|
FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
We are now in the season of Lent, a time of meditation, prayer, and spiritual renewal. Though not required in our tradition, many people choose to make a symbolic sacrifice by giving up something for Lent: a favourite food or alcohol, or maybe something that eats away at our time such as social media or TV.
Giving something up for Lent isn’t about punishment or random self-denial, it’s about intentional growth. Let’s grow together as a community of faith this Lent. This Sunday, I’ll be starting a new sermon series based on the book, “Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” by Adam Hamilton.
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 Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 and Psalm 107:1-9, 43. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING
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://us02web.zoom.us/j/81293996881 or click here.
Quick access by phone:
1. Call: 647 374-4685
2. When prompted press: 812 9399 6881 #
3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
2026 LENTEN PROJECT
Canadian Bible Society
This year your Outreach Committee has chosen the Canadian Bible Society as its 2026 Lenten project. The Canadian Bible Society is committed to helping people hear God speak in Canada and across the world. It’s core mandates are translation, publication, distribution, and engagement, encouraging the use of God’s word for personal and community transformation.
To offer your financial support, financial donations will be accepted throughout the season of Lent up to and including Easter Sunday. If you wish to donate, you can either drop off your donation at the Church or mail to the church, simply mark your envelope “Canadian Bible Society”. Cheques should be made payable to Central United Church. Our traditional “coin drop” is also available in the narthex – just deposit your change through the pipe.
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
Tuesdays, Feb. 24 – Apr. 14 at 7:00pm
Due to popular demand, this Lent we will continue our study of The Chosen. In Season 2, Jesus and the disciples travel into new regions, including Syria and Judea, and the group continues to grow. Jesus performs miracles (e.g., healing at the Pool of Bethesda) and prepares for major teachings like the Sermon on the Mount. He also calls new followers such as Philip, Nathanael, and Simon the Zealot. As His fame spreads, so do challenges and tensions — both within the group and with religious authorities.
Season 2 deepens the emotional and spiritual journey, showing how ordinary people are transformed by an extraordinary calling. Whether you’ve watched Season 1 or not, you’ll gain fresh perspectives and personal insights about your relationship with God.
To register or for more information, please here.
CINEMATIC PIPES CONCERT
Saturday, March 14 at 7:00pm
Back by popular demand, organist Stephen Boda returns to perform the Cinematic Pipes Concert—an immersive experience of light and sound that brings iconic film scores to life on the organ.
Tickets are on sale every Sunday at the church for $25 per person through March 8, and $30 at the door or after March 8. Cash or e-transfer to finance@centraluntedchurch.com will be accepted—please specify it as “CP concert.” Tickets can also be purchased online using credit cards through Eventbrite here.
We are also seeking congregational members who may be interested in sponsoring the event. Sponsorships will help cover the cost of the organ concert, and all profits from ticket sales will be directed to a fund supporting future outreach initiatives.
For each $100 sponsorship, the sponsor will receive one ticket to the organ concert (valued at $25) and a charitable tax receipt for $75. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please let us know of your intention when ordering your tickets in the church lobby and indicate if you would prefer your name NOT be included on the list of concert patrons that will be printed in the program.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Wednesday, Feb. 25th at 10:00 am
Come and join us for a chat in the Friendship Room on Wed. Feb. 25th 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
Join us on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 10-11:30am, to discuss books in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Upcoming: Wednesday, February 25th - Proof by Beverly McLachlin!
Kindly message Helen at gratsos2002@yahoo.ca for details!
TRIP TO TURKEY and GREECE
October 16 – 31, 2026
There is still time to register for our journey to the Lands of the Apostle Paul!
Many of you have expressed interest in joining us on the trip to Turkey and Greece. Join Chris and I and others from our church from October 16-31, 2026 as we bring the Bible to life by visiting the lands where Paul and other apostles worked, and where the first Christian churches were formed! We’ll see Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) where Christianity first became a legal religion. We’ll see many of the places where Paul formed the churches that he later wrote to, and these letters now make up a big part of our New Testament. There will also be a 4-day cruise to some of the Greek Islands, including Patmos where the Apostle John received and wrote down the Revelation detailed in the last book of the Bible.
We’re at the point now where we need to firm up how many people are committed to going so that we have a sense of the rooms, flights and other details that we’ll need to hold. To register, all you need is to send the registration form with a $750 deposit to Brian Watt at Christian Journeys. The balance will be due in July.
You can access the brochure and registration form for all the details on the church website: https://centralunitedchurch.com/events/turkey-greece-journey-2026/
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….
February 22nd 2026
SCRIPTURE READER: Trevlyn Ganes
MUSIC: Sarah Wyse
POWER POINT: Henry Wong
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird and Vicky McQuirter
COFFEE HOUR: Christian Education
|
