HARROWSMITH-VERONA
PASTORAL CHARGE
UNITED
CHURCH OF CANADA
Worship Time: 10 am at Trinity, Verona
Office Phone: 613-372-2525 or 613-374-2777
Voluntary Associate
Minister: Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett
Retired Voluntary
Minister: The Rev’d. Ian MacKay
Office Administrator: Rebecca Peters
Director of
Music: Stan Stinchcombe
Website: www.h-vpastoralcharge.org
e-mail: office@h-vpastoralcharge.org
In
appreciation of Black History Month
artwork
created by artist Claude Clark 1969
Trinity United Church acknowledges the traditional territory upon which
we gather. For thousands of years, the First Peoples sought to walk gently on
this land. They offered assistance to the first European travelers and shared
their knowledge for survival. We seek a new relationship with the First Peoples
of this land, one based in honour and deep respect.
February 22nd, 2026 - 1st
Sunday of Lent
Worship Leader: Rev. Micheline Montreuil
Lay Reader: Marg Smith
WE
GATHER
ORGAN
PRELUDE
GREETINGS
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING
THE CHRIST CANDLE
CALL
TO WORSHIP
HYMN: “Seek Ye First the Kingdom”
(VU #356)
1.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things
shall be added unto you. Hallelu, hallelujah.
2.
Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door
shall be opened unto you. Hallelu, hallelujah.
3.
We do not love by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God. Hallelu, hallelujah.
Scripture Sentences: (Responsive) Psalm 32 (VU #
759)
Be glad in God you righteous. Rejoice, O saints, rejoice.
Blessed are those whose
offences are forgiven, whose sin has been put away.
Blessed are those to whom God imputes no
guilt, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Be glad in God you
righteous. Rejoice, O saints, rejoice.
When I kept silence, my body
wasted away, while I groaned all the day long.
For your hand was heavy upon me day and
night; my strength dried up as in a summer drought.
Then I acknowledged my sin
to you, my guilt I did not hide.
I said: “I confess my sins to God:; and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all the
faithful pray to you in time of trouble;
When great floodwater rises, it shall
not come near them.
You are a hiding place for me, you will preserve me from trouble;
You will surround me with shouts of
deliverance. Be glad in God you
righteous. Rejoice, O saints, rejoice.
I will teach you, and guide
you in the way you should go.
I will keep you under my eye and
instruct you.
Be not like a horse or mule,
without understanding,
Whose course must be checked with bit
and bridle.
Many pains are in store for
the wicked,
But whoever trusts in God,
is surrounded by steadfast love. Be glad
in God you righteous. Rejoice, O saints,
rejoice.
CHORAL
INTROIT: “Deep River”
PRAYER of Approach and
Confession: (Unison)
Gracious and Loving God, we gather
together in worship on this First Sunday of Lent. We continue to be amazed to
find ourselves welcomed and accepted just as we are. We continue to be amazed
that you hold all of creation in your tender embrace, and you continue to warm
our hearts with your love. We also continue to be amazed that you forgive us
for all our mistakes. As we enter into our Lenten journey today, we ask for
your forgiveness once again. We pray that your Spirit will transform us. Open
our ears to listen to your word, open our eyes to see your hope for the world,
open our lips to sing your truth, open our hands to receive freely the gifts
you offer to all of us, and open our lives to seize our responsibilities for
the coming of your kindom. Creator and Life-Giving
God, make your presence known to us that we would choose to rest in the trust
of your grace and to worship you with our whole being. Enable us to be your
people and to be stewards of your justice and peace for the world. This we pray
in the name of Jesus, the One who chose your way in all of life. AMEN.
WORDS
OF ASSURANCE AND GRACE
CHOIR
ANTHEM: “Bread of Life, Feed my Soul”
(MV #194)
*LENTEN
CANDLE LITURGY #1 – SUNDAY SCHOOL
Leader: This is the first Sunday in Lent – the season
for journeys of the heart. This is a holy time.
The Lenten candles have been lit, but over the next six weeks the light
will fade away. This liturgy seeks to
retell the story of redemption and salvation, of the presence and power of
darkness and of light. It is an old
story, but it still has the power to reveal, to heal and to redeem. We are being invited to follow Jesus on the
journey that led Him to the cross. Jesus
is calling us to follow, even as the way begins to darken. We extinguish the light
of candle 1. In doing it, we
acknowledge the darkness and pain of injustice around the world. (Candle 1 is extinguished)
Let us pray:
All:
Loving God, as we journey through this holy season of Lent, give us
strength and courage to make the changes that are needed in our lives. Open our
hearts and minds to your steadfast presence and help us to put our trust in
you. AMEN.
Hymn: “Just As I Am” (vs.
