Welcome! A few things you should know about us:
Expect to be greeted and welcomed! Expect to fit in if
you bring your coffee or your pet with you. Expect the church to be a
safe space and accessible for those with mobility assists such as
wheelchairs, and scooters. If assisted hearing devices, a large print
hymn book and a large print order of service will improve your
worship experience, we have them – just ask!
Infants, toddlers, and children are welcome as part of our worship
in the sanctuary! At the same time, nursery care is available experienced, caring childcare givers will look after your young ones
if that helps you participate in the worship service. Following the
first part of the service each Sunday, many of our school-aged
children and youth go with their leaders to “Cool Church.” Children
who are visiting are invited to join in!
After the service, everyone reconnects in the Community Room
over refreshments.
Through Canada Helps by going to www.northleaunited.ca
Northlea United Church
125 Brentcliffe Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 3Y7
www.northleaunited.ca
416-425-5252
[email protected]
Minister: Lee-Ann Ahlstrom [email protected]
Director of Music: Michael Smith [email protected]
Administrative Coordinator: Barb Ferguson [email protected]
Facility Manager: Robert Pringle [email protected]
Cool Church Coordinator: Kim Stanbury [email protected]
Cool Church Music Specialist: Daniel Stefan [email protected]
Northlea United Church
Sunday, March 5, 2017
First Sunday in Lent
Minister – Lee-Ann Ahlstrom
Director of Music – Michael Smith
Saxophone - Daniel Stefan
(*) Please stand if you are comfortable and able.
Bold letters indicate words to be said by the whole congregation.
VU indicates Voices United, the red hymn book.
MV indicates More Voices, the spiral-bound hymn book.
~ Gathering ~
Prelude
During the prelude you are welcome to come forward
and light a candle.
Welcome, Announcements, Joys and Concerns
Call to Worship
written by Thom Shuman
Lent calls us to journey, this and every day,
following Jesus wherever he leads us.
Lent calls us to journey:
to the place where God covenants with us,
to receive the new names we are given.
Lent calls us to worship together,
to tell future generations the good news.
Lent calls us to practice justice,
to bring God's hope to all people.
Lent calls us to faithful living,
to trust the One who gives us life.
Lent calls each of us to take up our cross,
to trust the One who bears it with us.
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Lent calls us to journey with God.
Let us worship God, who walks with us,
this and every day.
*Gathering Music: Come, O Fount of Every Blessing
VU559
Lenten Tenebrae
Temptation surrounds us at every turn, inviting us to take
just a little more:
More food, more money, more power, more life!
“What could it hurt?” we hear, on media, from friends,
in our own souls:
Around us we see, more suffering, more hunger,
more fear, more anger.
We are called to resist temptations that lead to destruction:
so we may create more beauty.
We are called to resist temptations that lead to isolation:
so we may reach out more to a world in need.
We are called to resist temptations based on false promises:
so we may rest in the hope of God for newness
and peace.
We extinguish a candle,
knowing that darkness cannot drive out darkness.
Only light can do that.
In darkness we will see the light.
(Lent 1 candle is extinguished)
Greetings of Peace
The congregation is invited to share the peace of Christ with one another.
Sung Response
Know that God is good, know that God is good,
know that God is good, God is good, God is good.
MV 104
Words © 2005 David Fines. All rights reserved.
Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-724837.
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Opening Prayer:
VU 110
God of love,
as in Jesus Christ you gave yourself to us,
so may we give ourselves to you,
living according to your holy will.
Keep our feet firmly in the way
where Christ leads us;
help our lips speak the truth
that Christ teaches us;
fill our bodies with the life
that is Christ within us.
In his holy name we pray. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy
kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever
and ever. Amen.
~ Listening ~
Children’s Hymn: Jesus Loves Me
VU 365
Spiritual Practice for All Ages
Prayer for Understanding:
God, source of all light, by your Word you give light to the soul.
Pour out on us the spirit of wisdom and understanding that our
hearts and minds may be opened. Amen.
Reading: Matthew 4:1-11
Response:
In this reading we hear God’s voice.
God is still speaking, thanks be to God.
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Anthem: God Be In My Head
Sermon: Thy Will Be Done
*Hymn: Spirit God, Be Our Breath
Philip Wilby
MV 150
~ Responding ~
Invitation to the Offering
Offertory Music
*Offertory Response:
Keep, oh keep us, Saviour dear,
ever constant by your side;
that with you we may appear
at the eternal Eastertide.
VU 114
*Offertory Prayer:
With open hands we receive and give. With open minds we
imagine and envision. With open hearts we love and embrace.
