Happy Wednesday Update

WHAT’S ON AT NDPC …

 

WHAT:  EXPLORING OUR FAITH

WHERE: 518 Morris St.

WHEN: Friday, April 28 at 10:30 am

This month, we will be delving into the spirituality of grandparenting, using the article Dear Grandkids; found in the April, 2017 issue of The Observer.

 

WHAT:  ST. LUKE’S SPRING SPAGHETTI DINNER

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Saturday, April 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm

Tickets are $12 for adults.

Hope to see you there!

 

WHAT:  ST. LUKE’S COUNCIL MEETING

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Thursday, May 4 at 7:00 pm

 

THANK YOU! …

Thank you everyone who ordered Vesey’s Bulbs, we made $259.00 for the Raise the Roof and Bring the House down Campaign.  I don’t know exactly when the bulbs will come but, I’ve been told from someone that has ordered in the past, they will come when it’s time to plant them.  So probably the end of May beginning of June.  Happy planting!  Linda

 

THE GIFT OF RELAXATION AND RESTORATION …

Teamed up with stepdaughter, Brigitte, one of our resident Reiki masters, Linda Arseneau, is pleased to offer a Mothers Day Wellness Experience, on Saturday May 6th from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at her home (2112 Rita St.)

Prices are as follows, with all proceeds going to the church.

Head & hand massage: Brigitte Arseneau.

Reiki: Linda Arseneau

#1 – 15 minute head/hand massage only: $10.00

#2 – 60 minute Reiki session: $30.00

#3 – Combo package: 45 minute Reiki; 15 minute head &

hand massage:  $30.00

Call Linda to book your session 705-566-2597 home or 705-665-3029 cell.

 

CELEBRATING OUR LIFE AND WORK…

On Sunday, May 7 at 7:00 pm there will be a very special time of worship and fellowship at Trinity, as we celebrate many years of life and work in the Garson community.

Please join us for this important farewell gathering.

 

CALLING ALL YOUTH!…

Curious about where YOU can make a difference in the world?

Manitou Youth Forum is an event for youth ages 13 and up, and their leaders.

June 4 to 6, gather with United Church youth from across northeastern Ontario on the shores of Lake Temiskaming for retreat, renewal, and to discover more about yourself, others and God.

Special guests: United Church Moderator, Jordan Cantwell, and Ruth Noble; United Church Mission and Service Animator.

COME SHARE WHO YOU ARE! DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW! 

To Register, please visit http://www.manitouconference.ca

 

 

THIS WEEK’S LECTIONARY LESSONS…

Acts 2:14a, 36–41

Three thousand new followers of the Way.

Psalm 116:1–4, 12–19 (VU p. 836)

How can I repay you, God?

Luke 24:13–35

Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus.

 

WAYS TO PRAY …

Presence prayer is choosing to believe in and concentrate on God’s continual attention towards us…

Choose something regular in your day that you will use as a prompt.

Perhaps it will be the sight of your favorite color, the quarter-hour chime of a clock, or a daily chore such as walking the dog.

Whenever your prompt appears (or sounds), pause to invite God into your actions, your words, your thoughts, your emotions.

Every few weeks, you may need to change your prompt to stir the practice, so that you do not become mired in habituation and miss the Lord.

Think of these pauses as checking out to rest for a moment in the “chapel of your heart.”

Regularly note the impact that these rest-stops have in your ordinary life.

How is the Lord present?

Eventually you may invite the Lord into everything, all day long, no matter how trivial, from riding the subway in a rush-hour crowd to answering customers’ calls on the phone.

This may be the most difficult step in concentrating on the Lord because other people’s conversations and expressions distract you from your goal of hearing God.

If this is the case, pray inwardly for the people you encounter.

Finally, consider receiving interruptions to your plans as God’s plan instead.

See them as God’s indicator to stop and listen to him.13

This exercise is called “practicing the presence of God” for a reason.

It takes practice!

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Happy Wednesday Update

WHAT’S ON AT NDPC …

 

WHAT:  ST. LUKE’S SPRING SPAGHETTI DINNER

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Saturday, April 29 from 4:30 to 6:30

Hope to see you there!

 

WHAT:  ST. LUKE’S COUNCIL MEETING

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Thursday, May 4 at 7:00

 

CELEBRATING OUR LIFE AND WORK…

On Sunday, May 7 at 7:00 pm there will be a very special time of worship and fellowship at Trinity, as we celebrate many years of life and work in the Garson community.

As most of you are aware, the congregation of Trinity has decided to seek amalgamation with St. Luke’s as the most faithful and hopeful way forward in the wake of a steady decline in congregational participation and financial support.

