Saturday, 5 March 2016

SUNDAY MARCH 6TH 2016-ANNOUNCEMENTS & PHOTOS OF WINTERLUDE GAMES at ST. DAVID'S

No snow! So we couldn't go to MacIntyre Mountain for Winterlude Sunday this year. But what fun we had in the church hall playing board games! Followed by great UCW Pancake Supper--a wonderful afternoon.

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Lay Reader (St. M.): Larry Evans

(St. D.): Maxine Smith

Lenten Triad (St. D.): Marie MacKinnon, Abby Hatcher

Mission Moment (St. M.): Lorna Harvey

Greeters & Collectors (St. M.) Jim & Sarah Chiasson

Greeter (St. D.): Sally & George Fox

Collectors (St. D.): Sally Fox, Amy McCormack

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

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

Lenten Prayer, half hour Tuesday mornings during Lent starting at 10:00 am at St. Mark's

March 20th – Palm/Passion Sunday

March 24th – Maundy Thursday, Potluck & Table Communion at St. Mark’s 6:00 p.m.

March 25th – Good Friday at St. David’s at 11:00 a.m.

March 27th – Easter Sunday services with Communion

- 6:45 a.m. - Sunrise Service at St. David’s

March 30th – 10:00 a.m.; Service at the Nursing Home

The UPPER ROOM for March-April is available.

Food Banks Donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

Intermediates at Conference (IAC) and Youth Forum (YF)

are each a place of community and a place of faith where United Church youth, between the ages of Gr. 7 – Gr. 9 (IAC) and Grade 10 and age 19(YF), meet from across the Maritimes, The Gaspe, and Bermuda. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference, which is a gathering of representatives who make decisions and set policies for the United Church of Canada.

IAC and YF meet as two separate groups. Each group creates an inclusive, diverse and safe community of over a hundred youth in the name of Christ. Each provides a place for youth to explore their faith and to learn more about the United Church of Canada while sharing in music, worship and fun in a spirit-filled community. For further information and an application form please contact Nan

Maritime Conference United Church Men, will host a men's day rally, their eighth, on Saturday, April 23rd, at Trinity- St. Stephen's United Church, Amherst, N.S., under the banner of ' Heartprints'. With much news coverage over the past several months, regarding the refugee crisis, what better speaker than a former refugee, chaplain Major Rev. Charles Deogratias. Please see the brochures on the notice board in the front entry.

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ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:

Mar. 13th – Julia Mac Quarrie

Mar. 20th – Bruce Corrigan

Mar. 27th – Malcolm Matheson

FundScrip Order Sundays are March 6th and 20th and Delivery Sundays are March 13th and 27th, 2016.

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

Stokes/ThinkKitchen 8% ( Regular 6% )

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

50th Anniversary! In 2016, St. Mark’s will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary. 50th Anniversary weekend will be June 10th to 12th, 2016. The next meeting is March 7th at 1:30.

50th Anniversary Jubilee Weekend June 10th to 12th

June 10 Evening of Music with Coro Cantabile

June 11 Decoration Day Worship at Southbrook Cemetery

Renewal of Marriage Vows for couples married at St. Mark's

June 12 Service of Celebration of 50 Years with Guest Preacher, Rev. Catherine Stuart Banquet in St. Mark's Hall

Details of other planned events will be shared as they are finalized.

March 15th – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting

March 20th – 8:00 a.m.; St. Mark’s Men’s Group Meeting

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ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:

Mar. 13th – Alicia Vink

Mar. 20th – Amy McCormack

Mar. 27th – Kevin Pierce

Please Note: TODAY - Cancellation of activities at MacIntyre Mountain. There will be a Pancake and sausage supper at St. David's church hall at 5pm. A donation to the Mission and Service fund would be appreciated.

Hall Cleaners for March are Maxine Smith, Diane Mac Kinnon

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Port Hawkesbury Food Bank is in need of small bottles (1-1/2 cup size) and also plastic grocery bags Bring to the Church on Sunday am, drop of at the Food Bank on Monday 8-11 am or give to a volunteer Thanks

WINTERLUDE 2016 Sunday, March 6th All activities at MacIntyre Mountain have been cancelled due to weather predictions. There will be a HOT SUPPER AT ST. DAVID'S CHURCH HALL at 5:00 o’clock. Bring your Board Games and Cards and come early for Winterlude indoor activities at St. David's Hall--starting at 3:00 p.m.

