and replenish
Your hurting world and all its peoples.
We ask this knowing that we are not alone.
a prayer by Anne MacDermaid and posted by Celtic Christianity and Music
Hymn Unto the Hills #842VU
This Sunday there will be a combined service in Howick at 11:00. We will begin with coffee and munchies at 10:30.
Blessings and prayers go out to families and students as they plan and prepare for the beginning of another school year. 🙏🏽
We continue to hold the families and friends who have lost people over the summer in our thoughts and prayers. The memorial service for Alec Templeton will be held on Sunday, September 6th at 2pm in the Howick Church, with visitation beginning at 1:00.
Howick United Church Stewards will meet on Wednesday, September 2nd at 7pm in the church.
Howick UCW is planning a dinner out together on Thursday, September 3rd.
Please keep in mind that this is the time to begin or renew a subscription to Broadview, the United Church’s general interest magazine, with a church insert. The cost is $30 for the year, which goes to Wilene Cullen. The payment can be made with cash, cheque, or e-transfer and please include your name and address with your payment. Wilene is requesting that she receives the subscriptions by September 6th.
Prayer: Loving Creator, as we pause in worship, we feel the changes in air and notice them in our gardens. Once again, the seasons are about to turn and display the earthly rhythm s you set in motion in all their glory. We trust in your steadfastness. We believe in you, the one who has created and is creating. We trust in your goodness and wisdom. And we are grateful for your presence in our lives as we open our hearts in worship this day. Amen. ( a prayer by Rosemary Godin of Sydney, NS and shared by GatheringWorship.ca.)
Hymn. For the Beauty of the Earth #226VU
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick.
Next Sunday will be a combined service in Howick at 11:00, with fellowship time beginning at 10:30. All welcome.
We are continuing to hold the family and friends of Audrey Reddick, Raymond Caza, and Alec Templeton in our thoughts and prayers. The services for Audrey and Raymond have been completed, and the services for Alec Templeton will be held Sunday, September 6th at 2pm.
We also hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Sterling Stevenson, whose private burial is to be held this weekend.
Howick Stewards are scheduled to meet Wednesday, September 2nd at 7pm in the church.
Howick UCW is planning a supper out on Thursday, September 3rd. Please keep in touch to see where we might go!
Please keep in mind that this is now the time to renew or begin a subscription to Broadview, the United Church’s magazine. The cost for a year’s subscription is $30. Please contact Wilene if you would like a subscription and you can pay either by cheque, cash or e-transfer. Please include your name and address along with the payment.
Prayer: May birds fill the dawn of your day with song,
May the midday sun caress your face with warmth,
May honeysuckle scent the evening breeze around you,
and May the summer stars shine bright above you.
And May God, the giver of summer song and scent,
The creator of the sun and stars, touch your life with beauty
And fill your heart with joy. Amen. ( by Simon Taylor, printed in Summer from the Iona Community.)
Hymn. In Christ There is No East or West #606
This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown.
Many thanks to all who came and attended and supported the Classical concert offered by Ryan Hull on Friday night. It was a great success and raised more than $1000 for Transplant Quebec. Thanks again for your generosity and support!
On this day Georgetown Presbyterian Church will be holding its Quilt and Artisans Show, from 11-4:00. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 13-17 $5 and 12 and under free. Proceeds will go to local non-profit organizations. A light lunch will also be available.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the families and friends of Audrey Reddick, Raymond Caza, and Alec Templeton following their deaths over the summer. The memorial service for Raymond Caza will be held on Tuesday, August 18th at the Village Church at 1:00 with visitation beginning at noon. The service for Alec Templeton will be held Saturday, September 6th at 2pm at the Howick United Church, with visitation beginning at 1:00 in the church. A reception will follow the service.
Howick United Church will be holding the next Combined service on Sunday, August 30th at 11:00, with the fellowship time beginning at 10:30 am.
Prayer: As we journey through life, we face fear of the unknown, doubts, hesitations, anxieties, and insecurities…..
Draw near, O God, draw near!
Life is an unfolding mystery, sometimes a painful search and sometimes a wonderful discovery. When our hearts are restless because they are pilgrim hearts whose home is not here….
Draw near, O God, draw near!
When our footsteps grow weary, when we stumble along the way, discouragement and doubt so easily come forth to greet us….
Draw near, O God, draw near!
We are always learning what to leave behind and what to take with us as we move along the road of life. As we struggle to make good decisions….
Draw near, O God, draw near!
We encounter you, God, continually in the constant cycle of setting out and coming home. Sometimes we allow life to be so busy as we travel that we miss your presence. When we need to slow our hectic pace….
Draw near, O God, draw near!
Expectancy, anticipation, and courage rise up in our beings when we are open to your ways, God of the wilderness. As we search for reasons to hope….
Draw near, O God, draw near!
In our journeying, we need a strong conviction about the beauty and goodness of life, a vision of hope that endures the pain and struggle and a thread of love that weaves through all of our dreams. When we try to hold on to what gives our life meaning and purpose….
Draw near, O God, near draw near! Amen. ( a prayer from Joyce Rupp’s Out of the Ordinary, prayers, poems, and reflections for Every Season.)
Hymn. Will Your Anchor Hold #675VU
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 Audrey Reddick, who died this past week. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, August 15th at 2:30 at Howick United Church, with visitation beginning at 1:30, in the church.
We also hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Alec Templeton who died last month. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, September 6th at 2pm in the Howick United Church. Visitation will take place from 1:00 at the church.
We also hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Raymond Caza who died this past week, and whose memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 18th at 1:00 at the Church of the Nazarene, with visitation beginning at 12:00 in the Church of the Nazarene/Village Church in Ormstown.
This coming Friday, August 14th at 7pm, St Paul’s in Ormstown will be hosting a Classical music Concert featuring Ryan Hull on organ and piano. A free will offering will be taken which will go to Transplant Quebec to support their work on organ donation. A light lunch will also be served.
St Paul’s Stewards are tentatively meeting on Wednesday, August 12th at 7:30pm in the hall.
Georgetown Presbyterian Church will be holding a Quilt and Artisans’s Show on Sunday, August 16th from 11-4:00. Admission will be $10 and a light lunch will be served. Proceeds for this event will go to local non-profit organizations.
Huntingdon United Church will hold another Ice Cream Social on Thursday, August 13th from 5-8:00. Prices will be $10 for adults and $5 for ages 5-12. Takeouts are available.
