A few reminders for this week Mar. 22 – Mar. 28, 2021

CENTRAL UNITED CHURCH
FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Sunday, March 28 is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of what Christians call Holy Week—a week like no other. The Gospel According to Mark covers approximately a three year period of Jesus’ life. The pace of the first half of the book leaves a reader almost breathless—things happen with immediacy moving quickly from episode to episode. Suddenly things slow down to a comparative crawl as the last half of the book concentrates on one week in Jesus’ life—the week we call Holy Week. And then Mark brings his readers to a near-halt as he walks us through the details of a 24 hour period that begins with the last supper and ends with Jesus in the grave. Within this 24 hour period we come to the place when time seems to stand still: at the cross as Jesus is handed over to be crucified. Mark’s story-telling pace shows us how to read the story—everything was marching toward the place where he stops at the foot of the cross on that awful Friday. A day like no other in a week like no other. 
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 25th, 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
  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
 PALM SUNDAY, March 28th
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 Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 and Mark 11:1-11. 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”
There will be no bible study next week as we break for Holy Week. Studies will resume Wednesday evenings (April 7 – 21). 
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.
 
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.
During this time of limitations on in-person visits, Rev. Dr. James Clubine is available for a telephone or video conference pastoral ‘visit’ and prayer. If you would like to book a 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.

April 4th,2021
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2,14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18