Elgin Portland United Church
Young at Heart Breakfast Club
The YaHBC meets again on Thursday the 18th of April at the Junction Restaurant at 9 am. If you are going to attend would you let Clint or Ted know by whatever means you are comfortable with so we have a spot reserved and someone to look after us. Everyone from both churches is invited and normal group is about 12 to 16.
Looking forward to seeing you there………………Ted
Bible Discussion Groups
Discussions this week will center around the Apostle Paul’s letters to the Philippians and Chapters 1-7 of John’s Gospel. All questions are welcome. Reading the Bible is an excellent way to enrich your relationship with the Lord and feel assured of your place in His Kingdom. Please join us in Portland UC (Mon. 6:30pm) or in Elgin UC (Tues. 10am). For info contact Jim at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.1 Peter 5:6–7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.
April 22nd is Earth Day. In celebration and recognition, all are invited to join St. Luke’s Leeds, Elgin United and Country Roads at the Elgin Municipal Complex at 11 AM on Sunday April 21st for worship followed by lunch, a presentation by CRCHC and viewing of the movie “Kiss the Ground”. Come for the service, stay for social and those contributing food, please come early so we can set up for lunch. See everyone there. There is NO SERVICE at Elgin United on the 21st.
Elgin United Church
Happy Birthday to Ted Brett who celebrates Wednesday. April 17th and to Ron Pyne on Saturday. April 20th. May you both have exceptionally wonderful days. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Portland United Church
As always, you are invited to drop in weekly on Thursdays to Chit Chat, downstairs between 10:30 and 12:00 noon.
Sylvia French is currently receiving naturopathic treatments for recently diagnosed liver cancer. Please remember her in your prayers.
Several religious books and children videos’ 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
April 13, 2024
What an exciting week this has been. I have been getting back to my work at the Marina. The level of eagerness is palpable. Returning staff are busy remembering ‘how to clean a boat’. New staff have that passionate gusto to understand and get it just right!
And the people who benefit the most? The boaters. They return to their boat and it is clean and ready to use.
What many fail to recognize is that it took a whole staff to get a boat back into the water. Those who winterized the boat last Fall had to follow a procedure. Those who did the shrink wrap had a process. Those who stored the boat took care to trailer it into the right spot for storage. And when Spring hits, and the boat is uncovered, staff are delighted that no creatures took refuge inside the boat. Cleaning begins, mechanics do their magic, the boat is put into the water and taken for a test drive. The customer is elated, the boss is proud of his staff and the staff know they have done their best to make this summer an experience of joy for those who will spend the next few months on the water.
This flurry of activity will continue now until October – when the process begins again.
Of course, this is my perspective on things. There is so much more to it – finding out how to repair the boat should it fail to work, ordering parts for it, making work orders to get the work done in a timely fashion. As usual, the list is long of all that it takes to keep a Marina in good running order – all those ‘behind the scenes’ people who are integral to the whole running of the operation.
Switching now to the church, it too needs the same loving attention. Many wonderful people work behind the scenes, the secretary, the church council, those who read Scripture, ushers, UCW, quilters, knitters, people who sew pillowcases, breakfast club organizers, prayer shawls distribution, Sunday School teachers, chit-chat organizers, caring and sharing, – dedicated people offering their gifts and talents so the church of God runs smoothly and you who enter the doors, have an engaging, spiritual experience; and those who have not yet come, know the church is alive in your community.
This is an invitation for you to become more involved. This is your opportunity to make your ‘church experience’ to be more than it is.
Enthusiasm grows when you are part of a team. Scripture is filled with encouragement for you. There is no doubt that you are needed – you are a part of the Body and I need you!
Wait until you see yourself in action – you will be amazed!
Being open to those new ideas that you have yet to share, is part of growing the church.
Jesus was an Influencer. Long before there was electronic social media, the Word of God spread. It needed people. Nothing about that has changed. Please know that you are part of a great opportunity.
Do you have those ideas you know will grow God’s church? Let the Council know, let Liz Church know, let the secretary know. Launch your ideas. Get involved.
Are you anxious to know God and be able to share His love with others? Attend a Bible Study. Discover for yourself the excitement of leading another to the Lord. We need you!
Let this be the moment when you enthusiastically embrace your Spiritual Life and come alive in Christ. Know that you are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
Romans 12: 4,5