How are you holding up in this continuing pandemic?
We really want to know how you are, what is giving you joy, and where you are struggling. We continue to send emails and make calls, but there are never enough hours in the day or week to reach as many people as we would like – so, please accept this as an invitation to reach out to us – send us an email, tell us convenient times to call, and we will keep doing our best to stay in touch.
We continue to be so grateful for those who continue to financially support the ministry of TMUC, through your donations on PAR, through www.canadahelps.org and in cheques mailed to the church. You are making a difference. Thank you.
Even though we cannot be together in one place, let’s continue to be a community at prayer together. On Sunday at 10:00, let’s think about the gifts we have in our lives, and needs of our world, and then let’s all pray the Lord’s prayer (you can pray silently, or out loud).
And, sometime, when you want to have a longer worship time, we are including some words and videos for your use.
Once each week, the Prayer List will arrive in the ‘Inbox’ of those who want to read the names of those we know need and want our prayers. If you want to add a name to the weekly Prayer List, please do – ask for a person’s permission if you are adding their last name – and let us know by sending a note to tmuc@shaw.ca And, if you want to receive the list, please be in touch with that request as well.
We are gathered for worship and work in Treaty One territory, which is the traditional land of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dené peoples and the homeland of the Metis Nation. For thousands of years Indigenous Peoples walked this land and knew it to be the centre of their lives and their spirituality. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Worship for Sunday, October 18, 2020
We come to worship with the first verse of ‘Come Touch Our Hearts’
We gather together although we are apart.
We gather in community although we are alone.
We gather asking for God’s blessing on our lives, and on our world.
We gather knowing God is with us.
Our opening hymn is “This Day God Gives Me”
Tessa and Hañwakañ Blaikie Whitecloud share a reflection on giving thanks.
Printable Version:
Reflection on giving thanks_October 18
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said.
So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’
But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’
And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’
They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’
Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’
When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Carol offers a reflection:
Printable Version:
Reflection_October 18
Let us pray:
God, we pray in the spirit of Jesus who assured his friends that they would never be abandoned by Your love.
We find assurance in our faith
that You are always with us;
with us
in times of prosperity and times of pandemic,
in times of joy and times of grief,
in times of fullness and times of emptiness,
in times of certainty and times of indecision,
in times of accomplishment and times of disappointment.
God, we have faith in Your faithfulness.
We find hope, peace, joy, promise, courage and love in Your faithful love.
We live, thankful that we live in Your love.
We pray, God, for this world, Your creation.
We pray for the global population living in this time of COVID-19.
We pray for all who have died from this virus; for all people, families and communities who grieve the death of loved and valued life companions.
We pray for all who provide healthcare, education, safety and dignity to others.
We pray for people to have patience, endurance and goodwill in following safe medical practices and protocols.
We pray for peace in places of violence.
We pray for hope in places of despair.
We pray for compassion in places of indifference and hatred.
We pray for a world released from the sins of racism, white supremacy, and attitudes and actions that demean and dehumanize.
We pray for Your creation, God, and that humans learn to live in harmony with this world; learn to respect this world as a living blessing and not as a resource to be exploited or spoiled.
We pray for all who live with dis-ease of body, mind and emotions.
We pray for all who feel isolated and alone.
We pray for all who live with hunger, poverty, and economic disparity.
God, as we continue our journeys through this world, bless us with courageous spirits, loving souls and hope-filled vision.
We pray in the name and spirit of Jesus the Christ. AMEN
Our closing hymn is ‘’God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian”
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you.
May God grant you peace and joy.
Be in the peace of Christ, this day and always. Amen
We keep you in our prayers,
Carol and Jeff