Prayer: O God, you have set before us a great hope that your kingdom will come on earth, and have taught us to pray for its coming: make us ready to thank you for the signs of its dawning, and to pray and work for the perfect day when your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn. Rejoice the Lord is King #213VU
This week’s services will be 9:30 in Franklin and 11:00 in Franklin with the Howden-Templeton bursary being presented to William Orr. Next Sunday will be craft activity days in both Ormstown (9:30) and Howick (11:00), and in Howick this will be followed by a soup luncheon. Hope you can join us!
Good news! The elevator has now been repaired and should be available for use on Sunday. (There is still some work to be done on the door, but we hope it will be done for Sunday.)
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Gretta Whyte, who died this past week. We continue to hold the family and friends of Vera Sutton and Allister Irving as well.
Our campaign in support of the Canadian Food Grains Bank is coming to an end. Envelopes for donations are available in our churches and donations may be made online at foodgrainsbank.ca.
Howick will be holding a fundraising sale to help cover the costs of repairing the elevator ( which is operating now) which will offer gently used books, puzzles, toys, and games, as well as Christmas decorations and baking for sale from 11:00-1:30 on December 9th in the church. Items to be donated may be brought to the church any time it is open and left in the sanctuary, but by Friday, December 8th so that they can be sorted and priced.
A mitten tree is now up in Howick and will be up shortly in Ormstown. Donations of hats, scarves, mittens, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Worship Schedule: December 3 First Sunday of Advent and Craft Activity Day
9:30 Ormstown. 11:00 Howick (with soup lunch)
December 10 Second Sunday of Advent and White Gift Sunday, gifts of nonperishable food items will be collected for the Christmas baskets and food bank
December 17 Third Sunday of Advent, Communion Sunday in Howick (9:30) and Ormstown (11:00)
Candlelight Christmas service in Franklin 7:30pm
December 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve 11:00 Intergenerational service in Howick 11:00 and evening service in Ormstown 8pm.
December 31 Combined Christmas Sunday Carol service in hall in Ormstown 11:00, fellowship time from 10:30.
Are you looking for a gift for someone who does not need any more “stuff”? Take a look at Gifts with Vision, the United Church’s giving catalogue that supports mission and ministry in Canada and around the world. Printed copies are available in our churches or you can check it out online at giftswithvision.ca.
Prayer: A Litany of Thanksgiving and Hope for Children
We give thanks that God’s love for children was shown to us when Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.”
We thank you God.
We give thanks for the gifts our children offer to the world, for they are our present, future, and hope.
We thank you, God.
We give thanks for the delight and infectious joy children have for all wonder-filled things in your creation. We thank you, God.
We offer prayers for the safety of children. We pray for an end to violence in the schoolyard, in the home, on our streets, and the streets and hillsides of the world. Hear our prayers, dear God.
We pray for adults who sincerely offer a caring hand, a comforting shoulder, a listening presence, and a tireless voice on behalf of children. Hear our prayers, dear God.
Gracious God, you have always welcomed the child. We pray that our thoughts and words and actions may reflect love for all of your children, not merely a privileged few. May we always remember children in the way you have called us to do. We will not forget, O God. (a prayer written by Bonnie Mills and shared in Seeds and Sowers.)
Hymn. Precious Lord Take Me Home #670
This week’s services will be 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. In Howick there will be a craft and activity day, making cards for the Christmas plates. All welcome to participate. The next craft and activity day will be Sunday, December 3rd, in both Ormstown and Howick. In Ormstown, the activities will begin at 9:30, and in Howick, will begin at 11:00 and be followed by a Soup Luncheon. Volunteers for soup and other items would be appreciated.
Don’t forget the Rudolph Run that will take place next Saturday, November 25th from 9-11:00, starting from the Rec Centre. A minimum donation of $5 is requested from the adults participating. The proceeds will go to the Christmas basket program offered through La Bouffe Additionelle. If you can, wear some red or green!
The mitten tree will go up this week in Howick. In Ormstown, it will be up for December 3rd.
Howick United Church Session will meet Tuesday night, November 21st at 7:00 in the church.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday November 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall.
