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 the November 3, 2024 worship service: https://youtu.be/s584aQzbajQ

November 10, 2024 worship is at 10:45 a.m. Communion will be observed. 

Sunday School will be held downstairs during the worship service. Children are invited to go downstairs before the worship service. Stephanie Hemlow will provide leadership with the children. 

Scripture for the week: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

Scripture to Ponder & Prayer

Week: November 4, 2024

Theme: “On this day of remembrance”

Scripture to Ponder: Ruth 3:1–5; 4:13–17

SUMMARY

Ruth 3:1–5

Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, sees Ruth’s need for security and plans for her future. She advises Ruth to prepare herself and approach Boaz, a relative who will be at the threshing floor that night. Naomi instructs Ruth to wait until he has finished eating and drinking, then to uncover his feet and lie down, assuring her that he will guide her from there. Ruth agrees, demonstrating her trust in Naomi’s wisdom.

Ruth 4:13–17

Boaz marries Ruth, and God blesses them with a son named Obed. The women of the community celebrate Naomi, praising God for providing a redeemer. They recognize Obed as a blessing, noting that he will renew Naomi’s life and support her in her old age. Obed becomes significant as the grandfather of Jesse, the father of David, highlighting the importance of their lineage.

COMMENTARY IN BRIEF

The story of Ruth showcases themes of loyalty, redemption, and divine providence. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi and her bold actions at the threshing floor reflect profound faith and courage. Naomi, with her wisdom, guides Ruth toward a hopeful future. Boaz, as the kinsman-redeemer, symbolizes God’s grace and the restoration that comes through love and obedience. The birth of Obed connects their story to a greater narrative, leading to King David and illustrating how our lives intertwine in meaningful ways.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• Have you ever made a significant sacrifice for someone you love? How did that experience deepen your relationship or understanding of love?
• Think about a moment when you felt hopeless. How did faith, community, or family help you find your way back to hope?
• As we prepare for Remembrance Day, who comes to mind when you reflect on those who have impacted your life? What lessons or memories do you cherish about them, and how have they shaped your journey?

As we honor Remembrance Day, let’s reflect on the lives of those whose stories intertwine with ours—family, friends, and mentors. Their legacies of love and sacrifice guide us on our journey of faith and community. How can we live lives of purpose and service? It’s often the small acts of kindness—offering a helping hand, listening to a friend, or expressing gratitude to those who have served—that can make a big difference. Each of these actions honors their memory and ensures their sacrifices are never forgotten.

LET’S PRAY

Loving God, we come before You with grateful hearts, remembering those whose lives have touched ours—their love, wisdom, and sacrifices. As we reflect on the story of Ruth and Naomi, may we be inspired by their faithfulness and courage. Help us honor the memories of those who have gone before us, carrying their legacy of love and hope into our lives.

Grant us the strength to embrace the call to love and serve others, just as Ruth did. May we always be aware of Your guiding hand in our journeys and trust in Your divine providence. As we remember those we’ve lost, may we find comfort in the promise of redemption and renewal.

Bless each one of us as we seek to live out our faith, remembering that we are woven into a beautiful tapestry of stories and lives. May Your peace and grace be with us today and always.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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

WORSHIP on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Trinity at 10:45 a.m. 

Scripture to Ponder & Prayer – from Damber

We are grateful to Debbie Spindler and Mike Cudjoe for cashiering this Sunday.

Sunday School: On November 10 Stephanie Hemlow will lead Sunday School. You are welcome to take the children downstairs before the service. 

In our Prayers: 

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 a speedy recovery for Sumi as she continues chemo therapy.

We pray for Bernice Gregory as she is spending time in hospital. 

We pray for Evelyn Hardy as she recovers at home following a medical procedure.

We pray for Rev Milly Malavsky who is recovering at home after a brief hospitalization. 

Thank you to all who have so generously given their time for our Bomber fund raiser all season. Our final game to work is the Western Final on November 9. 

Good Shepherd would like to extend an invitation to the folks at Trinity to join us November 16 for a painting event. It will be a Saturday morning workshop concluding with a soup lunch (provided) and presentation of everyone’s ‘work of art’.  Poster with general details is attached so folks can get an idea of the make-up of the event. Maximum participants is 25; cost expected to be $75/person. As you will see on the poster, the event will be hosted by our own Di and Garth Panting, our newest Priest and her professional artist husband, Garth. Also in the details, this event is for fun, encouraging each other and gathering together.

Electronics Recycling – The electronics recycling is continuing, thanks to the kind volunteer time of Carl and Margaret Shaykewich. Please only put recycle items that fit into the blue recycling box. NO large items, such as appliances or tv’s. It is also helpful if you package batteries in a plastic baggie. Thank you.

