Saturday, 26 September 2015

Weekly Reflection-Week following Mountain Sunday

Mountain Sunday – September 27

Isaiah 65:17a

“Look! I’m creating a new heaven and a new earth…”

God is always creating things anew. Even as one thing dies,
another comes to life. As plant and animals return to the
earth, they nurture the growth of new beings. In this kind
of world, how can we do anything but rejoice? Indeed, the
prophet Isaiah declares how wonderful life can be in God’s
new world. When we remember our place in Creation, and
how we can support one another, life on God’s “holy mountain”
– this planet – becomes wonderful beyond our imagination.
Even the wolf and lion will lie down together!

■■ What are the dreams you have for Creation?

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27TH 2015

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Lay Reader (St. M.): Clark Brander

Lay Reader (St. D.): Alicia Vink

Minute for Mission (St. M.): Bruce Corrigan

Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Sarah Chiasson, Loretta Piercey

Greeters (St. D.): Bob Downard

Collectors (St. D.): Iaian Langley, Heather Graham

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Wednesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s

Thursday 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s

Friday Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s

Food Bank donations received on the last Sunday of the month. Suggested items: cereal, small juice packs, peanut butter.

We have a new email address!! Please make this change in your list of email contacts. The new address of the church office is stmarksuc@gmail.com

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle: Knitters and crocheters gather to gether in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is October 19^th at 1:00 p.m.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for Sep.-Oct. are available.

WEDNESDAY Sept. 30^th – 10:30 am. – Service at the Nursing Home. Everyone welcome.

October 4^th –Worldwide Communion Sunday

October 11^th – Thanksgiving Sunday

October 18^th – 11:00 a.m. - St. David’s 130^th Anniversary Service.

Everyone is invited to share in the Service of Covenanting on October 18 at 7:30pm at Stewart United, Whycocomagh. A Service of Covenanting amongst the congregations of Whycocomagh East Lake Ainslie Pastoral Charge, Inverness Guysborough Presbytery, and the Reverend Rachel Campbell.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:

October 4^th – Judy Castle

October 11^th – Sarah Chiasson

October 18^th – St. David’s Anniversary

October 25^th – Larry Evans

FundScrip Order Sundays will be October 4^th and 18^th, and Delivery Sundays will be October 11^th and 25^th.

Promotions for October are as follows:

Shell 3% (Regular 2%)

La Vie en Rose 11% (Regular 8%)

Hudson’s Bay 5% (Regular 3%)

Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions or if you wish to join this program.

50^th Anniversary!

Did you "buy a brick" and place it in the wall 50 years

ago? Or do you know someone who did or have pictures of

the laying of the cornerstone and bricks on October 30,

1965? Please contact the church office if you have any of

this information or photos--we are planning a worship service

to kick off 50th Anniversary and wish to invite all the

"children" who bought and laid bricks. In 2016, St. Mark’s will

be celebrating their 50^th Anniversary. 50^thAnniversary

weekend will be June 10^th to 12th, 2016. The

50^th Anniversary Committee will meet next at 1:00

p.m. on September 28th.

St. Mark’s Congregation wishes to remember those who are ill or bereaved by sending a card on behalf of the Church. If you are aware of someone who should be remembered please contact Annabel Butts 625-0741, Connie Fowlie 625-1417 or leave a message with the Church Secretary.

Get Some Joy from the World! Ten Thousand Villages is coming to St. Mark's United Church! St. Mark's United Church is hosting a sale of beautiful, fairly-traded gifts benefiting artisans from more than 30 Developing countries. Ten Thousand Villages is a project of Mennonite Central Committee, the outreach arm of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America.

The Festival Sale will be held Saturday, October 17, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at St. Mark's United Church, 504 Bernard St., (Corner of Pitt St.), Port Hawkesbury. Admission is free.

The gifts you buy at the Ten Thousand Villages Sales will give the blessings of steady work, fair wages, and a better life for struggling families around the world. For more information call the Church at 902-625-2229. Your purchase makes a difference!

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:

October 4^th – Kenzie Mac Lean

October 11^th – Margaret Ashford

October 18^th – Susan Langley

October 25^th – Arnold Mac Lean

October 4^th – Start of St. David’s Sunday School Classes.

