FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day—some of you may have worn something green. St. Patrick’s gospel-influence on the Irish was profound; it led, for example, to the Irish giving up the practice of human sacrifices. While the gospel was Patrick’s most important gift, learning-in-general was important too. The gospel was recorded in the written gospels; these had to be read; and therefore people had to be able to read. Once they learned to read they read everything available. But what was available, in view of the barbarian destruction of books throughout Europe? It so happened that a few books from antiquity had been hidden or otherwise preserved accidentally. The Irish knew how important these books were. They became painstaking copyists, copying out by hand book after book from antiquity, regardless of whether the book to be copied was Christian or classical. Through Patrick the Irish renounced illiteracy and became lovers of learning, regarding learning of any kind as a sacred obligation. It was Celtic missionaries from Ireland and Scotland who came back into Europe with the gospel and other lost classic literature that gave rise to what we call the Renaissance.
REGISTRATION TO ATTEND IN-PERSON
WORSHIP FOR HOLY WEEK SERVICES
Due to current guidelines limiting attendance at religious services, we are asking anyone wishing to join in-person worship services for Holy Week to register. Registration is now open. You can register through the church website or by calling the church office. Thank you for registering and helping Central maintain these health measures.
CENTRAL UNITED IN-PERSON WORSHIP
Central United Church has resumed it’s in person Worship Services. In this first phase of reopening we are once again able to welcome people in the church building limited to 30% or our seating capacity and subject to social distancing and health guidelines. To view the guidelines at Central United please click here.
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
LENTEN OUTREACH PROJECT 2021
This year’s Lenten Outreach Project is “Covenant House”. The Covenant House is a crisis shelter for youth in Toronto. You can read more on the work of “Covenant House” here. Financial donations will be accepted throughout the season of Lent up to and including Easter Sunday. Simply mark your offering envelopes “Covenant House”. Cheques should be payable to the Central United Church. Donations can either be dropped off or mailed to the church.
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
March 18th, 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, March 21st
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 Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10 and John 12:20-33. You can also find a daily scripture 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.
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY – “Discipleship Explored”
March 24th at 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.
Week 5 of our Bible Study “Discipleship Explored” by Barry Cooper will take place on Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00 pm via Zoom technology. For this week’s study, which is based on the book of Philippians, we will be reviewing video #5 “Righteous in Christ” which can be found at RightNow Media. If you are already registered with RightNow Media, you can access the bible study directly by clicking here. If you have not yet registered for RightNow Media you can register here. This will be the final session before we break for Holy Week. Studies will resume Wednesday evenings (April 7 – 21). For those that would like a copy of the participants guide please send an email request to Bob Davies at bdrodac@gmail.com and you will be sent an electronic copy.
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
2. If you are joining with the Zoom App the Meeting ID is: 943 5615 7111 (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: 943 5615 7111 #
3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
EASTER BASKETS
Thanks to the efforts of Maureen Dudley and our Decorating Committee, Easter Baskets will be delivered again this year to our shut-ins during Holy Week. Donations in support of this project are appreciated; just mark your offering envelope “Easter Baskets”. If you wish to make your donation in memory of a loved one – just e-mail the church office or give a note to Sharlene by April 1st with the wording you wish used for the Easter Sunday bulletin.
BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, March 24th at 10:00 am
CENTRAL’s BOOK CLUB will meet on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24th at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom to review “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. 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 March/April 2021 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.