Next Sunday in Howick the Howden-Templeton bursaries will be presented in Howick, at its 11:00 service.
Howick United Church will be holding a fundraiser on Saturday, December 9th from 11:00-1:30. There will be a Bake Sale, book, game, puzzle, toy, and Christmas decoration sale (gently used, please). Donations may be brought to the church (before or by Friday, December 8th. They may be left in the sanctuary.
Howick Stewards will be meeting on Wednesday, December 6th at 7:00pm.
Prayer: O living God, in our darkness you kindle a flame that never goes out. Through the spirit of praise, you take us out of ourselves. To us you have entrusted a mystery of hope. In our human frailty, you have set a spiritual strength that is never withdrawn. Even when we are unaware of it, it is always there, ready to carry us onward. Yes, in our darkness, you kindle a fire that never dies out. We thank you. Amen. (a prayer by Brother Roger from the Taize Community.)
A Prayer for Courage: We offer to you, O God, our prayers for those who seek Justice and resist evil. We pray for those who need your presence and strength to stand firm; for those who are opposed to the use of violence in any form in faithful response to the Prince of Peace. We pray for those are prepared to be firm to protect those in danger. We pray for those who walk with others who need strength. We pray for those who protest, those who organize letter campaigns, those who give sacrificially on behalf of others.
We pray for those who speak the unpopular truth; who protect the unpopular victims; who choose the unpopular path of peace.
We pray for those who do not let their desire for peace hinder the requirements of justice, and for those who do not let their zeal for justice override the call for peace. Amen. (a prayer by the Rev.Dr. Neil Parker)
Hymn. I Love to Tell the Story #343
There will be a Cenotaph service held in Ormstown Saturday November 11th on Church St beginning at 10:45.
This Sunday there will be services in all three of our churches: 9:30 in Franklin, 11:00 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick with Debbie Beattie.
This Sunday, November 12th, the Sunday after Remembrance Sunday, the United Church is joining with other churches and faith groups to call for a ceasefire in the Middle East. Members are invited to take part in demonstrations to show their concern for both Israelis and Palestinians in the region.
Wesley United Church in NDG will be holding a covenanting service with their new minister, the Rev. Cynthia Reynolds. Best wishes to the in their ministry together.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Vera Sutton, who died this past week. A memorial service will be held this afternoon.
For the next two Sundays in Howick we will be collecting items for shoeboxes for homeless women. Items such as shampoo, lotions, socks, candy, makeup or gift cards would be greatly appreciated. It is requested that nothing for specific sizes or complexions be included. Many thanks for all that will be donated.
Next Sunday in Howick, November 19th, there will be a craft and family activity Sunday, making cards for our Christmas treat plates. The service will begin at 9:30am and the activities will begin after the children’s story. There will be another craft and activity day on Sunday, December 3rd beginning with the 11:00 service and ending with a Soup Luncheon.
St Paul’s Session will meet this Wednesday, November 15th at 7:30pm in the hall.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet next Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall.
Keep in mind the Rudolph Run which will take place Saturday, November 25th from 9-11:00am from the Ormstown Rec Centre. A minimum donation of $5 per adult is requested and the proceeds go to La Bouffe Additionelle for the Christmas baskets. For more information, please check the poster on the bulletin board or check with Grace Brown or Darlene Legros.
Howick United Church is planning a book, puzzle, toy, game, and bake sale on Saturday, December 9th from 11:00-1:30 in the church hall. Items donated for the sale may be brought in any time, but please by Friday December 8th.
This Sunday we start preparing for the events of Remembrance Week. (Also it is time change weekend! Time to fall back!)
Hymn. O God our Help in Ages Past #706VU
Scripture Lessons: Joshua 3:1-16
Psalm 107:33-43 p.831-2 VU, parts 1 and 4
I Thessalonians 2:9-13
Meditation
Prayer: on this Remembrance Sunday, we think of people around the world who fear the violence of war when troops are deployed, bombs are dropped, missiles launched, and attack rockets released.
Help us, God, to see the light of Christ even in the light of Christ even in the midst of fear.
As stories of war are heard all around us, we think of people who have served their country and who sought to bring stability and peace to the world even as they responded to the invitation to participate in battle.
