Elgin Portland United Church
Our prayer list is still growing. Please keep the Pastoral Care Director, Liz Church, or Clint Halladay updated.
YAHBC
The Young at Heart Breakfast Club met with 11 well-fed and happy folks on Thursday morning the 18th of January.
If you would like to join them next month it will be at 9 am on Thursday the 15th of February at the Junction restaurant. Further notice will be posted nearer to the date. Ted
Council ACM’s and Official Board AGM.
Sunday, February 18th is the date for all 3 meetings.
The Plan is that Portland will have their meeting right after their service. Elgin will have their meeting right after their service.
That leaves the Official Board. Elgin figures no more than 30 minutes for their meeting. Then we will take a break for lunch which the Portland members of the O.B. have been invited to and then we will have a short O.B. AGM. The only business at that meeting will be approving the reports and the budget which is in the reports.
Ted A/Chair Official Board.
Elgin United Church
Bradley Edwards – Please keep Bradley and his family in your prayers. Sonny and Becky are staying at a hotel near CHEO, which, with both being self-employed, is a significant financial impact. Please consider a donation to help offset their costs. You can donate directly, through the church or through GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/ff20a414.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
The following names are still on our prayer list.
Sheila Campbell, Kay Seward, and Bradley Edwards is still in the hospital.
PUC council meeting Tuesday, January 30th @ 7 pm.
The Bible reading group meets every Monday evening for a little over an hour starting at 6:30 p.m.. We follow a daily New Testament Bible Reading Schedule that can be done in as little as ten minutes per day. This week will be discussing readings from Matthew chapters 25 to 28 and Romans 1-6. If you read along during the week and have some questions, then please come, and join us for a lively discussion and fellowship. The complete reading schedules will be available at the tables just inside the doors of the Elgin and Portland churches for any interested people to pick up and give it a try. Let the word of God grow in your heart.
On Saturday, February 3rd between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m., there will be an Open House at Portland United Church to celebrate Kathleen Seward’s 90th birthday. Drop by, say hello to her family, wish her well and enjoy some delicious food catered by the UCW.
As always, you are invited to drop in weekly to Chit Chat, downstairs between 10:30 and 12:00 noon.
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Reflection
January 27, 2024
Busy, busy , busy. Can you believe the month of January has almost come to an end? And this month we have been kept busy with any number of mundane tasks (I’m mostly talking about the snowstorms, freezing rain and the clean-up that we have to do!)
And yet, I am caused to think of other tasks also. For this week we will continue talking about being the ‘Best Version of Me’. I have had a month to work on this and there is still a long way to go.
In the lectionary this week I noticed one of the scripture readings was from Psalm 111. As I reflected on this, I could feel a surge of gratefulness running through me. These verses are so apropos for looking at the best version of me. It was like a lightning bolt. Here is direct guidance for becoming the best version of me:
- Praise the Lord
- Thank the Lord with all my heart
- Delight in the Lord
- Be gracious and merciful
- Be just and good
- Follow His commands
- Be trustworthy – have integrity
- Be obedient
- We have been given the greatest gift – Jesus!
- We are promised Eternal Life.
Now, this looks like a great plan to follow. There is no doubt that should you accept this challenge – you will be changed. You will become the best version of you!
And the reason I know this? All of those statements apply directly to God. We are made in His image. Therefore, we will be like Him!
The study of God’s Word brings such joy. I will add a little to this. Given the opportunity to share in this way we grow together as a church community. We are able to go out in the strength of the Lord and bring others into the fellowship. We are believers!
As you continue to become the best version of you, you will recognise that you are the best version of God’s people.
John 16: 31-33 Living Bible says:
Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. 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.”
All I can really say, my dear friends, don’t run away. Continue the search for the best version of you. And know with assurance, God is in You, God is around you and God knows you.
Be blessed and refreshed this day.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
