Help Wanted
We need someone to do the reporting for One License on the music we use in both churches. We did have someone but they haven’t come back to church yet and we are using music and it needs to be reported. It entails going over the bulletins and recording what we use and every 3 or 6 months sending it to One License. They do cover most of what we use and they seem to be picking up more music all the time that will come under our license.
We do have a list of what they cover. If interested would you contact Ted . Ted302@live.com.
Thanks……..Ted
Elgin United Church
It is with heavy hearts we acknowledge the passing of Rev. J. Harry Seeley on Monday August 1, 2022. He was a friend, mentor and spiritual guide for everyone in our community and beyond. We thank God for calling Rev. Seeley to his life’s work in our midst, and we thank him for answering God’s call. May he rest peacefully in God’s grace. Blessings.
We are excited to welcome our own Bonnie Bilton as pianist for the month August. Thank you Bonnie for sharing your talent and experience with us.
Watch for exciting announcements of upcoming events in September and October.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
Rev. Harry Seeley – After more than 34 years of ministry within the United Church Charge of Elgin/Portland, we want our people to know that Harry has made it HOME! God has welcomed Harry into His loving, open arms. For each of you who knew him, he meant something different. But without doubt he was loved, respected and will be missed. His life-long legacy will be his devotion to God and the people God put in his path. As you think on his life, rejoice in his Homecoming.
Liz Church
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Liz Church will be leading our service this week.
Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Jane Pickard for upcoming surgeries.
We understand Joan Horsfall is doing well after her recent knee surgery. Thanks be to God.
We are offering coffee/tea after church with paper cups with the option to move outside. We’ll continue as long as everyone is comfortable. Remember that some of our congregation prefers to wear a mask and we need to be respectful of their choice.
We welcome John Wanless former minister of music at Trinity United in Smiths Falls for at least 3 of the 4 Sundays.
Elgin/Portland United Church – Confirmation classes will be held Sunday evenings beginning August 7th at 7 pm for any youth interested in exploring their faith and relationship with God, and what it means to be a part of the Church. For more information, please contact Pauline French at 613-331-6876 or p_wfrench@yahoo.ca.
Portland United Church Council
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PORTLAND UNITED CHURCH
Presents
Mary’s Merry Minstrels
A Fiddlers’ Concert
August 13, 2022 – 7:00 P.M.
An evening of toe-tapping, sing-along
Portland United Church
(Doors Open at 6:30)
10 Colborne Street
Portland, ON, K0G 1V0
No admission charge. Free will offerings accepted.
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Devotional Thought – August 6, 2022
As I sit to prepare my devotional this week, there is a recurring thought which transcends all others – God is so good, He’s so good to me. So many times, in the last few weeks, I have been reminded of this truth.
Since COVID began, and even before that, I have not had my family all together. I’m not talking about that huge family I come from, and all their families. That would be too many to count. I’m just referring to my kids, and my grandkids. This week has brought the blessing for us to gather, at a cottage, far from most things (don’t worry, the grandkids will survive – there is WI-FI!). Swimming, chatting, enjoying meals together, and recounting so many good, and bad, funny, and sad times we’ve had together. And my heart is full!
Then, I pause to think about how others might be feeling – the loss of someone close, the moving away from family, the difficulties other family members are facing, a heavy workload – being pushed to the limit in so many areas! And for each of us it will be different, and yet the same. We must all continue to trust God and lean on Him.
When Bill Withers wrote the words to ‘Lean On Me’ he had just moved from a small coal-mining town in West Virginia to Los Angeles. He had lived simply and relied on family ties to strengthen him. So, he wanted to pass on to others that he could be trusted to help. Now I have no idea about his spiritual life but as I reflect on those words, I know one truth that we are assured of – Leaning on Jesus is the one truth that will carry us through. Nothing in life, no matter how hard, can take us out of the hand of God. Only we can do that. And the trust we need is found only in leaning on Him for all things.
As you live your life, take heart in the words found in Scripture that say: ‘I’ve told you all this so that trusting Me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.’ (John 16: 33, the Message)
Blessings, peace and love to each of you,
Liz Church -Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge