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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “Let Go and Let God.” This week’s chapter in Alice Fryling’s book addresses the temptation to resist letting go of things as we age. The problem as I see it is that letting go of the things we cling to and want to control, and letting God lead the way into the unknown means that we have to trust that God will manage things to our satisfaction!
The late Fr. Henri Nouwen, in his book With Open Hands, wrote that we have a tendency to hold onto things with a clenched fist. Receiving what God wants to give us requires us to unclench our fists and let go of what we’re holding onto so tightly. Perhaps you’d like to pray this prayer that Nouwen included at the end of the book:
Dear God,
I do not know where you are leading me.
I do not even know what my next day,
my next week, or my next year will look like.
As I try to keep my hands open,
I trust that you will put your hand in mine
and bring me home.
Thank you, God, for your love.
Thank you.
Amen.
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 Isaiah 46:1-4, Acts 10:9-16 and Psalm 90:1-12. 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
A GOOD MOMENT TO REVIEW
YOUR 2026 GIVING LEVELS
As we settle into 2026, this is a natural time to revisit your regular financial support for Central United Church.
For those who give through PAR (Pre‑Authorized Remittance) or through recurring donations on Canada Helps, you may find it helpful to check whether your current contribution still reflects your intentions for the year ahead. For those that donate via Cash/Cheque, its easy for you to change your donation amounts!
If you would like information about your existing donations or wish to adjust your PAR amount, please contact sally_sandiford@hotmail.com. Canada Helps donors can update their recurring gift directly by logging into your Canada Helps account.
Thank you for your continued generosity and for all the ways you support the ministry of Central United Church.
UCW MEETING
Tuesday, Feb. 10th at 1:00 pm
Please join us for our next UCW meeting in the Friendship Room on Tuesday, Feb. 10th. A speaker from the Salvation Army will be joining us to give us an update on the work they do here in Markham. Everyone is welcome!
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Wednesday, Feb. 11th at 10:00 am
Come and join us for a chat in the Friendship Room on Wed. Feb. 11th 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.
VALENTINES DINNER
Saturday, Feb. 14th at 6:30 pm
Back by popular demand! We will go to Milestones on Enterprise Blvd. This is a great opportunity to bring your significant other, a family member, friend or neighbour to enjoy a time of friendship with people from our church. As always, there will be roses for the ladies.
We will need to advise Milestones of our numbers quite soon, so please email your best intention to attend to dennisseeley@hotmail.com.
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.
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/
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!
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 8th 2026
SCRIPTURE READER: Felicity Monaco
MUSIC: Sarah Wyse
POWER POINT: Thomas Black
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird and Martha Stirling
COFFEE HOUR: A & P
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