Weekly Update

LENTEN MUSINGS:

“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14  

Water is one of the most powerful images that Jesus uses to describe himself. 

When Jesus calls himself our “living water,” he means he satisfies our deepest thirsts.

Not only does this water quench our thirst but it also becomes like a spring bubbling up inside of us, filling us with the life God wants to give us. 

For what do we thirst?

Theologian and humanitarian Jean Vanier points out that to be thirsty in biblical language is to be “dried up inside,” “to feel totally empty and in anguish.”

To be thirsty is to long for love, acceptance, and affirmation.

In other words, it is to thirst for a heart-to-heart connection with the living and loving God. 

Jesus invites those who thirst to come to him and drink his life-giving water.

To drink from Jesus is to receive his Spirit in our lives.

The water Jesus offers makes our lives new. 

Spiritual Practice: 

Whenever you drink water today, say this prayer: “Lord, in my thirst for you, give 

me your water of life.”

Every sip of water can serve as a reminder of the living water of Jesus.

ZOOM HYMN SING:

Faye’s next Zoom Hymn Sing will be held TOMORROW evening at 7:30 pm.

The link will appear on the Grace United Strong Facebook group page.

Watch for it!

LENTEN SYMBOL LITURGY:

This Sunday we will add the symbol of NAILS to our Lenten worship centres, as we continue to reflect upon Jesus’ journey to the cross.

LISTENING CHOIR:

Provided that Covid restrictions allow, the Listening Choir will resume on Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 at St. Stephen’s on the Hill.

All choir members—and PROSPECTIVE choir members!—are invited to attend.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY:

The Manitou Intentional Learning Community is excited to welcome the Very Reverend Stan McKay, former Moderator of the United Church of Canada, to lead a workshop entitled “Reconciliation: The Renewal of a Covenant”, which will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, April 7^th, at 7:00 p.m.

This event will explore the spirit and intent of treaties and an Indigenous philosophy of life – “All My Relations”.

To register: visit MILC’s website Manitou Intentional Learning Community (manitoulearningcommunity.com) and click register in the event information

or go directly to the registration page https://laurentian.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtceqtqjMtGNJRJCxQu-V61KpEi9HRDN6y

For more information email Manitou Intentional Learning Community (manitoulearningcommunity.com)

MUFFIN MINISTRY:

Our Muffin Ministry continues!

Muffins may be dropped off at St. Peter’s on the tables outside on Wednesdays from 11:00 to 3:00.

Many thanks to all our hardworking bakers for making this vital outreach possible!

For more details please contact our Muffin Lady, Tracy Joy by phone or email:

705-665-5950 OR tracylynnjoy@hotmail.com

A NOTE FROM OUR TREASURER:

A new year is a great time to renew our commitment to supporting the life and work of the church!

The e-transfer method of sending in your offerings has been popular and is quite easy to do. 

In your online banking site, just send an e-transfer to  laubertin@kpmg.ca 

In the notes/message, you can indicate where you’d like the money to be applied: general, M&S, rebuilding etc.

Donations may also be made through our Canada Helps page. 

This works well although there is a small service charge on the donations.

Go to http://www.Canadahelps.org

Under Donate – Find A Charity – Search “Grace United Church Sudbury”

Many thanks for your on-going generosity!

FUNDSCRIP!:

The Fundscrip program operates all year!

It’s a great place to get gift cards for birthdays and other holidays.

It’s also a great place to get gift cards to use for your day-to-day living (groceries, gas etc).

The NEW promotions for MARCH are:

Ultimate Dining Card – 7% (vs the usual 5%)

Think Kitchen – 7% (vs the usual 6%)

Stokes – 7% (vs the usual 6%)

The Children’s Place – 9% (vs the usual 8%)

Read Full Post »

Weekly Update

LENTEN MUSINGS:

“I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter.” Matthew 12:36  

Words carry much spiritual power.

They wound and heal.

They break down and build up.

They discourage and encourage.

Jesus places eternal value on them when he says we will be judged by the words we have spoken.

Words are always more than words. 

We dare not underestimate the damage that harmful words cause.

They can destroy confidence, tarnish reputations, spread rumors, split families, divide communities, and spark wars.

The old saying “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a lie. ..

In contrast, helpful words of love and appreciation have the potential to bring blessing and life.

They can make God’s love real for those around us.

During Lent, let us think carefully about how we speak to others.  

Spiritual Practice:

Make today a Lenten blessing day. Consciously use words in ways that heal, build up, and encourage. Seek to do this in as many conversations as you can during the day.

LENT MINI-RETREAT:

An invitation to journey deeper into this holy season, through reflection, conversation and prayer.

Our Lenten mini-retreat, “Rediscovering Lent” will be held on Tuesday, March 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm via Zoom.

Please RSVP by Monday, March 15.

Hope you can join us!

ZOOM HYMN SING:

Faye’s next Zoom Hymn Sing will be held on March 23 at 7:00 pm.

The link will appear on the group page.

Watch for it!

LENTEN SYMBOL LITURGY:

This past Sunday we began our journey through the 40 days of Lent, by creating a “worship centre”, each in our own space.

Each week we will add a symbol to our centres as a way of marking our progress through the season.

This Sunday’s symbol will be A CROWN OF THORNS.

You’re going to need to get a bit creative with this one, friends; and I will look forward to seeing what you come up with 😊

One fairly easy idea is to cut some pliable twigs off of a tree and “weave them” together. Form into a crown shape; then stick in tooth picks at intervals for the “thorns”.

