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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
This week we begin a 5-week sermon series based on the book “Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older” by Alice Fryling. Alice has been a Spiritual Director for over 25 years and is the bestselling author of 10 books on relationships and spiritual formation. I was introduced to this book as part of my Directed Doctoral Study this past summer, and it has featured prominently in my thesis proposal, which will go before the faculty of Acadia Divinity College for approval this coming Monday!
This is a sermon series for all ages! If you’re already advanced in years, it might give you some food for thought that is relevant to what you’re experiencing in your life right now. Even if “aging” is far from your reality (although, we’re all aging, right?), it is never too soon to start thinking about the kind of person you want to become in the later years of life, and to start laying a foundation of faith to help you adjust to the changes that will happen. It also doesn’t hurt to gain some insight into what some of the other people in our congregation may be going through in their own lives right now.
If you would like to read a little something before Sunday to whet your appetite, here is a recent article written by Alice Fryling: https://depree.org/de-pree-journal/the-ongoing-journey-of-getting-older/
And if you’d like to read the book that is the basis for the sermon series, I recommend buying it here: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/aging-faithfully-the-holy-invitation-of-growing-older/9781641583596.html?searchType=products&searchTerm=Alice frying aging
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
Central United Church welcomes you to join our Worship Service Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. In worship we proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour; God’s word is read and preached, sacraments celebrated, faith sung and prayers offered.
Sunday services are also livestreamed (and recorded) through the Church website or you can join here. A copy of the bulletin for this Sunday’s Service is attached here.
This Sunday’s Scripture readings are Psalm 92:12-14, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Luke 5:36-38. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING
You are welcome to join the Thursday prayer meeting tonight at 7:00 PM for a time of prayer and fellowship. The meeting is held using Zoom technology.
Here are the details for those who wish to participate:
Access to Join from your PC, Tablet or Smartphone:
Copy this address into your web browser https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81293996881 or click here.
Quick access by phone:
1. Call: 647 374-4685
2. When prompted press: 812 9399 6881 #
3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
GRIEF SHARE
January 14 – April 8
If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, you don’t have to walk through grief alone. GriefShare is a safe, caring support group where you can find understanding, comfort, and hope.
Starting on Wednesday, January 14 at 2 p.m. for 13 weeks in the Friendship Room, each week features helpful video lessons, group discussions, and personal reflection to help you navigate the journey of grief and healing. You’ll gain practical tools, hear from experts, and connect with others who truly understand what you’re going through.
Whether your loss is recent or years past, you are welcome to join us at any point during the series. Materials will be provided. Register here.
UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
January 15 – February 12
Join us for a 5-week online course on Thursday at 7 p.m. via Zoom designed to deepen your knowledge of Scripture and strengthen your faith. Together, we’ll explore the structure, history, themes and message of the Bible, looking at the cultural, social and historical context to make reading scripture easier to read and understand with greater clarity and confidence.
Whether you are new to the Bible or looking to grow in your understanding, this course provides a welcoming space to ask questions, learn, and discover how God’s Word speaks to our lives today. Register here.
FRIDAY DATE NIGHT
January 16 – February 27
Invest in your relationship from the comfort of your home!
Join us for Friday Date Night, a 7-session online series designed to help couples build a stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling marriage. Based on The Marriage Course by Alpha, each evening includes practical teaching, guided conversations, and private discussions between you and your partner—no group sharing required.
Whether you’ve been married for six months or thirty years, this course provides a dedicated time and space to reconnect, communicate more effectively, and deepen your commitment to one another. Register here.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Wednesday, Jan. 28th at 11:00 am
Come and join us for a chat in the Friendship Room on Wed. Jan. 28th at 11:00 am. Our purpose is to provide a place to connect with others and an opportunity for friendship and fellowship.
If you’d like more information or have any questions, please feel free to contact John Frotten at jfrotten@rogers.com.
VALENTINES DINNER
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 at 6:30PM
Back by popular demand! We will go to Milestones on Enterprise Blvd. and order off the menu (no special menu). This is a great opportunity to bring your significant other, a family member, friend, or neighbour to enjoy a time of friendship with people from our church. As always, there will be roses for the ladies.
We will need to advise Milestones of our numbers quite soon, so please email your best intention to attend to dennisseeley@hotmail.com.
BAPTISM AND RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Sunday, Feb. 15th
On Feb. 15th we have scheduled a service of Baptism and Reception of New Members. There are four ways that adults can become full members of the church:
1. Baptism (if they were never baptized)
2. Affirmation of Baptismal vows (if they were baptized as infants but never confirmed)
3. Re-affirmation of Faith (if they were confirmed, but it has been many years since they were active members of a church)
4. Transfer (if they are currently members of a church but wish to transfer their membership to the church they are attending)
We also baptize infants and children who are presented for baptism by their parents (or, in some circumstances, by their grandparents), and those children are received as child members of the body of Christ until they choose to be confirmed, at which time they also become full members of our congregation.
If you have interest in or questions about membership or baptism, please email me at ldiaz@centralunitedchurch.com to set up a time for us to meet.
TRIP TO TURKEY and GREECE
October 16 – 31, 2026
There is still time to register for our journey to the Lands of the Apostle Paul!
Many of you have expressed interest in joining us on the trip to Turkey and Greece. Join Chris and I and others from our church from October 16-31, 2026 as we bring the Bible to life by visiting the lands where Paul and other apostles worked, and where the first Christian churches were formed! We’ll see Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) where Christianity first became a legal religion. We’ll see many of the places where Paul formed the churches that he later wrote to, and these letters now make up a big part of our New Testament. There will also be a 4-day cruise to some of the Greek Islands, including Patmos where the Apostle John received and wrote down the Revelation detailed in the last book of the Bible.
We’re at the point now where we need to firm up how many people are committed to going so that we have a sense of the rooms, flights and other details that we’ll need to hold. To register, all you need is to send the registration form with a $750 deposit to Brian Watt at Christian Journeys. The balance will be due in July.
You can access the brochure and registration form for all the details on the church website: https://centralunitedchurch.com/events/turkey-greece-journey-2026/
THE UPPER ROOM
Small copies of the Upper Room January/February 2026 edition are now available for pick up at the church. Alternatively, you can use the link below to get your copy online. https://upperroombooks.com/home-2/?cn-reloaded=1
SUNDAY SCHOOL HELPERS
We need helpers in the Sunday School classroom. No teaching, singing, or crafting experience is required!!
We currently have 4 assistants rotating through the schedule, and we need to double this number in 2026. Please consider this way to serve. We would love to have you join our team!
Questions? Please speak to Pam Scarrow, or click here:
pam@thescarrows.com.
BOOK CLUB
Book Club will resume in January 2026 and we hope to welcome new members!
Upcoming: Wednesday, January 28th – Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
Kindly message Helen at gratsos2002@yahoo.ca for details!
PASTORAL CARE
Should you become aware of any illness, bereavement, hospitalization, etc., among people of our church, please notify the church office as soon as possible.
If you would like a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Diaz at the church office 905-474-0183 or by email ldiaz@centralunitedchurch.com.
STAY CONNECTED…..
We want to help you stay connected so if you happen to be wondering “who’s doing what” in terms of duties, the list for this week is below….
January 18th 2026
SCRIPTURE READER: Trevlyn Ganes
MUSIC: George Arnold
POWER POINT: Alan Heighway
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird and Eilis Wu
COFFEE HOUR: UCW
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