On Saturday, March 12th the Whycocomagh East Lake Ainslie Pastoral Charge will host another session of "Wild WELA Worship". This will be our winter snowshoeing edition as our contribution to the Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery's Winterlude program. We will be snowshoeing on a groomed trail overlooking Whycocomagh joining together for a short devotional on the trail, then heading back to Cameron Hall for complimentary hot chocolate and cookies sponsored by the UCW. Meet at Cameron Hall at 1 p.m. in order to leave as a group on our snowshoe adventure. Back at Cameron Hall around 2:30 p.m. for hot chocolate and cookies. Also, we will be hosting a cake silent auction in the hall from 2:30 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. with all proceeds going to the WHY Group? Youth Group. All are welcome. For more information contact Rev. Rachel Campbell at 902-756-2762.

Corned Beef Supper with homemade pies on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Port Hastings Fire Hall from 4 pm to 6 pm. $14.00 adults/$7.00 children under 12. Sponsored by Port Hasting Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Seedy Sunday on Sunday, March 6 from 1-3 at Judique Fire Hall
Starting seeds, What to grow: varieties, Preparing the soil, Handling pests & disease. Questions: beginning to advanced Seed swap–bring your seeds! With extreme gardener Michelle Smith

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church will sponsor a Fish Chowder Supper 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Mulgrave Fire Hall on Good Friday (March 25th). Eat in or Take Out: $10.00. Includes roll, tea/coffee, dessert.

Community Kitchen & Music Therapy sponsored by Mental Health Services & Public Health April 12th, May 10th, June 14th 2016. St. Mark's United Church, 504 Bernard St. Port Hawkesbury Community Kitchen from 10:30 to 1:00 Music Therapy 1:00 to 2:00 PM Come help prepare and enjoy a healthy, well balanced, budget friendly meal then listen to music therapist Tom Curry To help us plan lunch be sure to phone (902) 867-4500 ext. 4345 OR leave a message at (902) 625-7200 to let us know you will be attending

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY MARCH 6TH 2016-4TH OF LENT-LAETERE 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

March 6th, 2016-Lent 4-Laetere Sunday

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Laetare Jerusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam: gaudete cum laetitia, qui in tristitia fuistis: ut exsultetis,et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae.

Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. Isaiah 66:10, 11

Greeting

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

Introit Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery* vs. 4 VU 121

Call to Worship

One: God welcomes you to this place – if it’s your first time, if you were here last week, or if you’re returning after a long time away.

All: We are happy to be in God’s presence!

One: God’s with us on our Lenten journey, providing the nourishment and love that we need. We remember God journeying with God’s people out of Egypt and through the desert.

All: We praise God and remember God’s faithfulness.

One: On their journey home, God greeted God’s people in the promised land with new food to replace their meals of manna. God was doing a new thing in their lives.

All: We’re looking for the new thing that God is doing in our lives today.

One: God welcomes you to this place – where all will find love, forgiveness, and restoration.

All: We celebrate in God’s presence!

Opening Prayer

As the prayer is offered, you are invited to hold hands open and lift them to God.

Hymn For the Fruit of All Creation* VU 227

Lenten Triad Candle Extinguishing (Tenebrae)

One: Today is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Lent is a time to think about the things that block us from following God's way of loving and caring for this world and one another.

Two: Today we will put out our fourth Lenten candle. This candle represents pride.

One: As the candle is put out, let us pray in silence for God to remove pride within us and in our world that makes us feel more important than others and stops us from asking for God's help when we need it.

(Snuff out fourth (pink) Lenten candle and then pause with head bowed for silence.)

Knowing that God accepts us for who we are, but loves us into who we can be, let us join together in this song,

Sung Assurance: Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery vs.4 VU 121

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Joshua 5:9–12 God takes away shame from the people.One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people.All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 32 Blessed are those who are forgiven. VU 759

Hymn Holy Spirit, Hear Us* VU 377

Opening the Word & The Lord’s Prayer

The Gospel Acclamation

Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32 The Prodigal Son; the prodigal father.One: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.All: Thanks be to God.