October 9^th Supper at the Causeway - Homemade Fishcakes and Beans Port Hastings Fire Hall, Port Hastings 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM $12 Sponsored by St. David’s UCW

October 18^th – 11:00 a.m. – St. David’s 130^th Anniversary Service.

Church Hall Cleaners are Catherine Mac Lean, Lynn King

**********

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tuesday Night Ceilidh (7:30) at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre presented by the Port Hasting Historical Society.

Free Tea/Oatcakes.

September 29 - Dwayne Cote, Kevin Levesconte, Pat Lamey, Heather Richard

October 6 - Pre Celtic Colours Show

Please note, event will be cancelled if weather is inclement. The hike will be up the MacLellan Road (the road right before John Murdoch Campbell’s) in Centreville. We will meet at the entrance to MacLellan Road at 9:45 a.m., head up to the look out by 10 a.m., then hold a brief devotional at the look out. The field is owned by Peter and Janine Wilson. All Welcome

Roast Beef Supper: Sat. Oct 3rd from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Trinity United Church, Mulgrave. $12.00 adults, $6.00 children. Eat in, Take Out, or Delivery. For more information, please call Sadie at 747-2695

Flea Market and Bake Sale: Sat. Oct 31st from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Come early for best items. Trinity United Church, Mulgrave.

The Port Hawkesbury Literacy Council is currently screening applicants into their Partnership Employability Programs with CDAIR. Participants will have the opportunity to work on job readiness skills, interview, resume, coverletter, personal management basics, and benefit from a series of short certification programs such as WHMIS, First Aid, OHS, Food Handlers, and so on. Seats are limited and classes are FREE! Please do not hesitate to contact us for details at (902)625-1599.

Are you a Senior 50+ or a community member who wants to help improve services, healthcare, and safety for seniors in our communities. Please join us, we need your input. Space is limited so register today. Registration is free. Early Bird prizes available to those who register before Oct. 7^th. A lunch and refreshments will be provided.

When: Saturday, October 24^th, 2015.

Where: Richmond Education Centre and Academy – 3238 Whiteside Road, Louisdale.

Time: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 pm.

*Donate a food item to support our local food banks and qualify to have your name entered for a special draw.

Registration forms available at your nearest Seniors Club or by calling 902-587-2800 ext: 2. For transportation inquiries please call Tiffany at 902-587-2800 ext: 2

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH 2015-CREATION TIME-MOUNTAIN SUNDAY

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s

United Church of Canada

Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS

Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: The Whole People of God

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

September 27^th, 2015-Creation Time: Mountain Sunday

Thoughts around which to gather as we worship: It is estimated that in about 50,000 years you will be able to visit the Hawaiian Island of Loihi. It is southeast of the island of Hawaii, and is still some 975 metres / 3,000 feet underwater. Loihi is a volcano, slowly spewing lava from deep inside the earth, and the lava is forming a new land. Even as parts of our planet may be dying, new life – and new land – are forming. God is always doing something new. God is always creating.

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost 2 2015

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.

*Introit O Great Earth

O Great Earth so green and so blue, this is the promise that I’ll make to you: To care for your mountains, for mountains can hear the rhythm of your heartbeat. Words unknown, tune Linnea Good.

Call to Worship

One: Come, let us go up to God’s mountain.

All: It is a place of joy for the whole world!

One: God’s mountain is a place of safety and security.

All: It is a place of joy for the whole world!

One: On God’s mountain we renew our strength, ready to serve God another day.

All: It is a place of joy for the whole world!

One: Come, let us go up to God’s mountain.

All: Come, let us worship God!

Opening Prayer

Creator God, you have promised to create a new heaven and a

new earth. You have promised to forget the past and to offer

us a new and bright tomorrow. May we embrace it – both the

blessing and the challenge. May we find, in all aspects of life,

the beauty of your presence, and may we find ourselves

empowered to proclaim your glory and truth to all creation.

Amen.

* Hymn Sing To The Mountains Printed

Prayer for Wholeness

Assurance of Love

Hear these words from the apostle Paul: “I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus: not death, or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.” Thanks be to God! Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Isaiah 65:17–25 No hurt or destruction on God's holy mountain.

