March 20, 2024
Lenten Musings
Throughout the Lenten season, I will be sharing excerpts from Tsh Oxenreider’s Lenten devotional guide, Bitter and Sweet.
To read more about Tsh Oxenreider, visit her website: http://www.tshoxenreider.com
Two of my favorite Muppet Show characters are Statler and Waldorf, the two old guys who sit in the balcony and heckle the rest of the Muppets.
Every jab is pointed at how bad the show has been, how bad the show is now, and certainly how bad the show will be in the future.
Statler and Waldorf epitomize what it means to be cynical, jaded, and pessimistic.
At times, when I am sitting in a meeting listening to someone lament about how awful things are, all I can picture is Statler and Waldorf.
Sure, there are times when unbridled optimism can take over, but for people of the Christian variety, too often we forget that ultimately we are a people of the resurrection and hope for what may be, and not a people who stay in the death assuming what will not.
Over time, it is easy to fall into a pattern of cynicism.
People let us down, expectations are not fully met, and movements of hope seem not to take hold.
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we are left disappointed.
Truth is, we must not give into or become the Waldorfs and Statlers of the world. Yes, what we expect and hope may not always turn out the way we planned, but that does not mean that our work is without worth.
Sometimes, without even knowing it, what looks like failure from the balcony is a whopping success from backstage.
But if we give into the Waldorfs and Statlers of world, we will never know.
Study and Discussion Group
The next session of our monthly Zoom Study and Discussion Group will be held TONIGHT at 7:00 pm.
We will be delving into chapter five of Philip Yancey’s The Jesus I Never Knew.
Hope you’ll log on for a great conversation!
Membership
Rev. Erin will be offering an Adult Membership Preparation Program, THIS Sunday after worship for those of our faith family who would like to become full members of Grace United and the United Church of Canada.
It’s not too late to express your interest!
Please speak to Rev. Erin.
Good Friday Worship:
As is our tradition at Grace, we will be gathering for Good Friday worship on Friday, March 29 at 7:00 pm
Please plan to join us for a time of somber reflection and prayer.
Easter Flowers In Memoriam
We will be placing flowers in the sanctuary to adorn our worship space for Easter Sunday.
If you would like to bring a potted flower and place it in memory of a loved one, please contact Linda Arseneau 705-665-3029 or
linda_arseneau@hotmail.com so she can add your loved one’s name to the memorial list.
Right Around the Corner!
Our hardworking Fundraising and Fellowship Team Leads, Sarah and Leona, and their super-helpful planning team are getting all revved up for our annual Spring Spaghetti Fundraiser on Saturday, April 20.
Tickets are now available… see Marge Van Exan 😊
Fundscrip
Specials for March are as follows:
Harry Rosen | 7% | |
Home Hardware | 4.5% | |
Ultimate Dining Card | 7% | |
Bier Market | 7% | |
East Side Marios | 7% | |
Harveys | 7% | |
Kelseys | 7% | |
Montanas | 7% | |
New York Fries | 7% | |
Swiss Chalet | 7% | |
The Pickel Barrel | 7% | |
State and Main | 7% | |
Original Joes | 7% |
From Our Property and Finance Team
More than ever, your financial support is needed in order for our church and its ministry to survive and thrive.
You are invited to give as you are able 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
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.
This Week’s Lectionary Lessons
Mark 11:1–11 or John 12:12–16
Jesus’ joyful entry into Jerusalem.
Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29
The stone that the builders rejected.
Philippians 2:5–11
Let the same mind be in you as was in Christ Jesus.
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