Trinity United Church

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)

Here is the link for Sunday, April 27, 2025 hymn sing worship service: https://youtu.be/EfbOXnZ2zxA

Sunday, May 4, 2025 – Worship starts at 10:45 a.m.  with guest minister Rev. Chewe Mulenga. Communion. 

Scripture to Ponder & Prayer

Third Sunday of Easter

Scriptures for this week:  Acts 9:1–6, (7–20) Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.

Psalm 30 (VU p. 757); Revelation 5:11–14; John 21:1–19

NOTE: Please receive this as a devotion for this week. Though we may focus on a different Scripture passage in worship this coming Sunday, may this reflection offer something to ponder deeply as part of your exploration of faith.

 “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

He asked, “Who are you, Lord?”

The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” —Acts 9:4–5 (NRSV)

 Saul was convinced he was doing God’s work. With fervor and certainty, he moved forward in a mission that, in reality, was causing deep harm.

Then Jesus interrupted. A flash of light. A voice from heaven. A pause that would change everything. Jesus didn’t simply rebuke Saul—He reoriented his entire life. From persecutor to preacher, from blindness to true sight.

 In Saul’s story, we see ourselves. How often do we pursue what seems right—by tradition, habit, or ambition—without recognizing the cost? Our modern age is marked by progress and innovation, yet also by environmental decline and disconnect from creation. We have polluted skies and oceans, depleted forests, and a warming planet. Still, we cling to systems and lifestyles that are convenient but unsustainable.

And in the midst of it all, a question still echoes: “Why are you persecuting me?”

Perhaps Christ’s voice is heard today in the cries of a struggling Earth—in the disappearing species, the rising seas, the shifting seasons. Creation is not a backdrop to our lives—it is part of God’s ongoing revelation. Just as Saul was invited to stop and see with new eyes, we too are invited:

 To stop.

To listen.

To see differently.

To live differently.

 God’s grace meets us even in our blindness, but it never leaves us there. It calls us forward into transformation, into healing, into partnership with God’s work of renewal.

 Prayer:

Lord, help me to see.

Where I have ignored Your presence in the world around me, forgive me.

Where I have chosen comfort over care, change my heart.

Like Saul, interrupt me.

Call me to a new way of living—one rooted in humility, compassion, and restoration.

Make me a caretaker of Your creation and a vessel of Your peace.

Amen.

This Week’s Practice:

Take a moment outdoors.

Notice one simple, beautiful part of creation—a leaf, a bird, the sound of the wind.

Pause and say, “This is sacred.”

Let that awareness shape how you live, consume, and care today.

Your companion in faith

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)

 *Sunday, April 27, 2025 – Worship starts at 9:30 a.m.  It is the joint celebratory hymn sing service with Good Shepherd Anglican (GSA) 

*On Monday, April 28, 2025 Elections Canada will have a polling station in our building. The office will be open during regular office hours.  

We are grateful to Ruth and Arnold Graham and Edgar Rosales  for cashiering this Sunday. 

In our Prayers:

We pray for the family of Jean Hewko as they mourn her death. A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home. 

We pray for the family of Ed Boyd as they mourn his death. A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, April 25 ,2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. 

We pray for the family of Alice Muir as they mourn her death. A service or remembrance will be held at Trinity United Church on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

We pray for Bernice Gregory who is dealing with health issues.

We pray for Sumi as she continues her recovery following cancer treatment. We pray for Sumi’s three nieces Ameera, Anupaa, and Anuka in the camp in Nepal as they need support for their security and protection. We pray too forDamber’s mother,  Dhan Khadka as she faces serious health issues. Damber and Sumi are grateful for the prayers and support of the congregation.

We pray for Priest Jennifer Sisson, Good Shepherd Anglican (GSA) and her family as her husband Bishop Geoff Woodcroft faces health issues. 

We pray for Bill Monro who is dealing with health issues.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS FOR TRINITY:Beginning on May 2, the church office will be closed on Fridays during May, June, July and August, 2025.
Office hours from Monday to Thursday remain the same with the office open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

*SPRING CLEAN UP – Spring is in the air and we always welcome Spring by cleaning inside and outside the church so we make the building and grounds sparkle.
The date is Saturday May 10 at 9:00 a.m. If lots of help shows up we should be done by noon.
Bring work gloves, rags and a small plastic pail (church has a supply of cleaning products).

