A few reminders for this week May 4 – May 10, 2020

FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
May 12, 2020 is the bicentennial of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founding mother of modern nursing. Accordingly, the World Health Organization has declared 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. As 2020 has unfolded, the importance of our front-line health care professionals has been highlighted. Nightingale’s contributions to modern nursing and healthcare range from the philosophical to the strictly practical. Among the health practices Nightingale introduced was handwashing and strict cleanliness. What is not so well known is that on February 7, 1837, when she was scarcely 17 years old, she felt that God spoke to her, calling her to future “service”. Are we not grateful that Nightingale said ‘yes’ to God’s call? 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
WEEKLY PRAYER SERVICE
May 7th, 2020 at 7:00 pm
A reminder that you are invited to join in the Thursday Prayer Meeting at 7:00 PM. 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://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, May 10th
The Sunday 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 Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 and Matthew 28:16-20. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
In these challenging times, the importance of maintaining spiritual well-being within our Central United community and through regular worship is magnified.
 
While we can’t gather physically, Central United is unique among many churches in the area with the ability to live stream Sunday services and our “virtual congregation” continues to grow!
 
Please join us each week. And spread this good word. Share our streaming information with family and friends, and via your extended social network – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.  
 
Hopefully, more and more people will hear about our live-stream services and join in each week.
Following the guidelines of the Ontario Government, there are no onsite services until further notice.
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
The Upper Room hard copies are now available. If you would like to receive a copy please let Linda Patterson know via email: lme29patt@gmail and she will attempt to have it delivered to your home. Please include your address and choice of regular or large print. Limited quantities are available. Alternatively, use the link below to get your copy online. https://upperroombooks.com/home-2/?cn-reloaded=1
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
We wish to express our sympathies to Brian & Anne Wong. Anne’s father, Mr. WaiHong Wong, passed away peacefully on May 2nd at his home in Malaysia. We take comfort that Mr. Wong’s faith is now sight in that place our Lord has prepared for him.  Please remember the Wong 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.
During this time of limitations to 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@centralunitedchurh.com.

SCRIPTURE READINGS
If you are interested in reading ahead a little, below are the readings for next week…..
May 17th, 2020
Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
Romans 5:1-8
Matthew 9:35-10:8