|
FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ (Mark 1:14-15) Henri Nouwen wrote, “Jesus wants us to receive the love he offers. He wants nothing more than that we allow him to love us and enjoy that love. This is so hard since we always feel that we have to deserve the love offered to us. But Jesus wants to offer that love to us not because we have earned it, but because he has decided to love us independently of any effort on our side. Our own love for each other should flow from that “first love” that is given to us undeserved.”
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 Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25 and Mark 8:31-38. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
2023 DONATION RECEIPTS
Your 2023 donation receipts are ready and available to be picked up in the narthex. If not picked up by February 26th, they will be mailed out to you.
REFUGEE OUTREACH
Many thanks for your incredible generosity of winter coats & clothing donations to the People’s Church Houses for refugees. You are wonderful. Everything given was in beautiful condition, clean & ready to wear. Marien & I dropped off the cot, another kind church donation, that is for a mother expecting her 6th child now staying at one of the houses. One of the residents asked me if we could provide any suitcases. So if you have any suitcases cluttering up your place make sure to give me a call. Eilis Wu (416) 889-6742.
A couple of you asked if they take furniture. And indeed they do, but only what they need for housing people as they move through the system. If you would like to donate furniture to the residents at the People’s House, please send them the pictures and dimensions to
tph-donations@thepeopleschurch.ca and they will follow up with you.
LENTEN OUTREACH PROJECT 2024
The Outreach Committee have chosen “The Yonge Street Mission” as the 2024 Lenten Project. As a local, Christian development agency, they believe that each and every one of the 500,000 people experiencing poverty in Toronto has immense value. All of their resources and energy at the Yonge Street Mission (YSM) are focused on working to respond to immediate needs and help people move from surviving to thriving.
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 Central United Church. Coin is also accepted – just drop it down the “pipe” set up in the narthex.
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
“I Believe” – A study of the Apostles’ Creed
Our Lenten Bible Study will be held on 5 consecutive Tuesdays beginning on February 20, 2024 through to March 19, 2024. The in person session will begin with a light meal at 6:00 P.M., then the study shortly after 7:15 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. If you have already signed up to join the Lenten dinner but know in advance that you cannot attend certain dates, please take a moment to fill out this form. This will be very helpful to the food team in terms of planning.
If you cannot join us in person, you are invited to join us online. The plenary session led by Rev. Dr. James Clubine at 7:15 P.M. will be live streamed via Central United Church’s Youtube channel and the recording will be provided right after the session on the same channel. After watching the session, you are welcome to join the online group discussion at 7:40 P.M. Please click Teams link here to join. You may download a copy of the discussion questions here as well.
CENTRAL’S BOOK CLUB
Central’s Book Club will meet next Wednesday, Feb. 28th at 10:00 am via Zoom to review “Black Like Me” by John Howard Griffin. For further details contact Carole Beam at #647-226-8498 or by email at carolebeam@gmail.com.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Wednesday, Feb. 28th at 11:00 am
Come and join us for a chat in the Friendship Room on Wed. Feb. 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.
FIRST AID and CPR/AED COURSE
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 9:30 am
Central United Church will be holding a Red Cross Emergency First Aid and CPR/AED course at 9:30 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 2nd in the Main Hall. The cost of the course is $95.00 and lunch is included. For more information please contact Sharon Gayman Laird at 647-222-0915.
ALPHA 2024
“Wonder about faith?”
Join a series of group conversations that freely explore the Christian faith in an open, friendly environment. At each Alpha session, you watch an episode on a different question of faith – then have a chance to share your thoughts and hear what others think. You can say anything you like, or nothing at all. Everyone’s welcome. You’re invited, no matter your background or beliefs. Our Alpha program will be held every Wednesday at 7PM from April 3rd to June 5th with light refreshment being served each week. Please click here to sign up.
LIVESTREAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Are you interested in helping out with our weekly livestream. If so, please contact Alan Heighway at webmaster@centralunitedchurch.com. Training will be provided.
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING &
TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
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/8925458525 or click here
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
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. Clubine at the church office 905.474.0183 or mobile office 416.358.4924 or by email jclubine@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….
February 25th 2024
LAY WORSHIP LEADER: Felicity Monaco
MUSIC: Sarah Wyse
POWER POINT: Alan Heighway
GREETER: Joan Hubbert
WORSHIP HOST: Cynthia Yee
COFFEE HOUR: Worship
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird
.
|