From the 100th Anniversary Task Group

Recently,  the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada committee unveiled its’ fundraising campaign to assist Damber and Sumi with their three nieces, Ameera, Anupaa, and Anuka who are in a refugee camp in Nepal. Ameera is 15, Anupaa is 12 and Anuka is only 9 years old. Damber and Sumi send money every month to care for the girls, but we can help, too.

We invite you to give the gift of one dollar for every year the United Church of Canada has been in existence. We’d like to call it “A 100 for the 100^th. Of course, we will accept any amount you feel you would like to give, be it less or more.

Here is how The DAMBER PROJECT will work:

· We will gladly accept cash or cheques. Cheques may be made out to “Trinity United Church” and should be designated to THE DAMBER PROJECT. Funds will be disbursed as needed, and at Damber’s discretion between now and the end of June. 

· A member of the 100th Anniversary committee will be available before or after each service each Sunday morningfrom now until June. 

· If you are dropping by Trinity during the week, you can leave your donation with Kathy in the office.

· If you’d like to leave your gift in the offering plate, please be sure to indicate that it is for THE DAMBER PROJECT, so that the cashiers will know.

Thank you so much for helping members of our extended Trinity family!

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🏈🏈🏈  We look forward to another successful season in our Winnipeg Blue Bomber fundraiser. 

See the schedule of home games below. Please have a look at the dates and times that you would be available. 

The sign up sheets are on the bulletin board in the narthex right beside the door leading into the sanctuary near the church entrance. If you have questions, talk to Marilyn or Irma. Game start times are listed (we typically need to be there 2 hours ahead of game start time and we are typically there for 1 hour after the game.  e.g. where start time is 7:30 we start at 5:30).  

Saturday May 24 – game start time 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 12 – game start time 7:30 p.m. 

Thursday, June 26 – game start time 7:30

Friday, July 18 – game start time 7:30

Friday, August 1 – game start time 7:30

Thursday, August 14 – game start time 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 6 – game start time 3:00 p.m.

(we may be asked to be 3-4 hours ahead of the game) 

Saturday, September 27 –  game start time 2:00 p.m. 

Friday, October 17- game start time 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 25 – game start time 2:00 p.m. 

Play off games – We have to wait for the season to unfold before we will know if we will be hosting any playoff games

Saturday, November 1 – Western semi-final

Saturday, November 8 – Western final

Sunday, November 16 the GREY CUP will be played Winnipeg.  This will be a BIG ONE so mark it in your calendar if you are able to work. 

GO BOMBERS 🏈🏈🏈 

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From Prairie to Pine Region:  Easter 2; Camp Sunday 

Please hold in prayer the following communities of faith:  Rock Lake UC Camp; Wellman Lake UC Camp

Programs at Trinity: All are welcome to attend. 

Trinity Yoga – Saturday –  April 26 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom followed by fellowship coffee

Worship – Sunday April 27 at 9:30 a.m. –  joint celebratory hymn sing with Good Shepherd Anglican. 

Bible Study – Monday April 28th – cancelled, resume May 5th at 1:30 p.m.  

Yoga – Southside Community Group –  Wednesday April 30 at 10:30 a.m. 

From Maryann: Trinity Walkers – Are you getting outside or have you reverted to mall walking?  If you are mall walking, where are you going? The Outlet mall, St Vital mall or maybe Ikea?  Let me know and let’s arrange to get together. Together we build friendships and a caring community. Take care, Maryann

Electronics Recycling – Bring your small electronics for recycling – recycle items that fit into the blue box in the narthex.

Opportunities to serve:

Needs at Trinity: There are many volunteer opportunities in the ministry at Trinity. If you are able to offer the gift of time to give please let us know. There are opportunities, to serve on committees, to help with one time special events, help serve at funeral lunches and fellowship coffee, to help with technology, read scripture, offer prayers, sing in the choir, to work at bombers games, help with Sunday School and Youth, participate in worship services offered at The Waverley and St Norbert Personal Care Home etc. Please prayerfully consider these opportunities and be in touch with the office (204 269 1632 tuc@mymts.net) We are grateful for every gift given and appreciate all you do for Trinity. See sign up sheets in the narthex for scripture reading, prayers of the people, ushers and greeters. 

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)

Here is the link for Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 worship service: youtu.be/D9LFTcRLqKI

*Sunday, April 27, 2025 – Worship starts at 9:30 a.m.   It is the joint hymn sing service with Good Shepherd Anglican (GSA) 

Scripture to Ponder & Prayer

Celebratory and Memorial Hymn Sing Service

Scriptures for this week: 2Corinthians 1:3-4; John 14:1-3; Psalm 23 

This Sunday, as we gather for the Memorial and Hymn Sing service, we come together in a sacred time of remembrance and celebration. Through the hymns we sing, we honor those who have gone before us, the saints who have faithfully served God and others, and we recognize our place in this ongoing community of faith.

