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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
I’ve had an earworm over these past few days. Lana del Rey sings, ‘Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful? Will you still love me when I’ve got nothing but my aching soul?’ Perhaps this is one of the biggest fears we have about aging, is that people will only love us while we have youth and vitality, and once that’s gone we may fear that we have lost our worth as people. Perhaps in the eyes of a superficial world there may be some truth to that, but where there is love – in the eyes of our families, our friends, and especially in the eyes of God – the wrinkles, aches, and scars of age only make us more and more precious, like Japanese Kintsugi pottery. In the eyes of God, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31).
This coming Sunday is the final week of the ‘Aging Faithfully’ sermon series, and I hope that it has given you some food for thought, no matter what age you are. If you would like to do more reading on the topic of aging and faith, some books I recommend are: “Souls in Full Sail,” by Emilie Griffin and “The Gift of Years,” by Joan Chittester. Someone in our congregation also recently recommended “The Second Mountain,” by David Brooks, and I am looking forward to reading that one myself!
See you Sunday.
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 1:68-79, Matthew 6:25-34 and Psalm 23. 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.
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.
VALENTINES DINNER
Saturday, Feb. 14th at 6:30 pm
We hope you will join us for valentines dinner this Saturday at 6:30 pm at 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.
If you plan to attend, please ensure you’ve confirmed your attendance with Dennis Seeley at dennisseeley@hotmail.com so that final numbers can be confirmed.
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, TipTap, 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.
All ticket prices include a wine and cheese reception following the concert. Refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will also be served.
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 15th 2026
SCRIPTURE READER: Trevlyn Ganes
MUSIC: Sarah Wyse
POWER POINT: Henry Wong
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird and Kathy Hoy
COFFEE HOUR: Council
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