What a time this is!
As we move to ‘Red’ in the Pandemic, we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
A group from TMUC met by ZOOM last week to discuss TMUC’s response to the needs of the community in the upcoming Christmas season. We will not be preparing and delivering any hampers this year. (Thanks to everyone for supporting this program in the past and thanks to those who have helped make this decision for this year.) If you want to help the wider community this season, we invite you to consider a special donation to the Food Bank. That donation might be food, or knitting, or unwrapped gifts, or it could be a special donation through CanadaHelps or mailed to the church.
Folks from the Food Bank will be at the church to receive food, knitting and gift donations on Wednesday November 4, December 2 and December 16 from 12:30 to 2:30. Please wear a mask and remember that physical distancing measures are in place and you must keep 6 feet apart. If these times and dates are not possible for you, we can arrange other times – just send a note to tmuc@shaw.ca
We also invite you to consider a special donation to 1JustCity – perhaps to the St. Matthew’s Maryland Christmas Store, or the Just a Warm Sleep program – there are so many opportunities to make a difference. 1JustCity can be reached through CanadaHelps and through their website.
https://www.1justcity.ca/christmas-store
And, of course, the Christmas Cheer Board is accepting donations as well.
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, November 1, 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 “What Does the Lord Require of You?”
Jeff has a story to tell: The Worry Cube
Printable Version:
THE WORRY CUBE
Matthew 23:1-12
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practise what they teach.
They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honour at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi.
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah.
The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.
Carol offers a reflection:
Printable Version:
Reflection_Nov1
Let us pray: (these words are written by the Philanthropy Unit of the UCC)
Loving God, as we worship today,
We celebrate that we are your presence in the world.
We give you thanks for the connectedness of our world
Help us to always remember that every ripple made here is felt throughout
the world.
Our world has become a global village, we celebrate the joys and we grieve
in the sorrows of our world.
Where there is struggle, we offer prayer.
Where there is joy, we offer celebration.
Where there is conflict, we offer solidarity.
We offer ourselves, heart and soul, to the world.
You call us to be your colours in the world.
We are your rainbow people.
We are connected as brothers and sisters in the world through you God.
We are thankful that the work of connecting has been made easier for us,
through the many partnerships both here at home and around the world
that we find in the Mission & Service of the United Church.
We are called to love and serve others.
Thank you that through gifts given for Mission & Service we are truly able
to do that:
to minister with, rather than minister to
to walk side by side with many.
Help us to always remember that we are not alone, O God,
Remind us so that we can live with respect in creation.
Hear this and all our prayers, in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Our closing hymn is “God Says”
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