Elgin United Church
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone bearing the weight of loss, illness or troubles. You are not alone. May God’s grace bring you comfort. 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.
Best wishes to anyone who is celebrating a birthday, anniversary or special occasion this week.
Elgin is excited Alex and Sean Price are sharing their talents through the ministry of music this Sunday.
Jaime Burt will be offering the ministry of music August 21st.
The Elgin and Area Heritage Society is hosting Music in the Park featuring the Beverley Trio at Heritage Park, beside the Red Brick School, 2-4pm, Sunday August 28th.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
Rev. Greg Powell will be leading our service this week.
Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Jane Pickard.
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 14, 2022
Nature is a beautiful spectacle of God’s love and in a quirky way, His sense of humour. This week was no exception as we witnessed spectacular sunsets, sunrises, and certainly lots of heat, mixed undeniably, with that one day of humidity and the next being cold enough to wear winter clothing. But have you noticed anything else recently? I did, and for a moment, I was disheartened. As I drove up Hwy. 15, I had to take a second glance – there was actually a few places where the trees have started showing their Fall colours – a sure sign that days will be shortened, nights will be more conducive to sleeping and the mosquitos will finally take their leave. And this is the thought that comes to me – every year is the same, and every year I feel the same lack of enthusiasm. I long for long, summer days to remain.
And the next thought that comes to me is of a spiritual nature – year after year I serve God, and just like the seasons, there are times that are easier to take. Sometimes I am awash with exuberant laughter and joy. And I want those times to stay forever. Yet, I know that life isn’t that way. Other thoughts crowd in – health issues, job issues, housing issues, making ends meet, friends and family moving or joining the heavenly realms.
Change is inevitable. People change. Seasons change. Things change. Relationships change. But God’s promise to me is that He will remain the same – Yesterday, Today, Forever. That to me is a big deal. Life’s situations continue in my faith journey, and I can say with assurance, Jesus never changes.
And when things go wrong, I can remind myself that I’m not alone. My inner peace in the knowledge of God’s love will see me through – even when the colours fade and the cold sets in, the warmth I feel from an ever-present God is the cornerstone of my faith. May it be so for each of you.
Blessings, peace and love to each of you,
Liz Church -Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge