Northlea United Church In the community. For the community. 125 Brentcliffe Road, Toronto, ON, M4G 3Y7 www.northleaunited.ca ~ 416-425-5252 Sunday, April 22, 2018 Fourth Sunday of Easter At Northlea United Church, we encourage one another to: Love God ~ Connect with others Nurture the spirit ~ Serve the world
Welcome to Northlea! Northlea is proud to be a safe space and accessible for those with mobility assists such as wheelchairs, and scooters. We welcome pets and invite you to bring your coffee to service! If we can help improve your experience by providing you with assisted hearing devices, a large print hymn book or large print order of service, we have them just ask one of our Welcomers. Infants, toddlers, and children are welcome as part of our worship in the sanctuary! Following the first part of the service each Sunday, many of our children and youth go with their leaders to Cool Church. Children who are visiting are invited to join in! After the service, everyone reconnects in the Community Room over refreshments. We encourage everyone to wear name tags, so if you don t have one, and would like one, please let one of our Welcomers know. Thank You for Helping with Today s Service: Welcoming: Lucy Platt and Jody Kinsey Reading: Roger Touw Sound Technician: Bev Vanstone Kitchen Hospitality: Susane Orlowski and Anthony Policicchio If you are interested in volunteering to help with Sunday Morning Ministries, please contact Marnie Phoenix through the church office or sign up on the sheets posted outside on the Welcome Board. Minister: Lee-Ann Ahlstrom lee-ann@northleaunited.ca Music Director: David Jafelice david@northleaunited.ca Office Administrator: Tricia Reid office@northleaunited.ca Facility Manager: Robert Pringle building@northleaunited.ca Cool Church Coordinator: Daniel Stefan danielstefanmusic@gmail.com Youth Leader: Jo Dullard jo@northleaunited.ca Consider Financially supporting Northlea United through Canada Helps by going to www.northleaunited.ca signing up for PAR (Pre-Authorized Debit) through the church office using offering envelopes Please contact the church office if you would like more information 416 425 5252 or office@northleaunited.ca 1
Northlea United Church April 22, 2018 Fourth Sunday of Easter Minister - Lee-Ann Ahlstrom Music Director - David Jafelice (*) Please stand if you are comfortable and able. Bold letters indicate words to be said by the whole congregation. Please ask one of our greeters if you would like a large- print bulletin, a large-print hymn book or an assisted hearing device. Gathering Before or during the prelude you are welcome to come to the front and light a candle and/or enter your prayer requests in the book provided. Your prayers can be included in the prayers of the people during the service. Prelude Joy Fills the Morning Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) Welcome *Gathering Hymn: The Day of Resurrection Voice United #164 Announcements, Joys and Concerns Call to Worship: God s calls to our spirits, inviting us to be together. God s calls to our hearts, inviting us by love. God s calls to our being, calling us by name, calling us to grow in faith, calling us to be made new. Let us respond to God s call with our worship. Amen and Alleluia! 2
Sung Response: verse sung by Emily Zixin Wang Lighting the Christ Candle May the peace of Christ be with you all And also with you Greetings of Peace - The congregation is invited to share the peace of Christ with one another. The children and youth will leave for their Cool Church listening and learning time. Sung Response: Put Peace into Each Other s Hands verse 5 only More Voices #173 Opening Prayer: Wondrous God you touch our lives with creativity and wisdom; new life is your gift. We praise you for the Good News which is ours through Jesus Christ. May this time of worship nourish us with your promise of meaning and purpose. May we be empowered to carry your goodness into the coming week. We pray in Jesus name, our Teacher and Hope. The Lord s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us away from temptation, and deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen. 3
Listening Hymn: Blest Be the Tie That Binds Voice United #602 Prayer for Understanding Holy One, we pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit you will open our hearts and our minds to your mystery and grace. Guide us to the truth and wisdom we most need to hear, as we listen for your still small voice in our sacred story. Amen. Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:16-24 Response In this reading we hear God s voice. The Spirit is still speaking, thanks be to God. Message: Spirit Given, Spirit Led Anthem: I Come With Joy Voices United #477 Responding Celebration of Baptism Invitation: They were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he took them in his arms and he blessed them, laying his hands upon them. (Mark 10:13) Statement of Purpose: Brenda Burton The sacrament of baptism proclaims and celebrates the grace of God. By water and the Spirit, we are called, claimed, and commissioned: We are called God s own, welcomed as children of God; We are claimed by Christ, united with Christ, united with one another and the Christian community of every time and place; We are commissioned to Christ s ministry of love, peace, and justice, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit for the work of the church in the world 4