Help us, God, to see the light of peace even in the midst of war.
As autumn moves into winter, and as the cold night air chills our bodies and our homes, we look for reminders of the joy we seek each new day. Turn us, God, away from the dreariness of a world torn and forlorn.
Help us, God, to see the light of day even in the midst of night.
As war dominates the news and is splashed across our television sets and newspaper headlines, May we know that the essence of life is in following the one known as the Prince of Peace. Keep us, God, aware of that truth, and open to your presence.
Help us, God, to see the light of hope even in the midst of despair. Amen. ( a prayer written by the Rev. Bill Steadman and printed in Gathering S/A
Hymn. God of Grace and God of Glory #686
This Sunday there will be a Remembrance Sunday service in Ormstown at 9:30. In Howick there will be a community Remembrance Sunday service held in Georgetown Presbyterian Church, beginning at 10:30am.
In Ormstown there also will be a Cenotaph service held Saturday morning, November 11th, beginning about 10:30am.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family of Allister Irving, following his death this past week.
This is the time for college, university, and vocational students from Howick United Church to apply for the Howden-Templeton bursaries. The deadline is November 12th with the bursaries being presented in the 11:00 service on Sunday, November 26th. Application forms are available on the Howick United Church website, or in the church as well. Applications should be returned to one of the members of the bursary committee: Scott Templeton, Debbi Templeton, Brent Tolhurst, or Marlene Stuckey or May be mailed to the church, 2 Bridge, Howick, QC, J0S 1K0.
St Paul’s Session will meet on Wednesday, November 15th at 7:30pm in the hall.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, November 22nd at 7:30pm in the hall. (please note that this is a change from the date set at the meeting.)
Howick united Church is planning a couple of craft and activity days for families and members. The first will be held Sunday, November 19th during and following the 9:30 service. All are welcome to come and take part. The second craft and activity day will take place the first Sunday of Advent, December 3rd during and following the 11:00 service. There will be craft activities based on the nativity scene and we will conclude with a soup luncheon.
Because we have chosen to go ahead with the elevator repairs, Howick United Church is going to try a few new fundraising activities. The first we will be trying is a book, puzzle, gently used toys, Christmas decorations, and bake table on Saturday, December 9th (the day of the Santa Claus Parade) from 11:00-1:30.
In order to try to save money, once the elevator is repaired, we will routinely meet in the hall in the basement.
Barbara will be printing a newsletter for the Advent-Christmas season, which should be printed for Sunday, November 19th. If there is any news that needs to be included, please let Barbara know.
Prayer: For all the saints: who went before us; who have spoken to our hearts; and touched us with your fire, we praise you, O God.
For all the saints: who live beside us; whose weaknesses and strengths are woven with our own, we praise you, O God.
For all the saints: who live beyond us; who challenge us to change the world with them, we praise you, O God. Amen. ( a prayer written by Janet Morley of England and printed in Bread of Tomorrow, edited by Janet Morley.)
Scripture Lessons: Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6p. 805VU
I Thessalonians 2:1-8
Meditation
Prayer: God, for all the saints I give you thanks— for grandparents and godparents, for doctors and teachers, for coaches and pastors.
God, for all the saints I give you thanks— for authors of books that have moved me, for friends whose advice has guided me, for strangers who proved an example, for my children and the children of others who have given me courage.
God, for all the saints I give you thanks— for those nearest and farthest away, for those who have died, and those who are living, for those who knew they made a difference and those who never will.
God, for all the saints I give you thanks. Amen. ( a prayer written by Maren Tirabassi and printed in Before the Amen, edited by Maren C. Tirabassi and Maria I. Tirabassi.)
Hymn For All the Saints #705VU
This week there will be a combined service held in Franklin United Church at 11:00, preceded by a fellowship time, beginning about 10:30. All welcome.
We hold the family and friends of Bill Lawrence, formerly of Ormstown, who died last week. We also continue to hold the family and friends of Melissa Evans, Marie-Paule Hodgson who have also died this month.
Next Sunday will be Remembrance Sunday in Ormstown and Howick. In Ormstown we will welcome members of the Legion to our 9:30 service. (There will also be a Cenotaph service held in Ormstown on Saturday, November 11th beginning at around 10:30.)
