Happy Wednesday!
September 27, 2023
Musings …
Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. – Isaiah 43:18
As a sentimental packrat, my basement contains numerous boxes of “former things.”
Photos, band flyers, cringy teen journals, letters, random ephemera—every item once holding enough meaning to justify keeping.
With each annual basement cleaning, I’m able to release more stuff.
Can’t remember why I kept it?
Toss it.
But some souvenirs suck me back in a time warp.
Locked in a reminiscing-romanticizing-regret trance, I lose perspective of present realities and future possibilities.
“Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing.
Do you not perceive it?”
Whether the mountains of memories tower high in our basements or in our hearts and minds, the pilgrimage through the Valley of Former Things is a mix of perilous pitfalls and alluring side trails: failures, mistakes, dashed hopes, loss and lost loves, expectations, former glory, old identities, past ways of being and believing. It’s easy to get disoriented or even stranded.
Remaining in that valley, we risk obstructing our view of new things and now things.
But God beckons us forward on our journey.
Pause, but don’t dwell.
Look around, but keeping moving on the path.
God has made a way through the wilderness of what was, guiding us to the wondrous possibilities of what will be.
Fun, Fitness and Fellowship
Plan to come out THIS Saturday, September 30 for a morning of fun, fitness and fellowship.
1, 2 or 5 km road walk or run, or a hike on the beautiful bush trails right across the road from our house.
Refreshment and social time—along with an optional hot sauna!– to follow.
Regardless of age or ability, every BODY is welcome!
Please RSVP by Thursday, September 28.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Come and find the quiet centre in the quiet life we lead …
An invitation to “Zoom in” on Monday, October 2 from 7:30 to 8:00 pm, for our monthly Mindfulness and Meditation session.
The link will be sent out in the morning, the day of.
Looking forward to this half hour retreat for body, mind and spirit.
Exploring Our Faith
Our monthly foray into the latest issue of Broadview magazine will resume on Friday, October 27 at 11:00 am in the downstairs boardroom at Grace.
In this session we will be exploring themes raised in short article found in the August, 2023 issue, entitled Is It Ever Okay to Steal From the Grocery Store?
You can find the article on line by cutting and pasting this link:
http://www.broadview.org/stealing-groceries
Note the change of date … Everyone is welcome!
Save the Date!
Our Annual Christmas Luncheon fundraiser will be held Saturday, November 4th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
On the menu will be assorted homemade soups, sandwiches, apple crisp with ice cream and beverage of choice.
Adults $15.00, children 6-12 years $8.00, 5 years and under will be free.
Takeout will also be available.
If you’re a great salesperson, Linda Arseneau will have tickets available to sell ahead of time for the draw on a beautiful quilt made by Marg Conibear and tickets for attending the luncheon as well.
There will be many opportunities for EVERYONE to share time and talents in support of this event.
Be looking for the signup sheet at church and fill in your name where you would like to offer your time.
The joy of working together as a church family is second to none!!
Ushers Wanted!
We are in need of a few more folks to usher at Sunday worship.
Duties involve greeting folks cheerfully at the sanctuary doors and collecting and counting the offering.
If you feel like this is a gift of time you could offer to the faith family, JoAnne Blackwell would be delighted to hear from you!
Our Gifts and Offerings
An important message from our envelop secretary:
Your offerings are very important to the continued work of our church and are very much appreciated.
Unlike other non profit organizations, we don’t receive government support or grants to continue our operation.
We rely on our congregation, fundraising events and hall rentals to pay the bills, including our minister’s salary.
With costs continuing to rise, your support is more important than ever.
You can help support the church financially by:
*Signing up for Preauthorized Payments – tax deductible receipt
*E-transfers to Laurie Aubertin (our Treasurer) – tax deductible receipt
*Having a box of envelopes with an assigned envelope number to put on the offering plate on Sundays – tax deductible receipt
*Our online payment option through Canada Helps (you can find the link on our Website or Facebook page) – tax deductible receipt
*Putting loose money on the offering plate on Sunday – no tax deductible receipt
Signing up for PAR will help our council budget for the coming year.
If you would like a box of envelopes with an assigned number, please speak with Linda Arseneau, linda_arseneau@hotmail.com, the ushers, or simply drop a note on the offering plate requesting envelopes.
***If writing a cheque to put on the offering plate, please make sure to use the proper date (the bank cannot accept post-dated cheques).
This Week’s Lectionary Lessons
Exodus 17:1–17
Water flows from the rock for thirsty people.
Psalm 78:1–4, 12–16 (VU p. 792 Parts One and Two)
God did marvellous things for our ancestors.
Philippians 2:1–13
Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus.
Matthew 21:23–32
By what authority does Jesus act and teach?
Grace United Church Sudbury 