Outreach

Palm Sunday – March 28, 2021

March 31, 2021

Today during our service on Zoom we will have Palm parade. You can make a palm in a couple of minutes (see the instruction video here), or find some ferns or other green plants, and a scarf, paper or something else to wave.

Also on Zoom we will be watching a Palm Pageant, shared by Rosedale United Church, with children and youth from our two congregations.

On YouTube, our worship service will include scripture, reflection, prayer, and music including Hosanna-filled hymns and a solo of the spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me.” We end our service today with silence as we move into Holy Week.

Our Palm Sunday Stories and Crafts program can be watched at 9:55am on Zoom, or any time on YouTube.

H O L Y † W E E K

On Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, and Holy Saturday, there will be a short time of scripture and prayer shared on YouTube. You can find them each day on our YouTube channel.

Good Friday we will be sharing a joint service with Northlea United Church. Easter Sunday, our service will include more musical collaborations with Northlea United Church, along with trumpets.

YouTube and Zoom links for Good Friday and Easter will be shared later in the week.

Maundy Thursday there are two different opportunities to share communion. Remember to bring bread and juice with you.

  1. The Last Supper and You is a child and family-friendly event from 4:30-5:30pm.
  2. A simple evening communion service will be at 7:30pm.

Next Sunday – EASTER Sunday April 4th 10:30am

Lent & Easter at Leaside United

April 6, 2021

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Lent II – “On Eagle’s Wings” Sunday February 28th, 2021

March 6, 2021
Photo by: Murray Fenner

Today we hear and sing the words from Isaiah:

“those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”

Today is our final Sunday of Black History Month. Leadership throughout the service will be conducted by one of our families, from the Call to Worship to the Final Blessing. Thank you! They are sharing words from a UCC service by Charmain Bailey Foutner, “On Eagle’s Wings: A Service for Black History Month.”

For those joining us on Zoom, we will also be watching a short documentary “Secret Alberta: the Former Life of Amber Valley” that connects to the sermon, giving more of the history. If you’re not watching on Zoom, you can find this on YouTube as well.

Stories and Crafts will be at 9:55am, or any time on YouTube. This week the story we will hear is Jesus feeding a crowd.

Sunday March 7th
Next Sunday, we welcome Rev. Rob Oliphant who will be sharing his sermon live over Zoom. The YouTube service will include readings, prayer, organ improvisations, and the hymn Bless Now, O God, The Journey.

Then, come for the Annual General Meeting over Zoom at 11:30am.

Sunday March 14th
For P.I.E. Sunday, we welcome guest preacher Jordan Sullivan who will share his reflection “The Stranger Who Dwells Among Us.” There will be a few more sweet surprises as well!

LENT 1″Desert Times” – Sunday February 21, 2021

March 6, 2021

Today is our first story during Lent, and we hear of Jesus being tested in the wilderness. What insight might this story offer us during our own wilderness times right now? Just one of the things I talk about is community even in wilderness times. When Jesus begins his ministry, he speaks to groups not individuals, and invites us to respond together. Jesus’ time in the wilderness harks back to the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness, a community together facing dangerous times. Even Jesus does not encounter the wilderness alone.

At Leaside this past year, even while we have been apart we have not been alone. Worship, groups during the week, and events have all offered ways to be connected with one another. Our virtual choir projects have connected people across the country and even around the world. During Lent this year we now have over 90 people reading the daily Lent emails, many from Leaside and many more from other churches, family and friends (email emily@leasideuc.com to be added to the list). Even though not all in the same place, we are on this journey connected with one another through music, art, reflection, poetry, and prayer. We work together as a community in so many ways during these COVID times.

Where will Lent take us this year? Let’s find out together.

Our service today will include the first of Matt’s Lenten organ improvisations, and an opening prayer that celebrates diversity. For those joining over Zoom, we will take time to light candles for joys and sorrows together as we mark the beginning of Lent, and a short United Church video “The Journeys of Black Peoples.” Either way you join in worship, join on Zoom at 11:20am for a time of conversation together.

Our Stories and Crafts program will explore the story of when Jesus meets the Samaritan woman. For today’s activity, we will be using things you might find in your kitchen, such as tea leaves, coffee grounds, and hot chocolate… Watch at 9:55am on Zoom, or any time on YouTube.

Looking Ahead
Next Sunday, we will draw on the service “On Eagle’s Wings: a service for Black History Month” and hear the reflection written by Charmain Bailey Foutner read as a part of it.

Then, we look forward to two weeks with guest preachers. Rob Oliphant will join us preaching live on Zoom on March 7th and for P.I.E. Sunday on March 14th we will welcome Jordan Sullivan with the sermon “The Stranger Who Dwells Among Us.”