FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
The 20th century astronomer Carl Sagan said, “Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.” A little over three thousand years ago the Psalmist who penned the prayer we know as Psalm 8, was reflecting on this same vastness. Here is what the Psalmist prays. “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” The Psalmist agrees with Sagan that the earth is a speck in relationship to this vast universe yet draws a quite different conclusion as to the nature of our human existence. The Psalmist marvels at the wonder of God’s love for the human; God who is great enough to embrace the universe is close enough to enter our hearts.
REGISTRATION TO ATTEND IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES IN THE MONTH OF APRIL
Due to current guidelines limiting attendance at religious services, we are asking anyone wishing to join in-person worship services for the month of April to register. Registration is now open. You can register through the church website or by calling the church office. Registration is available until Friday at noon the week before the Sunday you are registering for. Thank you for registering and helping Central maintain these health measures. To view the guidelines at Central United please click here.
OUTREACH – LENTEN PROJECT
Thanks to your generosity $5,400 was raised for this year’s Lenten project with proceeds going to Covenant House.
PARKING LOT AND DRIVEWAY PROJECT
FUNDRAISING
As approved at the Annual General Meeting in February we will be replacing the parking lot and driveway this summer. The total cost is expected to be between $80,000 and $85,000. Special donations to the Parking Lot Project are welcomed and donations received directly for the project will help to preserve our other funds. We appreciate that over $1,500 has already been donated.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
April 8th, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Please come and join the Thursday prayer meeting tonight at 7:00 pm. After the prayer time we have some time for fellowship to allow us to catch up with each other a little. The meeting is held using the Zoom technology. Please join 10 minutes before the 7:00 PM start time.
Here are the details for those that wish to participate:
Access to Join Zoom Meeting from your PC, Tablet or Smartphone
- Copy this address into your web browser https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8925458525 or click here
- If you are joining with the Zoom App the Meeting ID is: 892 545 8525 (Note that you can also download the Zoom Application and use the Meeting ID to join)
Quick access by phone:
- Call: 647 374-4685
- When prompted press: 892 545 8525 #
- Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP, April 11th
This Sunday’s service will be available to watch via live streaming at 10:00 am and is recorded for later viewing, through the Church website. To watch live or view a recording later, go to the Church website, scroll down and click on Central United’s Live Stream Page or click here. A copy of the bulletin for this Sunday’s Service is attached here.
We suggest, for joining the live stream, that you tune in early. You are encouraged to have your bible handy and please note that the text of this Sunday’s Sermon will be available on our Church website prior to Service time. This Sunday’s Scripture readings are Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1-2:2 and John 20:19-31. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
Please join us each week and spread this good word. Share our streaming information with family and friends, and via your extended social network, hopefully, more and more people will hear about our live stream services and join in each week.
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY – “Discipleship Explored”
April 14th at 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.
Week 7 of our Bible Study “Discipleship Explored” by Barry Cooper will take place next Wednesday, April 14th at 7:00 pm via Zoom technology. For this week’s study, which is based on the book of Philippians, we will be reviewing video #7 “Rejoicing in Christ” which can be found at RightNow Media. If you are already registered with RightNow Media, you can access the bible study directly by clicking here. If you have not yet registered for RightNow Media you can register here. For those that would like a copy of the participants guide please send an email request to Bob Davies at bdrodac@gmail.com and you will be sent an electronic copy.
Here are the details for those that wish to participate:
Access to Join Zoom Meeting from your PC, Tablet or Smartphone
1. Copy this address into your web browser
2. If you are joining with the Zoom App the Meeting ID is: 943 5615 7111 (Note that you can also download the Zoom Application and use the Meeting ID to join)
Quick access by phone:
1. Call: 647 374-4685
2. When prompted press: 943 5615 7111 #
3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
THE UPPER ROOM
Copies of the Upper Room May/June 2021 edition are now available. If you would like to receive a copy please let Sharlene Wilson-Bennett (admin@centralunitedchurch.com) know via email and she will be happy to get a copy to you. Please specify if you would like the small or large print copy and be sure to include your address. Alternatively, use the link below to get your copy online. https://upperroombooks.com/home-2/?cn-reloaded=1
ONLINE DONATIONS
Donations for the work of Central United Church can be made online.
- You can donate to Central United by clicking here:
- You can continue to specify how you want your donation to be allocated by either selecting the appropriate category on the website or by typing in your choice in the MESSAGE box.
- Donation receipts will be issued directly by Canada Helps, so there is no need to include your envelope number.
- If you have any questions, email finance@centralunitedchurch.com.
In addition to the online donation option, your church offerings can also be mailed to the church.
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.
During this time of limitations on in-person visits, Rev. Dr. James Clubine is available for a telephone or video conference pastoral ‘visit’ and prayer. If you would like to book a visit, please contact Rev. Clubine at the church office 905.474.0183×228 or mobile office 416.358.4924 or by email jclubine@centralunitedchurch.com.
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