This pandemic has changed our lives and the life of our church. With the initiation of the Ontario government’s “Roadmap to Reopening” Step 1 the team met on Thursday, June 10th to discuss “Going Forward”. It is our sincere hope that by Thanksgiving we can enjoy an in-person service and also a livestreaming service, for those unable to attend in-person.
The team has been asked how do we get there from where we are today? What will our music program look like? Will we be able to hold committee meetings in the church? Why are there renters in the church and yet we are not holding in-person services? We all have questions as we enthusiastically and patiently wait for a time when the Church and the Building are Open!
Happy Birthday! This Sunday we celebrate four years since the coming together of Presteign-Woodbine and Leaside.
The service will be the same on Zoom and on YouTube, so you are invited to take part either way this morning – and consider watching or re-watching on YouTube with headphones for the best sound quality.
Join us for a congregational meeting on Zoom after the service, at 11:15am, when we will approve council and committee nominations for the coming year, and consider a small update to our mission statement.
Here are a few highlights:
Our virtual choir is sharing a world premiere of “We Now United Our Voices” an anthem by Canadian musician, music educator and composer Gordon Adnams. He was so impressed with our virtual choir projects that he reached out to Matt about creating this recording.
The Stewardship Action Committee once again shares its wonderful annual Celebration Slideshow as a part of our service.
Our prayers blend last year’s Church Birthday prayers with some updated words and images that reflect the past year.
Those who gathered at our end of year choir party wish you peace with spoken words and in American Sign Language (ASL).
Our welcome and blessing share a few more glimpses of our newly renovated church building.
Our reflection on Mark 4:26-34 reflects on the past year and the unexpected nature of God’s Kingdom.
Plus much more wonderful music and spoken leadership from many in our congregation!
We are very pleased with how this service came together, and hope you will share it with family and friends.
Stories and Makers Nest:
Next Sunday is National Indigenous Day of Prayer as well as Father’s Day. It will be the second of our shared sermon and music services with Northlea United Church this spring, with Emily sharing the reflection with both congregations.
This Sunday our Reflections and Connections service has two different possibilities.
On Zoom, we will be sharing Communion with one another, wish one another the Peace of Christ, and light candles for joys and sorrows. Rather than listening to a sermon, we will have four opportunities for personal reflection. Bring bread and juice, or something else to eat and drink for communion. If you are someone who likes to journal, also bring your journal to worship this morning.
On YouTube we are sharing several different worship options from the larger church. Just follow the links to a worship service that will connect with you this week.
Stories and Makers Nest – June 6, 2021:
This week hear the story of Samuel and make magic reveal drawings! Watch at 9:55 on Zoom, or any time on YouTube.
Next Sunday, June 13 is our Church Birthday! We celebrate 4 years since the coming together of Leaside United Church and Presteign-Woodbine United Church with a service that includes a world premiere by our virtual choir, as well as our Stewardship celebration slideshow.
Following the service will be a congregational meeting on Zoom, including a proposed addition to our mission statement and Council and Committee nominations for the coming year.
Today we welcome Lee-Ann Ahlstrom, Minister at Northlea United Church, in the first of two sermon and music exchanges with Northlea. Both Leaside and Northlea will hear Lee-Ann’s sermon as well as music from both congregations. The second part of our sermon and music exchange will be in June. It is a blessing to share in worship once again with our sister congregation.
This Sunday our service will be the same on Zoom and YouTube. You are invited to watch either way, but join Zoom at 11:10am for a time of conversation following the service.
If you would like to take part in a breakout room discussion before the service, join Zoom by 10:15am – or come even earlier and watch the Stories and Makers Nest at 9:55am. The program will also be about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, and the activity will be a scavenger hunt that you can do sometime during the week.
Next Sunday
On May 30th our service will celebrate music, including some hymn favourites and reflections about how hymns and music speak to our spirits.
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