A few reminders for this week Jan. 17 – Jan. 23, 2021

FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
“You are the body of Christ,” writes Paul. The ‘you’ in this text is plural. You together are the body of Christ. This is not to downplay the significance of the individual; each believer is individually a member of this greater ‘you.’ The Apostle, using the human body as a metaphor for the church, had just said that the church consists of all the believers and each is important to the whole just as each body part is to the body. Recall that Jesus said that his disciples are marked by their love for one another. This implies that we are engaged together—that we know one another in fellowship so we can love one another. As much as virtual meeting is helpful in some circumstances, it is no replacement for being together ‘in the house.’ Faith is to be lived together with the Lord’s people. This is fundamental to the gospel. As we emerge from pandemic restrictions (hopefully soon) let us look forward to days of worshipping together again. The church began on the shore of the Sea of Galilee with Jesus calling some disciples to join him in his mission and every believer since joins that same company.
IN-PERSON WORSHIP
We have temporarily moved to a Modified Step 2 of the “RoadMap to Reopen”. In this phase we are limited to 50 per cent capacity. Physical distancing and masks are still required. This means no change for Central United as we are continuing to follow masking and social distancing protocols which put us well under the 50% capacity limit. To view the guidelines at Central United, please click here.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Sunday, February 20th at 1:00 pm
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 20th at 1:00 pm via Zoom (Details to follow). Please join us to help celebrate our accomplishments of the past year and plan ahead for 2022!
2021 DONATION RECEIPTS
Your 2021 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.
SOUTHERN BC OPPORTUNITY FOR DONATIONS
In the Fall, the Small Groups studied the book of James, including the message that “faith without works is dead” (James 2). Hearing of the needs of those in Southern British Columbia that were stricken with fires and floods in 2021, I was moved to respond. I invite you to respond, together with me, in a donation to one of www.samaritanspurse.ca (Look for Canadian Relief Projects on the Donate page), or the local Rotary Club at www.rotarymerritt.com. Dennis Seeley.
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
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP, January 23rd
Sunday’s service will be available to watch via livestreaming 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 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10,
1 Corinthians 12:12-31, and Luke 4:14-21. 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 26th at 10:00 am
CENTRAL’s BOOK CLUB will meet on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26th at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom to review “The Splendid and the Vile” by Eric Larson. 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.
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
The congregation wishes to extend sympathies to Lynn Turner and Trevlyn Ganes on the death of Lynn’s brother, Dr. George Robert Turner. Bob will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society. A copy of the obituary can be found here.
We are grateful that our sorrows are borne in the hope of our Saviour’s love. Please remember Lynn and Trevlyn and their 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 905.474.0183×228 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 30th 2022
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30