Although the particulars of the amalgamation have yet to be worked out, May 14 has been set as our first Sunday to worship all together as one congregation in the St. Luke’s building.

Though it will be difficult for the Trinity folk to say goodbye to their worship space, it is with joy and thanksgiving that we look back over a history of faithful service, and look forward to the new thing God is doing.

Please join us for this important farewell gathering.

 

CALLING ALL YOUTH!…

Curious about where YOU can make a difference in the world?

Manitou Youth Forum is an event for youth ages 13 and up, and their leaders.

June 4 to 6, gather with United Church youth from across northeastern Ontario on the shores of Lake Temiskaming for retreat, renewal, and to discover more about yourself, others and God.

Special guests: United Church Moderator, Jordan Cantwell, and Ruth Noble; United Church Mission and Service Animator.

COME SHARE WHO YOU ARE! DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW!

To Register, please visit http://www.manitouconference.ca

 

 

THIS WEEK’S LECTIONARY LESSONS…

Acts 2:14a, 22–32

Peter preaches on Pentecost.

Psalm 16 (VU pp. 737–738)

In you, God, I take refuge.

John 20:19–31

Jesus appears to the disciples and to Thomas.

 

WAYS TO PRAY …

Music Prayer:

Find a piece of music that moves you.

Consider the lyrics. Read them from the liner, or write them down as you hear them.

What is the composer saying? What aspect of your own life do they touch upon? If the music is not sacred music, how do the words nevertheless express your thoughts to God? …

Pray the words aloud without the music, listening to the meaning they evoke…

Listen to the music again. Hear the words. Notice how your heart rate and breathing respond as you anticipate the music. Feel the meaning of the words working through the music…

Now close your eyes and listen to the piece. Resist the urge to understand or pick out specific words, instruments, or rhythms. Hear the whole music…

Listen a third time, allowing the piece and your response to speak to God on behalf of yourself and others…

What are you saying to God? What might God be saying to you?…

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Happy Wednesday Update

WHAT’S ON AT NDPC …

WHAT:　 ST. LUKE’S SPRING SPAGHETTI DINNER

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Saturday, April 29 from 4:30 to 6:30

Hope to see you there!

HOLY WEEK AT NDPC …

WHAT:　 GOOD FRIDAY EVENING WORSHIP

WHERE: Trinity

WHEN: Friday, April 14 at 7:00 pm

A somber service of reflection and repentance.

WHAT:　 EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

WHERE: behind the Minnow Lake Legion

WHEN: very early on Sunday, April 16 

WHAT:　 EASTER MORNING WORSHIP

WHERE: Trinity and St. Luke’s

WHEN: 9:30 and 11:15 am respectively

EASTER FLOWERS …

… Are always a beautiful addition to our sanctuary!

Trinity folk are invited to bring along an Easter plant to worship on Sunday for all of us to enjoy; then to bring it home for your own décor.

St. Lukers, please be in touch with Tina Hansen if you would like to place a plant in our Easter Cross, in memory of a loved one.

CELEBRATING OUR LIFE AND WORK…

On Sunday, May 7 at 7:00 pm there will be a very special time of worship and fellowship at Trinity, as we celebrate many years of life and work in the Garson community.

As most of you are aware, the congregation of Trinity has decided to seek amalgamation with St. Luke’s as the most faithful and hopeful way forward in the wake of a steady decline in congregational participation and financial support.

Although the particulars of the amalgamation have yet to be worked out, May 14 has been set as our first Sunday to worship all together as one congregation in the St. Luke’s building.

Though it will be difficult for the Trinity folk to say goodbye to their worship space, it is with joy and thanksgiving that we look back over a history of faithful service, and look forward to the new thing God is doing.

Please join us for this important farewell gathering.

NEWSBITE FROM NATIONAL…

Canada’s systems of care are failing… ask the federal government to create a plan to end poverty.

Before sunrise, the United Church minister Al Tysick (of the Dandelion Society) drives through downtown Victoria, BC, greeting the city’s street community. He welcomes them with hot coffee, breakfast, and necessities such as clean socks.

Doreen Kot and the people of Parkdale United Church support _{Acadia Place, an initiative that rehouses and helps homeless families.}

Through their _{Bread not Stones initiative, United Church Women (UCW) advocate　for structural changes to end child poverty in Canada.}

Those　who respond to poverty on the front lines can observe that Canada’s systems of care are failing. _{One in seven Canadians (4.9 million total) currently struggle to pay rent, feed their families, and supply their basic needs.}

Now is a key moment to augment the calls of our partners for faith and justice. Until June 2017, the federal government is consulting Canadians to shape a national _{Poverty Reduction Strategy. As people of faith, we care for those living in poverty and challenge our systems to support all of us in dignified ways.}

Your input can help shape a new strategy for a Canada without poverty.