One: Herein is Wisdom. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 48 Fair and lofty is God's holy mountain. VU 772

*Hymn Sing A New Song Printed

Opening the Word/The Lord's Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Mark 16:14–15 Proclaim the Good News to the whole creation.

Opening the Word 2

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn: Go to the World VU 420

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

We come to your mountain, loving God, bringing our gifts. We offer ourselves as servants of all your creation – voices to challenge injustice and destruction, hands to hold one another up, feet to walk and stand with any who feel they have no hope. Use us, and our gifts, to do your will. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Concern

May we do your will, I pray. All: We pray with all creation.

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn May the God of Hope Go with Us VU 424

* Commissioning and Blessing

Friends, go out into the world – God’s world, our world – and share the love of God. Dare to proclaim the good news of God’s extravagant love to every living creature, that all of God’s creation might celebrate the presence of our Creator in our midst. And know that the God who made you will be with you, always.

*Choral Amen

Saturday, 19 September 2015

SYRIAN REFUGEES--HOW CAN WE HELP?

Fadia, who escaped fighting in Aleppo, Syria, stands with three of her children in front of her family’s shelter at a refugee settlement in Lebanon. Two of her children were killed in Syria’s civil war.
Credit: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance

Want to know how the United Church is responding to the plight of Syrian refugees and the desperate situation in Syria. Look at the link to "Three Ways You Can Help Syrian Refugees" on the United Church of Canada website:

http://united-church.ca/communications/news/response/150911

THE RIGHT REV. JORDAN CANTWELL

Moderator’s Message: Syrian Refugee Crisis

11 September 2015

Photo: The Rev. Jordan Cantwell, 42nd Moderator (2015–2018)

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

I bring you greetings in the name of Jesus, Comfort and Guide—and also once a refugee.

We are called at this particular moment in time to witness in a concrete way to our Christian faith in response to the needs of millions of desperate people seeking refuge and compassion. The plight of Syrian refugee children washing up on Mediterranean shores has struck at the core of Canadian self-perception as generous and welcoming people. As we have done in the past, we are responding once again with an outpouring of concern and compassion.

For decades, churches have been sounding the alarm

about a deepening global crisis for forcibly uprooted people. We know that these are not the first tragic deaths among refugees fleeing danger, nor will they be the last. We must act immediately to turn the tide on this horrific reality. Right now, thousands of people from all over the world are risking their lives every day in search of safety. Some have been offered sanctuary; millions more have died en route at the hands of human traffickers or are held in detention camps, where they are treated primarily as dangerous security threats, or are ignored as if they do not exist.

Since the crisis in Syria began, the United Church has been actively contributing to humanitarian relief and sponsoring refugees. We are once again amplifying our appeal because the church wants to do all that it possibly can to help those in need of assistance and seeking refuge.

With a renewed sense of purpose, The United Church of Canada joins others in stating that we must respond urgently, compassionately, and comprehensively. United Church congregations have a long history of supporting refugees. Many of our communities of faith are already in the process of sponsoring refugee families to come to Canada. However, the need is great and it demands an even greater response from all of us.

As Moderator, I urge communities of faith to:

Donate to the church’s updated and ongoing Syria Appeal to provide urgently needed food, shelter, medical care, clothing, and other necessities for millions of displaced Syrians within their country and in neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon.
Support United Church faith communities undertaking sponsorship of Syrian refugees through the United Church’s Refugee Program. For information about which faith communities are sponsoring Syrian refugees in your area and how you can help, write to Refugees.
Urge the Canadian government and federal election candidates in your riding to 1) announce a program to immediately resettle significantly more than the proposed 10,000 Syrians, 2) provide support for generous levels of private sponsorship of Syrian refugees, and 3) lift obstacles to speedy family reunification and allow Syrian refugee cases to be processed in Canada.

Together, we have the capacity to make a profound difference in the lives of thousands of refugees. The time to act is now. Please consider how you and your faith community can best support the ongoing efforts to address this desperate refugee crisis, and please continue to hold the people of Syria and the surrounding region in your prayers.

