MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Greetings, everyone.
I’m going to take a break from reflecting on my life in ministry. I’ll get back to that next time. But I’ve had something on my mind all day. I’m writing this on Tuesday evening. I’ve just got back from our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and our Ash Wednesday service. I’m feeling full. Full from a great meal of pancakes. Full from worship that filled me with the Holy Spirit. So, here goes.
We woke up Tuesday morning to the news of tariffs thrown at us by Potus, the mini dictator. (Can we call it “news” when we’ve been talking about this threat for weeks?) But finally, today, the petulant child stomped his foot in his muddy sandbox expecting to get his way. All day long we’ve listened to commentators speculating, leaders squaring their shoulders, and people worrying about what it might mean for us.
Okay, I can already hear some of you: “Hey, Rev, your job is religion, not politics!” And that’s true. I am certainly not the person knowledgeable enough to add any insight to this political discussion. But I encourage you to have another look at the Bible. Especially the gospels. It is about politics… Living justice, journeying together in difficult times, speaking up for those whose voices have been silenced. So, please allow me to share another story I’ve been carrying around all day.
While I’m having my breakfast, I watch TV. A bit of news, but mostly the national morning show that dabbles with the news yet focusses on easy-morning interviews and cooking segments. After spending some time this morning talking about the Tuesday Tariffs, they moved on to a story about this week being the 60th anniversary of the release of the movie “The Sound of Music.”
They showed a couple of clips from the movie, and talked about how it was originally received with mixed reviews, but went on to become a beloved classic. But one clip moved me. It was of Captain Von Trapp singing “Edelweiss” to his children.
What struck me was that no one working on that show seemed to notice the significance of that little clip from the movie. Actor Christopher Plummer, a Canadian icon, was singing a song about a resilient alpine flower that grows in rocky snow-covered terrain, as a character facing violent abuse from a maniacal dictator. His sung prayer… “Bless my homeland forever.”
Sure, it is heartwarming to hear words of patriotic pride. Canadians will stand together, strong. (My favourite comment I’ve heard so far is, “We’re Canadians. Sure, we’re polite, but we also play hockey.”) And that is all good. But we are also people of faith.
We are in-between faith seasons. We’ve wrapped up Epiphany that celebrates the story of God’s light leading the magi, and all of us, to the Christ-child. A story that includes Joseph taking his family and fleeing to Egypt as refugees, because of the violent actions of an evil leader. And now, Lent… A journey with Christ that will take us to Good Friday, and the story of execution at the hand of an Emperor trying to take over the world.
This is our faith story. This is when our faith makes us the strongest. This is when our voices and actions make a difference. This is when the Spirit of the God of justice, peace, and love moves through us.
Once again, the Lenten journey won’t be easy, but it will be filled with hope and faith. Journey on!
Peace.
Rev. Steve
Sunday, March 9, 2025
11:00 AM
Worship Song: MV#79 “Spirit, Open My Heart”
Hymn: VU#643 “Faith, While Trees are Still in Blossom” (tune: VU#2)
Connections: Fruit of the Spirit – Apples
Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17
Reflection: Patience
Hymn: VU#703 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”
Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer (sung VU#959)
Offering and Sung Dedication: (tune of Edelweiss):
God of Love, hear our prayer, bless this offering we bring you
May our lives do your will, grant us guard us forever.
Give us courage to stand for truth, help us care for others.
God of love, hear our prayer, bless this offering we bring you.
Prayers of Thanksgiving, Consecration and The Lord’s Prayer.
Sharing of the Bread and The Cup
Hymn: MV#165 “There Is a Time” (verses 1, 3, 5)
You may join us 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
We celebrate Communion this morning. If you are joining us by zoom, you might wish to prepare something at home to use during the sacrament as we share the bread and the cup.
Remember: Clocks spring forward one hour this Sunday!
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COMING UP
Balcony Boutique: this Saturday, March 8, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Gently used fashions upstairs, books, coffee and conversation in the hall.
Zoom Coffee, Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
To join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?pwd=RmF4Q0c1UVJlN1BIaUhEM1gvTk1MZz09
Annual General Meeting: Sunday, March 23rd, following the service. Please plan to stay for this important event in the life of our faith family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY REV STEVE!
Our own Rev. Steve Gillam will be 65 years old next Tuesday, March 11th! Many happy returns, Steve! Welcome to the Golden Age!
IN THE BOOK NOOK
BOOK NOOK FLASH from Judy Lindsay:
Items for the Lenten/Easter season are now out for BORROWING at the back of the sanctuary. These include: “The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’s Final Days in Jerusalem”, by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan. There are also works of daily readings published by the United Church. The seasonal material is added to the highly acclaimed books already on display.
BROADVIEW MAGAZINE
It is time once again to order your subscription to the United Church of Canada magazine “Broadview”. Broadview provides a space where people from all over the United Church, those in the ministry as well as the folks in the pews, can voice their thoughts, their fears, and their faith. It is a space where people 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.
Deadline for orders is March 25th 2025.
WICA TAX CLINIC: REQUEST FOR HELP
West Island Citizen Advocacy (WICA) is asking for volunteer help with their annual Tax Clinic, running through March and April. This project offers assistance to clients in completing tax documents. For more information, please contact WICA by phone at: 514-694-5850 or by email at: info@pcbo-wica.com
WE GIVE THANKS
John MacNair, Chair of our Finance Committee, reports that the tax receipts for 2024 donations have now been distributed. The majority were sent by email in pdf. format, some went as paper copies via Canada Post, and a few were delivered by hand. John wishes to express thanks to our donors for their support and generosity.
The email address for e-transfer is: ltuc98givings@gmail.com. Please 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.
Our thanks and appreciation to John MacNair, and to our Treasurer, Janet Hood-Morier for their diligent and capable management of the finances of Lakeshore Trinity United.
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