As we remember those who have passed, we reflect on our own journey. Death is not the end, but a transition to the eternal home prepared for us by God. As John 14:1-3assures us, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and though death may separate us physically, it does not break our bond with those who have gone before us. God walks with us in life and in death, and even in the life after death, just as God walked with the saints. 

In this service, we are reminded that nothing we do in faith is in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58tells us, “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Every act of service, every prayer spoken in faith, is part of God’s eternal work. The saints before us served with love and dedication, and we are called to continue in that same spirit.

As we sing those 20 hymns we have dedicated, we affirm our commitment to serve God and others, knowing that we are united with those who have gone before us. We also ask ourselves: Are we preparing for our own transition from this world to the next? Are we living in a way that reflects the love of Christ? These questions remind us to live each day in service, aligned with God’s will, knowing that our lives are part of His eternal plan.

Even as we face our mortality, we do so with faith and hope. The songs we sing are declarations of God’s eternal love, affirming that death is not the final word. The same God who sustained the saints will sustain us, and we can face the future with confidence in His love.

This Sunday, let us celebrate the legacy of those who have gone before us and renew our commitment to live in service to God and others. Their example continues to inspire us, and the songs we sing are part of the ongoing story of faith that spans generations. As we conclude this reflection, let us also pray…

Gracious God,

We offer these hymns in honor of our beloved ones, whose lives we shared in love and joy. The songs we sing continue to remind us of the beautiful moments we had together, and they touch our hearts as we remember them.

Help us to remember that death is not the end, but a transition from this life to the next, where we are reunited with You in perfect peace. Encourage us to live lives that serve You and others, just as the saints before us have done, faithfully and with love.

As we look ahead, strengthen us in our hearts and minds as we prepare for our own journey into eternity. May we live each day in service and in hope, knowing that our labor in Your name is never in vain.

In the name of our Risen Lord, we pray. Amen.

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NRSV)

Here are the services for Holy Week:

Maundy Thursday

Good Shepherd Anglican Church is inviting Trinity United & Epiphany Lutheran for Maundy Thursday worship April 17, 6:15 p.m.  The service will feature a unique setup, with chairs arranged in a circle at the back of the sanctuary, and the altar placed in the center. Communion will be administered to one another, creating a communal and intimate experience for all attendees.

Good Friday

We will be having a joint service on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at The United Church in Meadowood, in partnership with St. Mary’s United, Meadowood United, and Trinity United. The service will begin at 10:45 AM, with refreshments available starting at 10:00 AM. The choir rehearsal will start at 9:15 AM, allowing the choristers to enjoy refreshments before the service. Please mark your calendars and remind your friends and family about the date. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Alternately Good Shepherd Anglican will also be doing a Good Friday service at 9:00 a.m. 

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 20, 2025 – Worship with Baptism at 10:45 a.m. 

*The office is closed on Monday, April 21, 2025. 

We are grateful to Joann Sauve and Maryann Koop  for cashiering this Sunday. 

In our Prayers:

We pray for the family of Jean Hewko as they mourn her death. A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home. 

We pray for the family of Ed Boyd as they mourn his death. A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, April 25 ,2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. 

We pray for Bernice Gregory who is dealing with health issues.

We pray for Sumi as she continues her recovery following cancer treatment. We pray for Sumi’s three nieces Ameera, Anupaa, and Anuka in the camp in Nepal as they need support for their security and protection. We pray too forDamber’s mother,  Dhan Khadka as she faces serious health issues. Damber and Sumi are grateful for the prayers and support of the congregation.

We pray for Priest Jennifer Sisson, Good Shepherd Anglican (GSA) and her family as her husband Bishop Geoff Woodcroft faces health issues. 

We pray for Bill Monro who is dealing with health issues.

NEW* From the 100th Anniversary Task Group

Recently,  the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada committee unveiled its’ fundraising campaign to assist Damber and Sumi with their three nieces, Ameera, Anupaa, and Anuka who are in a refugee camp in Nepal. Ameera is 15, Anupaa is 12 and Anuka is only 9 years old. Damber and Sumi send money every month to care for the girls, but we can help, too.

We invite you to give the gift of one dollar for every year the United Church of Canada has been in existence. We’d like to call it “A 100 for the 100^th. Of course, we will accept any amount you feel you would like to give, be it less or more.