It’s the United Church’s 100th Anniversary next year (2025). 2025 United Church calendars will be available again this year.

Gerta de Jong is taking orders (as a courtesy for the Fundraising Committee) and will submit the order by no later than Monday, Nov 4, 2024. The cost is $10 per calendar. Please contact Gerta by email at gdejong@mymts.net  or call and leave a message at 204-232-6869. This is not a Fundraising event.  

Personal Care Home Services

We are pleased that Personal Care Home Services have resumed at the Waverley/Rosewood location and at St. Norbert Personal Care Home. The St. Norbert service is at 10:30 the first Wednesday of the month and the service at The Waverley/Rosewood is the second Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. We warmly invite our members to join us and contribute to the worship service. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there! Services resumed October 2. If you would like more information about this opportunity, please talk to Damber or to Terry DeLong. 

From Prairie to Pine Region: Creation time 6: Care Facilities  

Please hold in prayer the following communities of faith: The Counselling Centre; Red Sucker Lake; Russell-Silverton

We hold in prayer community members and families as we mourn Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe and all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Programs at Trinity:

Saturday, November 2 – Trinity Yoga on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. followed by fellowship coffee – welcome back – adapted so all can join. 

Sunday October 3 – 10:45 a.m. Worship

Monday November 4 –  1:30 p.m. Bible Study 

Wednesday – November 6 –  SSCFF Yoga 10:30 a.m. (in person and on Zoom) 

Trinity Walkers: Call Maryann for a time and place you would like to walk. 

Opportunities to serve:

The Worship Committee is looking for a team of volunteers to take turns to prepare  and serve communion. If you are willing to help out on occasion, please speak to Carolyn (cbpierson@mymts.net).

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, 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 the October 27, 2024 worship service:  https://youtu.be/vs_6mrNUgM8 

In our “Reformation Sunday” service, we journeyed through the past, explored the present, and envisioned the future. We encourage you to share our services with your friends and family! Our mission is to bring our services to your screens, and we’re committed to improving our audio and video quality. We also invite you to send us your constructive feedback or any audio files you’d like us to incorporate into the service at minister.tuc@mymts.net. Thank you for joining us, and may God bless you with a wonderful week ahead! 🙏. 

November 3, 2024 worship is at 10:45 a.m. 

Scripture to Ponder & Prayer

Week: October 28, 2024

Twenty-fourth after Pentecost

Scriptures: Ruth 1:1–18; Mark 12:28–34

Ruth 1:1–18 tells the story of Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, highlighting themes of loyalty, commitment, and faithfulness.

In this passage, Naomi, a widow, decides to return to Bethlehem after a famine. She encourages her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to stay in Moab and remarry. Orpah eventually agrees and stays behind, but Ruth clings to Naomi, famously declaring, “Where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.”

This moment of devotion illustrates Ruth’s deep loyalty and her willingness to embrace a new life, even amidst uncertainty.

As you reflect on this scripture, consider the nature of commitment in your own life. What does it mean to stand by someone in challenging times? How does faith influence your relationships and decisions? Ruth’s bold choice offers a powerful reminder of the strength found in love and loyalty.

Mark 12:28–34 recounts a significant exchange between Jesus and a teacher of the law regarding the greatest commandment. Here’s a brief summary to ponder:

In this passage, the teacher asks Jesus which commandment is the most important. Jesus responds by quoting the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, emphasizing the importance of loving God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength. He then adds a second commandment from Leviticus 19:18, which calls for loving one’s neighbor as oneself.

The teacher acknowledges the wisdom in Jesus’ answer, affirming that these commandments are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus recognizes his understanding and tells him that he is not far from the kingdom of God.

As you reflect on this passage, consider the central themes of love for God and love for others. How can you incorporate these principles into your daily life? How do they guide your relationships and decisions?

Questions for reflection

• What does it truly mean to love our neighbors as ourselves in today’s world? How can we embody this love in our actions and words?
• How do we address and challenge racism within our communities and churches? In what ways can we become allies to those who are marginalized?
• During the pandemic, how did fear and uncertainty amplify existing prejudices, such as racism? What can we learn from this experience about empathy and understanding?
• How can the church better respond to issues of racism and discrimination within its walls? What role should faith play in advocating for social justice?
• What practical steps can we take to build relationships across cultural and racial divides? How can we actively listen to and learn from each other’s experiences?
• In what ways might we unconsciously perpetuate biases or fail to love our neighbors? How can we work towards recognizing and addressing these blind spots?
• What actions can we take in our daily lives to demonstrate love for our neighbors? How can small acts lead to greater change within our communities?

Let’s pray

Loving God

We come to you with hearts full of gratitude for the lessons in love and loyalty found in Your Word. As we reflect on the greatest commandment, may we love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help us to also love our neighbors as ourselves, just as Ruth loved Naomi.