In Howick, there will be a community service held at Georgetown Presbyterian Church, beginning at 10:30am.
The Howden-Templeton Bursaries will once again be awarded to CEGEP or university or vocational level students who are associated with Howick United Church. Applicants can receive the bursary a maximum of three times. The deadline for applications is November 12th with the bursaries being presented at the 11am service at Howick United Church on November 26th. Applications can be found at the Howick United Church website or in the back of the church and can be given to Debbi Templeton, Scott Templeton, Brent Tolhurst, or Marlene Stuckey or mailed to the church at 2 Rue Bridge, Howick, QC, J0S 1G0.
FYI: after the congregational meeting in Howick last weekend, it has been decided to repair the elevator, despite the cost, to ensure that the church is accessible, particularly as we will be holding more services in the hall in the basement. This will be funded in part through the Memorial Fund, the Trustees, and any donations that may be received for this project. It was also decided to apply for Faithful Footprints to make the church building more sustainable. A plan with estimates is now being prepared by a committee. Assistance and advice would be appreciated.
Franklin United Church will be holding a Joint Board meeting Wednesday, November 1st in the church office, at 1:30pm.
This week the United Church, along with other organizations, observed a Day of Prayer for peace in the Middle East. In some churches this Sunday is also known as Peace Sunday. As we approach Remembrance Day, we continue to pray for peace.
Hymn Jesus Calls Us #562VU
Prayer: Two peoples, one land
Three faiths, one root,
One earth, one mother,
One sky, one beginning, one future, one destiny,
One broken heart
One God.
We pray to you:
Grant us a vision of unity
May we see the many in the one and the one in many.
May you, life of all the Worlds,
Source of all Amazing Differences,
Help us to see clearly.
Guide us gently and firmly toward each other,
Towards peace. Amen. ( a prayer of Rabbi Sheila Weinberg, Jewish Community of Amherst, MA.)
Scripture Lessons: I Thessalonians 1:1-10
Psalm 99 p.819VU
Matthew 22:15-22
Meditation
Prayer: God of comfort, send your Spirit to encompass all those whose lives are torn apart by violence and death in Israel and Palestine. You are the Advocate of the oppressed and the One whose eye is on the sparrow. Let arms reach out in healing, rather than aggression. Let hearts mourn rather than militarize.
God of Justice, give strength to those whose long work for a just peace might seem fruitless now. Strengthen their resolve. Do not let them feel alone. Show us how to support their work and bolster their courage. Guide religious leaders to model unity and reconciliation across lines of division. Guide political leaders to listen with their hearts as they seek peace and pursue it. Help all people choose the rigorous path of just peace and disavow violence.
God of Love, we lift up Palestine and Israel — its people, its land, its creatures. War is a monster that consumes everything in its path. Peace is a gift shared at meals of memory with Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Let us burn incense, not children. Let us break bread, not bodies. Let us plant olive groves, not cemeteries. We beg for love and compassion to prevail on all your holy mountains.
God of Hope, we lift up the cities of the region: Garza City and Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Ashkelon, Deir El Ba’ath and Sderot, so long divided, yet so filled with life and creativity. Come again to breathe peace on your peoples that all may recognize you.
God of Mercy, even now work on the hearts of combatants to choose life over death, reconciliation over retaliation, restoration over destruction. Help us resist antisemitism in all its forms, especially in our own churches. All people, Israelis and Palestinians, deserve to live I. Peace and unafraid, with a right to determine their future together.
God of the Nations, let not one more child or elder be sacrificed on altars of political expediency. Keep safe all people from unjust leaders who would exploit vulnerability for their own distorted ends. Give wise discernment to those making decisions to pursue peace. Provide them insight into fostering well-being, freedom, and thriving for all. Teach all of us to resolve injustices with righteousness, not rockets. Guard our hearts against retaliation, and give us hearts for love alone.
Strengthen our faith in you, O God of all Flesh, even when we don’t have clear answers, so that we may still offer ourselves nonviolently for the cause of peace. Amen. ( a prayer by Rose Marie Berger, printed in the Sojourners magazine and distributed by Convergence.)
