News is “SPRINGing UP!”
Here’s the news about spring flowers at TMUC from our organizers, Breanna and Cathy:
Once again this year we will be partnering with Glenlea Greenhouses for a spring fundraiser. Last year, despite all its challenges we were able to raise $1700 for the General Fund! We more than doubled our previous year’s total and it couldn’t have come at a better time, it turned out to be our only fundraiser for the year.
This year, Glenlea has made a few modifications to help make ordering more socially distant. Everything you need to order is available online here: glenleagreenhouses.com
The most exciting part is that ordering begins on February 1 and runs until April 15. Please order early to get your favourites!
The delivery date for TMUC is May 14. If there is a large volume of orders, we may be in contact with you to set a pick-up time on that date, depending on the provincial health orders in May.
If you have any questions, please email tmucflowers@gmail.com
Thank you and we hope to see you on May 14,
We continue to be a worshipping community that both creates online resources and shares resources from other sources.
Here is a link to worship resources for this week form ‘Illustrated Ministry.’ These resources are based on our Gospel reading Mark 1:21-22. The resource includes some interesting questions for reflections and the Bible verse for colouring. illustrated ministry.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.
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, January 31, 2021
Introit: Prepare the Way of the Lord, sung by Cheryl and Crystal:
We come to worship to hear Good News,
We come to worship to know God’s love,
We are united in heart and in community,
And everywhere we are God’s people.
Our opening hymn is ‘Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise’
Esther and Emmett discuss teaching with authority!
Printable Version:
ESTHER AND EMMETT_Jan 31
Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Jeff offers a reflection on this week’s gospel reading on following Jesus.
Printable Version:
Reflection_Jan 31
Let us pray:
God, source of life,
Relational power of life
Creator and companion of life,
You are present in everything.
Everything is present in You
Earth and heaven are Your home;
therefore earth and heaven are our home.
We look, we listen, we touch, we taste, we inhale the wonder of Your creation, the amazing wonder of all that IS.
We pray in a place of awe and gratitude.
We pray that Christ’s spirit of love, forgiveness, reconciliation and faith
permeate lives throughout this world.
We pray, God, for the food we need,
that all people have access to nutritious food; that food be shared and that no one be hungry.
We pray for a worldwide distribution of vaccines for COVID-19. We pray for patience and wisdom to continue safe practices of wearing masks, frequent hand washing and maintaining physical distancing.
We pray for those living in places of conflict and violence. We pray for people of Delhi and of India experiencing protests over agricultural reforms.
We pray for the people of Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Somalia.
We pray for a world in which every person is honoured and respected. We pray for a world in which everyone feels loved, valued, wanted and safe.
Free us from the spirits that divide and de-humanize.
We pray for refugees, for those who have no shelter from the cold.
We pray for all who live with the challenges of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual dis-ease.
We pray for healing in this world and healing of this world.
We pray for reconciling spirits and for compassionate actions.
Remind us that Your holiness blesses all creation with holiness.
May the resurrected Christ inspire us to live with courageous love.
Be with us, this day and always. AMEN
Our closing hymn is “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”
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