In faith and hope,

The Right Rev. Jordan Cantwell
Moderator
The United Church of Canada

Last updated:

2015/09/14

Created:

2015/09/11

Weekly Reflection-Week following Sky Sunday

Sky Sunday – September 20

Jeremiah 4:23–28 and Psalm 19:1a

“Heaven is declaring God’s glory…”

The unbridled praise of God’s creative power in Psalm 19
helps to counter the negative imagery of Jeremiah 4:23–28.
Yet, while this latter passage speaks of Earth having no hope,
still God proclaims, “I will not destroy it completely.” Even
in the midst of God’s anger and despair at humankind –
often for ways we have abused Creation – still God does not
abandon us, or the Earth which is our home. Indeed, we can
look to the heavens and feel the power and presence of God.

■■ How do you feel God present in the sky?

Take a breath, and feel the wondrous presence of God in that
air, offering you the gift of a moment of being.

Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2014 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2015, p.7

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH 2015

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Lay Reader (St. M.): Denis Bernard

Lay Reader (St. D.): Bruce Corrigan

Minute for Mission (St. M.): Linda Howlett

Greeters & Collectors (St. M.): Jim Chiasson, Loretta Piercey

Greeters (St. D.): Bob Downard

Collectors (St. D.): Iaian Langley, Heather Graham

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s

Wednesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s

Thursday 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s

Friday Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s

Food Bank donations received on the last Sunday of the month. Suggested items: cereal, small juice packs, peanut butter.

We have a new email address!! Please make this change in your list of email contacts. The new address of the church office is stmarksuc@gmail.com

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle: Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is September 21^st at 1:00 p.m.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for September-October are available at the Church entrance.

TODAY – 3:00 p.m. Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery Choir Event at St. Mark’s. Individuals who enjoy singing are invited to attend. (Choir practice time is at 2:00p.m.)

Sept. 30^th – 10:30 am. – Service at the Nursing Home. Everyone welcome.

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:

Sept. 27^th – Clark Brander

October 4^th – Judy Castle

October 11^th – Sarah Chiasson

October 18^th – St. David’s Anniversary

October 25^th – Larry Evans

St. Mark’s Courtesy Car: Contact person for the Courtesy Car is Andy Palmer. His telephone number is 625-2748.

FundScrip resumes. Order Sunday will be September 20^th and Delivery Sunday will be September 27^th.

September Promotions are as follows:

M & M Meat Shops 4% (Regular 3%)

Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy 7% ( Regular 5%)

Pizza Pizza 12% (Regular 10%)

Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie

Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions or if you

wish to join this program.

50^th Anniversary!

Did you "buy a brick" and place it in the wall 50 years

ago? Or do you know someone who did or have pictures of

the laying of the cornerstone and bricks on October 30,

1965? Please contact the church office if you have any of

this information or photos--we are planning a worship service

to kick off 50th Anniversary and wish to invite all the

"children" who bought and laid bricks. In 2016, St. Mark’s will

be celebrating their 50^th Anniversary. 50^thAnniversary

weekend will be June 10^th to 12th, 2016. The

50^th Anniversary Committee will meet next at 1:00

p.m. on September 28th.

Get Some Joy from the World! Ten Thousand Villages is coming to St. Mark's United Church! St. Mark's United Church is hosting a sale of beautiful, fairly-traded gifts benefiting artisans from more than 30 Developing countries. Ten Thousand Villages is a project of Mennonite Central Committee, the outreach arm of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America.

The Festival Sale will be held Saturday, October 17, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at St. Mark's United Church, 504 Bernard St., (Corner of Pitt St.), Port Hawkesbury. Admission is free.

**********

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Church Hall Cleaners are Catherine Mac Lean , Lynn King

Lay Readers:

Sept.27^th – Alicia Vink

October 4^th – Kenzie Mac Lean

October 11^th – Margaret Ashford

October 18^th – Susan Langley

October 25^th – Arnold Mac Lean

October 4^th – Start of St. David’s Sunday School Classes.

