Sunday, October 30, 2022 Reformation and All Saints Sunday

 

Hymn.      A Mighty Fortress is Our God #262VU

Prayer: O God, as we offer our worship this day, unite us together that we may celebrate the witness of our forefathers and mothers and the courage that gave birth to the church through its many reformations. Teach us how to honour the saints of God in ages past as well as in our present days. May the conviction of your grace be what forms our own faith. Inspire us in the continuing reformation and transformation of the church and be present to us in our worship and our work. We pray in the name of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. Amen. (a prayer by the Rev. Letty Russell and shared on re-worship.blogspot.com.) 

Scripture Lessons: II Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11, 12

                               Psalm 119:137-144

                                Luke 19:1-10

Message

Prayer:  God of life, May your light shine on your people today, as it shone in each moment of history. 

May the light of your presence inspire us to praise you and recognize you, as a source of all creation, 

as strength that sustains, as sap that nurtures, as wisdom that foresees, as clarity that discovers, as love that understands, as mercy that forgives. May the light of your presence, eternal and inextinguishable , shine on us now and forever, till the dawn of your Kingdom, present in each day. Amen. ( prayer published by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in its resource, Renewing the Church and shared on re-worship)

Hymn      For All the Saints #705VU

Our deepest sympathy is shared with the family of Ruth Sundborg following her sudden death this past week. We are planning to hold a service of remembrance for her in St Paul’s in Ormstown this coming Friday, November 4th with visitation starting at 1:00 and the service itself beginning at 2:30. 

We have also heard of the death of Jean Pycock, who died September 28th. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, November 12th at 2pm at the Unitarian Church of Montreal, 5035 Boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal. The service will be followed by a reception. 

We continue to invite donations to the Canadian Food Grains Bank. Envelopes are available in the churches and donations may be made online at foodgrainsbank,ca. 

St Paul’s Stewards will be meeting this coming Wednesday, November 2nd at the home of Wendy Denison 

Next Sunday, November 6th, we will be marking Remembrance Sunday in our churches, 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. There will also be a Cenotaph service in Ormstown that afternoon led by the Legion. 

Sunday, October 23, 2022

 

Hymn       Come You Thankful People Come #516VU

Prayer: Lord of the harvest, we rejoice in the bounty of your world; 

we thank you for the rich harvests it produces. 

As we do so, 

we remember those who do not have enough, the thousands who are daily dying of hunger.

We pray for those who have more than they require, for ourselves and our churches. 

Sow us what needs to be done, and how to share the world’s harvest more fairly. 

Teach us to value people more than things. 

Above all, help us to set our hearts on your kingdom of love and Justice,

And seek to do your will here on earth, as servants of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Scripture Lessons:      Joel 2:23-32

                                    Psalm 65 p.782VU

                                    Luke 18:9-14

Hymn       Just As I Am #508VU

Message

Prayer:  Encourage us, O God, encourage us to follow Jesus’s lead into life’s difficult places. 

Encourage  us to speak up for what’s just and to act for what is right. 

Encourage us to stand in solidarity with all those who face discrimination. 

Encourage us to bold discipleship and daring Justice rooted in deep spirituality. 

Encourage us when morale is low and we feel like giving up.

Encourage us when our spirit is flying high and the difference we make is obvious. 

Encourage us, O God. Strengthen us to serve you. Amen. ( a prayer from the United church’s Thanksgiving letter)

Hymn      I Sing the Mighty Power of God #231

This Sunday there will be services in Franklin(9:30) and Howick ((11:00)? Next Sunday the service will a combined service in Franklin at 11:00. There will also be a fellowship time beginning at 10:30. The following Sunday November 6th will be observed as Remembrance Sunday in both St Paul’s in Ormstown (9:30) and in Howick at 11:00. 

Many thanks to all who supported Howick United Church’s fundraising concert last Saturday by planning, organizing, volunteering, and of course performing(!) in it. It was a great success with about 70-75 people present and about $2000 raised, to be divided between Howick United Church and I Am Heshima. 

This Sunday (October 23) is the last day to apply for the Howden-Templeton bursaries. Applications can be found on the website and the bursaries will be given out November 6th. These bursaries are available to people connected with the Howick United Church community and attending college, university, or other training institution. 

The United Church Foundation is accepting donations to help communities throughout the regions dealing with damage from hurricane Fiona. A donation to the Ann Baker Estate Trust for Emergency Relief in Canada will provide funding after the effects of the hurricane has been forgotten. Donations may be made online at w.canadahelps.org.en.don/75488. More information may follow later. 

There is Youth and Young Adults Youth Forum being planned for young people in High school or CEGEP age ranges, in the Nakonhaka region  to be held in Georgeville QC November 4-6th. More info is available if there are people interested. 