Hymn. O Master Let Me Walk withThee #560VU
This week there will be services in both Franklin (9:30) and Howick (11:00). Immediately following the 11:00 service in Howick there will be a congregational meeting to discuss emerging issues such as applying for Faithful Footprints funding and possible repairs to the elevator in Howick. Sandwiches and coffee will be provided for those staying for the meeting.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers the family and friends of Melissa Evans following her unexpected death this month.
We also hold in our prayers the family and friends of Marie-Paule Hodgson who died this past week. A service of remembrance and thanksgiving for her life will be held Saturday morning at the Village Church in Ormstown.
We are continuing our campaign to support the Canadian FoodGrains Bank. Envelopes are available in our churches or donations may be made online at foodgrainsbank.ca.
St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, October 25th at 7:30pm in the hall.
St Andrew’s United Church in Chateauguay and St Edward’s Presbyterian Churches will be holding an anniversary Musical Celebration this evening, October 22nd at 7pm at St Andrew’s United Church 46 DuPont West in Chateauguay. A free will offering will be taken to be given to the local food bank and the celebration will be followed by a fellowship time featuring many apple desserts.
Next Sunday there will be a combined service in Franklin United Church, to be held at 11:00. There will be a fellowship time to begin at 10:30.
The time has come for CEGEP and university students associated with Howick United Church to apply for the Howden-Templeton bursaries. The deadline for applying is November 12th, and the bursaries will be presented November 26th at the 11:00 service. The application is available on the church website or in the church. Applications may be given to Debbi Templeton, Scott Templeton, Brent Tolhurst or Marlene Stuckey, or they may be mailed to the church, 2 Bridge, Howick QC, J0S 1G0. Bursaries may only be received up to a limit of three years.
We will be holding Remembrance Sunday services on November 5th. In Ormstown the service will be held in the church at 9:30am. In Howick a combined service with Georgetown Presbyterian Church will be held in Georgetown, beginning at 10:30am.
Tomorrow is World Food Day so today is World Food Sunday. We will be launching our fundraising campaign for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. Envelopes will be available in our churches.
Hymn Joyful Joyful We Adore You #232
Scripture Lessons: Philippians 4:1-9
Psalm 23 p.749VU
Matthew 22:1-14
Meditation
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.
Show 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 to seek to do your will here on earth, as servants of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (from the Canadian Food Grains Bank website, foodgrainsbank.ca/resources)
Hymn I Sing the Mighty Power of God #231
This Sunday there will be services at 9:30 in Howick and 11:00 in Ormstown. Following the early service in Howick there will be a craft/ family activity time beginning about 11:00, with plans to decorate pumpkins and preparing mini-pizzas for lunch. All welcome to come and participate. Wilene would appreciate if you could let her know if you are planning to attend, so we can ensure we have enough supplies for everyone.
Congratulations to Kristina Countouris and Shawn Woodward who were married in Howick on Friday.
This will be a Communion Sunday in Ormstown. (Ooops! I am told that I announced that the Communion celebration would be the 22nd, but it is in fact this Sunday.)
Many thanks to all who donated food to the food drive in Ormstown. It was greatly appreciated.
For those who would like to make a donation to the CFGB online, the website is: foodgrainsbank.ca.
Next Sunday there will be a congregational meeting following the 11:00 service. The Board of Stewards wish to inform the congregation about their plans to apply for Faithful Footprints funding for the church. We may also discuss the elevator.
St Andrew’s United Church and St Edward’s Presbyterian Church are planning a Musical Celebration to mark their anniversaries. It will be held Sunday, October 22nd at 7pm, in the St Andrew’s United Church at 46 DuPont W. It will include lots of singing and be followed by a a reception with coffee, tea, and lots of apple desserts. A free will offering will be taken to be given to the local food bank. For more information, there is a poster in our churches.
There will be a combined service for our three congregation on Sunday, October 29th in the Franklin United Church at 11:00. We will begin at 10:30 with a fellowship time.
Howick United Church will be sharing a Remembrance Sunday service with Georgetown Presbyterian Church. The service will be held at 10:30am in the Georgetown Presbyterian Church.