Opening the Word 2

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn Softly and Tenderly Printed

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer

…and we are embraced by your love and compassion. We bring these gifts to you with a spirit of humility. May the God who makes all things new transform these gifts into expressions of love, justice, and peace in our congregation and beyond these walls. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession God help us,All: God, help us repair our broken world.

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn When a Poor One VU 702

*Commissioning

God, we leave this place transformed by your love and forgiveness.

May we have that same spirit of forgiveness in our own lives.

And when we feel as though we have turned away from you,

may we remember that we can always return. Thanks be.

*Choral Amen

Thursday, 3 March 2016

FUNDSCRIP UPDATE

FundScrip Order Sundays are March 6^th and 20^th and Delivery Sundays are March 13^th and 27^th, 2016.

The FundScrip March Promotions are:

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

Stokes/ThinkKitchen 8% ( Regular 6% )

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.

Saturday, 27 February 2016

Leap Day of Fun in support of Syrian Refugee Sponsorship

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28TH 2016

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader (St. M.): Sarah Chiasson
(St. D.): Malcolm Parsons
Lenten Triad (St. M.):
Mission Moment (St. M.): Jim Chiasson
Greeters & Collectors (St. M.) Larry & Sherille Mac Keigan
Greeter (St. D.): Maxine Smith
Collectors (St. D.): Marie Davis, Ashley Mac Leod

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

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

Lenten Prayer, half hour Tuesday mornings during Lent starting at 10:00 am at St. Mark's
March 20^th – Palm/Passion Sunday
March 24^th – Maundy Thursday, Potluck & Table Communion at St. Mark’s 6:00 p.m.
March 25^th – Good Friday at St. David’s at 11:00 a.m.
March 27^th – Easter Sunday services with Communion
- 6:45 a.m. - Sunrise Service at St. David’s

The UPPER ROOM for March-April is available.

Intermediates at Conference (IAC) and Youth Forum (YF) are each a place of community and a place of faith where United Church youth, between the ages of Gr. 7 – Gr. 9 (IAC) and Grade 10 and age 19(YF), meet from across the Maritimes, The Gaspe, and Bermuda. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of Maritime Conference, which is a gathering of representatives who make decisions and set policies for the United Church of Canada.

IAC and YF meet as two separate groups. Each group creates an inclusive, diverse and safe community of over a hundred youth in the name of Christ. Each provides a place for youth to explore their faith and to learn more about the United Church of Canada while sharing in music, worship and fun in a spirit-filled community. For further information and an application form please contact Nan

Maritime Men’s Spring Rally

Hosted by Maritime Conference United Church Men

Saturday, April 23^rd, 2016

at Trinity-St. Stephen’s United Church, Amherst, N.S.

10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Heartprints

Speaker: Major Charles Deogratias

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:
Mar. 6^th – Larry Evans
Mar. 13^th – Julia Mac Quarrie
Mar. 20^th – Bruce Corrigan
Mar. 27^th – Malcolm Matheson

FundScrip Order Sundays are March 6^th and 20^th and Delivery Sundays are March 13^th and 27^th, 2016.

The FundScrip March Promotions are:

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

Stokes/ThinkKitchen 8% ( Regular 6% )

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

50^th Anniversary! In 2016, St. Mark’s will be celebrating their 50^th Anniversary. 50^thAnniversary weekend will be June 10^th to 12^th, 2016. The next meeting of the 50th Anniversary Planning Group is March 7th at 1:30 in the church parlour.

Mark these 50th Anniversary dates on your calendar (and share them widely with family and friends)
Feb. 29 LEAP DAY OF FUN – 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church Hall. Board Games & Cards. See insert.
      50th Anniversary Jubilee Weekend   June 10th to 12th
      June 10   Evening of Music with Coro Cantabile
      June 11   Decoration Day Worship at Southbrook Cemetery
          Renewal of Marriage Vows for couples married at St. Mark's
      June 12   Service of Celebration of 50 Years with guest Preacher, Rev. Catherine Stuart      Banquet in St. Mark's Hall
Details of other planned events will be shared as they are finalized.

