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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
A Lenten Prayer by Henri Nouwen
The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death. I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life.
Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me. Amen.
SUNDAY WORSHIP
Central United Church welcomes you to our Worship Service Sunday morning at 10:00 am and we would love to have you join us. We rejoice that we can worship together and give thanks, offering prayer and lifting our voices in song.
Sunday services are livestreamed at 10:00 am 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. This Sunday we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion. A copy of the bulletin for this Sunday’s Service is attached here.
This Sunday’s Scripture readings are Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19 and Matthew 4:1-11. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
FROM YOUR STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
This Sunday, Dr. Ken Burton, our Strategic Planning consultant, will provide another update of where we are with the development of Central United Church’s Strategic Plan directly following our service. If you are able, please stay to hear his report.
2023 DONATIONS
Our Church Council is asking that your 2023 donations be increased by at least 5% over 2022. Why? In the last two years inflation has been over 11% and Central United has seen a commensurate rise in our operating expenses. Bottom-line, an additional $15,000 is needed to balance the 2023 budget as approved at the February 19th Annual Meeting.
Furthermore, another $16,000 is needed in the Capital Fund to pay for the desired update in sanctuary lighting in 2023.
Thank you in advance for your continued generosity and support in providing the resources, staffing, services, programs and facilities needed to meet our worship and spiritual needs.
PS: For our many PAR donors, simply email Sally Sandiford at sally_sandiford@hotmail.com (preferred) or by phone at #416-451-2970 of the desired increase and she will process it quickly and confidentially.
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY 2023
Talking with God: A Lenten Study on Prayer
Our five week study begins this coming Tuesday, February 28th at 7:00 pm
If you are attending at the church, please join us at 6:30 pm for some social time.
If you are attending online, please sign in at 6:45 pm by going to the church website’s homepage and clicking on the big lavender button. Click here for the website homepage.
We look forward to joining together in study and fellowship!
LENTEN OUTREACH PROJECT 2023
The Outreach Committee have chosen “Ontario Christian Gleaners” as the 2023 Lenten Project. ’Ontario Christian Gleaners is an interdenominational Christian organization that seeks to visibly demonstrate God’s love by working with volunteers to collect, process and make available surplus agricultural produce for the relief of the hungry in overseas nations.’
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. Coin is also accepted – just drop it down the “pipe” set up in the narthex.
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
- 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
THE UPPER ROOM
Copies of the Upper Room March/April 2023 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.
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Waller. John was a long standing member of Central United Church. He will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends. Service details are not yet available.
We are grateful for our Saviour’s promise to welcome John home with Him. Please remember John’s family in your prayers.
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 or mobile office 416.358.4924 or by email jclubine@centralunitedchurch.com.
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