Sunday, October 11, 2026 Thanksgiving Sunday

 

Hymn.      Come You Thankful People Come #516

Scripture Lessons:       Deuteronomy 8:7-18

                                     Psalm 65 p.782VU

                                     II Corinthians 9:6-15

Hymn.      We Plough the Fields and Scatter #520VU

Message 

Prayer:  God, giver of all good, you continually pour your benefits upon us. 

Age after age the living wait upon you and find that your faithfulness has no end, 

That your care is unfailing. 

We praise you that the mystery of life is a mystery of infinite goodness. 

We praise you for the order and constancy of nature; 

For the beauty and bounty of the earth; 

For day and night, summer and winter, seed time and harvest; 

For the varied gifts of loveliness which every season brings. 

We give you thanks for all the comfort and joy of life, for our homes, for our friends, 

And for all the love, sympathy, and goodwill of all people. Amen. ( from the UCC’s worship resource, Celebrate God’s Presence.)

Hymn.      Now Thank We All our God #236

This Sunday’s services are 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. In Ormstown we will be collecting food and donations for our local food bank, La Bouffe Additionelle. Donations of seasonal produce and non-perishable food items as well as monetary donations by cash or cheque would be welcome. 

Howick United Church will begin its Muffin Mornings this coming Wednesday, October 14th at about 9:30, in the church hall/ basement. We will discuss how to go forward, and the day might change to Monday, as Wednesday seems to be quite a busy day. Please let us know if you are interested. 

St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, October 14th at 7pm in the hall. 

St Paul’s Stewards have delayed their meeting to Wednesday, October 28th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

On Sunday, October 18th we will be launching our campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. Envelopes for donations will be available in our churches. 

St Paul’s will hold a Craft Day for children and youth Sunday, October 18th at the 11:00 service. 

Howick United Church will hold a Craft Day for children and youth Sunday, October 25th during the 11:00 service. 

Sunday, October 4, 2026 The Fifth Sunday of Creation

 This Sunday is also Worldwide Communion Sunday and we will be celebrating the sacrament of Communion in both St Paul’s and Howick United Church this Sunday. 

This Sunday is also St Francis of Assisi Day. St Francis is the saint of animals and creation. Today many churches will bring their observance of the Season of Creation to an end ( I like to continue it to Thanksgiving Sunday, I think it makes sense) and to hold blessing of the animals services. May the joyful, loving, and peaceful spirit of St Francis be revealed in our living and our serving. 🌏🌈

Hymn        How Firm a Foundation #660

Scripture Lessons:       Exodus 20:1-4,7-9,12-20

                                     Psalm 19 p.740VU

                                     Philippians 3:4b-14

Message

Prayer:  We thank you, O God, that you have strengthened us through your nearness and we pray:

Grant that the ears that have heard your Word may be closed to the voice of discord; 

That the eyes which have seen your great love may see the blessedness which you have promised; 

That the tongues which have sung your praise may testify henceforth to the truth; that the hands that have received your gifts may do good to your honour; that the feet which have brought us to this place may not stray from the way of your light; that the bodies that have been strengthened by your gifts may be ready to live a new life in you. And to you be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen. (a prayer from the Church Office of the Evangelical Church of Kurhesses-Waldeck, Germany, printed in Gifts in Open Hands edited by Maren Tirabassi and Kathy Wonsan Eddy)

Hymn        O Jesus Thou Joy of Loving Hearts #472

This Sunday’s services will be Communion services, offering the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In Ormstown this will be held at 9:30 and in Howick at 11:00. 

Many thanks to all who supported Howick’s Benny’s BBQ Chicken dinner last Sunday. It raised more than $2000 for the life and work of the church. 

We express our appreciation to Claude Gervais and his helpers who have decorated the St Paul’s Church and Main Street in Ormstown with seasonal fruits and vegetables and help us to rejoice in the harvest season and prepare for our Thanksgiving celebrations. 

Next Sunday will be Thanksgiving Sunday in both our churches. In Ormstown we will be collecting food for La Bouffe Additionelle (the local food bank), both non-perishable food items as well as seasonal food items. Donations of cash and cheques can also be made. 

St Paul’s in Ormstown will be holding a Craft Day on Sunday, October 18th during the 11:00 service. 

Howick United Church will hold its Craft Day on Sunday, October 25th during its 11:00 service. 

If you know of anyone interested in taking part in a Confirmation Class, either this fall or in the new year, please contact Barbara. 

Congratulations to the Rev. Eric Hebert Daly, who has been the Executive Minister for the Nakonhaka Regional Council, as well as 2 others, and who has now been named as the incoming Executive Secretary of the General Council level of the United Church.