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lay Readers:
Mar. 6^th – Maxine Smith
Mar. 13^th – Alicia Vink
Mar. 20^th – Amy McCormack
Mar. 27^th – Kevin Pierce

Hall Cleaners for March are Maxine Smith, Diane Mac Kinnon

WINTERLUDE 2016
Saturday, March 5th
Six teams will participate in our Indoor Floor Curling Tournament, at St. Mark's United Church, 9- 12 Noon. The quota has been reached. LUNCH PROVIDED AT 12 NOON IN CHURCH HALL Sunday, March 6^th All activities planned for Mac Intyre Mountain have been cancelled due to weather predictions. There will be a HOT SUPPER AT ST. DAVID'S CHURCH HALL at 5:00 o’clock.

On Saturday, March 12th the Whycocomagh East Lake Ainslie Pastoral Charge will host another session of "Wild WELA Worship". This will be our winter snowshoeing edition as our contribution to the Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery's Winterlude program. We will be snowshoeing on a groomed trail overlooking the beautiful village of Whycocomagh joining together for a short devotional on the trail, then heading back to Cameron Hall for complimentary hot chocolate and cookies sponsored by the UCW. Meet at the Cameron Hall in Whycocomagh at 1 p.m. in order to leave as a group on our snowshoe adventure. Back at Cameron Hall around 2:30 p.m. for hot chocolate and cookies. Also, we will be hosting a cake silent auction in the hall that day from 2:30 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. with all proceeds going to the WHY Group? Youth Group. All are welcome. For more information contact Rev. Rachel Campbell at 902-756-2762.

February is time for the annual door to door residential canvass for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Every 7 minutes a Canadian dies from heart disease or stroke according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation literature. Please welcome those willing to take on the responsibility of canvassing to help raise funds for life saving research

Community Kitchen & Music Therapy sponsored by Mental Health Services & Public Health April 12th, May 10th, June 14th 2016. St. Mark's United Church, 504 Bernard St. Port Hawkesbury
Community Kitchen from 10:30 to 1:00 Music Therapy 1:00 to 2:00 PM Come help prepare and enjoy a healthy, well balanced, budget friendly meal then listen to music therapist Tom Curry To help us plan lunch be sure to phone (902) 867-4500 ext. 4345 OR leave a message at (902) 625-7200 to let us know you will be attending

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28TH 2016-3RD SUNDAY OF LENT

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

February 28th, 2016-Lent 3

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 Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery vs. 3 VU 121

Call to Worship Based on Psalm 63:1–8

One: Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
All: God, our souls thirst for you, our flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land.
One: Why do you labour and spend your money on the things that don’t satisfy?
All: We look up and see God in the sanctuary.
One: Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food.
All: Our souls are satisfied with a rich feast, and our mouths praise you with joyful lips.
One: Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you
may live.
All: We will bless you as long as we live! We will lift up our hands and call on your name!
One: Come, let us worship.

Opening Prayer A Prayer with Actions

God, we look up and see you in the sanctuary.
We come to you hungry and thirsty,
ready to be filled with the bread of life,
ready to be refreshed by living water.
God, our lips praise your name,
singing songs and shouting to the heavens.
We cling to you, God, in times of trouble.
We cling to you, God, when we fall.
We lift up our hands and call on your name.
We come to this place to satisfy our souls,
to meditate on your love,
to remember the journeys of those who go before us.
God, in the shadow of your wings, we sing for joy! Amen.

*Hymn Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love VU 574

Lenten Triad Candle Extinguishing (Tenebrae)
(Three purple candles, pink candle and Christ candle are lit prior to worship.)
Let us pray:
One: Today is the third Sunday of Lent. Lent is a time to think about the things that block us from following God's way of loving and caring for this world and one another.
Two: Today we will put out our third Lenten candle. This candle represents fear.
One: As the candle is put out, let us pray in silence for God to remove fear within us and in our world that stops us from trusting God.
(Snuff out third Lenten candle and then pause with head bowed for silence.)
Knowing that God accepts us for who we are, but loves us into who we can be, let us join together in this song,

Sung Assurance: Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery vs. 3 VU 121