A cartoon that came across our email the other day showed someone worrying ‘What do we do? All the churches are closed!’, And God replying, ‘Fear not, now there’s a church in every home’!
God be with us in our ‘home churches’ as we continue physical distancing.
Thanks 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, to provide us with feedback, 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.
And thanks to all those who placed orders for our Glenlea Greenhouse fundraiser! You will be contacted about the timing for pick up on May 22.
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.
Worship for Sunday May 3, 2020
Call to Prayer
“Where Loves Comes to Life” – sung and played by Cheryl Jackson
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.
Hymn
“Holy, Holy, Holy” – The Chancel Choir
Scripture
There are many ways to think about the scripture – Jeff likes to draw – here he offers some thoughts on drawing and an invitation to join in.
Here’s the link to Illustrated Ministry’s sheets for drawing, colouring, and some things to think about. We hope that you enjoy them. https://illstrtdm.in/EasterWeek4
Reading – John 10:1-10
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Reflection
Let us pray:
Holy God, loving shepherd, we are your people. Distanced from one another, but not distanced from You or from Your love. We are Your church in every home and in every place, filled with Your Spirit. We thank you God.
We dream and hope for this world. We pray for this fragile planet, and all who dwell upon it. We offer our prayers for people far away whose names and faces we do not know but who are known to you. We share our care and our prayers.
We offer our prayers for people who fill our lives – those family, neighbours, friends, and all those we encounter. We pray for health and for safety.
We offer our prayers for people who care for our community and for other communities. For those who work at the front, and at the back, we need each other and we offer our blessings and thanks.
Help us to remember others as we live in our distanced world. We pray for our leaders that they might be guided with wisdom and compassion.
We pray for those who feel abandoned and alone. We pray that they might know comfort and care.
We pray for those who are sick and those who are grieving. We continue to think of the people of Nova Scotia, and we pray for those in the Canadian Armed Forces.
For those who live in violent homes, and in violent places, bring peace.
For those who live in need of food and water, bring help.
For those away,
For those here,
For each and every,
Hear our prayers,
We pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. AMEN
Song
“I am a Child of God” – Cheryl, Steve, Crystal, Annette
God bless you and keep you.
God’s face shine upon.
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