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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Have you ever been so sure about something that you almost would have bet your life on it? Maybe a promotion you were expecting? Or some other kind of good news?
Chris won’t like me telling you this story, but years ago when I was taking a course in Italy, Chris came to visit me in Florence for a weekend (from London, England). Chris is a romantic guy, and what setting would be more romantic than Florence to propose, right? I was so sure it was going to happen that weekend. When it didn’t, I went out – darn it! – and bought a ring for myself! Eventually, of course, the proposal came, and everything worked out perfectly.
Disappointments hit hard when we’ve been so sure things were going to go the way we want. But with Jesus, the things we think are disappointments often pave the way for God’s even better plans. Where the disciples were expecting a certain kind of Messiah, God had something even better in mind!
SUNDAY MORNING 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 Luke 24:13-35 and Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
JOIN US FOR OUR STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
KICK-OFF SUNDAY!
Date: This Sunday, April 19, 2026, during the worship service
Theme: Giving from the Heart
We are excited to invite you to the official launch of our Stewardship Campaign “Giving from the Heart.” This stewardship campaign is one of our strategic initiatives for 2026 and provides us with the opportunity to make a meaningful shift in how we approach our shared ministry, moving away from our traditional approach of a “meet the budget gap” mindset toward a stewardship model of Spiritual Gifting driven by our faith in God. Rev. Lori set the stage for our campaign with the delivery of a 5 week sermon series about Spiritual Generosity, completed before Easter.
What to Expect on Kick-off Sunday:
- Meet the Committee: A Steering Committee of church members will lead the initiative and will be introduced to the Congregation.
- Progress update on our strategy: Learn about the tremendous progress we have made on our Mission to “Grow in Christ and help others grow with us”.
- What to expect: Hear more about this amazing opportunity for ALL OF US to connect with God through discussion and prayer and to grow in our Faith through the giving of our Time, Talents and Treasures.
Why This Matters:
This is not a traditional stewardship campaign —it’s the beginning of a long-term cultural shift to encourage and generate spiritual growth in our Congregation as we grow closer to God and give back to him what he already owns……
Please join us for our worship service on Kick-off Sunday!
“All things belong to God… we give not just because there is a need, but because it transforms our faith.”
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL UPDATE
Our first quarter of the 2026 financial year has passed and so your Finance Team thought it was prudent to circulate a brief financial update. Click here to access the update.
PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working”
James 5:16b
The Central United Church Prayer Chain is made up of Congregation members who are dedicated prayer warriors. They have signed a confidentiality statement to ensure that only Rev. Lori and the team knows the sensitive and intimate details of the prayer requests. Prayer requests may be submitted (with permission from the family or individual) to Rev. Lori, to the church office or to me (carolebeam@gmail.com). A note can be left on the offering plate as well. We take these requests very seriously and check the progress regularly. Please feel free to bring us any and all prayer requests.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Wednesday, April 22nd at 10:00 am
Come and join us for a chat in the Friendship Room on Wed. Apr. 22nd at 10:00 am. Our purpose is to provide a place to connect with others and an opportunity for friendship and fellowship.
If you’d like more information or have any questions, please feel free to contact John Frotten at jfrotten@rogers.com.
BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, April 22nd from 10:00 – 11:30 am
Join us on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 10-11:30am, to discuss books in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Upcoming: Wednesday, April 22nd - Real Ones by Katherena Vermette!
Kindly message Helen at gratsos2002@yahoo.ca for details!
WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE PRAYER BREAKFAST
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Central United Church has a table at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. at Station Creek Golf Course, located at 12657 Woodbine Avenue.
Guest Speaker this year is Christ Tomkins, CEO of Muskoka Woods, with music offered by the Toronto District Christian High School Choir.
This year’s Prayer Breakfast will also feature a special tribute to Dennis Seeley, long-time Chairman of the WSPB.
Tickets are $30. To reserve one email Rev. Lori at ldiaz@centralunitedchurch.com
5K Run/Walk for Lynn
Saturday, July 18th 8:00am
Join us for our very first 5K run/walk on Saturday, July 18, in support of groundbreaking research at Sunnybrook’s Brain Sciences Centre aimed at helping eliminate ALS. The event is held in honour of Lynne Pulenzas, a longtime member of our church.
This special event brings the community together to raise awareness, fund critical research, and move us closer to finding a cure for ALS.
Learn more: https://centralunitedchurch.com/…/5k-run-walk-for…/
Register to run/walk, volunteer, or donate:
https://raceroster.com/…/2026/118012/5k-runwalk-for-lynne
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
The Celebration of Life for Barbara Ann Davies will be held at Central United Church this Saturday, April 18, 2026. There will be a short church service at 12:30 pm followed by the celebration of life from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. To view the obituary for Barb, please click here.
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. Diaz at the church office 905-474-0183 or by email ldiaz@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….
April 19th 2026
SCRIPTURE READER: Felicity Monaco
MUSIC: Sarah Wyse
POWER POINT: Alan Heighway
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird & Kathy Hoy
COFFEE HOUR: Council
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