FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
What word will guide you through this new year? Is it ‘vaccinations’ or ‘declining infection rates’? The Psalmist’s prayer can help us, “O Lord, …In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them existed.” (Psalm 139:9) The days that seem uncertain to us are not so with God. According to the gospel, there is a history that is unfolding for us that is not found in the pages of newspapers or in the snippets of social media. It is the reality of God’s redeeming work. It is amazing that simply reading of the certainty of God in a Psalm, fosters a peace in a believer’s heart even in the face of much uncertainty. The scriptures are full of these words. I recently read a timely heading: “New year, same God”. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” May his word guide your steps throughout the year.
CENTRAL UNITED IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUSPENDED
Effective December 14, 2020, York Region has moved to lockdown due to Covid-19. Central United Church will continue with it’s livestreaming of Sunday Services but in-person worship will temporarily be on hold until the end of lockdown which has now been extended until February 10th. However, there is a possibility that this date may be extended so 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 CALENDARS
CONFIRMATION CLASS
Confirmation, in churches that practice infant baptism, is to make a personal commitment to faith in Jesus Christ; it is to confess that the faith your parents raised you to believe is indeed yours. The confirmation class is an opportunity to explore what it means to be a Christian and consider making this commitment. Rev. Dr. James Clubine will be offering this class using Zoom technology beginning the last week of January. Anyone interested in joining please contact the church office or email jclubine@centralunitedchurch.com
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
January 14th, 2021 at 7:00 pm
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
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP, January 17th
This 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 1 Samuel 3:1-20, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and John 1:43-51. 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.
BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, January 27th at 10:00 am
CENTRAL’s BOOK CLUB will meet on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27th at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom to review “The Last Train to London” by Meg Waite Clayton. For further details contact Carole Beam at #647-226-8498 or by email at carolebeam@gmail.com.
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.
2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES
2021 Offering Envelopes are now available and can be picked up at the church. If you are unable to come in and pick them up please let Sharlene know in the church office and she will make arrangements to have them hand delivered to you. These new envelopes are to be used as of January 1st. (At that time, it is imperative that you discard any unused envelopes from previous years so that your givings are credited correctly.) Please note that this year your envelope number may have changed. If we have missed your name and you would like a set of envelopes, please speak to Sharlene and she will be pleased to look after that for you.
THE UPPER ROOM
Copies of both the small and large print Upper Room editions are now available for January/February 2021. 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 or make arrangements for you to pick one up at the church. Alternatively, use the link below to get your copy online. https://upperroombooks.com/home-2/?cn-reloaded=1
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.
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.
