Sunday School – May 2 at 9:30 am
Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538449219
Worship & Communion – May 2 at 10:00 am
Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538449219
Last Advent, the Advent banners hung on the walls of the sanctuary where TMUC usually gathers for worship.
During Lent, the Lent banners hung in the sanctuary.
Currently we are in the season of Easter and the Easter banners hang in the sanctuary.
Why do we keep the banners current when we cannot gather to worship in the sanctuary?
Let us tell you a story. This story is found in the 32nd chapter of the book of Jeremiah.
The empire of Babylon was besieging the city of Jerusalem. Babylon would conquer the city and send some of the conquered leaders into exile in Babylon. It seemed like the end of the city. It seemed like nothing would ever be the same again.
During this time, the prophet Jeremiah bought a field. He purchased land.
Why? Not because property prices had fallen. He bought it because he was a prophet of God and he knew that one day people would again own land, and grow crops and live in this city and this land.
In 2021, we may feel like we live in exile – exile from our normal routines; exile from visiting with family and friends; exile from gathering in a sanctuary for worship on Sunday mornings.
That is why we still change the banners; as a sign that one day our exile will also end, and one day we will again gather with family and friends, and one day we will again worship God in a sanctuary on Sunday mornings.
And we will again sing our words of faith, singing hymns such as “Take up His Song”:
But as we continue during this pandemic time, we continue to share worship resources through our weekly emails.
This Sunday we will also gather online to worship. At 9:30 a.m., Brenda LeBeau will lead Sunday School. At 10 a.m. we gather for worship and communion.
Here is the ZOOM link for Sunday morning: 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
At this time of COVID-19, what is important is how we approach this service of communion, not the elements we bring with us. If you are able and it is safe to do so, plan ahead so you have bread and juice prepared and ready. If you are not able or if it is not safe for you, please gather something you feel is appropriate to use – a cracker and water are perfectly acceptable to God. These are symbols and are intended to bring comfort and hope to you and to offer respect to God.
Thanks again to everyone for engaging with us on this COVID-19 journey. We are grateful to share ministry with you and really appreciate your efforts to stay in touch and to continue to care about TMUC with your prayers and your financial support. Donations on PAR, through www.canadahelps.org and in cheques mailed to the church 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, please 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.
Worship for Sunday, May 2, 2021
Introit: “And On This Path”
You call us, O God, to be your people.
Again and again you invite us to journey with Jesus.
Again and again we declare
Christ is Risen,
Christ is Risen indeed!
We come to worship knowing the tomb is empty,
Jesus has been raised from the dead,
Christ is alive!
Hallelujah!
Our opening hymn is “Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song”
Esther and Emmett talk about bearing fruit for God:
Printable Version:
Esther and Emmett_May2
John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.
He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.
You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.
Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Jeff offers a reflection:
Printable Version:
Jeff’s Reflection – May2
Let us pray:
God,
Hear our prayers;
be with us..,
befriend us,
give us hope,
give us courage,
give us compassion.
hear our prayers, God
as You have always heard the prayers of both those who suffer and those who dream;
befriend us as Jesus befriended in the blessing, breaking and sharing of bread, in the blessing, breaking and sharing of life.
Give us hope, courage and compassion in this world in which we live,
this world in which we pray:
we pray for the people of India. The suffering is so great that we can hardly understand its magnitude. We pray for the people of Brazil, and all the other places where the virus claims life after life after life,
pray for all people as Covid continues to turn our world upside down, and continues to show us all how vulnerable we are. We pray for our own community,
as we live with lockdowns and restrictions, as we miss our families and friends, and as we wonder when this will end..
we pray for those for whom the emotional and economic stress is almost unbearable;
pray for all those who give so many hours and so much work to serve, protect, care for, teach and keep the world going during this time;
pray for all who grieve the deaths of loved ones, of grand-parents, parents, children, siblings, relatives, friends and colleagues;
pray for all who seek to live with dignity and courage while living with diseased bodies, with physical, mental, emotional or spiritual illnesses and challenges;
pray for all who seek to live while imprisoned in poverty – those who know the daily struggle of feeding themselves and their families, those who have no place of residence, those who seek to survive each day.
We pray for a world in which we are good neighbours to one another, a world in which everyone has food, health care, education, housing, employment, respect and welcome.
We pray for an end to the violence that scars this world. We pray for a world without weapons. We pray for a world without racism and sexism and the fears and hatreds that divide and breed so much violence.
We pray for all who experience loneliness; for all who wrestle with anxiety.
We pray for all people to know Your love, and to know they are a child of the Creator, and a sacred gift to the world.
God,
hear our prayers;
be with us,
befriend us,
give us hope,
give us courage,
give us compassion.
In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN
Our closing hymn is “Long Before My Journey Starts”
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