Here is how The DAMBER PROJECT will work:

· We will gladly accept cash or cheques. Cheques may be made out to “Trinity United Church” and should be designated to THE DAMBER PROJECT. Funds will be disbursed as needed, and at Damber’s discretion between now and the end of June. 

· A member of the 100th Anniversary committee will be available before or after each service each Sunday morningfrom now until June. 

· If you are dropping by Trinity during the week, you can leave your donation with Kathy in the office.

· If you’d like to leave your gift in the offering plate, please be sure to indicate that it is for THE DAMBER PROJECT, so that the cashiers will know.

Thank you so much for helping members of our extended Trinity family!

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 

Only one more week to sign up for the Celebratory Hymn Sing Service! 

This joint fundraising event of both Trinity and Good Shepherd churches will be held on Sunday, April 27th at 9:30 a.m. 

Karen Wall will be in the narthex, for the last time, from 9:30 am until after the Trinity worship service on Easter Sunday (April 20th) with forms on which to make your selection. Karen will be able to help answer any questions you have and take your donation at that time.

PLEASE NOTE: No further selections can be made after Easter Sunday. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

🏈🏈🏈  We look forward to another successful season in our Winnipeg Blue Bomber fundraiser. 

See the schedule of home games below. Please have a look at the dates and times that you would be available. 

The sign up sheets are on the bulletin board in the narthex right beside the door leading into the sanctuary near the church entrance. If you have questions, talk to Marilyn or Irma. Game start times are listed (we typically need to be there 2 hours ahead of game start time and we are typically there for 1 hour after the game.  e.g. where start time is 7:30 we start at 5:30).  

Saturday May 24 – game start time 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 12 – game start time 7:30 p.m. 

Thursday, June 26 – game start time 7:30

Friday, July 18 – game start time 7:30

Friday, August 1 – game start time 7:30

Thursday, August 14 – game start time 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 6 – game start time 3:00 p.m.

(we may be asked to be 3-4 hours ahead of the game) 

Saturday, September 27 –  game start time 2:00 p.m. 

Friday, October 17- game start time 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 25 – game start time 2:00 p.m. 

Play off games – We have to wait for the season to unfold before we will know if we will be hosting any playoff games

Saturday, November 1 – Western semi-final

Saturday, November 8 – Western final

Sunday, November 16 the GREY CUP will be played Winnipeg.  This will be a BIG ONE so mark it in your calendar if you are able to work. 

GO BOMBERS 🏈🏈🏈 

From Prairie to Pine Region: Resurrection Sunday; Easter Sunday; Earth Day – April 22 

Please hold in prayer the following communities of faith:  Centre for Christian Studies; Fort Frances:Knox; United in Spirit (Niverville, Steinbach)

Programs at Trinity: All are welcome to attend. 

Good Friday Service – joint service (TUC, UCIM and St. Mary’s UC)  at United Church in Meadowood – coffee and hotcross buns at 10:00 a.m. followed by Good Friday service at 10:45 a.m. 

Trinity Yoga – Saturday –  April 19 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom followed by fellowship coffee

Worship – Sunday April 20 at 10:45 a.m. Easter Sunday 

Bible Study – Monday April 21 & April 28th – cancelled, resume May 4th at 1:30 p.m.  

Yoga – Southside Community Group –  Wednesday April 16 at 10:30 a.m. 

From Maryann: Trinity Walkers – Are you getting outside or have you reverted to mall walking?  If you are mall walking, where are you going? The Outlet mall, St Vital mall or maybe Ikea?  Let me know and let’s arrange to get together. Together we build friendships and a caring community. Take care, Maryann

Electronics Recycling – Bring your small electronics for recycling – recycle items that fit into the blue box in the narthex.

Opportunities to serve:

Needs at Trinity: There are many volunteer opportunities in the ministry at Trinity. If you are able to offer the gift of time to give please let us know. There are opportunities, to serve on committees, to help with one time special events, help serve at funeral lunches and fellowship coffee, to help with technology, read scripture, offer prayers, sing in the choir, to work at bombers games, help with Sunday School and Youth, participate in worship services offered at The Waverley and St Norbert Personal Care Home etc. Please prayerfully consider these opportunities and be in touch with the office (204 269 1632 tuc@mymts.net) We are grateful for every gift given and appreciate all you do for Trinity. See sign up sheets in the narthex for scripture reading, prayers of the people, ushers and greeters.