Thanks to everyone for engaging with us on this 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.
Let’s begin with words of thanks and then get to our worship.
This week Audrey Lumsden, Chair of our Council, sent a message about the Finances at TMUC and we understand that so many of you are responding with generosity! Thanks to those who are continuing their PAR, those who are mailing in donations, and those who are making additional donations on CanadaHelps.org. We are in this together!
And, thanks to all those who are placing orders for our fundraiser at www.glenleagreenhouses.com You can place orders online until May 1 with delivery to the church 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 April 19, 2020
Call to Prayer
“Where Love 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.
Blessing Rock Challenge
As a possible activity for the week, here’s a Blessing Rock Challenge – perhaps you would like to send us pictures of your Blessing Rocks and we will post them on our Instagram or Facebook.
Scripture Reading
John 20: 19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Reflection
Printable Version – Reflection_April 19 2020
Hymn
“Don’t be Afraid” – performed by Cheryl, Steve, Crystal and Annette
Prayer
God, how can we see you
When you are nowhere, but everywhere?
We see you in the everywhere, the everywhere of kitchens and living rooms,
The everywhere of backyards and neighbourhood streets,
The everywhere of Facetime and phone calls
The everywhere of every place, every person, every bird and dog and cat and every tree and pebble and lake…God, we see you everywhere
We pray for everyone and everywhere
WE pray for all who are working and serving to provide care – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual care to others during this COVID time
We pray for all who feel anxious and worried during this time
We pray for those who have no place of shelter to call home
We pray for those who live in places of conflict and threat
We pray for those who are ill, and we pray for those who grieve.
We each offer our prayers for specific people and places…
Bless us, God,
Bless us with peace
Breathe peace into us,
That we might be an Easter people
An Easter people who live in your world,
In your love, now and always.
We pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. AMEN
Hymn
“Grateful” – sung and played by Cheryl Jackson
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