October 9^th Supper at the Causeway - Homemade Fishcakes and Beans Port Hastings Fire Hall, Port Hastings 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM $12 Sponsored by St. David’s UCW

October 18^th – 11:00 a.m. – St. David’s 130^th Anniversary Service.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Terry Fox Run 2015 - Todayat 1:00 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

Tuesday Night Ceilidh (7:30) at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre presented by the Port Hasting Historical Society. Free Tea/Oatcakes.

September 22 – Cape Breton Fiddlers

September 29 - Dwayne Cote, Kevin Levesconte, Pat Lamey, Heather Richard

October 6 - Pre Celtic Colours Show

Join Rev. Rachel Campbell (Whycocomagh East Lake Ainslie Pastoral Charge, UCC) on Sat., Oct.10th for our 3rd Wild WELA Worship. You need to be able to hike up steeper elevations, however, for those unable to hike you have the option of driving up to the look out, but a truck would be the recommended vehicle of choice (bring a lawn chair if you like). We will share in a short devotional looking out over beautiful Centreville and Skye Glen. Bring water, bug spray, and wear proper footwear. Please note, event will be cancelled if weather is inclement. The hike will be up the MacLellan Road (the road right before John Murdoch Campbell’s) in Centreville. We will meet at the entrance to MacLellan Road at 9:45 a.m., head up to the look out by 10 a.m., then hold a brief devotional at the look out. The field is owned by Peter and Janine Wilson. All Welcome

Roast Beef Supper: Sat. Oct 3rd from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Trinity United Church, Mulgrave. $12.00 adults, $6.00 children. Eat in, Take Out, or Delivery. For more information, please call Sadie at 747-2695

Flea Market and Bake Sale: Sat. Oct 31st from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Come early for best items. Trinity United Church, Mulgrave.

Margie Mac Intyre is going on a daytrip to Halifax on Monday, September 21^st leaving Port Hastings at 8:30 a.m. and returning in the evening. If interested please contact Margie at 890-1538.

Breakfast at the Evergreen Club Sat Sept 26 9-12

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH 2015-CREATION TIME-SKY SUNDAY

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s

United Church of Canada

Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS

Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Presbytery Website: inverguyunited.ca

Ministers: The Whole People of God

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

September 20^th, 2015-Creation Time: Sky Sunday

Thoughts around which to gather as we worship: The sky both proclaims and prophesies. As we continue to focus on creation, the sky becomes integral to remind us of the mystery and vastness of the cosmos, of which we are a part. The daily changes that the sky presents to us parallel the changes that each of us experiences and takes part in. Sky Sunday provides opportunity for us to reflect on our fragile atmosphere from which comes the air we breathe, the rain and the wind that shape our lives and our landscapes, as well as so much beauty.

How do we live in thankful relationship with this life-giving blanket that wraps around Earth and reminds us of God’s steadfast presence and call?

Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION Season of Creation Pentecost 2 2015

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.

*Introit O Great Earth

O Great Earth so green and so blue, this is the promise that I’ll make to you: To care for the air and sky, for air and sky can hear the rhythm of your heartbeat.

Words unknown, tune Linnea Good.

Call to Worship Quotations in four voices

Opening Prayer

Loving God, when we think of the vast expanse of sky we are

in awe. We can seem so tiny by comparison, and so

insignificant. Yet you know us – each one of us – and you love

us – each one of us. Guide us, Creator God, in the awesome

task of caring for your earth, for the air around us and for the

sky above us all. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

* Hymn Morning Has Broken VU 409

Prayer for Wholeness

Assurance of Love

When we are overwhelmed and frightened by things we have done, God offers us a word of hope. We are reminded that there is a rainbow after every storm, a dawn after every nighttime, and God’s wondrous forgiveness. Always.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Jeremiah 4:23–28 The sky proclaims impending doom

One: Herein is Wisdom. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 19 The heavens are telling the glory of God.(ref. 2)VU 740

*Hymn This Is God’s Wondrous World VU 296

Opening the Word/The Lord's Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Mark 15:33–39 Darkness fell over the whole land

Opening the Word 2

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth VU 226

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

As endless as the sky is your love for us, O God. Endless, too, is our love for you. Receive these gifts, offered as tools to help us – through our church – to do your work in the world. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Concern

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness VU 288

* Commissioning and Blessing

*Choral Amen