We, who have been given so much, share with you, the living
God, the gifts we have and the gifts we are. Take them, take us;
use them, use us, to bless and transform the world that you so
love. Amen.
Prayers of the People
*Hymn: O Jesus, I Have Promised
VU 120
*Commissioning and Benediction
Just as God’s Word was sent into the world
to heal and redeem,
so God sends us into the world this day
to be light and love, healing and hope.
We go now to be light for the world!
And may the grace and peace of God the Creator,
the Redeemer, and the Sustainer
we with us this day
and remain with us always.
Sung Amen
VU 967
Postlude
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Sunday Morning Ministries - Thank You!
Welcoming: Roy and Diana Bennett
Reading: Vera Bratten
Sound: Ron Scott
Coffee Team: Rosalind and John Dekker
Lectionary Readings for this Week: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32;
Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
New Members Sunday will be on Easter Sunday, April 16.
If you are interested in becoming a member of Northlea, please
contact Lee-Ann. It should be noted that membership is required to
vote on the merger decision on April 30.
Pancake Supper 2017 - What a fabulous turnout for Shrove Tuesday
Supper. Thank you to all the volunteers! Cooks, set-up, clean-up,
serving and greeting! Well done! And thank you to Michele
McMaster and Stephen Popiel who led this event!
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On behalf of the Refugee Support group a
great big thank you to everyone for the
fantastic response to last week's appeal for
help with baby formula and volunteers for
the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office
English Language Classes. As a result of your
generosity we have funded baby formula for the toddler of a refugee
family for six months ($300) and have had offers already to help with
English language conversation classes. Of course TNO can always
use more volunteers and if working with newcomers to Canada
appeals to you either teaching English or basic computer skills please
contact Roy Bennett at 647-341-8444 or email [email protected]
The Wednesday Chair-based Exercise Class starts
up again! The classes start at 10:30 a.m. on April 5
and continue weekly until May 10. All are
welcome. For more information, contact
Joanne Procunier at 416-488-9615 or
Anne Medlock at 416-429-1895.
Here at Northlea we are celebrating again.
Kim met Steve and now she's marrying him.
We're excited and happy and wish them the best
We'll shower the couple with love, nothing less.
Remember this date - April 2nd this year
We'll gather after worship to bring them good cheer.
Details to follow. The date is set.
All are invited so don't forget.
April 2!
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Next Council Meeting - Monday, March 13, 7 p.m.
The first hour of Council meetings will be open to all. You’re
welcome to observe, and don’t need to speak. If you have something
you’d like to discuss with Council, please let us know what you plan
to talk about by the Wednesday before the meeting so we can add
you to our agenda and be prepared.
CASTING CALL! On Palm Sunday, April 9,
we’d like to share the story in a new way with
a Lenten Drama. We are looking for those of
ALL AGES to take part – with a few lines that
don’t need to be memorized. We will practice
in the weeks before Palm Sunday, following
the service. If you are interested in taking part,
please speak to Kim.
Between Cross & Crescent –
For 15 centuries, Islam has been a force in the world.
Today over one billion people adhere to the Islamic
faith, and an increasing number of our neighbours here
in Canada identify themselves as Muslims. But the gap
in understanding between Christianity (and western
society) and Islam seems to have increased. The need to build bridges
of understanding and overcome stereotypes is very present following
incidents such as the killings in a mosque in Quebec City.
Through the five weeks of Lent, Rev. Douglas will bring together a
Learning Circle on Islam on Monday evenings. You can attend as
many evenings as you can manage, but don't have to commit to all
five. We will begin with some soup and bread starting between 6:30
– 7:00 p.m. followed by discussion that will end by 8:30 p.m. at the
latest. These will start on Monday, March 6th. Please let Douglas
know if you are planning to attend.
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This Week at Northlea
This Afternoon - Messy Church March 5, 4 – 6 p.m.
Kim and Lee-Ann invite families to explore
church in a new way – by getting “Messy”.
There will be games, crafts, songs and time
to enjoy a meal together. Please join us on
March 5, from 4-6pm. Activities will be centered around the idea of
‘Clutter-Free Families’. All are welcome – please invite neighbours
and friends as well!
Mon Mar 6 6:30 pm
Between Cross & Crescent –
A Learning Circle on Islam
Tues Mar 7 2 pm
Staff Meeting
Thurs Mar 9 1:30 pm
Artists Circle
Thurs Mar 9 7:30 pm
Choir
Don’t forget to check out the Welcome Board
(in the Narthex)
for events and happenings
from other churches and in our neighbourhood!
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