FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful,” writes the Apostle Paul. Paul has in mind the love of God revealed in Jesus as he describes what love is and is not. Consider the impact in our world if we practised this love. Think about the impact on human life if we could curb irritability and resentfulness in home life. Consider what the positive impact on commerce might be if we could curb envy and arrogance in our work places. Imagine the possibilities for political discourse if we could turn down the heat of resentfulness a notch or two. Love, for Paul, is defined by the self-forgetful, self-giving of Jesus Christ at the cross. It is not much wonder that he writes, ‘… and the greatest of these is love.’
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
- 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 30th
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 Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, and Luke 4:21-30. 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.
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.
THE UPPER ROOM
Copies of the Upper Room January/February 2022 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. Currently only the large print copy is available. Alternatively, use the link below to get your copy online at Upper Room Books.
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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