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Rev. Kathi's Message:
This Sunday
, we will celebrate the third biggest holiday in the church year! Pentecost remains blissfully free of the commercial trappings that have come to surround Christmas and Easter. This also means that many of us have no idea what it all means.
How appropriate! On that first Pentecost, the disciples had no idea what to expect. Jesus had told them that a Comforter, an Advocate, would be coming to them to help them continue his work. But they had no idea what it would look like or when it would come.
In typical divine fashion, God's Spirit shows up unannounced and in a completely unexpected way. Fire on the heads of the disciples? It's unlike anything that has ever happened before!
Better yet, the Spirit shows up right after the disciples tried to go back to the way things used to be. Jesus had called 12 male disciples, and now one of them was gone. Since Jesus called 12, then the other 11 felt like they needed to go back to the way they'd always done things. It's as though God rolled their eyes at the male disciples, sighed "will they never learn?" and showed up to teach them a huge lesson.
"You think God only calls men? Only those who have been there from the beginning? Guess again, guys! Watch this! I'm pouring out the Spirit on everyone! Young and old, male and female, newcomers and familiar faces, rich and poor, powerful and powerless, and everyone in between. Listen! Can you hear them all proclaiming the Word?"
God's Spirit continues to show up in ways unprecedented and on people unexpected. Where would you be most surprised to see the movement of the Spirit? This Pentecost, that is where you should be looking. Prepare to be surprised!
God of fire and wind, teach us to recognize your Spirit whenever and wherever and with whomever it shows up! Remind us that you move in new ways and may not always be found in "the way things used to be." Bless our efforts to hear you and follow you with all our heart, mind, and soul. Amen.
Shalom,
Kathi
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This Week at EMUC
Scripture: Acts 2: 1-21
Gospel: John 15: 26-27; 16: 4b-15
Message: 'Remembering to Breathe'
After service: Impromptu Practice
2:00 pm:
Circle of Friends
7:00 pm:
Chancel Choir practice
Next Sunday May 20th: Sunday w
orship
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Upcoming Events:
CELEBRATION OF LIFE: JANET TAIT
On
Saturday May 26th, at 2 pm we will be celebrating the life of Janet Tait who died recently. Janet was a long time member of the church and the Chancel Choir. A reception will be held after in the lower hall.
Recently 100 chairs were purchased for the Lower Hall to replace those that were in a bad state of repair. We have had inquiries from individuals wanting to donate funds to help cover the cost of the chairs.
The cost of each chair was $65.00. If you wish to make a donation, you are invited to place it on the offering plate, clearly designated for the chairs.
MUSIC CONCERT - ONTARIO MALE CHORUS AND "THE "BOYS IN B" MAY 27TH AT 7:30 PM
EMUC is hosting this concert which features The Ontario Male Chorus and the "Boys in B", a boy's choir from Cawthra School of the Arts. Tickets will be available this Sunday at the
cost of $20 per adult and $10 for students and children. This is a fundraiser for EMUC and the choirs. Both groups are excellent and this is a concert you won't want to miss! Any questions see Sylvia Arnold.
CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH -
PLANNING/BRAINSTORMING MEETING
- In our recent Joint Needs Assessment, the committee highlighted Congregational Growth as an area that required some attention and strategic planning with the support of our minister. If you have an interest in this type of planning or would like to be part of a group of folks who will begin to generate and brainstorm creative ideas around this topic, we need you.
- The date is Monday June 4th for the initial brainstorming session.
- Please contact Joanne Hines at twokids@rogers.com or Dianne Hope at dadihope@gmail.com if you would like more information or would like to be included in the initial phase of this project
On
Saturday June 9, 2018 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Women for Women is holding its annual retreat. The day starts at EMUC for a breakfast and a short program. The group will then carpool to Visual Arts Mississauga. The program includes:
- indoor & outdoor activities, including a hike or a walk around the gardens
- continental breakfast, healthy lunch & snacks
- desserts offered by participants
- morning program at EMUC & afternoon art workshop at VAM (make a ceramic mug)
- carpooling from EMUC to VAM & back
Please register by May 24th
either by email to Debby Sturgeon or by signing up on the bulletin board at the church. Space is limited to 40 women. The
cost is $40 per person (bursary assistance is available - speak to Kathi Phillips). See the bulletin board for more information.
Your Membership and Development Care Team is planning a
Lunch and Learn event on June 24th following worship from 11:45 to 1:15. A light lunch will be provided. The guest speaker, Dr. Bob Sauls a retired leader in Palliative Care from Trillium Health Partners will be guiding us through a discussion on giving support
'FUNDSCRIP' PROGRAM
We are continuing with FUNDSCRIP, an innovative fundraising program that asks you to purchase gift cards in order to pay for regular items you buy every month. A percentage of the cards we purchase through FUNDSCRIP is donated back to our church. Order forms for gift cards will be available the last Sunday of every month. The next order date is Sunday, May 27, 2018. Please see the display board at the back of the church or speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.
WHAT TO DO WITH USED GIFT CARDS?
Erin Mills Town Centre has a box beside the Guest Service desk where you can deposit your depleted, used gift cards. You may also place then in a small box on the Visitors table beside the photocopier room for those who would prefer to leave their old cards at church. Mary Anna Williams will ensure they are dropped off at the Town Centre.
The program is run by Terracycle.ca. If you have any questions please speak to Mary Anna.
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