MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Greetings, everyone.
Welcome to Lent! We had a great start to the season on Tuesday evening, “Ash Wednesday Eve”, and now our journey begins.
This is the season of 40 days before Easter. Remember, the six Sundays aren’t included because they’re considered mini-resurrection days. It is a time of preparation… a spiritual spring-cleaning.
Lent, like life itself, is a time of duality. We experience light and dark, pain and joy, confession and forgiveness. Even the name of this special time reflects this reality. “Lent” comes from an old English word that means lengthen, referring to the lengthening of days as the world around us opens itself up to light and warmth. It’s what we do during Lent – clean the windows of our soul to be able to welcome the light and warmth of God’s love experienced at Easter.
However, it is also the root of the French word “lente”. Slow. This isn’t a season of rushing things. We dig deep, we experience, we reflect, we grow. And that takes time. And work. So, let’s embrace this sacred time and prepare for inspiration, love, and new beginnings. God is with us on the journey!
Peace.
Rev. Steve
Sunday, February 18, 2024
11:00 A.M.
Lent 1
Worship Song: VU#946 “Kyrie Eleison”
Hymn: MV#71 “When the Wind of Winter Blows”
Connections: Purple
Hymn: VU#108 “Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights”
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Reflection: Into the wilderness…
Hymn: VU#468 “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ”
Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer (sung VU#959)
Offering and Sung Dedication: MV#143 “We Cannot Own the Sunlit Sky”
Hymn: VU#120 “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
You may 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: 438-809-7799
This Sunday we will gather at the table for the sacrament of communion. For those joining our service on zoom, you are invited to have something ready at home, perhaps some bread and juice, so that we may share the sacrament together.
LENTEN ZOOM BOOK STUDY:
WEDNESDAYS 7:30 – 8:45 PM
FEBRUARY 7 UNTIL APRIL 10
The Zoom Lenten Study Group is ongoing, but it’s not too late to join in. Led by Rev. Linda Buchanan from Beaconsfield United, the group is exploring the book “The Last Week” by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. Each session includes prayer and discussion following the guide at the end of the book.
We have three copies of the book in our Book Nook, and Rev. Steve has one that he is willing to lend.
All are welcome, even if you are unable to make every week. For the Zoom link, please contact Kathryn Ball at: community@beaconsfieldunitedchurch.com
COMING UP
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be Sunday, March 3rd, following the service.
The next Balcony Boutique will be Saturday, February 24th, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Large selection of fashions for all ages in the balcony. Coffee, conversation and books downstairs.
Zoom coffee continues. For a friendly morning social gathering from the warmth of your own home, join in! Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Just click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?pwd=RmF4Q0c1UVJlN1BIaUhEM1gvTk1MZz09 Meeting ID: 719 779 7321, Passcode: 442730
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WINE AND BEER AT THE MURDER MYSTERY DINNER
Our congregation at Lakeshore Trinity is a blending of two communities with different traditions regarding the serving of wine and spirits in the church building. St. John’s had a no-alcohol policy. Dorval-Strathmore permitted the serving of alcohol under certain circumstances, for instance, the sale of beer and wine at their famous Murder Mystery Dinner Theatres.
As a new congregation, Lakeshore Trinity has not yet established its own alcohol policy. With preparations for our first Murder Mystery dinner theatre well underway, our Council of Ministries voted at the meeting on January 16, 2024 to approve the sale of beer and wine at this event.
The process of determining our own policy will be allowed the time and prayer and thoughtful consultation of our members that it deserves. We will go forward as one community of faith.
THE BOOK NOOK
In this month of February we observe both Black History Month and the beginning of Lent. To mark these occasions relevant items hiding in our mini-library will be out at the back of the sanctuary. Please do have a look, and borrow.
We highlight:
Reflections on Emancipation and Anti-Black Racism in Canada. This work, with United Church connections, is a diverse collection of articles, readable in whole or in part.
Jesus and then Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church, a “fable” in which Jesus and Simon Peter appear back on earth in the form of two Jewish women!
The Last Week, by Marcus J. Borg & John Dominic Crossan. This is a highly recommended work on “what the Gospels really teach about Jesus’s final days in Jerusalem.” That there are three copies in the Nook, plus Rev. Steve’s own copy available for borrowing, attest to the high regard for this publication, also that it is the basis for the current Zoom Bible study at our neighboring Beaconsfield United Church.
Also worthy of mention is this year’s United Church Bookstore’s special promotion for Black History Month: The Long Road Home, by Montrealer Debra Thompson. Rated an “instant bestseller” this book is in the Pointe-Claire library as well as in-store at Librairie Clio in the Plaza Pointe-Claire.
Judy Lindsay
BROADVIEW MAGAZINE
It is time once again to order your copy of the United Church magazine “Broadview”. Broadview is constantly in touch with people from all over the United Church, those in the ministry as well as the folks in the pews. The magazine provides a place where people can voice their thoughts, their fears, and their faith. It is also a place where they can find articles and columns by people who ask timely questions and look for answers from a Christian Perspective.
Cost is $30.00. Please make your cheque payable to “Broadview” and leave it in the church office. If you have any questions, you may contact Lisa at the church office 514-697-6459.
The deadline for orders is March 26th 2024.
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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.
Tax receipts have been sent out by email this week, and paper copies will be available on Sunday for people who previously requested them.
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
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeshore-Trinity-United-Church-101331995747334
