‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom…’For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them
– Matthew 25:1, 14
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The above verses are the beginning of two parables that we will be reading this coming Sunday. Both speak to our preparation for our encounters with Christ in our lives. Are we vigilant in our watching for Christ? Are we good stewards of the gifts and blessings that God has poured out on us? As we continue our journey through Lent, we ask these questions and reflect on others because this whole season is about reorientation of ourselves – our whole lives – towards the way that Christ walked, that we might go with him. As you carry your Lenten stones (available at the church any day of the week) reflect also on those things you are carrying with you that get in the way of living a faithful and grace filled life. Squeeze that stone and imagine the anger, frustration, jealousy, all those shadow sides to us slipping from your fingers into the stone.
Since we are getting closer and closer to Holy Week, below is a list of all the opportunities to worship that we have going on leading up to Easter morning:
Services of Healing & Release:
Lent is a great time to lift up to God that which is holding us bound and holding us back. This year we will be hosting 3 special services of healing and release in April, they will be held on the evenings of: (These service start at 7:30 PM, all are welcome)
Wednesday April 3, 2019 (This coming week!)
Wednesday April 10, 2019
Wednesday April 17th, 2019
Holy Week Services:
Wave palms, sing praises, and come before the cross in prayer throughout Holy Week. Experience the triumph and the tragedy, and ultimately the glory of God revealed. Below are a list of the services happening through Holy Week.
Palm Sunday: Sunday, April 14th@10:30 AM
Maundy Thursday (Wilmot): Thursday, April 18th @6:00 PM
Good Friday: Friday, April 19th@10:30 AM
Sunrise Service (Pedway): Sunday, April 21st @ 7:00 AM with breakfast to follow @ Wilmot United Church
Easter Communion: Sunday, April 21st @ 10:30 AM
Along with these special services happening throughout the Lenten season, we also have other activities to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with God and with one another. Have a look at what is happening at St. Paul’s over the next few weeks.
ATTENTION PARENTS LOOKING FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS: Vacation Bible School is changing! St. Paul’s and Wilmot are partnering to host FULL DAY programming. From July 22-27, our Vacation Bible School will be running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The dates are firm, and pre-registration will open soon. Cost for registration is by free-will offering.
Bring a Friend to Church Sunday: This coming Sunday we invite you to invite others! On March 31st, we gather as we always do, but on the last Sunday of the month we make a special effort to be inviting to those who might not have worship as a part of their routine. We hope you come a little early as we have a faithful group of singers called the “Saints and Sinners” leading a sing-a-long time at 10:10 a.m. Following a prayer-filled worship there will be a potluck fellowship happening in the hall. All are encouraged to bring something to share, but if you are unable to do so, we still ask that you come and taste of the abundance, and share in the fellowship. All are welcome!
Streaming Sunday Worship: Since the start of the year we have been live-streaming our services for those who want to be a part of the worship experience but can’t be with us Sunday morning. The link for March’s worship is – https://zoom.us/j/549001732. You should be able to hear the worship service and see what is on the screens. If you have feedback on your experience email: rev.bowley@outlook.com
Reflective bible study: Spend time with the word of God, think about what it is saying to you today and what God may be saying through the scripture. No bible experience needed. Join Eric Hotte at 9:15 am until 10 am in the church office. Each week the focus is on the scriptures for that day, participants say the service takes on a new meaning. This Sunday the reading will be Matthew 25: 31-46. Following the study, there will be a prayer group until 10:20am. Absolutely everyone welcome! Come to one or both of these exciting and faith building opportunities
Lenten online Bible Study: Winter makes it hard to get out even on a good day. So, join Rev. Richard online and share the Good News as we engage with and experience the Word together. Don’t miss this week, Monday at 7:30 p.m. as we reflect on Matthew 25:31-46. The link to the study is https://zoom.us/j/280179122 and you can check any time before the meeting to make sure your computer/phone/tablet works. Just make sure the sound is turned on. May we walk with Christ on this journey through Lent.
Lenten Film Series: During this season of reflection, we are showing a variety of films for exploring our faith and themes of Lent. Join us this Sunday evening as we have a showing of Arrival at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Small concession on site includes popcorn, chocolate bars, juice boxes, water and pop will be available as well. The proceeds from these sales fund Christian Education opportunities for all ages. Our next family friendly movie will be on April 7th (Inside Out). We also have one more movie for adult/mature audiences showing at 7pm, April 14th (Calvary). Each film will be followed by a short discussion on the film.
Retirement Home Service: With the start of a new month come more opportunities to share faith in song and prayer. This coming week we have 3 retirement home services, and we hope that you can make time to join us at one of them to support our brothers and sisters as we worship together.
-Wednesday, April 3rd @ 3 p.m.: St. Anne’s Court
-Thursday, April 4th @ 10:00 a.m.: Frederick Hall (Shannex)
-Thursday, April 4th @ 10:45 a.m.: Governor Hall (Shannex)
Support the youth: Looking to buy bulbs or seeds through Vesey’s? The youth group will be raising funds to support their programming and the wider work of the church again this Spring. Catalogues are available at the office. Despite the rough start to the growing season that hurt many flowers, your support last year helped our youth program to bloom.
Scouting Sunday has been set! We are excited to have the Scouts be a part of our worship and fellowship on April 7th. We look forward to celebrating our Cubs/Beavers/Scouts and program leaders.
Lenten Lunch Recitals: Select Wednesday in Lent from 12:10 – 12:50 Free Will Offering will be received.
April 10th: Featuring a Love themed vocal and piano duet by Dianne Roxborough Brown and Kathrin Welte.
April 17th: Spirituals by the Vocal Collective, Organ works by Dr. Sharon Pond and featuring a Pedal Extravaganza by Leo Sowerby.
The parables about “being ready” for Christ likely fill a lot of us with anxiety. We live our lives rushing from one thing to another, and often there is a nagging feeling, “did I forget something?” I invite us to set aside a moment today not for cleaning, paying bills, running the family from one event to the next, but instead to take a quiet moment with God. We find that God is always waiting for us in those moments. As we continue to prepare for the days ahead, let us enter into this moment with prayer:
Shepherding God, guide us through this season of reflection. As we discern the many ways that lay at our feet, illuminate the one that leads to the cross. There we see the brokenness of the world, but outshining it is the love that you have, even for a broken world. Walk with us, we pray. Encourage us, we pray. It is in the strong name of Jesus Christ that we pray. AMEN
Yours in Christ
Rev. Michelle & Rev. Richard
The bulletin for this week is available for download from here.