FROM THE MINISTER'S DESKThe gospel reading for the first Sunday in Lent (February 21) is of Jesus’ wilderness experience. The fact is wilderness abounds. All of us wish life were easier. Troubles afflict us at every turn. They are as abrasive as sandpaper and as relentless as a dripping tap. Mark’s story about Jesus’ wilderness experience makes very plain that Mark is encouraging his hearers in the wilderness of persecution to keep their eye on Jesus. To ever look to him to sustain and undergird. Historically speaking, the church season of Lent was a time of preparation of new converts who would learn the gospel truths of how Jesus gave up his life to rescue us from spiritual death in our trespasses and sins. They would learn of his glorious love never to forsake or abandon us in the wildernesses of life. For believers today Lent can be a time of spiritual refreshing. As we follow the itinerary of our Lord’s life given for us in our Sunday-by-Sunday readings, we have made the turn towards Jerusalem. We are heading there with him to witness afresh his passion to save us. Mark’s theme that focuses on the man Jesus is a wonderful focus for us as take up afresh in our Lenten journey.CENTRAL UNITED IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUSPENDEDUnder the current York Region lockdown due to Covid-19, Central United Church is continuing it’s livestreaming of Sunday Services, but in-person worship services are on hold until the end of lockdown. We will keep you posted as to when in-person services will resume.Thank you for your patience and understanding as we endeavor to work together to make our worship both safe and meaningful during this unusual time.MARK YOUR CALENDARSLENT BIBLE STUDY – “Discipleship Explored”February 24th at 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.Small groups will again be presenting a Lenten Series via Zoom technology. The title is Discipleship Explored by Barry Cooper based on the book of Philippians and can be found at RightNow Media. If you are already registered with RightNow Media, you can access the bible study directly by clicking here. The video we will be reviewing Feb. 24th is “1. Confident in Christ”. If you have not yet registered for RightNow Media you can register here. The study continues on Wednesday evenings for five weeks (Feb. 24 – March 24), takes a break for Holy Week, then resumes Wednesday evenings (April 7 – 21). 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 Smartphone1. Copy this address into your web browser2. 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: 647 374-46852. When prompted press: 943 5615 7111 #3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the callLENTEN OUTREACH PROJECT 2021This year’s Lenten Outreach Project is “Covenant House”. The Covenant House is a crisis shelter for youth in Toronto. 69% of each dollar donated goes directly to the cause. Financial donations will be accepted throughout the season of Lent up to and including Easter Sunday. If you wish to donate, you can either drop off your donations at the Church or mail them to the church. Cheques should be payable to the Central United Church.BOOK CLUBWednesday, February 24th at 10:00 amCENTRAL’s BOOK CLUB will meet on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24th at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom to review “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman. For further details contact Carole Beam at #647-226-8498 or by email at carolebeam@gmail.com.WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIPFebruary 18th, 2021 at 7:00 pmPlease 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, February 21stThis 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 Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22 and Mark 1:9-15. 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 DONATIONSDonations 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 CAREShould 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..
SCRIPTURE READINGSIf you are interested in reading ahead a little, below are the readings for next week.Feb. 28th 2021Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16Psalm 22:23-31Romans 4:13-25Mark 8:31-38