Elgin Portland United Church
And whether you are Irish or not, wish you were or wish you weren’t, may the sentiment of this old Irish blessing be upon you:
May your days be many and your troubles be few.
May all God’s blessings descend upon you.
May peace be within you, may your heart be strong.
May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.
May thy Salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.
Blessings.
Young at Heart Breakfast Club
The YAHBC meets again next Thursday the 21st of March at 9 am at the Junction Restaurant. As usual, would you let either Clint or Ted know by whatever means you are comfortable with by noon on Wednesday the 20th if you are coming so the restaurant has room and staff for us? See you then……………Ted
We keep all who are ill, troubled, or undergoing difficult times in our prayers that they are comforted by God’s Grace.
March 24th – Palm Sunday Rev. Nancy Clarke
March 28th – Maundy Thursday Rev. Nancy Clarke @ Portland at 7 p.m.
March 29th – Good Friday Liz Church @ Elgin at 7 p.m.
March 31st – Easter Sunday Rev. Nancy Clarke
Bible Discussion Groups
Discussions will be centred on this week’s Bible reading schedule from Luke chapters 3-9. Any and all Bible questions are welcome. Please join us for lively discussions and warm fellowship on Monday evening at the Portland UC at 6:30pm or on Tuesday morning at the United Church in Elgin at 10am. All are welcome. For info contact Jim at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.God bless, Jim.
Elgin United Church
We pray for the continued improvement of Marg, Barb, Joanne, Karen, Bradley and Adriaan. May their recovery be speedy and complete.
Happy Birthday to Jim Carbino. We hope his day is noteworthy and enjoyable.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
Mark Friday, March 22nd on your calendar for a fabulous turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Bring your families, friends and neighbours. 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. $18 for adults and $10 for children under 12.
As always, you are invited to drop in weekly on Thursdays to Chit Chat, downstairs between 10:30 and 12:00 noon.
We keep Kathleen Seward and family in our prayers. She is in palliative care in Smiths Falls Hospital.
Cheryl Stoddard is now residing at Hilltop Manor in Merrickville. Please remember Cliff and Cheryl in your prayers.
Thursday, April 11th is the UCW AGM in Carleton Place at Zion United Church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Rodney (former minister at Elgin/Portland United) is the guest speaker. If you would like to join us at this meeting, please contact Connie Cochran at 613-220-7914 to participate in a carpool. Cost is $20.00 for lunch and snacks. A donation to the Food Bank would be appreciated.
We are sad to announce that John Wanless will be leaving us effective March 24th. John has been a most welcome addition to our Sunday worship, and he will be missed. Thank you, John, for sharing your talents with us over the past 2 years! We have thoroughly enjoyed having you lead our music. Please join us after church this Sunday, March 17 for cake after the service.
The Portland Pealers will be performing in Newboro United on Palm Sunday at 10 a.m..
Several religious books have been donated to the Portland United Church library. Please check them out and borrow them as you wish.
Looking for a pleasant activity for a Sunday afternoon? The Bells of St. Paul’s, and guests Don McLean, Brad Mills, and High Octane are pleased to invite you to Perth on Sunday, April 21st for this lovely afternoon filled with wonderful music. This community bell choir welcomes ringers from the wider community, including Jane Pickard and Jan Haskin of Portland. We do hope you will join us!
An advance planning event:
This is a notice of the second annual ecumenical worship service and potluck event held at Bethel United Church. Last year, we had a lovely time with about 45 people with 7 different churches represented. The sentiment “we should do this more often” was heard many times.
So, we are!
Bethel United Church would like to invite you to be part of this on July 7 beginning at 4:30 PM. We will have an informal worship service, that I hope all of you can participate in, and it will be followed by a ‘true’ potluck supper. Last year the tables were groaning with food!!! I’m considering using Matthew 18:30 “Where 2 or 3 are gathered….” and that we can specifically address rural and small church issues.
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Reflection
March 16, 2024
I am always amazed at what can be accomplished in a short amount of time – even after we have procrastinated for too long.
This week was a classic example of this. My grandson was returning home to Halifax after an extended stay here with his father.
After much deliberation, we hopped in the car and took a road trip. And the weather co-operated. We arrived safe and I believe that though this was a difficult decision to make, we will look back and know this step will add a rainbow of colour to the journey of life that we must each take.
I tell you this just so that you are encouraged in your faith journey. Many times, we miss out on blessings because we wait for the perfect time. So, this is the secret I will share with you. It is not too late to catch up on those little detours in your life.
You have heard the expression ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained’. I believe this is truly a blessing we can each enjoy. Take the time today and focus on one little step of your journey. Perhaps it is time to read again the beautiful love story of Ruth and Boaz. Experience again that overwhelming sense of love as you take the time and read the story of the lost sheep. Figure out what it really means when we say: ‘rejoice, for the Lord has found His sheep’! Or maybe during this Easter season you want to remember someone close to you and send them an extra special note of gratitude or share a memory you have of them.
So many things come to my mind as I sit and write to you. I don’t want to miss out on any opportunity I might have to lighten another’s burden, share the Gospel message, or spend time in prayer, or read the Good News, or study God’s Word, or sing praises to the King of Kings, or walk with another who needs a companion or a listening ear.
Well, my dear friends, this is again a never-ending story – one that you can write a chapter or book about – how God has allowed you to be a part of this living chronicle – a day in the life of_____________________. Put your name in there, and be blessed as you find joy in service and fulfillment in a day well-spent.
Know that you are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
