A few reminders for this week Jan. 16 to Jan. 22, 2023

FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK

Perhaps, like me, you use a GPS mapping app when planning to go somewhere. Modern technology has provided many tools to help people find their way to where they are going. What they don’t tell us is whether we ought to go to this location or some other location. How do you make the decision about where to head? What guides you through life in where you are going?   In Matthew’s gospel we are told that Jesus came to the shore of the sea of Galilee and said to some fishermen there, ‘follow me.’ Like us, these fishermen were humans caught up in the daily demands of life to earn a living.  I notice that Jesus came to them; God comes looking for each of us. I also notice that he addressed them personally; Jesus offers to guide each of us in the way that leads to life.

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. A copy of the bulletin for this Sunday’s Service is attached here.

This Sunday’s Scripture readings are Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 and Matthew 4:12-23. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.

FROM YOUR STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

On Sunday, January 28th, Dr. Ken Burton, our Strategic Planning consultant, will bring an 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. This will be a brief but important meeting.

2022 DONATION RECEIPTS

Your 2022 donation receipts are ready and available to be picked up in the narthex. If not picked up by January 30th, they will be mailed out to you.



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

  1. Copy this address into your web browser https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8925458525 or click here
  2. 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:

  1. Call: 647 374-4685
  2. When prompted press: 892 545 8525 #
  3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call

COLLECTION COUNTERS /

BANK DEPOSITORS NEEDED

We urgently need a number of new volunteers (4 would be ideal) to count the collection received each Sunday and make the bank deposits afterwards at the local CIBC bank on Highway 7. This is something that could be done right after church service. Based on the number of volunteers, we will build a schedule for the year, so it won’t take up too much time for any one individual. 

 

We will be posting a volunteer sign-up sheet in the Narthax. In the meantime, please let Sharlene in the Church Office know of your interest, or you can ask Gary Crosby or Lindsay Duffield with any questions. Thanks for your consideration in taking the opportunity to contribute to the church’s needs.”

VALENTINES NIGHT DINNER

Dennis and Gail Seeley have kindly offered to organize a Valentines Night Dinner at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, February 14th at Milestones located at 169 Enterprise Blvd. in Unionville. If you are interested in attending or would like additional information please contact Dennis Seeley at 905-642-3632 or dennisseeley@hotmail.com.

THE FACE OF POVERTY,

Recognition and Response Zoom Sessions

Markham Baptist Church has sent an invitation to our congregation for anyone interested to join in sessions to learn more about this topic. Session dates are Tuesday evenings on Zoom from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm on Feb. 28, March 14, March 28, April 11, April 25 and May 9, 2023. Topics would include the impact on health, nutrition, housing, mental health and what the bible says about poverty. A Zoom link will be emailed to those who have registered on the day of meeting by the Administrator at Markham Baptist. To register, please contact the Administrator at Markham Baptist Church either by phone at 905-294-5830 or email, admin@markhambaptist.org.

CENTRAL’S BOOK CLUB

CENTRAL’s BOOK CLUB will meet on WEDNESDAY, January 25th at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom to review “A Single Thread” by Tracey Chevalier. For further details contact Carole Beam at 647-226-8498 or by email at carolebeam@gmail.com.

THE UPPER ROOM



Copies of the Upper Room January/February 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.

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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SCRIPTURE READINGS

If you are interested in reading ahead a little, below are the readings for next week.

January 29th, 2023

Micah 6:1-8

Psalm 15

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Matthew 5:1-12