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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 145:8) Think about someone who is important to you; someone who has influenced your life. If I asked you what characteristic of this person stands out to you at the top of the list of all the things you love about them, what characteristic would you name? When the Psalmist makes this declaration (above) about God he speaks from his personal encounter with God. This personal relationship is noted in the opening line of the Psalm; “I will extol you, my God and King.” And while the character of God has many marvels, as the Psalmist declares, prophets and psalmists agree that the characteristic that God abounds in is steadfast love.
SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
Central United Church welcomes you to join our Worship Service Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. In worship we proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour; God’s word is read and preached, sacraments celebrated, faith sung and prayers offered.
Sunday services are also livestreamed (and recorded) through the Church website or you can join here. A copy of the bulletin for this Sunday’s Service is attached here.
This Sunday’s Scripture readings are Jonah 3:10-4:11, Philippians 1:21-30 and Matthew 20:1-16. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER SEARCH
As discussed at the Special Congregational Meeting on Sept 10th, our recruitment efforts to find a Part time Sunday School teacher are underway.
Any help you can provide in getting the word out to potential candidates would be greatly appreciated. Utilizing referrals and word of mouth can be very effective tools in helping us find the right person for this important role.
If you know of anyone who might be interested, please provide them with this link to Indeed, a key online job posting resource, where they can view the posting and apply.
STRATEGIC PLAN
On behalf Council, let me first thank all those who supported, encouraged, and accepted the Strategic Plan and its recommendations last Sunday. You have chosen to take a new fork in the road. This means we need a new road map, (an implementation plan). Google maps or Wave will not help us.
As a first step, at Council on Monday night, we all agreed we need a coordinated implementation plan which will prioritize your ideas and initiatives in the strategic plan based on need, ease to implement, and investment costs, and that align with our vision, mission, and core values.
A nominating team was formed made up of Rev. Jim Clubine, Trevlyn Ganes and Mark Ono to search for a congregational champion as outlined in the strategic plan.
A second step that Council agreed to was to sit down with anyone to explore ideas you either brought up at the congregational meeting or have thought of since the Congregational meeting. More details on how this will be done will be coming out in the next week or so to schedule those chats.
In the meantime, if you know of anyone that you think would be a congregational champion to guide and coordinate all the initiatives recommended in the strategic plan, please send me an email at mpono@rogers.com.
SMALL GROUP STUDY
Whether you are well versed in Scripture or just starting on the journey, The Bible Course, Explore the BIG Story offers a superb overview of the world’s best selling book. The study will show how the key books, famous characters and epic events form one BIG Bible story, from Genesis to Revelation. The course also provides tools and skills that help apply the Bible to and make sense of everyday life. The 8 session interactive course starts the week of Oct 8th. Each session includes video content, discussion, personal reflection and daily readings. Explore the BIG story and discover its relevance for today. Sign up in the Narthex for in person and online groups.
BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP:
THE BOOK OF JOHN at CENTRAL
Central is pleased to continue offering the Bible Study Fellowship program for men. https://www.bsfinternational.org/
This year the study is on the Book of John titled John’s Gospel: The Truth. We will again be meeting on Monday evenings at 7 PM in person at Central, and with online meetings also available at that time.
This is open to all men in the community, not just those from Central. Please consider it and also invite others to look into it. The same program for Women and Youth is also available locally. Please contact Doug Stirling (dkstirling@gmail.com or 905 471-2604) if you would like more information or to sign up.
SAMARITAN’S PURSE – Christmas Shoebox
This year we are once again participating in the Samaritan’s Purse initiative as one of our Christmas Outreach events. You can participate by packaging a shoebox yourself or if you’d prefer Samaritan’s Purse to pack a box for you, you can do so with a $40.00 donation, just visit their website here.
The official start date is Sunday, Oct. 1st and runs for six weeks until Sunday, November 12th. Shoeboxes, brochures and shopping lists have now arrived are now available for pick up on Sundays after church service or during the week. The church office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
Let’s support this great initiative again this year to bring joy to a needy child. What a wonderful way to share Jesus’ love.
ANNUAL MARKHAM PRAYER BREAKFAST
The Annual Markham Prayer Breakfast will be taking place this year on Friday, November 24th from 7:00 am to 9:00 am at the Angus Glen Golf Club located at 10800 Kennedy Road in Unionville. The Guest Speaker this year will be the Right Honourable David Johnston, former Governor General of Canada with music by Vanessa Hernandez. Please contact Rev. Clubine if you’re interested in attending. Cost is $45.00 per ticket and includes a full hot buffet breakfast.
TREASURES OF ISRAEL & JORDAN
April 1 – 15, 2024
Rev. Clubine is very excited to be hosting this tour of the Holy Land — the cradle of Christianity. It is an unforgettable journey. The opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our faith ancestors adds another dimension to your understanding of scripture and will profoundly affect your spiritual life. Please join him on this special pilgrimage. For more information you can find a brochure here or contact Rev. Clubine at jclubine@centralunitedchurch.com or call #416-358-4924. To access an enrollment form click here.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
You are welcome to join the Thursday prayer meeting tonight at 7:00 PM for a time of prayer and fellowship. The meeting is held using Zoom technology.
Here are the details for those who wish to participate:
Access to Join from your PC, Tablet or Smartphone:
Copy this address into your web browser https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84594339846 or click here
Quick access by phone:
1. Call: 647 374-4685
2. When prompted press: 845 9433 9846 #
3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
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.
STAY CONNECTED…..
We want to help you stay connected so if you happen to be wondering “who’s doing what” in terms of duties, the list for this week is below….
September 24th, 2023
LAY WORSHIP LEADER: Susan Liu
MUSIC: Jim Ling
POWER POINT: Serag Gadelrab
GREETER: Lynn Turner
WORSHIP HOST: Trevlyn Ganes
COFFEE HOUR: UCW
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Eilis Wu
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