A few reminders for this week Feb. 14 – Feb. 20, 2022

FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Jesus taught us, “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36) According to Jesus, when you do these things he commands you reflect the mercy of the Father into the world. Consider that much-loved sentence from Psalm 37, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Compare it to Jesus’ sayings, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,” and “your reward will be great.” Put the Psalmist’s and Jesus’ sayings side by side. Write Jesus’ saying, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” beside the Psalmist’s “Take delight in the Lord.” Similarly write, “your reward will be great” beside “and he will give you the desires of your heart.” The parallels are striking.  I believe that these sayings are two angles of vision on the same reality. If we ‘take delight in the Lord’ the implication is that we would also take delight in his mercy.
IN-PERSON WORSHIP
We continue with the Modified Step 2 of the “RoadMap to Reopen”. The lifting of remaining capacity limits on religious services, rites or ceremonies is to be effective on March 14, 2022. To view the guidelines at Central United, please click here.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Sunday, February 20th at 1:00 pm
Our Annual General Meeting will be held this Sunday, February 20th at 1:00 pm using the church’s Google Meet tool which is similar to the Zoom technology used last year.
Here are the details for those who wish to participate:
Connect using your computer with this link:
Or connect by calling into the phone number noted below and entering the code ‪when prompted.
Call: 647-737-7368
Code: 914 038 996#
If you are not able to join through your computer or tablet or the phone number and want to attend the meeting please notify Sharlene at admin@centralunitedchurch.com and we will try to identify an alternative for you.
You can find a copy of this year’s Annual Report by clicking here.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION
At the February 20th Annual General Meeting, Lindsay Duffield, current Council Vice-Chair will be presenting a motion for a revised Constitution for Congregational approval.
 
The proposed changes are:
Material Changes: 
  1. Replacement of “Presbytery” with “Shining Waters Regional Council”
  2. Replacement of “Pastoral Charge” with “Community of Faith”.
  3. Increase of “major expenditure” limit from $1000 to $5000.
  4. Addition of “Small Group Ministry” with updated Terms of Reference.
  5. Inclusion of the Articles of Faith as an Appendix.
Minor non-material revisions:
  1. Language and grammar clean up, sequencing and better formatting of the document.
 
For the full version of the draft showing the revised changes please link here.
SMALL GROUPS LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
Easter by J.D. Greear
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
March 9th to April 6th
The 5 weekly sessions will be offered virtually, using Zoom technology. We hope that you can join us in study and fellowship! Registration is required and can be done by clicking here or by contacting Martha Stirling by email at marthastirling@hotmail.com or by phone at 905-471-2604.
We look forward to “seeing” you!
 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
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
  1. Copy this address into your web browser https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8925458525 or click here
  2. 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:
  1. Call: 647 374-4685
  2. When prompted press: 892 545 8525 #
  3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP, February 20th
Sunday’s service will be available to watch via livestreaming 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 Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, and Luke 6:27-38. 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.
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.
If you would like to book a pastoral 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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SCRIPTURE READINGS
If you are interested in reading ahead a little, below are the readings for next week.

February 27th 2022
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)