MINISTER’S MESSAGE
REV. STEVE GILLAM
Greetings, everyone.
I was looking for something to inspire me today. Something to comfort me. The news sure isn’t doing it. And I found something. Today, instead of writing myself, let me share with you the wisdom of discovering beauty and insight through another’s words. I was reading something written by Rob Fennell, who is a theologian with the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, NS. He is writing a series of blogs on the United Church of Canada website reflecting on our church’s new Call to Vision: Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, Daring Justice. You may want to read more for yourself. Check-out the United Church of Canada website, a Round the Table blog by Rob Fennell.
I share with you a poem from him:
I am not quite myself
I am not quite myself without you.
Apart from you, without you, I find myself at a loss.
I do know where I end and you begin;
I know how your beginnings mean my limits,
the limits of my self, my outer boundaries,
for I am not you, and I know the difference.
But I do not know who I’d be if you were not here.
And so all the logs and boulders,
the specks and splinters,
the vision blocked and the perception strained,
my own unreadiness to understand,
my own unredeemed hollowed-out insides that need refilling with you,
to all this, you come, with gentleness and grace,
with a silent word, with radiant darkness;
you have found me,
you have given yourself to me,
and I am myself again, for I am with you.
Peace.
Rev. Steve
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022
11:00AM
Welcome and announcements
Gathering Music
Spiritual Focus
Worship Song: VU#381 “Spirit of Life”
Opening Prayer
Hymn: VU#217 “All Creatures of Our God and King”
Scripture: Luke 16:19-31
Musical Offering
Reflection: Eternity now
Hymn: MV#53 “God Who Spread the Boundless Prairie”
Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer (VU#959)
Offering, Dedication
Our Statement of Faith
Hymn: VU#341 “Fairest Lord Jesus”
Commissioning and Benediction:
Choral Amen: Amen -Robert A. Baker
Postlude
You may also join the service via Zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?pwd=RmF4Q0c1UVJlN1BIaUhEM1gvTk1MZz09
Meeting ID: 719 779 7321, Passcode: 442730
Or by phone at: 438-809-779
HAVE YOU MISSED A SERVICE?
Mark Watson, chair of our Council of Ministries, publishes the recordings of our services directly on our YouTube channel. This is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ESwAcMObqU_y_8VLd8ouQ
Here is the link to last Sunday’s service:
You may also access them on our website at:
www.lakeshoretrinityunited.ca
SUCCESSFUL CORN AND APPLE PICNIC IN THE SOUTH WING
About 30 people stayed after church last Sunday to enjoy steamed corn and apple danishes in the South Wing. Thanks to Fiona Wardrop for organizing this first fellowship event of the fall season. Those at the lunch were having such a good time, no one thought to take pictures. So our mind’s eye will just have to fill in!
Fiona would like to express a big thank you to her team, and to everyone who supported them by taking lunch-to-go, or by staying to eat and enjoy fellowship time at the church.
CREATION THEME IN THE BOOK NOOK:
Judy Lindsay has set out a display of books on the theme of Creation. Highlighted this Sunday is a brand new title: Roots & Sky. This is a lyrical walk through the seasons of the author’s first year of gardening and new friendships upon moving to the country; with scriptural chapter headings.
Because of the election poll occupying the South Wing this Sunday, the display will be located at the back of the sanctuary.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).
COMING UP:
Rev. Steve looks ahead
Friday, September 30th – Orange Shirt Day
Wearing an orange shirt on the 30th connects us to the “Every Child Matters” campaign and Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It provides awareness and opportunities to discuss the result of residential schools on the legacy of Indigenous Peoples. Wearing an orange shirt that day, in one small way, honours the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, celebrates resilience, and affirms a commitment that every child matters.
It helps us remember the past and hope for the future. Wearing an orange shirt that day connects us with the experience of Phyllis Webstad, who in 1973 was a 6-year-old girl attending her first day at a church-run residential school. She wore an orange shirt that her grandmother had given her. When she arrived at school, she was stripped of her clothes, her hair was cut, and her orange shirt taken away and discarded. Losing that orange shirt made her feel that her feelings didn’t matter, and that no one cared. It became a symbol of how much was lost by Indigenous Peoples through these careless actions; a reminder of the children who lost their homes, their culture, their spiritually, and even their lives.
We wear an orange shirt now as a symbol of repentance, hope, and healing. And if you are going to buy one of the many orange t-shirts available now, please make sure it is from an Indigenous designer, and that the proceeds go to support Indigenous causes, not businesses looking to cash-in on what to them is just another opportunity to make money.
Go online and check-out more of the history and the stories, and ways to be involved in the discussion.
Saturday, October 1st – Pet Blessing at 11:00 a.m.
Rev. Steve and Fr. Mike Shaw of St. Edward’s will host a pet blessing ceremony here at the church (hopefully outside) Saturday, October 1st at 11:00 a.m. It is a time to bless and give thanks for our special animal companions.
St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the environment. The original Earth Day advocate, perhaps?! He is often remembered on (or around) October 4th with ceremonies blessing animals in recognition of his belief that nature itself was the mirror of God, and all creatures were his sisters and brothers.
Everyone – and every creature – is welcome to this family and pet friendly bilingual event.
Sunday, October 2nd – Worldwide Communion Sunday
Our worship Sunday, October 2nd will include the sacrament of communion. The elements (those covid-friendly cups, at least one more time) will be provided for all onsite worshippers. Those of you joining the service online are encouraged to have your own communion elements ready: bread and wine/juice, or whatever you have on-hand.
Happy Hat Sunday!
Now that we’re passing the plate again, it seems right that we continue with Happy Hat Sunday. The first Sunday of every month (so, October 2nd), we share stories about the wonderful work, nationally and globally, supported by our church’s Mission and Service Fund. Then we pass the hat (a fun felt top hat in the M&S Fund’s logo’s rainbow colours), and make a special offering, if we so choose, to the Fund in honour of something special happening in our lives that month. Now that many of us are “tapping” and not carrying change with us, well… you’ve been given advance notice!
QUEBEC ELECTION POLLING STATION
Advance polling for the Quebec election will be held in the South Wing, this Sunday, September 25th. Our service will proceed as usual. If you live in the riding, you may wish to come prepared to vote following the service.
WE GIVE THANKS
The email address for e-transfer is: ltuc98givings@gmail.com. Please include your envelope number and indicate how you wish to have your offering divided. If not indicated, it will be designated as local offering.
Cheques should be made payable to Lakeshore Trinity United Church. They may be dropped in the mail slot at the church or sent by regular mail if you are not attending church in person.
Rev. Steve Gillam can be reached by phone or text at 514-235-9383 or by email at macduffsdad@hotmail.com.
Lakeshore Trinity United Church
98 Aurora Ave. Pointe-Claire, QC, H9R 3G7
514-697-6459
The church office is open Tuesday to Friday mornings from 9 AM to noon.
email: lakeshoretrinityunited@gmail.com
website: www.lakeshoretrinityunited.ca
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeshore-Trinity-United-Church-101331995747334