 

1. Review the _{Dignity for All plan} and use _{their　form　to write to Employment and Social Development Canada and share what you want to see in the Poverty Reduction Strategy. You can use the Dignity for All recommendations as a starting point.}

 

1. Let the federal government know what is important to you when it comes to ending poverty in Canada. Contribute to the _{Poverty Reduction Strategy consultations by}
   • completing the _{online survey for individuals}
   • taking part in the _{discussion forum}
   • _{sharing your story}

 

1. Follow news of the consultation on social media and join the discussion on Twitter to _{#ReducePoverty!}

THIS WEEK’S LECTIONARY LESSONS…

_{Acts 10:34-43}

_{Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4}

_{John 20:1-18}

A HOLY LENT AT HOME!…
Meditate on the seven last words of Jesus…　

Individually consider each of these phrases spoken from the cross by Jesus.

You might take one phrase per day: 　make it the home screen on your phone; write it on a note on your fridge or mirror at home.

Consider what each phrase tells us about who Jesus is, and what He was willing to endure in order to make God’s love known to us.

Here are the 7 phrases.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

I thirst.

It is finished.

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

 

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Happy Wednesday Update

WHAT’S ON AT NDPC …

 

WHAT:  OFFICIAL BOARD MEETING

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm

 

WHAT:  ST. LUKE’S SPRING SPAGHETTI DINNER

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Saturday, April 29

Save the date … details to follow!

 

 

HOLY WEEK AT NDPC …

 

WHAT:  PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Sunday, April 9 at 10:30 am

What better way to begin Holy Week than by worshiping all together?

 

WHAT:  HOLY WEEK MINI-RETREAT

WHERE: St. Luke’s

WHEN: Monday, April 10

Pizza dinner at 5:30; retreat begins at 6:30 pm.

 

WHAT:  GOOD FRIDAY EVENING WORSHIP

WHERE: Trinity

WHEN: Friday, April 14 at 7:00 pm

A sombre service of reflection and repentence.

 

WHAT:  EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

WHERE: behind the Minnow Lake Legion

WHEN: very early on Sunday, April 16 J

 

WHAT:  EASTER MORNING WORSHIP

WHERE: Trinity and St. Luke’s

WHEN: 9:30 and 11:15 am respectively

 

A SHOUT-OUT FROM OUR ST. LUKE’S COUNCIL CHAIR!…

I’m looking for seven people to help sell Vessey Bulbs during the month of April for St. Luke’s Raise the Roof Fund.  If you can help please talk to Linda Arseneau at 705-566-2597.

We earn 50% profit on each sale.  All you have to do is show the catalogue to friends, family and co-workers, fill out the order form and collect the money.  I will fill out the master order and send it in!  I will also need help delivering the orders when they come in.

 

NEWSBITE FROM NATIONAL…

From our Moderator: Healing Relationships This Lenten Season

When Jesus was asked what’s the most important of all the commandments, he said, “Love God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, with everything.” And he said, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”

For Jesus these two are inseparable: love of God and love of neighbour. They’re part of each other.

And so in this season of Lent, as we focus on deepening and healing our relationship with God, it necessarily calls us to look at our relationships with our neighbours. Where is their brokenness that needs mending? And of course there’s so much brokenness in our personal relationships as well as our global relationships, which actually means that there are lots of places that we can begin to bring healing—lots of in-points to make a start at healing those relationships.

One of the places I think we really need to focus some attention on healing relationships is the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in this country, and especially I think within our church. As part of that work I’ve made a commitment to getting around to as many Indigenous communities in our church as possible, and I’ve actually just returned from two weeks in northern communities in Manitoba. Those opportunities to be with our sisters and brothers in the Indigenous church are so important for me to just listen. Going into the communities to be with people to learn about their lives, their realities, to get to know folks face-to-face—this has been an incredibly enriching experience for me, and I hope one that has been important for the whole church.

So during this Lenten season I encourage each of you to think about what is one step that you can take today to bring some healing to a relationship in your life that is broken.

May God be with us on this journey.

 

THIS WEEK’S LECTIONARY LESSONS…

Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Matthew 26:14 – 27:66

 

A HOLY LENT AT HOME!… Take a prayer-walk through your neighborhood:

In Luke 19:41-44 we get a glimpse of Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem: a powerful demonstration of His passion for the people he was trying to reach with God’s love.

Take a walk by yourself or with a friend through your neighborhood and see whether you can’t experience some of that same passion.

Pray for the needs of the people (either specifically or in general).

Pray for families, for their jobs, for their relationships, for their well-being; for any difficult situations, etc.

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