Sunday School – March 14 at 9:30 am
Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538449219
Lenten Worship Gathering – March 14 at 10:00 am
Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538449219
Happy New Year’s Eve … ?
Well, back in the days of the Roman Empire, March 15th would have been the start of the new year…it is also the Ides of March!
It’s a day of which Shakespeare told us to beware.
It’s a day on which Jesus might tell us to be aware…
To be aware of God’s presence
To be aware of the sounds of the world all around us
To be aware of the dance of one’s breath entering and leaving the body
To be aware of colours and textures and aromas and silences
To be aware of music and poetry and art
To be aware of friendship and relationship
To be aware of the hurts and sorrows in this world
To be aware of the word or act of compassion you might offer to someone
Let us be aware on this Ides of March.
Let us be aware of God’s love every day of our lives.
During this Lent, we are following a theme of ‘again and again…’
This week our theme is ‘again and again God loves first.’
God loves first. God loves because the essence of God of Love.
Christians experience God’s love in Jesus – God’s love that forgives, heals, welcomes and transforms.
When we gather for worship, we hear the stories, sing the hymns and offer prayers grounded in our faith that God loves us.
There are prayers to colour from Illustrated Ministry here: Colouring Prayers
Here one of the hymns that speaks to us of God’s love and gift of hope is “In the Bulb, There is a Flower”
During Lent, you are invited to join TMUC for worship via Zoom every Sunday at 10 a.m. This week Sunday School with Brenda is at 9:30! (It is the same ZOOM link, open early for Sunday School!)
Here is the link for both the weekly worship and Sunday School: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538449219
If you prefer to join us by being on a ‘Party-line’/’Conference Call’ style of phone call, the number to dial is: 204-272-7920
You will be asked if you want to ‘join a meeting’, (say yes), and then enter the meeting ID number: 753 844 9219
The March rains and warming sun remind us that spring is coming. With spring comes the time for gardening. We invite you to prepare for gardening season by participating in TMUC’s Glenlea Greenhouse fundraiser. You can place your orders at: TMUC Glenlea Greenhouse Fundraiser
You can place orders until April 15. Please order early to get your favourites!
The delivery date for TMUC is May 14. If you have any questions, please email our project coordinators, Cathy and Breanna, at tmucflowers@gmail.com
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. We hope that on Sunday at 10:00, you will think about the gifts we have in our lives, and needs of our world, and then 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.
The Prayer List is distributed separately and allows us to remember specific people with our prayers. If you want to receive the Prayer List, or add a name (with their permission), please be in touch.
Again and again we are called to listen to words of reconciliation:
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.
Again and again, we are shown the way of Christ in music, scripture and prayer. We are invited to worship.
Worship for Sunday, March 14, 2021
Introit: When a Grain of Wheat
You call us, O God, to be your people.
Again and again you invite us to journey with Jesus.
We come to worship today that we might be with you.
Open our ears to hear your Word.
Open our eyes to see your presence.
Open our minds to your truth.
Open our hearts to your justice.
Open our lives to your life.
We have come in Jesus’ name.
Our opening hymn is ‘Love Knocks and Waits’
Esther and Emmett talk and sing about “This Little Light of Mine!”
Printable Version:
Esther and Emmett – March 14
John 3:14-21
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgement, that the light came into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.
For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.
But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
Jeff reflects on God’s love:
Printable Version:
REFLECTION – March 14
Let us pray:
God, eternal light,
the EVERYTHING of everything that is…
Light our way during our Lenten pilgrimage
that we may see the Way,
the way of Christ,
the way of radical compassion
amazing forgiveness
gracious healing
awe-filled awareness
courageous hope…
all centred in faith in Your Love.
Open our imaginations and our souls to perceive Your presence around and within…
to realize that everything is a miracle
and to become Your light in this world.
By the light of Your love, God, we see this world. We see the places of hurt and sorrow, and we pray:
As Canada and the world mark days of observance for those who have lost their lives to COVID-19, we remember the 911 Manitobans including some in our own congregation. We know that this pandemic has had an impact on everyone in our world, and so as we pray for hope, for healing, for comfort and for care.
We pray for all who are contributing to free the world from the devastation caused by COVID-19. Especially we pray for all those involved in the research, the production, the distribution, and the administration of vaccines.
We pray for all who deal with the challenges of other illness and disease. We pray for their healing and care.
We pray for all who are unemployed, under-employed, and all whose lives are confined by poverty. We pray for just and compassionate economic and social practices that resources are shared and all can live in safety.
We pray for all who live in places of conflict and violence. We pray today for the people of Myanmar, Nigeria, Senegal and Iraq.
We pray for political leaders, that they might lead with vision, courage and compassion.
We pray for all who feel lonely and isolated. We pray that we all learn to extend friendship and support to others.
We pray for healing for Your creation. We pray for reconciliation amongst all people.
We pray that we honour this world as Your world, honour each other as children of our Creator, and allow the light of peace, hope and love to shine forth in our lives.
In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN
Our closing hymn is “Draw the Circle Wide.”
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