FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Next week Canadians pause on Remembrance Day to remember those who have served our country during times of war, military conflict and peace; whose service helped ensure that we live in freedom and peace. Biblically speaking, to remember is to bring a past event into the present so that what happened back then continues to happen now. In the Lord’s supper, for example, we remember his sacrifice so that we live in that reality now—the reality of his victory over sin. If we think of Remembrance Day in this way, then we honour those who have gone before us by ensuring and treasuring our freedoms today. It is my conviction that the true ground for freedom is as a people and its government acknowledge they serve One greater than us all. You serve your country and your neighbours best when you serve God first.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
ANNUAL CHURCH YARD CLEAN-UP
Our annual church yard clean-up will be taking place this Saturday, November 7th at 9:00 am at the church. So grab your rakes and head on over to the church…..any help would be greatly appreciated!
SAMARITAN’S PURSE – Christmas Shoebox
Our 6 week campaign of filling shoeboxes as Christmas gifts is ending this Sunday which is the deadline for handing in the completed boxes. We take all the boxes to a collection depot where they will be processed and shipped out to arrive on time for Christmas.
On behalf of all the children, a grateful thank you goes out to all the generous participants. God Bless you!!!
2021 COUNCIL NOMINATIONS AND
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Early November is the time of year when we review and refresh the members of the CUC Church Council for the next year. This also serves as a good opportunity for us each to evaluate our engagement in the work of the church. The work of the church is work in service of each other and is an act of worship to and in service of the Lord. Many of our congregants, many of you, give of yourselves in this work in various ways. And in that work you are a blessing and you are blessed through it.
I would ask that you each prayerfully evaluate and consider your role supporting the work of the church over the coming two weeks. As you give this your consideration, as you feel the ability and initiative to serve in the coming year please reach out to me with your offer of service.
There are many opportunities to serve, and here is a list of the common ones for your consideration.
Through the Church Council Committees:
- Vice chair of Church Council
- Committee chair or committee member
- Administration & Property
- Christian Education (currently vacant), including Children’s ministries
- Outreach
- Worship
- Ministry & Personnel
- Trustees
- Representative to UCC Shining waters Regional Council (formerly “Presbytery”)
Roles outside of Church Council with current needs:
- Prayer ministry
- Visitation ministry
- Small groups studies
- United Church Women
- Video & sound board operator for the Sunday service
- Sunday worship leader
- Children’s teaching ministries (once we resume)
Please reach out to Doug Stirling, CUC Council Vice Chair, by November 19th to review the area where you would like to become newly engaged. (dkstirling@gmail.com, 905 471-2604)
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
November 5th, 2020 at 7:00 pm
A reminder that you are invited to join in the Thursday Prayer Meeting followed by a Time of Fellowship 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 UNITED IN-PERSON WORSHIP
November 8th, 2020
Central United Church has resumed it’s in person Worship Services. In this first phase of reopening we are 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.
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP, November 8th
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 Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:1-13. 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.
SMALL GROUP STUDY
Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 at 7:30 – 8:45 pm
Week 4 of your small group study on Psalm 119 by Matt Chandler will be taking place next Wednesday, November 11th using Zoom technology (joining details below). We ask that in preparation for next week’s session, you watch the required video for Session 6 in advance. To access this video, go to the RightNow Media website. On the website under ‘Libraries’ select ‘Central United Church’ where you will find the Psalm 119 study. Open the study and click on ‘Session 6. Psalm 119:97-120’. The video will take approximately 19 minutes to view. You can find the Participants’ Handout here. If you have yet to enroll in the RightNow Media service, just send Sharlene an email at admin@centralunitedchurch.com with RightNow Media in the subject line and she will set you up.
Pre-registration to participate is not required. Please join 10 minutes before the 7:30 PM start time.
Here are the joining details for those that participate:
Access to Join Zoom Meeting from your PC, Tablet or Smartphone
- Copy this address into your web browser https://zoom.us/j/98084579906 or click here.
- If you are joining with the Zoom App the Meeting ID is: 980 8457 9906 (Note that you can also download the Zoom Application and use the Meeting ID to join)
Quick access by phone:
- Call: 647 558 0588
- When prompted press: 980 8457 9906 #
- Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
Or One tap from a mobile phone:
+16475580588,,98084579906#
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 small print Upper Room edition are available for November/December 2020. 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 them to you. Please be sure to include your address. Unfortunately at the present time, large print copies are not available. Alternatively, use the link below to get your copy online. https://upperroombooks.com/home-2/?cn-reloaded=1
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.