1 VU #508)
Just
as I am, without one plea,
But
that Thy blood was shed for me.
And
that Thou bids’t me come to Thee,
O
Lamb of God, I come, I come!
THE
LORD’S PRAYER
(Children
and Teachers leave for Sunday School Classes)
WE
GIVE BACK
OUR
OFFERINGS (Offering plates are available at the back of the
church)
INVITATION
TO BRING AN OFFERING
DEDICATION OF THE OFFERING
(Standing) (VU #543)
We
give thee but thine own, what e’er the gift may be;
all that we have is thine alone, a trust, O God, from thee.
OFFERTORY
PRAYER (Unison)
Caring
and Generous God, you command us to serve your people in need, to feed those
who are hungry and to bring justice to those who are oppressed. Though we may
be tempted to serve ourselves before others, by the presence of your Spirit at
work in us, we turn from that temptation. With the making of this offering, we
pledge ourselves to obeying your word. Bless these gifts and bless those who give
them. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.
WE
LISTEN
SCRIPTURE
READINGS:
MESSAGE: “Freedom and Responsibility”
COMMUNION
HYMN: “Let Us Break Bread Together” (VU #480)
1. Let us break bread together on our knees, let
us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall down on
my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
2. Let us drink wine together on our knees, let
us drink wint together on our knees.
When I fall down on
my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
3. Let us praise God together on our knees, let
us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall down on
my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
SHARING
COMMUNION (Please
Follow along from the insert)
WE
GO FORTH
HYMN: “O Jesus, I Have Promised” (VU #120)
1. O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the
end; remain for ever near me, my Saviour and my friend: I shall not fear the
journey if you are by my side, nor wander from the pathway if you will be my
guide.
2. O let me feel you near me: the world is ever
near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear; my foes are
ever near me, around me and within; but, Jesus, then draw nearer and shield my
soul from sin.
3. O let me hear you speaking in accents clear
and still, above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will; O speak to
reassure me, to hasten or control; now speak, and make me listen, O guardian of
my soul.
BENEDICTION/COMMISSIONING
SENDING
FORTH: (VU
#964)
Go
now in peace, go now in peace. May the love of God surround you everywhere,
everywhere you may go.
ORGAN
POSTLUDE: Improvisation in G (Handel)
*This liturgy was
initially written by Jeanyne Slettom,
Ph.D. and has been adapted by Rev. Ian R. Mackay
ANNOUNCEMENTS & MEETINGS
Worship
Leader for Sunday March 1st:
Rev. Ian Mackay
Lay
Reader for Sunday March 1st:
Nancy Moore-Carr
ANNUAL
MEETING: Please stay following
the service today for our annual meeting.
UCW:
The UCW ladies will be meeting this Wednesday February 25th at
12:30 pm in the church Memorial Room.
All women are welcome to join.
MEETINGS: The next meeting of the Stewards and Session will take
place on Tuesday March 3rd.
Stewards will meet at 1:00 pm, and Session will meet at 2:00 pm.
THANK
YOU: Thank you to Ardith Wolsey for her contribution of her St.
Paul’s plate. It now has a place
on the wall in the church memorial room.
We are still looking for a Trinity United plate as well as a Bellrock United plate. If you have one you would like to donate to
the church, please see Rebecca
FOODBANK
NEEDS: The Verona Satellite Foodbank is asking for donations of the following:
· Peanut Butter
·
Cereal
·
Jam
·
Instant
Jello
· Canned Fruit
FELLOWSHIP
THANK YOU: Another heartfelt thank
you to Rebecca and Rachael for organizing our monthly church fellowship. It was very well attended last Sunday. Mark your calendars – the next fellowship will be on
Sunday March 15th.
Stay tuned for more information.
TRINITY
MOVIE NIGHT: Mark your calendars for a
wonderful evening; the Trinity UCW will be hosting a movie night on Friday March 27th. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the movie will
start at 6:30 pm. Being shown
will be “The Ultimate Gift.”
This film follows Jason Stevens, a spoiled,
wealthy young man who expects a massive inheritance upon his grandfather Red’s
death. Instead, Red leaves him a series of 12 "gifts" or tasks
designed to teach him about life’s true value - work, friendship, family, and
love. Through these challenges Jason transforms from selfish to selfless,
ultimately earning a fortune and learning that true wealth is found in helping
others. Admission is by donation and
includes a bag of popcorn, chocolate bar and drink.
ODD
REQUEST: Do you have any
older calendars sitting around?
If so, please let Rebecca know, someone is looking for some
(specifically scenic landscapes, animals, birds, vehicles – pretty calendars
of regular size). Even if they have
writing on them, that is perfectly okay.
Thanks.