MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Greetings, everyone!
It has been an interesting week. On Monday and Tuesday, our Jewish friends celebrated Purim, a holiday commemorating the saving of Jews from annihilation at the hands of Haman, the advisor to the Persian King, Xerxes. The story centers on Queen Esther, married to the king. Esther is Jewish. You can guess where this story is going. Esther is one of only two books in the Bible named for women. It is a story of strength, faith, and leadership. (It’s also the only book in the Bible that doesn’t mention God.) Check it out. It’s a good story.
Then on Wednesday, our Hindu friends celebrated Holi, a festival of colour, spring, and love, that focuses on forgiveness and the mending of broken relationships.
Wednesday was also International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls. The day is not only a time for recognition and expressing gratitude, but it is also a call to action for gender parity, freedom, respect, education, and equity.
And so, as we continue our Lenten journey of repentance and discovery, let’s take time to celebrate the strength, wisdom, and leadership of women (like Esther), and focus on mending broken relationships and healing. More on Sunday!
Peace.
Rev. Steve
SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2023
11:00 a.m. Daylight Saving Time
Lent 3
Worship Song: VU#108 Verse 1
VU#222 ”Come, Let Us Sing” (Susan Colyer’s Pick from the Pew)
Covenanting with our Council of Ministries and Elders
MV#154 ”Deep in Our Hearts”
Scripture: John 4:5-15, 28-30
Reflection: Her story
VU#375 ”Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”
Sung Dedication: VU#544 “In Gratitude and Humble Trust”
VU#595 ”We Are Pilgrims”
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
You may view the service from March 5th on YouTube at:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME THIS SUNDAY
Remember to turn your clocks ahead on Saturday night!
COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES 2023
The New Council of Ministries for Lakeshore Trinity United Church was approved at the Annual General Meeting held last Sunday. There will be a covenanting of the new council and elders during the service on Sunday We thank those who offer their faithful service in the life of our church, and we ask God’s blessing upon us all.
THE BALCONY BOUTIQUE
The Balcony Boutique is back, this Saturday, March 11, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. We have been delighted to see the return of many of our traditional Boutique customers and friends. We are encouraged to continue this community outreach on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays each month.
After browsing the clothing in the balcony, stop downstairs for coffee and conversation and sweet treats. You may also look through the interesting-reads-for-tiny-prices on our bookshelf. In the photo: Frank Giffen, Anna Kelly, Graeme Bell, Lynn Coghlin, BJ Bell and May Walker.
Donations of lightly used books and clothing are welcome. BJ Bell also welcomes help to keep the Boutique up and running. Please contact her at 514-630-5007, or by email at bjbell2010@gmail.com
ST. PATRICK’S DAY BRUNCH
SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 10:00 A.M.
Lakeshore Trinity and St. Edward will get together for a St. Patrick’s Day brunch next Sunday, March 19 at 10:00 a.m. There will be bagels and cream cheese, fruit salad and lively conversation among good friends. Mark your calendar and come at 10:00 a.m. and turn up your Irish!
SPRING THING PLANNING MEETING:
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 12TH, AFTER CHURCH
The 49th Spring Thing takes place on Saturday, May 13th.
There will be a planning meeting this Sunday, March 12th after the service. If you have never been to Spring Thing, come on in to the meeting and hear all about it.
Spring Thing is well known in this community, our neighbours look forward to it and save up their donations of household goods for us.
We will need lots of help all during Spring Thing week, beginning May 6th, to unpack, sort and price. Many hands make the job fun! So save the week, call up your children, your grandchildren, your neighbours, your friends. We welcome them all.
Spring Forward this Sunday:
But if you forget to move your clocks ahead you will be just in time for the meeting!
FOOD INSECURITY
The United Church magazine, Broadview, published this survey of food insecurity in Canada in the April/May 2022 issue. A year later, high inflation has only escalated the problem. Food banks are under extra pressure during spring break, when children are home and always looking for something to eat. Our thanks for your continuing support of our food collections here at Lakeshore Trinity.
REMEMBER…
Zoom coffee, Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Just click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?#success
The Book Nook Lenten display will be in the coffee area after church for you to browse and borrow.
The deadline for Broadview subscriptions is March 21st. The cost of a 1-year subscription, 8 issues, is $25.00. Please make your cheque payable to “Broadview”. You may place it in the offering plate on Sunday, or mail it to the church.
SJUC glasses are still available in the hall for any who would like them.
FROM CHURCH IN THE WORLD
Beloved Community:
Moses’ vision on the mountaintop was to bring the people to a land where power is shared, privilege is put aside, fairness is promoted, and barriers are eliminated. The people followed Moses into the unmapped and unknown, and God went before them as a pillar of cloud and fire to guide them on their way. Plagues and slavery behind, fiery and foggy ahead. Sounds like our time. This is also the Exodus journey.
We need to take a similar courageous journey, as a United Church, to move away from the systemic racism in our society. This is also a Lenten journey. As an inclusive family, we must set aside our fear of being vulnerable, and move from denying and defending or minimizing difference, to accepting and integrating difference in personal attitudes and community life.
God goes before us also. We are not alone.
On March 21st, the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination:
light a candle;
reflect on the stories of Jesus overturning the moneychangers in the temple, and of Moses leading the people out of slavery;
consider how we at Lakeshore Trinity United can be involved in action and education against racism.
“We are called to be the church”
Maureen Scott Kabwe
For more information or to share ideas, you may contact Maureen by email at: mountain@saintly.com
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
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeshore-Trinity-United-Church-101331995747334
