HARROWSMITH-VERONA PASTORAL CHARGE

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Worship Time: 10 am at Trinity, Verona

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

Retired Voluntary Minister: The Rev’d. Ian MacKay

Licensed Lay Worship Leader: Sheila Anthony

Office Administrator: Rebecca Peters

Director of Music: Stan Stinchcombe

Website: www.h-vpastoralcharge.org

e-mail: office@h-vpastoralcharge.org

In appreciation of Black History Month, “Self Determination” painting

created by artist Claude Clark 1969

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, February 23^rd, 2025 – Epiphany 7

Trinity United Church – Verona

Minister: Rev. Micheline Montreuil

Lay Reader: John McDougall

WE GATHER

ORGAN PRELUDE

GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

HYMN: VU #326 “O For a Thousand Tongues To Sing”

1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of God’s grace.

2. Jesus! The name that charms our fears that bids our sorrows cease; ‘tis music in the sinner’s ears, ‘tis life and health and peace.

3. He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive, the mournful broken-hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.

4. Hear him, you deaf; you voiceless ones, your tongues again employ; you blind, behold your Saviour comes, and leap, you lame, for joy!

5. My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the honours of your name.

SCRIPTURE SENTENCES

CHORAL INTROIT: My Lord, What a Morning

LITANY:

One: Let us take delight in God.

All: For God will give us the desires of our hearts.

One: Let us trust God.

All: For God will give us security and strength

One: Come, let us commit our ways to God.

All: Let us worship the One who is our refuge in any time of trouble.

PRAYER: (Unison)

Faithful God, you have gathered your people in faithfulness throughout many generations. You have offered your blessing to us through their examples, and led the Church through many changes and challenges by your Spirit. Draw near to us this day to guide us in these uncertain times. Renew us through your steadfast love so that we may dare to trust our future to you, Gracious God, you test the mind and search the heart, so you know the thoughts and intentions we keep hidden. Trusting in your wisdom and mercy, we confess the ways we have failed to love one another, the times we have looked the other way when someone needed help, and the ways our actions betrayed your goodness. Forgive us for missing opportunities to share your love, and for carrying grudges that keep us from offering the forgiveness we hope for. Renew us with your mercy to become more merciful to those whom we meet. All praise and honour are yours, O God: Source, Saviour and Spirit of Life. AMEN.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE AND GRACE

ANTHEM: Lift Every Voice and Sing

YOUTH TIME

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.

HYMN: VU #585 “Jesus Bids Us Shine”

1. Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light, like a little candle burning in the night. In this world is darkness, so let us shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.

2. Jesus bids us shine first of all for him; well he sees and knows it if our light grows dim: Jesus walks beside us to help us shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.

3. Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around; many kinds of darkness in the world are found: sin, and want and sorrow; so we must shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.

WE GIVE BACK

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

DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING (Standing) VU #538

For the gift of creation, the gift of your love, and the gift of the Spirit by which we live, we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands. May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.

OFFERTORY PRAYER (Unison)

God of generous love, we bring our gifts with grateful hearts, for we have received so much through your kindness. Bless our gifts, and use them to touch lives with your love in situations we are unable to even imagine. Make us a blessing in our community for the sake of Christ, our Friend and Saviour. AMEN.

WE LISTEN

GOSPEL: Luke 6:27-38 (Pg. 895)

HYMN: VU #678 “For The Healing of the Nations”

1. For the healing of the nations, God, we pray with one accord; for a just and equal sharing of the things that earth affords. To a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word.

2. Lead us forward into freedom, from despair your world release; that, redeemed from war and hatred, all may come and go in peace. Show us how through care and goodness fear will die and hope increase.

3. All that kills abundant living, let it from the earth be banned: pride of status, race or schooling, dogmas that obscure your plan. In our common quest for justice may we hallow life’s brief span.

4. You, Creator-God, have written your great name on humankind; for our growing in your likeness bring the life of Christ to mind; that, by our response and service, earth its destiny may find.

MESSAGE: “Loving Our Enemies......Today!”

PREPARATION FOR PRAYER: VU #400

Lord, listen to your children prayer, Lord send your Spirit in this place; Lord, listen to your children praying, send us love, send us power, send us grace!

PASTORAL PRAYER

WE GO FORTH

HYMN: VU #703 “In the Bulb, There is a Flower”

1. In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, and apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

2. There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

3. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

BENEDICTION/COMMISSIONING

SENDING FORTH: Go Now in Peace (Don Besig/NancyPrice)

Go now in peace, never be afraid,

God will go with you each hour of every day.

Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true,

Know God will guide you in all you do.

Go now in love, and show you believe,

Reach out to others so all the world can see,

God will be there watching us in love,

Go now in peace, in faith and in love.

Amen. Amen. Amen!

ORGAN POSTLUDE: Improvisation in F (Bach)

ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS

Worship Leader for Sunday March 2^nd:

Rev. Ian Mackay

Lay Reader for March 2^nd:

Linda Brown

Greeter for March 2^nd:

David Shane

Ann McDougall February 6^th

May God’s richest blessings shine upon you!!

BIRTHDAY SUNDAY: Wishing everyone who celebrates a birthday in February a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. May God’s richest blessings rest upon you!!

WELCOME: Please welcome the Rev. Micheline Montreuil, who is providing pulpit supply to our church this Sunday.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: Please plan to attend our Annual General Meeting which will take place following the service today. Copies of the report are available to be picked up at the back of the sanctuary.

SESSION MEETING: The next meeting for the new committee of Session will take place on Tuesday March 4^th at 2:00pm

STEWARDS MEETING: The next meeting for the Stewards will take place on Tuesday March 4^th at 1:00pm.

UCW: The UCW women will be holding a meeting on Wednesday March 12^th at 12 noon in the board room. All women are welcome to join and participate.

UPDATES: If you have recently joined the church, have moved within the past couple of years, changed phone numbers, or have celebrated a birthday which puts your age into the “Over 80” category, could you please let Rebecca in the office know of these changes. She is currently going through our contact list to ensure we have an up to date contact in case of church cancellations due to the weather. Thank You.

office@h-vpastoralcharge.org or 613-374-2777

TRINITY SHARING CUPBOARD: The cupboard will be open again this Wednesday February 26^th. At this time, no more food items are needed, but the cupboard could use some liquid hand soap, unscented bar soap (Ivory or Dove), toothpaste, granola bars and canned fruit. Thank you for your continued support!!

OLDE VERONA: Please mark your calendars. Once again Trinity will be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday April 12^th. We are looking for a committee to help organize this event. If interested in helping, please speak to David Shane.