LISTENING CHOIR:

Provided that Covid restrictions allow, the Listening Choir will resume on Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 at St. Stephen’s on the Hill.

All choir members—and PROSPECTIVE choir members!—are invited to attend.

MUFFIN MINISTRY:

Our Muffin Ministry continues!

Muffins may be dropped off at St. Peter’s on the tables outside on Wednesdays from 11:00 to 3:00.

Many thanks to all our hardworking bakers for making this vital outreach possible!

For more details please contact our Muffin Lady, Tracy Joy by phone or email:

705-665-5950 OR tracylynnjoy@hotmail.com

A NOTE FROM OUR TREASURER:

A new year is a great time to renew our commitment to supporting the life and work of the church!

The e-transfer method of sending in your offerings has been popular and is quite easy to do. 

In your online banking site, just send an e-transfer to  laubertin@kpmg.ca 

In the notes/message, you can indicate where you’d like the money to be applied: general, M&S, rebuilding etc.

Donations may also be made through our Canada Helps page. 

This works well although there is a small service charge on the donations.

Go to http://www.Canadahelps.org

Under Donate – Find A Charity – Search “Grace United Church Sudbury”

Many thanks for your on-going generosity!

FUNDSCRIP!:

The Fundscrip program operates all year!

It’s a great place to get gift cards for birthdays and other holidays.

It’s also a great place to get gift cards to use for your day-to-day living (groceries, gas etc).

The NEW promotions for MARCH are:

Ultimate Dining Card – 7% (vs the usual 5%)

Think Kitchen – 7% (vs the usual 6%)

Stokes – 7% (vs the usual 6%)

The Children’s Place – 9% (vs the usual 8%)

Read Full Post »

Weekly Update

LENTEN MUSINGS:

Ask, and it will be given you.” Matthew 7:7  

“Ask,” Jesus teaches, “and it will be given you.”

This teaching applies both to the way we approach others and the way we approach God.

As Dallas Willard points out, “How beautiful it is to see relationships in which asking and receiving are a joyful and loving way of life.” 

Asking for what we need does not mean we get everything we ask for.

But through asking, we learn humility, discover our interdependence, and allow both others and God to show their care for us.

It is the way our relationships with God and one another become more real, honest, and intimate. 

Asking may prove difficult for some of us.

As we grow up, we tend to hide our real needs.

Because we want to look strong, in control, and self-sufficient, we don’t ask.

Lent challenges us to become aware of our need for God’s grace and help.

It invites us to truly see how needy we are, to stop pretending, and to ask.  

Spiritual Practice:

Ask for help either from God or from a trusted friend in something today about which you are struggling and anxious.

COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR WALK:

Abundant thanks to mighty Team Grace and to everyone who donated so generously to the Coldest Night of the Year walk.

Our fundraising goal was $1000, and we ended up besting that and then some, with a grand total of $1542 raised!

GO TEAM!

ZOOM HYMN SING:

Faye’s wonderful Zoom Hymn Sings are moving to Tuesdays at 7:00.

We are invited to come and sing our favorites with Faye on March 9, 23 and 30.

The link will appear on the group page.

Watch for it!

LENTEN SYMBOL LITURGY:

This past Sunday we began our journey through the 40 days of Lent, by creating a “worship centre”, each in our own space.

Each week we will add a symbol to our centres as a way of marking our progress through the season.

This Sunday’s symbol will be COINS.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER …

This year’s World Day of Prayer service, brought to us by the women of Vanuatu, will be held on Friday March 5 at 7:00 pm via Zoom.

If you would like to log on, please email Phyllis at graceunited20@hotmail.com and the link will be sent to you.

Friends, let’s gather and pray together with our brothers and sisters around the world!

LISTENING CHOIR:

Provided that Covid restrictions allow, the Listening Choir will resume on Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00 at St. Stephen’s on the Hill.

Brenda will confirm 😊

LENT MINI-RETREAT:

An invitation to journey deeper into this holy season, through reflection, conversation and prayer.

Our Lenten mini-retreat, “Rediscovering Lent” will be held on Tuesday, March 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm via Zoom.

Please RSVP by Monday, March 15.

Hope you can join us!

MUFFIN MINISTRY:

Our Muffin Ministry continues!

Muffins may be dropped off at St. Peter’s on the tables outside on Wednesdays from 11:00 to 3:00.

Many thanks to all our hardworking bakers for making this vital outreach possible!

For more details please contact our Muffin Lady, Tracy Joy by phone or email:

705-665-5950 OR tracylynnjoy@hotmail.com

A NOTE FROM OUR TREASURER:

A new year is a great time to renew our commitment to supporting the life and work of the church!

The e-transfer method of sending in your offerings has been popular and is quite easy to do. 

In your online banking site, just send an e-transfer to  laubertin@kpmg.ca 

In the notes/message, you can indicate where you’d like the money to be applied: general, M&S, rebuilding etc.

Donations may also be made through our Canada Helps page. 

This works well although there is a small service charge on the donations.

Go to http://www.Canadahelps.org

Under Donate – Find A Charity – Search “Grace United Church Sudbury”

Many thanks for your on-going generosity!

FUNDSCRIP!:

The Fundscrip program operates all year!

It’s a great place to get gift cards for birthdays and other holidays.

It’s also a great place to get gift cards to use for your day-to-day living (groceries, gas etc).

The NEW promotions for MARCH are:

Ultimate Dining Card – 7% (vs the usual 5%)

Think Kitchen – 7% (vs the usual 6%)

Stokes – 7% (vs the usual 6%)

The Children’s Place – 9% (vs the usual 8%)

Read Full Post »