South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge...We Are Linked In LOVE!!
Whether you attend the Courtland United Church or Cultus United Church, you will be met with warmth and sincerity. We are a 2 point charge known as the South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge. We welcome ALL to join us on Sunday mornings, or anytime...for worship and friendship! Under the loving and brilliant guidance of our Minister Ted Smith, you will be enlightened and moved.
CULTUS UNITED CHURCH: Located at 748-6th Concession Road ENR, Cultus, Ontario WORSHIPS on Sundays at 9:00am
COURTLAND UNITED CHURCH: Located at 133 Talbot Street, Courtland, Ontario WORSHIPS on Sundays at 10:30am
Our Mission Statement: The South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge is called to be a Christian community empowered and inspired by the Holy Spirit and to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
CONTACT US: EMAIL: swnpc@yahoo.ca Office Phone: 519-688-4050
OUR MAILING ADDRESS: South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge, P.O.Box 129, 119 Talbot Road, Courtland, On., N0J1E0
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CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-West-Norfolk-Pastoral-Charge/1607350796216192?sk=timeline
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CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SWNPC
Welcome to the Season of Light
Well here are again. In the midst of winter, having said goodbye to 2019, and hello to 2020, I reach out to you faithful disciples of Christ and say Happy New Year, and welcome to another year of new challenges, opportunities and possibilities. We have also reluctantly let go of the Christmas season, (the birth season), and made our way to Epiphany, the season of light, Jesus birth is public news now! The word is out! The shepherds have returned glorifying His name. The Magi have gone, headed east and kept Herod out of the loop and with that let the whole world know!
How wonderful and life giving for us to hold on to this story and carry it with us into 2020. Epiphany, then is our time as church to go public with this news and recognize our identity and respond to God’s call. So here we stand, a fresh new year ahead of us, a light to guide us, a new beginning, good stuff to grab up and carry as we go into our annual meetings, our reviews of the previous year, our gateway to the year ahead. Early in John’s gospel we are invited to a wedding. We know the story well, where Jesus turns water into fine wine at a wedding feast. Mary has noticed the wine has run out and she instructs Jesus to do something about it. This is the event, according to John, that launches Jesus’ ministry.
The evidence is all around us and part of us as we experience declining memberships and reduced numbers of people in many or even most of our churches, change that is not welcome. Through this experience one could certainly assert that we know what it feels like when the wine runs out. At most parties or celebratory events people go home after the bar closes or the “wine has run out”. As hosts, if and when we run out of wine it’s embarrassing and we do not feel good about ourselves. If that is how some of us are starting to feel about the church this story of Jesus’ first miracle would be a good place to start as we embrace the winds of change. Let us always remember this first miracle Jesus performs is to keep the party going by helping the wine..... the Spirit.... to flow once again.
So as our stories unfold and are shared again this year at our annual meetings my prayer for all would be that we remain aware of and open to the miracles that Jesus is ready to let loose in our midst. Remember from the story that Jesus took those large jars, normally reserved for rites of purification and used them for a completely new purpose, something nobody was expecting but I’m certain all were surprised and delighted as they witnessed and experienced a perceived impossibility transformed into possibility. Jesus waits and is ready to transform our water into wine and to keep this celebration going. Behold, behold, he makes all things new. Celebrate, celebrate! Rich blessings and life abundant to all in 2020!
Let the Light of Christ shine through you. P.T.
South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge of The United Church of Canada
CULTUS / COURTLAND UNITED CHURCHES
MINISTER: PASTOR TED (P.T.) SMITH
Music Leaders: Judy Dekorte / Lynn Jennings / Gwen Booker
Office Administrator: Leslie Pettinger Office Phone: 519-688-4050 Email: swnpc@yahoo.ca
Sunday, January 26, 2020 To Whom Do We Belong?
WE GATHER AS GOD’S BELOVED
GREETINGS AND WELCOME
CENTERING MOMENT AND COLLECT
INTROIT: “A light is gleaming, spreading its arms through-out the night, living in the light. Come share its gladness, God’s radiant light is burning bright, living in the light. (VU# 82 Refrain, used with permission)
OPENING PRAYER: (Unison) Your light shines upon us all, O God. Your presence surrounds us. You have enhanced our world and challenged it to be a place of holiness and righteousness. Accompany us in this time of worship and open our hearts to the newness of your Spirit. Amen
OPENING HYMN: “Morning Has Broken” VU# 409*
PRAYER OF RENEWAL: (Unison) Wondrous God of love and understanding, we thank you that you care for each one of us and that you bless our church. But sometimes we don’t get along and we argue and disagree. Sometimes we think our church is better or more important than others. Sometimes we think that there are people you do not love or that we do not need to love. Sometimes we do not listen to different voices, and so we do not hear your voice speaking through them. Forgive us, God. By your love, unite us as your people: make us one. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen (Time of Contemplative Silence)
WORDS OF ASSURANCE: God’s Spirit is stronger than our divisions. God’s love is greater than our disagreements. God’s forgiveness is greater than all our sin. Thanks be to God!
MINUTE FOR MISSION
MISSION HYMN: “Jesus Bids Us Shine” VU# 585
WE LISTEN
1st Testament Reading: Isaiah 9: 1 - 4
Ministry of Music
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4: 12 - 23
HYMN: “Fairest Lord Jesus” VU# 341*
MESSAGE: “Jesus Calls Us”
WE RESPOND
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PRESENTATION OF OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY: “Grant Us God the Grace of Giving” VU# 540*
CLOSING HYMN: “Let There Be Light” VU# 679*
COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION *
CORAL CLOSING: “I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me! If you follow and love, you’ll learn the mystery of what you were meant to do and be.” (VU# 87, refrain, used with permission)___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge is a faith community inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit following the teachings of Jesus Christ and showing this by our deeds and our actions.