Sunday, October 16, 2022 World Food Day

 A few last flowers: 

Hymn     How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds #344VU

Scripture Lessons:        Jeremiah 31:27-34

                                      Psalm 119:97-104 p.840VU pt 4

                                      II Timothy 3:14-4:5

Meditation

Prayer:  Saviour, teach me day by day, love’s sweet lesson to obey;

Sweeter lesson cannot be, loving him who first loved me. 

With a child’s glad heart of love at Thy bidding May I move, 

Prompt to serve and follow thee, loving him who first loved me. 

Teach me thus Thy steps to trace, strong to follow in Thy grace, 

Learning how to love from thee, loving him who first loved me. 

Love in loving finds employ, in obedience all her joy; 

Ever new that joy will be, loving him who first loved me. 

Thus May I rejoice to show that I feel the love I owe; 

Singing till Thy face I see, of his love who first loved me. (Hymn by Jane Eliza Leeson)

Hymn      I Love to Tell the Story #343

Today on World Food Day, we begin our campaign for the Canadian FoodGrains Bank. This year, perhaps even more than every year, the gifts we are able to give make a difference in the lives of hungry people all over the world. Donations can be made online at foodgrainsbank.ca or envelopes will be available in the churches if you would like to make a donation. 

This week’s services are 9:30 in Howick (following our fundraising concert Saturday night at 7pm in the church) and 11:00 in Ormstown. 

Sunday, October 9, The Fifth Sunday of Creation, Thanksgiving Sunday

 

Hymn       Come You Thankful People Come #516VU

Prayer:  God our maker, your open hands of grace sow us with many generosities. You offer these ordinary treasures simply, and without demand. 

We who receive do so with recognition and delight; or we wonder dissatisfied and forgetful. 

O God, grant us the choice of gratitude. Transform our hearts into generous soil. Make us ready with praise for every blessing. Amen. (from Keri Wehlander’s Joy is our Banquet)

Scripture Lessons:        Deuteronomy 26:1-11

                                       Psalm 100 p. 824VU

                                      Philippians 4:4-9

Hymn       We Plant the Fields and Scatter #520 VU

Meditation 

Prayer: (a litany of thanks) 

To wake from sleep into a new day—           Is gift enough for thanks.

To hear a child’s delight in laughter—          Is gift enough for thanks. 

To sip a glass of clean, cold water—             Is gift enough for thanks. 

To watch the sunset paint the sky—              Is gift enough for thanks. 

To share a moment with a friend—               Is gift enough for thanks.

To smell the fragrance of moist soil—          Is gift enough for thanks. 

To feel the comfort of clean clothing—        Is gift enough for thanks. 

To form the words that make a prayer—      Is gift enough for thanks. (from Keri Wehlander’s Joy is our Banquet.) 

Hymn       Now Thank We All our God #236VU

Next weekend is the time! Howick United Church’s fundraising Concert with Fieldstone Reverie and Sammi Grace will be this coming Saturday, October 15th at 7pm in the church. Tickets are $20 and are now available from Noah Tolhurst, Mac Orr, and myself and will be available at the door as well. Proceeds of the concert will be divided between the church and I Am Heshima. Hope to see you there! 

The new Gifts with Vision catalogues have arrived. There are a few copies in the churches so you can take a look, and you can also check them out online, at giftswithvision.ca. A great gift for those who don’t need more “stuff”. 

Sunday, October 2,2022 The Fourth Sunday of Creation

 

Hymn        Great is Thy Faithfulness #288

Scripture Lessons: Lamentations 1:1-6

                               Lamentations 3:19-26

                               Luke 17:5-10

Meditation 

Prayer: O Christ, you take upon yourself all our burdens so that freed of all that weighs us down, we can constantly begin anew to walk with lightened step, from worry towards trusting, from the shadows towards the clear flowing waters, from our own will towards the vision of the coming Kingdom. And then we know, though we had hardly dared hope it, that you offer to make every human being a reflection of your face. (a prayer from the Taize community.) 

Hymn      My Faith Looks Up to Thee #663

This Sunday is Worldwide Communion Sunday and Howick United Church will be celebrating this on Sunday at 11am with the celebration of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. St Paul’s United Church will be gathering for worship at 9:30 this Sunday but will not be celebrating Communion. 

Next Sunday will be Thanksgiving Sunday in all 3 of our congregations: 9:30 in Franklin, 11:00 in Ormstown and also 11:00 in Howick with Debbie Beattie. As is the tradition in Franklin and Ormstown, we will once again be collecting food for the food bank. Both seasonal produce and non-perishable food items would be greatly appreciated. 