Presentation On behalf of the congregation of Northlea United Church, I present Emilia Ramsay-Chiu for initiation into the body of Christ through baptism. Commitment of Parents In baptism, Emilia marks an important step in her journey of faith. Will you share your faith with Emilia, growing with them in faith, hope and love? I will, God being my helper. Commitment of Godparents Will you grow in faith with this child, trusting that, you are not alone, you live in God s world? I will, God being my helper. Congregational Commitment Beloved members, adherents and friends, do you share in the celebration of Emilia s baptism, promising to support her and her family with love, wholesome example, Christian teaching and faithful prayer? We do, by the grace of God. Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Pouring of Water Gracious and Holy God, we thank you for the precious gift of water that sustains us and gives life. We pray the Holy Spirit will be with us in a special way, dwelling deeply here in water, and community, and touch, so the wonder of your love will be expressed in all we do, for Jesus sake. Pour out, O God, your Holy Spirit upon us, and upon this water, that this font may become your womb of new birth, our fount of blessing, and source of grace. Amen The Act of Baptism Blessing: May God bless you and keep you, may God s face shine upon you and give you peace. 5
Sung Refrain after Baptismal Blessing: Declaration and Congregational Welcome Brenda Burton Into the family of faith, we welcome you with joy and thanksgiving. With love and in the name of Christ, we welcome you. Hymn: I Have Called you by your name More Voices #161 Invitation to the Offering: Offertory Music Offertory Response: Christ Has No Body Now But Yours More Voices #171 Through ev ry gift give back to those in need: as Christ has blessed, so now be his blessing, with ev ry gift a benediction, be to the people of God. Christ has no body now but yours, no hands but yours. Here on this earth, yours is the work, to serve with the joy of compassion. Words: Adapted by Stephen C. Warner, 2003, from St. Teresa of Avila. Words copyright 2003 World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net # A-724837 6
*Offertory Prayer: God of grace, we hear your call to generous giving in the way you meet our needs each day, and in the peace you give which passes understanding. Having received so much, we offer all we have, our time, talents and treasure for your kingdom. Bless these gifts for the work of your church. Amen. Prayers of the People: Closing Hymn: Faith of our Fathers Voices United #580 *Commissioning and Benediction *Sung Amen: Postlude We acknowledge with respect the history, spirituality, and culture of the Mississauga peoples who came to this place long before us, and our responsibility for the territory wherein our church resides. 7
Spring Chair Exercise Classes Wednesdays 11:00 am Spring Chair class started and will continue to meet weekly until at least May 16. Join any time. Come out and enjoy some gentle exercise and bring a friend. For further info: contact Anne Medlock 416-429-1895 Coming Up! Congregational Meeting - Today after service in the Sanctuary All Staff Meeting - Tuesday, April 24, 11:00 am Chair Exercise Class Wednesday, April 25, 11:00 am Ministry & Personnel Meeting-April 27, 1:00pm in the Youth Room Farewell to Daniel Stefan - Sunday, April 29, after morning service Love Jazz Join Us! Sunday, April 29, 4:30-5:30 pm UCW Potluck Dinner and Annual Meeting - Tuesday, May 8 at 6:30 pm Art Circle - Thursdays at 1:30 pm Choir Practice - Thursdays at 7:30 pm Jazz? Join Us! Sunday, April 29 th 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Featuring: Pianist Rob Rowe & Friends & Juno Nominee Vocalist Heather Bambrick Refreshments served at 4:00 pm. Free will offering. A Fond Farewell to Daniel Stefan - April 29th Daniel has been offered a 4-month contract with the Naval Reserves starting on May 1st, 2018. In September, he will be taking other short-term contracts that will have him working full time both inside and outside of Toronto which means he will not be able to fulfill his obligations at Northlea. On April 29 th, please join us in the Community Room after the church service for cake and an opportunity to thank Daniel for his enthusiastic and creative work with the young people at Northlea. We will miss his smiling face but wish him great success as he moves forward in his chosen work. If you wish any further information please speak to Lee-Ann, Jo or Lois Scott - The Ministry and Personnel Committee 8
Laird in Focus Planning Study Presentation and Open House: Preferred Alternative Plan Monday, April 23, 2018 6:30 pm Open House; 7:00 pm Presentations St Anselm Catholic School, 182 Bessborough Drive - Gymnasium The Brain Injury Society of Toronto presents: Beauty & the Beast - The Good & Bad of ABI Expressive Art Show - Thursday, April 26 4:00-7:00 pm at Christchurch Deer Park, 1570 Yonge Street (north of St. Clair Ave. W.) 647 990 1485 or visit www.bist.ca/community-fair Unveiling of the Mayor s Chain of Office Exhibit - April 27 -The East York Foundation (E.Y.F.), will be unveiling the former Borough of East York Mayor s Chain of Office Exhibit, on Friday, April 27. This event will take place in the lobby of the East York Civic Centre, located at 850 Coxwell Avenue, East York. Proceedings will begin at 7:00 p.m. Former East York mayors Alan Redway, Dave Johnson and Michael Prue, have been invited to participate. Many past East York councillors and Borough staff are also expected to attend. A reception will follow the formal unveiling activities. All East Yorkers are invited to attend. Music on the Donway - Sweet Music We Love to Remember April 28 th - Spring has arrived and so has the Music on the Donway with Sweet Music We Love to Remember with Danny s 7, featuring Nina Richmond. Enjoy the music for all ages, jazz/popular, like My Favourite Things, Lullaby of Broadway, Summertime, King of the Road, Vera Lynn Medley and more, on Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 pm, at The Donway Covenant United Church, 230 The Donway West, Don Mills. Tickets: Adults/Seniors $20, available at the door the evening of the concert. For more information call 416-444-8444. East York Historical Society General Meeting Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - Refreshments at 7:00 pm; Meeting at 7:30 pm Presenter: Paul Farrelly speaking on The Frank O Connor House S. Walter Stewart Library - 170 Memorial Park 9