Let’s talk about joy. Not the fleeting joy of receiving a thoughtful gift, but deep joy. Joy fostered and sustained from deep within. As the pandemic stripped away many of the exterior forces that brought joy to life, for many there was a void. I think this was part of the root, when early in the pandemic people were trying new things; baking bread, painting, gardening… the list could go on. At some level it was an attempt to reconnect with joy.
In the farewell discourse, that was not part of the Sunday readings from John this year, Jesus says this about joy: If you keep my commandments, you abide in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full. ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you’ (John 15:10-12). In this passage along with other places in the bible, we are told that true joy comes from abiding with God and from loving as Christ loved, with self-giving love.
This has proven to be true in my life, the times that I have felt the most joy have been when I was serving others and when I was being truly myself – abiding with God just as I am. When I try to prove myself or be someone I am not – this is when joy evaporates and the task at hand becomes a drag and I end up feeling uninspired and drained.
Jesus calls the church to be active and engaged. However, for a long time we have just been finding warm bodies to be on most of our committees. So, instead of people feeling joy and engagement, they have experienced a weighty sense of duty and burnout. This is not my dream for us as a congregation. I want us to be a congregation filled with joy. Part of this is feeling welcomed just as you are and having your unique way of contributing to our life together honoured. It happens when you are plugged into the congregation’s ministry and service in ways that bring you life. It happens as you offer yourself in service in this place. Now I am not saying you will never be tired from a full day of work, sometimes there is heavy lifting to do, but at the end of the day I want us all to feel joy at what has been accomplished and that feeling of being where and who God intended you to be.
I know that there have been times when Joy has seemed illusive and maybe even non-existent, periods of pain and suffering. In saying let’s seek joy I am in no way dismissing this. In fact, our faith story clearly tells us that we need to face the death dealing parts of the world, our world and history, so that resurrection and new life can happen. At this moment in time, we are past the darkest hour of night and we are just waiting for The Son to break into our congregation once again. I am reminded of the hymn in voices united 166 “Weeping my come, weeping may come in the night when dark shadows cloud our sight. [But] Joy comes with the dawn; joy comes with the morning sun; joy springs from the tomb and scatters the night with her song, joy comes with the dawn”. I strongly feel like day break is approaching, I invite you to actively join me in welcoming the light, as you offer yourself in joyful service to God.
As we move towards this Sunday let us pray
Holy God,
So much of the world seems to be dealing death,
The rattle of war, the fear of illness, the distance and broken relationships.
Yet you are the God of love, of peace of wholeness.
So we wonder why have you not done something to make this all better.
Then deep in our hearts you speak, I have – I have gifted and sent you.
Help us to discern your call in our hearts
Give us courage to believe that we can make a difference
Give us confidence to offer ourselves in your service
Give us wisdom to know what is our next step
Give us humility that we continue to listen for your voice
And give us grace poured out as joy as we walk your path.
This we pray in Christ’s name. Amen
1) Sunday March 27th – Worship
2) Fellowship Coffee Hour
3) Reminder of Annual Meeting – Continuation – March 27th
4) Bible Study – new zoom link
5) Brown Bag Lunch Program
6) FundScrip
7) Website Updates
8) Database Update – Personal Contact Information
9) Bulletin & E-News Announcements Deadline
10) World Day of Prayer Thank You!
11) Upper Room Daily Devotional – March-April
12) Memory Sharing Event – April 3rd
13) Messy Church
14) Dates to Remember
1) Worship March 27th, 2022
To attend in-person worship here at St. Paul’s United Church we will no longer require you to show proof of vaccination. COVID protocols still in play include:
– Wearing a mask at all times
– Sanitizing one’s hands upon entry
– Sitting in the marked pews to maintain distance
– Being aware of social distancing when entering and leaving building
– Coffee time will be available for those who wish to partake. Tables will be set up and you are asked to maintain masks while not eating/drinking and stay seated.
As always, if you are not ready to join us in person we hope to see you on Zoom – link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86854718551 Passcode: 165090
You can also join by phone only if you would prefer, if you don’t have a long distance plan charges would apply. All you need to do is call 1 647 558 0588 and follow the prompts to enter Meeting ID: 868 5471 8551 and Passcode: 165090
2) Fellowship Coffee Hour: Just a reminder that coffee hour takes place following our service each Sunday. All serving of treats and beverages will be done at the kitchen window then folks are to be seated at the tables provided.
3) Reminder of Annual Meeting – Continuation: The continuation of the Annual Meeting will take place this Sunday at 1pm in the sanctuary. The 2021 Financial Statements are available on our website under Resources – Publications & Reports, in the Church Office, at the meeting or CLICK HERE to be directed to the page.
The Zoom link for those unable to join us in person is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86498696887 Meeting ID: 864 9869 6887 Passcode: 599311
Join our Zoom Meeting by phone, dial +1 647 558 0588 Meeting ID: 864 9869 6887 Passcode: 599311. Long distance changes may apply.
4) Bible Study: Join Rev. Michelle on Wednesdays at 11:15am for bible study. We are back in person, meeting in the parlor. Generally, sessions run 45min-1hour. This coming week’s scripture is John 19:1-16a. Due to interest, you can also join online. Log in using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88619319967 and Passcode: 259190
5) Brown Bag Lunch Program: The Brown Bag lunch program is in dire need of the following items: proteins with flip top lids, juice boxes and pudding cups. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
6) FundScrip: Deadline for our next gift card order is Sunday, April 3rd. If you are expecting the Easter Bunny to stop at your house, maybe he should have a few gift cards in his basket! Now is the time to order them. Remember: Shopping is fundraising for St. Paul’s!
7) Website Updates: Updates to www.stpaulsunited.ca were made on the Resources page to include pages for Publications & Reports (Annual Reports & Financial Statements): CLICK HERE for more information, Scholarships & Bursaries: CLICK HERE for information on eligibility & application guidelines and Newsletters: CLICK HERE to view the latest newsletter.
8) Database Update – Personal Contact Information: Please forward your contact information (names of family members, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, envelope # [if known] and whether or not you would like to be included in mailouts or email updates. You can forward this information either by completing a Family Information Form for each member of your household while at the church or by email to Meghan at stpaulsoffice224@gmail.com
9) Bulletin & E-News Announcements Deadline: Please note that going forward, the deadline for all announcements is Wednesday at 3pm.
10) World Day of Prayer Thank You! Many thanks to those who attended and supported the World Day of Prayer service on March 13. Donations amounted to $347 which have been forward to the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada to be applied to their women’s grant program. Rev. Michelle did a wonderful job putting this service together. Ann Raper, Coordinator.
11) Upper Room Daily Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotional for March-April is available for purchase in the office for $2.
12) Memory Sharing Event: Join us after church on April 3rd in the hall to share your memories and experiences of your time at St’ Paul’s. Collectively this will help ground our celebration of our 190 years of history.
13) Messy Church: Messy church is an intergenerational worship experience that is engaging for all ages. Mark your calendars as Wilmot will be hosting a Lent themed service on April 8th. More details next week.
14) Dates to Remember:
Lent 6: Palm Sunday & Sunday School Begins – April 10th at 10:30am
Maundy Thursday @ Wilmot – April 14th
Good Friday – April 15th at 10:30am