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.

 

 

March 22, 2026

Lent V

Worship Leader:  Rev. Catherine Oxenford-Grant

Lay Reader:  Beatrice Moffitt

 

Prelude

Welcome and Announcements:

 

We Come to Worship

 

Introit:  “When We Seek Language”   (MV #49)

 

*Lenton Candle Liturgy – Sunday School

Leader:  This is the fifth Sunday in Lent, the season for journeys of the heart.  When we arrived here in church this morning, we entered into the normal familiarity and bustle of church life; friends greeting each other, bulletins being handed out, choir members doing final practice, minister getting robed and ready for worship.  Now that we are gathered together, we know where we are, in church.  Church is a “sanctuary.”  A sanctuary is a place set aside for sacred things.  It is a place of refuge and protection.  The season of Lent is a kind of sanctuary, extended in time.  Lent helps to remind us that we, too, are sanctuaries.  There is inside each of us, a place for sacred things, a place where God abides.

 

We extinguish the light of candle V.  In doing it, we acknowledge the darkness and pain of war and oppression in the world. 

 

(Candle V is extinguished)

 

Let us pray:

All:  Loving God, we open our hearts to you.  We invite you into our inmost being, only to find you already there.  Strengthen us in our quiet places and then lead us into the world of justice and peace.  Amen.

 

Hymn:  “Just As I Am”   (VU #508 vs. 5)

Just as I am , thy love unknown

Has broken every barrier down;

Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone.

O Lamb of God, I Come, I come!

 

Call to Worship:

One: Be still, and know that God is, 

All: Before creation began, God was.

One: And when all human striving has ceased, God will still be.

All: From everlasting to everlasting, God is God, who along is worthy to be worshipped. Let us sing praise to our God. Amen.

 

Opening Prayer:

All:  In joy and in trouble, help us gracious God. May we trust in your unending love for us. Forgive us when we love less than we might; when we sit when we might stand; when we keep silence when we might shout. You call us to worship just as we are and we present ourselves to you. Forgive our failings and accept our repentance. Grant us your grace as we worship. Amen.

 

Words of Assurance:

One: The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. So, with confidence, I say to you; in god’s great mercy, receive forgiveness for your sin.  

All: Thanks be to God!

 

*Opening Hymn: “O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”   (VU #326) Vss. 1, 2, 3, & 4

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!

 

Anthem:  “When Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”

 

We Give Back

 

The Offering:

 

OFFERTORY HYMN:  “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”   (VU #541)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise, God, all creatures high and low; give thanks to God in love made known: Creator, Word, and Spirit, One.

 

Offering Prayer: (Unison)

Bless these gifts and bless our journeys, we pray, that the needs of our church may be met and the needs of the world gently touched.   Amen.

 

Today’s question:  “The shortest verse…”

 

The Lord’s Prayer:

 

 

We Listen

Scripture Readings:

Responsive Psalm 130: VU #853 Refrain 1

Out of the depths I cry to you, my hope is in your promise true.

 

Out of the depths have I called to you.  O God, hear my cry!

Let your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.

If you should keep account of what is done amiss, O God, who could stand?

But there is forgiveness with you, therefore we will honour you.  Out of the depths I cry to you, my hope is in your promise true.

 

I wait for you, God; my soul waits, and in your word is my hope.

My soul waits for God more than the watchers long for morning, more than the watchers long for morning.

O Israel, wait in hope, for with God there is love unfailing.

With God is great power to redeem, to redeem you, Israel, from all your sings.  Out of the depths I cry to you, my hope is in your promise true.

 

Gospel: John 11: 1-45 (The death of Lazarus) (read by Rev. Cat) 

 

Message:  “Hope Against All Hope”

 

We Pray

 

Hymn:  “Jesus, Remember Me” Sing twice   (VU #148) (Please remain seated)

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.  Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.

 

Prayers of the People:

 

We are Sent Forth

 

*Closing Hymn:  “Throughout these Lenten Days and Nights”   (VU #108)

Vss. 1, 2, & 3

1.  Throughout these Lenten days and nights we turn to walk the inward way, where, meeting Christ, our guide and light, we live in hope till Easter Day.

 

2.  The pilgrim Christ, the Lamb of God, who found in weakness greater power, embraces us, tough lost and flowed, and leads us to his Rising Hour.

 

3.  We bear the silence, cross and pain of human burdens, human strife, while sisters, brothers help sustain our courage till the Feast of Life.

 

CHORAL BENEDICTION  “Go Now in Peace” – Besig/Price

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.

 

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 29th

Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett

Lay Reader for Sunday March 29th

Diane Revill

 

 

THANK YOU:  Big thanks are extended to many for last week’s church

SOUP-er fellowship:

-       To the ladies of the UCW for hosting, serving and feeding us 4 wonderful varieties of soup (chicken noodle cream of leek, and cream of broccoli), crackers and buns

-       To Samantha Lott (one of our new members at Trinity) for volunteering to provide her Spicy Sausage soup (which was very popular)

-       To the congregation who provided all the extras (dessert, fruit, eggs, cheese, etc)

-       To those who took the time to set up the hall, took tables and chairs down, helped with clean up in the hall and kitchen, and all those other jobs that just get done for these events.

-       To Levi Peters who graciously brought just a tiny fraction of his truck/vehicle collection to share with the fellowship attendees – he thoroughly enjoyed talking to each of you who showed an interest, and now has a keen interest in watching the Dukes of Hazard.

-       Well done EVERYONE!!!  The next church potluck fellowship will be held on Sunday April 19th.

 

TRINITY MOVIE NIGHT:  Our church movie night is finally here!!!  Please plan to attend this fun night out this Friday March 27th.  Doors open at 6:00 pm and the movie will start at 6:30 pm.  Being shown is “The Ultimate Gift.”  Admission is by donation and includes a bag of popcorn, chocolate bar and drink. 

 

UCW:  The UCW ladies will be meeting next Wednesday March 25th at 12:30 pm in the church Memorial Room.  All women are welcome to join.

 

BLESSING BOX:  The blessing box will is always available at the back of the church if you wish to contribute.  All donations are to help send children to Camp Quin-Mo Lac.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL:    Sunday School will resume next Sunday March 29th.

 

EASTER SERVICES:  Please note the dates and times for our Easter service celebrations:

 

        Palm Sunday Communion:   March 29  10:00 am

               (Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett)

 

        Good Friday:   April 3  10:00 am

               (Rev. Micheline Montreuil)

 

        Easter Sunday:   April 5  10: 00 am

               (Rev. Ian Mackay)

 

FOODBANK NEEDS:  The Verona Satellite Foodbank will be open again on April 9th at the Verona Free Methodist Church and is asking for donations of the following:

·      Jam

·      Canned Meat (Tuna, Ham, Chicken, Salmon)

·      Canned Fruit

·      Personal Hygiene Items (shampoo, deodorant)