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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day; a day our culture has co-opted to promote over-consumption; nothing could be further from the spirit of the work of St. Patrick. In coming to Ireland with the gospel, St. Patrick returned to the very people who have treated him abysmally as a slave. He established communities of believers—outposts around Ireland that included a place of worship, education, and hospital care. The gospel came to the Irish as a faith that transforms lives—you can begin anew. In virtually a single generation most of Ireland was converted to Christianity. Our world’s treatment of St. Patrick is not much different that its treatment of the gospel. The wonderful news is that, though the God-given remedy for the emptiness we feel about our existence is treated with disdain, God pursues us still with his relentless love. Rev. Dr. Victor Shepherd has written an excellent synopsis of St. Patrick’s ministry that you can read here.
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 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Ephesians 5:8-14 and John 9:1-41. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
UCW BAKE SALE
Sunday, March 19 – Friendship Room
This Sunday, March 19th, following Sunday’s worship service, the UCW will be having a bake sale in the Friendship Room. This is a chance to pick up some Easter baking. The members of the UCW have volunteered to make cookies, squares, loaves etc. There will even be a very limited number of The FAMOUS FRUIT PIES. We thank the congregation in advance for their support.
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY 2023
Talking with God: A Lenten Study on Prayer
Our five week study continues this coming Tuesday at 7:00 pm.
If you are attending at the church, please join us at 6:30 pm for some social time.
If you are attending online, please sign in at 6:45 pm by going to the church website’s homepage and clicking on the big lavender button. Click here for the website homepage.
We look forward to joining together in study and fellowship!
LENTEN OUTREACH PROJECT 2023
The Outreach Committee have chosen “Ontario Christian Gleaners” as the 2023 Lenten Project. ’Ontario Christian Gleaners is an interdenominational Christian organization that seeks to visibly demonstrate God’s love by working with volunteers to collect, process and make available surplus agricultural produce for the relief of the hungry in overseas nations.’
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 the Central United Church. Coin is also accepted – just drop it down the “pipe” set up in the narthex.
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
CENTRAL’S BOOK CLUB
Central’s Book Club will meet next Wednesday, March 22nd at 10:00 am via Zoom to review “Letters Across the Sea” by Genevieve Graham. 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
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Ono on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Pat was a long standing member of Central United Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her beloved husband Mark, children and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all of her family and friends.
Service details have not yet been finalized but once we are notified of them we will provide them to you.
We are grateful for our Saviour’s promise to welcome Pat home with Him. Please remember Mark and the members of Mark and Pat’s families 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 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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