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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
On Sunday the service will include the sacrament of baptism for infants. We might think of this like a cheque promising riches which is made out to the child. At this moment the parents are holding the cheque in trust. When the child matures the riches will be his/hers, as long as the person to whom the cheque is made out endorses it. They endorse it by entering upon the way of faith and obedience themselves. And continuing with this analogy, since Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, at the cross a cheque was made out promising eternal riches in Him for everyone. We are each invited by God to endorse our cheque.
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 Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and John 2:13-22. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
I am pleased to announce that on February 19th Council selected the Pastoral Search Committee to discern God’s plan and to identify the next Senior Pastor. Here are the members:
Carole Beam, Ruth Duffield, Dr. Bryan Fong, Ross Jull, Lynn Randall, Dennis Seeley, Doug Stirling, and Ron Wyse. Doug Stirling will serve as chair, and Lynn Randall as recording secretary.
The Search Committee will soon be meeting with the already appointed clergy liaison, Rev. Sadekie Lyttle-Forbes from the United Church’s Shining Waters Regional Council and then will formally begin their work.
I am very thankful to them for taking on this awesome responsibility and I know that their combined talents, skills, experiences and wisdom will lead to a successful conclusion.
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.
BLESSING BLANKETS
This Sunday we will be presenting a Blessing Blanket to each of the children being Baptized at Central United Church during Sunday’s service. This will be a lasting reminder of this sacred milestone. The blankets have been lovingly handmade by members of the congregation and blessed during a Worship Service.
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.
SUMMER DAY CAMP AND
YOUTH VOLUNTEERING
Join us for an unforgettable summer experience! Central United Church will be hosting a 1-week Summer Day Camp ‘The Blessed Way 2024’ from July 8th to July 12th for children currently in SK to Grade 5 (or Grade 1-6 in September 2024). For more details and online registration, please click here. Due to limited enrollment, we encourage you to register now.
Junior and senior high school students are welcome to volunteer. If any youths are interested, please apply here.
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….
March 3rd 2024
LAY WORSHIP LEADER: Joan Hubbert
MUSIC: George Arnold
POWER POINT: Henry Wong
GREETER: Cynthia Yee
WORSHIP HOST: Cynthia Yee
COFFEE HOUR: Small Group 1 (Bob Davies)
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird
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