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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.” Is there any food more universally loved than ice cream? Ice cream used to be hand-churned with just 4 basic ingredients: cream, eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Have you read the ingredient list for ice cream these days? Whey, guar gum, tapioca starch, mono and di-glycerides, polysorbates, artificial flavors, artificial colors, carrageenan.
Author Leonard Sweet writes that at Pentecost the most basic of basics came forward in the church with power and presence. God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, was poured out on the disciples and transformed their lives. There were no “extra ingredients” added. The disciples were not empowered to zap aliens. They did not ingest nuclear-generated abilities to climb buildings or shoot webs out of their wrists. The singular gift the disciples received at Pentecost was the gift of the ongoing presence of the Spirit of Jesus in their lives. That’s it. Pentecost is the birthday of the church. And the church came with one primary ingredient: The Holy Spirit.
Come and celebrate Pentecost and the Sacrament of Holy Communion with us this 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 Acts 2:1-21 and Psalm 104:24-34, 35b. 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
GIVE-AHEAD JUNE REQUEST!
As summer approaches, we normally see a drop in church attendance as people head off on summer activities and vacations. As a result, historically there is also a summer decline in givings, while our regular expenses supporting all of our operations and programs continue.
We encourage you to advance your summer givings before the end of June. This will help us better match our inflows with outflows until its “back to school” and “back to church” in the fall.
Thank you for your support. Please contact Sally Sandiford, (sally_sandiford@hotmail.com) if you would like details on your YTD givings.
BLESSING BLANKET MINISTRY
In 2024, Central United Church launched the Blessing Blanket Ministry.
A knitted (or crocheted) blanket is presented to anyone receiving the Sacrament of Baptism at Central United Church. This includes infant/child baptism or Adult Baptism. The blankets have been lovingly crafted by members of the congregation and other knitters and are blessed during a worship service. A note of blessing is included with the Blanket.
Since its launch, there have been 5 infant/child blankets presented as well as 2 to adults. Our next Sacrament of Baptism service will be held at Central United on Sunday, June 15th.
BOOK CLUB
The Book Club will be taking a break over the summer and will reconvene on September 27th.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2024/25 season—we’ve loved sharing stories and discussions with you. We’re looking forward to welcoming new faces and familiar ones when we return in the fall.
Wishing everyone a relaxing and wonderful summer!
UNIONVILLE FESTIVAL AT CENTRAL
Saturday, June 7th from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
While this year’s Unionville Festival will be smaller in scale—taking place at Crosby Park and without the usual parade due to Main Street restoration—Central is delighted to keep the festive spirit alive by opening our doors for a day of fun! Join us on the lawn for exciting children’s activities, games, and prizes.
This is a wonderful opportunity to kick off the season, promote our summer camp, connect with the community, and encourage youth to get involved and serve!
No registration is needed—bring your lawn chair, just come and enjoy the day! If you’re able to help coordinate or assist with setup, please arrive by 10:00 AM.
GROUP HIKE
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Join us for a Summer Saturday Hike!! There will be two pace groups: one moderate-paced group led by Alan Heighway, and a slower-paced group (suitable for bird watchers) led by Rev. Lori. Meet us at Bob Hunter Park at 9:30 am or meet at the church at 9:00 am to carpool. If you wish to register, please click here.
SUMMER CAMP 2025: Steadfast Love
August 11 – 15, 2025
Central will be hosting another year of Summer Day Camp in August! This is an incredible way to serve young families with children currently in SK through Grade 5. It also allows preteens and teens from Grade 6 and up to grow their faith, develop new skills, and gain valuable experience as volunteers (leaders-in-training) as they go through a one-week training prior to the camp from August 5-8. Please help spread the word in the community!
For more information and to register as participants, volunteers, or coaches, please register 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….
June 8th 2025
LAY WORSHIP LEADER: Joan Hubbert
MUSIC: Jim Ling
POWER POINT: Thomas Black
GREETER: Wilma Inkpen
WORSHIP HOST: Joan Hubbert
CHILDREN’S TIME: Anthony Cheung
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird
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