The time has come to apply for Howden-Templeton bursaries, for students of college, university, or other training programs who are part of the Howick United Church community. The applications may be found online on the church’s website or can be requested from one of the committee members (Marlene Stuckey, Debbi Templeton, Scott Templeton, and Brent Tolhurst). The deadline for applications will be October 23, 2022 and the bursaries will be given out in the church service on November 6th. 

Please keep in mind Howick United Church’s fundraising concert to be held Saturday, October 15th at 7pm, in the Church. It will feature Fieldstone Reverie and also include Sammi Grace. Proceeds of the concert will be split between Howick United Church and I am Heshima. Tickets are now available at a cost of $20 from Mac Orr or Noah Tolhurst. 

Best wishes and congratulations to Laura Bustamante and Catherine Bray who were married in Howick United Church on Saturday, October 1st. 

Best wishes also to Kanawake United Church who are celebrating a new ministry shared with the Rev. Jan Jorgensen and Robert Ronwahaweta Patton. 

Sunday, September 25, 2022 The Third Sunday of Creation

 

Hymn.        Immortal, Invisible #264

Scripture Lessons:       Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

                                     Psalm 91 p.808VU

                                     I Timothy 6:6-19

Hymn   Jesus Calls Us #562 (though I am not sure you are going to sing along to this one! )

Meditation 

Prayer:  Risen Jesus, when we forget you, it is we who are absent. 

But you remain present at all times, deep within us. 

Sometimes we start looking backwards,

And let ourselves be overrun by regret

Or the nostalgia of the recent or distant past. 

Holy Spirit, you who dwell in us always, 

Enable us to receive you with a trusting heart, in faith, 

So as to live quite simply in the present moment, 

Nothing more. Amen. (a prayer from the Taize community.)

Hymn.        Fight the Good Fight #674

This week’s services will be held at 9:30 in Franklin and 11:00 in Howick. Next Sunday will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. Howick United Church will also be celebrating holy communion next Sunday. 

Next Friday September 30th will be Orange Shirt Day, a day to remember the indigenous children forced to attend residential schools and to commemorate those who died there. 

Please do keep in mind the fundraising concert featuring Fieldstone Reverie and with Sammi Grace, to be hold Saturday, October 15th at 7pm. Tickets will cost $20. Proceeds of the concert will be divided between Howick United Church and I am Heshima. 

Sunday, September 18, 2022 The Third Sunday of Creation

 

Hymn      Standing in the Need of Prayer 

Scripture Lessons:      Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

                                    Psalm 79:1-9

                                    I Timothy 2:1-7

Hymn       There is a Balm in Gilead     #612

Meditation

Prayer:  Look in your mercy, O God, upon the suffering of your world, and help those in trouble or distress, whether in mind or in body. And May our prayer not be made empty by our neglect but carry with our readiness to act as your servants; that the lonely and the sick, the anxious and the sorrowing whom we meet may find us eager to help for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (a prayer by Roger Pickering published in Frank Colquhoun’s Contemporary Parish Prayers.)

Holy God, We give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses: people whose lives we honour and cherish, 

people  who have taught us to live as best we can;

We give thanks for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 

who is now gathered among the faithful who go before us. 

May you bless and keep all who love and who will miss Queen Elizabeth. 

We pray especially for the Royal Family, all who held her closely in their hearts, and all who will shepherd nations of people in the grieving process. 

May you bless and keep the Commonwealth, and all who wrestle with the complexities of the monarchy and what Queen Elizabeth represents. 

We pray especially for those who continue to unpack the legacies of colonialism as we work towards right relations and reconciliation. 

We bring all this to you, while giving thanks for the life of Queen Elizabeth, and while celebrating your sovereignty over our hearts. Amen. ( a prayer offered from the United Church on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s death.)

Hymn       What a Friend We Have in Jesus #664

We hold the family and friends of Barbara Story in our thoughts and prayers, following her sudden death this past week. 

St Paul’s Session will be meeting Tuesday, September 20th at 7:30pm in the hall. 

St Paul’s Stewards will be meeting Wednesday, September 21st at 7:30pm in the hall. 

Howick United Church will be holding a fundraising concert on Saturday, October 15th at 7pm in the church. The concert will feature Fieldstone Reverie with Sammi Grace as well. Tickets will cost $20 and should be available shortly. Proceeds of the concert will be split between Howick United Church and I am Heshima. Your support will be greatly appreciated. 

FYI: the federal government has announced that it will be matching donations for Pakistan Relief to organizations that are part of the Humanitarian Coalition, including Canadian Food Grains Bank, Oxfam, Save the Children, and others. The deadline for matching donations is September 28th.