Elgin Portland United Church
Bible Discussion Groups
Reason to read the Bible #9: The Bible provides the guidance we need to live our lives in a manner pleasing to God. Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. There are two meetings each week: Portland UC on Monday at 6:30; Elgin UC on Tuesday at 10 am meeting, at the UC church this week. Please join us. For info contact Jim at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.
Summer camps are in full swing! Together we have raised nearly $800 and we are now able to support some of our area youth as they enjoy the summer time fun that camp has to offer. Thank you for your support!
The Elgin and Area Heritage Society display: Clifford Pennock: A New Lens on South Crosby, is open at the Red Brick School on weekends from 10 am-3 pm June 29th through Sept 1st. Not to be missed.
ELGIN DAYS is here. July 13 & 14 will be the highlight of the summer. Elgin United will feature a bake table, raffle table, smoked meat sandwiches, and live music on the lawn, on Saturday, July 13.
Join us for praise and worship at the Four Pillars Ecumenical Worship Service and Communion at Elgin United Church on Sunday, July 14 at 1 PM. Worship will be led by Elgin United Church, Bethel Tabernacle, St. Luke’s (Leeds) Anglican and St. Columbanus R.C. Parishes. There will NOT be an 11 am service at Elgin United.
The Young at Heart Breakfast Club will meet again on Thursday July 18 at 9 am at the Junction restaurant. All are welcome. As usual let Clint or Ted know by Wednesday the 17th by whatever means you are comfortable with.
The Lyndhurst Turkey Fair celebrates its 30th Anniversary on Saturday September 21st between 10 am and 4:30 pm. They are looking for volunteers for the day of the fair. Call Diane Joliffe at 519-389-7797 if you are interested. The fair lottery funds this year will be going to the Sweet’s Corners Elementary School Playground equipment Fundraiser
County Road 44 Bluegrass Band returns to Portland United Church on July 19,2024 at 7:30 pm. Please keep the date and join us for a great evening of music.
The Loonie Sports Club will be hosting a fundraising Fish Fry on 20 July. The fundraiser is in support of the Elgin United Church in completing repairs to the area used by the Early Learning Center. Adrian Overdulve can provide more details for those interested.
The Fish Fry will be on the 20th of July 4:00 PM with serving starting at 4:30 PM. Fish, Fries, and Coleslaw will be served. The price per plate is $18.00, cash at the door. Please try to bring the correct change. Please bring your own refreshments. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to garthhoegi@gmail.com no later than 15 July. As we need to source and prepare the fish we can not add anyone after that date.
Elgin United Church
Our good friend, neighbour, church supporter and loving partner of John Carley, Joanne McLean, has left us for the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. Your prayers for Joanne’s beautiful soul, and for the peace and comfort of John and family are appreciated. Joanne’s Celebration of Life will take place in Elgin United Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 27, 2024. A reception will follow at the Elgin Municipal Complex.
Volunteers urgently needed for Elgin Community Garden program. If you are able to give a few hours of your time to help feed your community with fresh and healthy food, please contact Geri Baker at 613-583-7509. Thank you! Pat
Portland United Church
A long time member off Portland United Church Joyce Welch passed away on Tuesday, July 9th. Please keep the family in your prayers.
The Portland United Church Family in 2025:
As we move towards celebrating the 100th anniversary of the UCC in 2025, the stories from our Portland members continue. Vickie got us off to a memorable start. Who will we hear from next? Join us & find out!
Shine On, Shine On
AS OF June 30th
As 4.2 mwh is the final reading for April, May, and June.
To receive your book and complete your sponsorship of the solar panels, please check the bulletin board to see how much you owe or call Annette at the office on Wednesday or Thursday. Payment can be made in person at the office or during Sunday morning at church. Payment can be either cash, cheque, or e-transfer at donateportlandunitedchurch@kingston.net. The books are available in person at the office when payment has been made.
Thank You
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Reflection
July 13, 2024
I have been staring at a blank page for the past half hour, waiting for inspiration, that ‘ah-ha’ moment, that bolt of lightning! And this is what comes:
Is not every new day a blank slate, waiting for the moments to emerge as they will; waiting for a fresh journey to reveal the path we will follow?
Today will be different than yesterday. The stresses of yesterday have faded into the background. And doesn’t that just remind you of those words of Jesus from Matthew 6: 34? Looking this up in a modern paraphrase, the New Life Version, it says this: ‘Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will have its own worries. The troubles we have in a day are enough for one day.’
I really love this reminder. Where did we ever get the idea that life is supposed to be easy? Every encounter you have today will shape how your day progresses. How you respond to each encounter will require your active participation in living this day to its best potential.
The world around us would like us to believe that someone else is at fault for our misery or happiness.
Circumstances you face can be devastating. They can cut you down until your path is obscured by overpowering despair. Yet, we share a different viewpoint, don’t we? I must once again bring to the forefront where we stand as Christians: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 New Living Translation (NLT) says it very clearly: ‘We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.’
I challenge you this week to take the time and read more of that chapter. Read it every day, until you believe it. Read it until you live it. Read it and put into practice these words. It will change your attitude into triumphant living.
Don’t get me wrong, there are moments when life comes in and hits you hard. There are circumstances which are gut-wrenching, will cause you to stumble, to fall flat on your face! I get it!
But I beg you, I implore you, to walk the victorious life you have been given. As you face today, and a new tomorrow, you have every needed weapon to fight against the evil one. You have the armour of God protecting you.
Prove to yourself that you are a worthy opponent against the entrapments of this world’s allurement to pull you into an abyss. Stand firm in your love for the Lord and run to the next adventure that awaits you with the exuberance and expectation that only good will be found around the next corner – good that will grow your faith.
God alone can take everything you are facing and make you feel like singing and dancing through the muck and mire to reach the cleansing water just ahead so that your day will be fresh and clean and worth fighting for.
You are blessed. You are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
