HARROWSMITH-VERONA PASTORAL CHARGE

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Worship Time: 10 am at Trinity, Verona

Office Phone: 613-372-2525 or 613-374-2777

Voluntary Associate Minister: Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett

Retired Voluntary Minister: The Rev’d. Ian MacKay

Office Administrator: Rebecca Peters

Director of Music: Stan Stinchcombe

Website: www.h-vpastoralcharge.org

e-mail: office@h-vpastoralcharge.org

Trinity United Church acknowledges the traditional territory upon which we gather. For thousands of years, the First Peoples sought to walk gently on this land. They offered assistance to the first European travelers and shared their knowledge for survival. We seek a new relationship with the First Peoples of this land, one based in honour and deep respect.

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Worship Leader: Ian Mackay

Lay Reader: Nancy Moore-Carr

LENT II

WE GATHER

ORGAN PRELUDE

GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

HYMN: “The Living God Be Praised” (VU #255)

1. The living God be praised, who reigns enthroned above, ancient of everlasting days, and God of love. Jehovah, great I am! By earth and heaven confessed, we bow before your holy name, forever blest.

2. Your spirit still flows free, high surging where it will; in prophet’s word you spoke of old and you speak still. Established is your law, and changeless it shall stand, inscribed upon the human heart, on sea, or land.

3. You have eternal life implanted in the soul; your love shall be our strength and stay, while ages roll. We praise you, living God! We praise your holy name; the first, the last, beyond all thought, and still the same.

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES

CHORAL INTROIT: “Wade in the Water”

LITANY OF APPROACH

One: People of faith, listen to the wind; Children of God, dare to encounter the Spirit.

All: Who will tell us what God wants us to do? How will we know that what we hear is of God?

One: We have received the promise of steadfast love. God has blessed us, and our hearts are glad.

All: God listens to our doubts as well as our thanks. God seeks what is good for us all.

PRAYER OF APPROACH: (unison)

O God, we come seeking truth we have not found in other places. We also wonder what people will think if we become really serious about matters of faith. We want to feel the winds of your Spirit, but we don’t want to be blown off our feet. God of love, help us to trust you and dare to embrace your promises with confidence and hope. Amen.

ANTHEM: “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

*LENTEN CANDLE LITURGY # II - Sunday School

Leader: This is the second Sunday in Lent, the season for journeys of the heart. Let us recall Jesus’ story of the sower. The sower throws the seed... and where it lands, determines if it will grow or not grow. Think of this season of Lent as being fertile soil, a time when seeds of faith can be nurtured and enlivened, to germinate and grow, in time to bloom and grow and bear its own good fruit. Jesus, fully alive, keeps moving along his destined way. We care to follow and to grow from within this good and sacred ground of our living, and of the solid earth that is at our feet.

We extinguish the light of candle II. In doing it, we acknowledge the darkness and pain of injury done to the Earth and its ecosystems.

(Candle II is extinguished.)

Let us pray:

All: Loving God, as we journey through this holy season of Lent, may we be open to your presence. Give us the strength to make the changes that are needed in our lives and the courage to take on the work of transforming the world, and mother earth. Amen.

Hymn: “Just As I Am” vs. 2 (VU #508)

Just as I am and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot

O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Children and teachers may leave for church school classes.)

WE GIVE BACK

OUR OFFERINGS (Offering plates are available at the back of the church.)

DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING (standing) (sung twice) (MV#191)

OFFERTORY PRAYER: (unison)

O God, because you gave Jesus Christ as a gift to the world, we bring our gifts today. Because you have loved us, we renew our commitment to share love with your people. The gifts we dedicate here have always belonged to you. Use what we have and all that we are to prosper your life-enriching work. Amen.

WE LISTEN

GOSPEL: John 3: 1 - 17

HYMN: “The Play of the Godhead” (MV #43)

SERMON: “Listen To the Wind”

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: “Gather Us In” (sung seated) (MV #7)

Gather us in, ground us in you. Gather us in, ground us in you. Gather us in, gather us in, Ground us, ground us in you.

PASTORAL PRAYER

WE GO FORTH

HYMN: “When We Are Living” (VU #581)

1. When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus, and when we’re dying, it is in the Lord. Both in our living and in our dying, we belong to God, we belong to God.

2. Through all our living, we our fruits must give. Good works of service are for offering. When we are giving, or when receiving, we belong to God, we belong to God.

3. ‘Mid times of sorrow and in times of pain, when sensing beauty or in love’s embrace, whether we suffer, or sing rejoicing, we belong to God, we belong to God.

4. Across this wide world, we shall always find those who are crying with no peace of mind, but when we help them, or when we feed them, we belong to God, we belong to God.

BENEDICTION

SENDING FORTH: “Go In Peace”

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you this day.

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you alway.

Celebrate and share the joy! Celebrate new Life!

Go in peace and the peace of God be with you alway.

ORGAN POSTLUDE

*This liturgy was initially written by Jeanyne Slettom, Ph.D. and has been adapted by Ian R. Mackay.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS

Worship Leader for Sunday March 8^th

Tracy Kent-Hillis

Lay Reader for Sunday March 8^th

Rebecca Peters

MEETINGS: The next meeting of the Stewards and Session will take place this Tuesday March 3^rd. Stewards will meet at 1:00 pm, and Session will meet at 2:00 pm.

ADOPTION AGENCY: Can you help us out? We are looking to adopt some commemorative church plates. We are still looking for a Trinity United Church plate, and a Bellrock United or Godfrey United church plate to hang on our wall in the church Memorial Room. If you have one you would like to donate to the church, please see Rebecca.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: There will be no Sunday School during the March break (March 15^th an 22^nd). Sunday School will resume on Sunday March 29^th. Have a safe and fun break!

“SOUP-er” Fellowship: The Trinity UCW will be hosting their special “SOUP-er Fellowship” on Sunday March 15^th. The UCW will be providing 4 different soups, buns and crackers, and are asking for those interested in staying for this special fellowship to bring fruit, cheese, eggs or dessert.

FOODBANK NEEDS: The Verona Satellite Foodbank is asking for donations of the following:

· Jam

· Instant Jello

· Canned Fruit

· Personal Hygiene Items (shampoo, deodorant)

NEWSLETTERS: Your next edition of the church newsletter “Trinity Connected” will be available for you to pick up next Sunday March 8^th.

TRINITY MOVIE NIGHT: Mark your calendars for a wonderful evening; the Trinity UCW will be hosting a movie night on Friday March 27^th. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the movie will start at 6:30 pm. Being shown will be “The Ultimate Gift.” Admission is by donation and includes a bag of popcorn, chocolate bar and drink.

ODD REQUEST: Do you have any older calendars sitting around? If so, please let Rebecca know, someone is looking for some (specifically scenic landscapes, animals, birds, vehicles – pretty calendars of regular size). Even if they have writing on them, that is perfectly okay. Thanks.