Guide us in our relationships, instilling in us the same commitment and devotion that Ruth showed. Teach us to cling to one another in times of hardship and to embrace the call to support and uplift those around us.

May our actions reflect Your love, drawing us closer to Your kingdom. Thank you for Your presence in our lives and the strength You provide to live out these truths.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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

WORSHIP on Sunday, October 27 at Trinity at 10:45 a.m. 

We are grateful to Gerta de Jong, Marilyn Loat and Karen Wall  for cashiering this Sunday.

In our Prayers: 

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 a speedy recovery for Sumi as she continues chemo therapy.

We pray for Bernice Gregory as she is spending time in hospital. 

We pray for Evelyn Hardy as she recovers at home following a medical procedure.

Praise And Worship: A big thank you to all who participated and attended the Praise and Worship service on October 19. Thank you to Second Chance, The Choir and all who helped to make this a wonderful worship experience. Thanks to Michelle Bowles who spoke about Alpha House and its mission and programs. We raised $2200.00 for Alpha House. 

**NEW: “Greetings on behalf of the Stewardship Committee. This Trinity United financial update is of figures for the first 3/4 of the year.
Our year to date anticipated deficit was 22K and we currently have a net surplus of 34K. Although some of this may be due to timing differences between budgeted and actual inflows / outflows, we are nonetheless very encouraged by these numbers.

With sustained givings, strong rental partners and dedicated efforts from volunteering/fundraising we are on track towards closing out the year in a much healthier financial position than anticipated!

Thank you all for your valued contributions.”

Good Shepherd would like to extend an invitation to the folks at Trinity to join us November 16 for a painting event. It will be a Saturday morning workshop concluding with a soup lunch (provided) and presentation of everyone’s ‘work of art’.  Poster with general details is attached so folks can get an idea of the make-up of the event. Maximum participants is 25; cost expected to be $75/person. As you will see on the poster, the event will be hosted by our own Di and Garth Panting, our newest Priest and her professional artist husband, Garth. Also in the details, this event is for fun, encouraging each other and gathering together.

Electronics Recycling – The electronics recycling is continuing, thanks to the kind volunteer time of Carl and Margaret Shaykewich. Please only put recycle items that fit into the blue recycling box. NO large items, such as appliances or tv’s. It is also helpful if you package batteries in a plastic baggie. Thank you.

Trinity is planning to host 2 one hour training sessions on the use of our AED (Automated External Defibrillator) along with a basic CPR demonstration. This would include GSA Members. We are looking to pay someone to do this so if anyone feels qualified or knows of someone who might be interested in doing this please contact Terry DeLong. His contact info is in the Church Directory or may be obtained by contacting Trinity’s Office. Note: this is not for CPR Certification, just a basic demo and our AED is a newer model that “speaks” to the user with specific instructions and has a “test” mode. The hope is to accommodate about 20 people per session and have one session on a Sunday after Trinity’s regular Service and another group of 20 after supper on a Monday -Thursday evening. Dates to be determined. Some PAL members might join in. RKNS already have Certification so wouldn’t be joining us. We are trying to save some money as the AED Company will charge us $252  for each session and we don’t want to charge Members to take this potential life-saving Training.

It’s the United Church’s 100th Anniversary next year (2025). 2025 United Church calendars will be available again this year.
Gerta de Jong is taking orders (as a courtesy for the Fundraising Committee) and will submit the order by no later than Monday, Nov 4, 2024. The cost is $10 per calendar. Please contact Gerta by email at gdejong@mymts.net  or call and leave a message at 204-232-6869. This is not a Fundraising event.  

Personal Care Home Services

We are pleased that Personal Care Home Services have resumed at the Waverley/Rosewood location and at St. Norbert Personal Care Home. The St. Norbert service is at 10:30 the first Wednesday of the month and the service at The Waverley/Rosewood is the second Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. We warmly invite our members to join us and contribute to the worship service. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there! Services resumed October 2. If you would like more information about this opportunity, please talk to Damber or to Terry DeLong. 

From Prairie to Pine Region: Creation time 6: Peace Sunday;  Reformation Sunday; All Saints Sunday  

Please hold in prayer the following communities of faith: Neepawa United Anglican; The Pas: Westminster

We hold in prayer community members and families as we mourn Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe and all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

Programs at Trinity:

Saturday, October 26 – Trinity Yoga on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. followed by fellowship coffee – welcome back – adapted so all can join. 

Sunday October 27 – 10:45 a.m. Worship

Monday October 28 –  1:30 p.m. Bible Study 

Wednesday – October 30 – SSCFF Yoga 10:30 a.m. (in person and on Zoom) 

Trinity Walkers: Call Maryann for a time and place you would like to walk. 

Opportunities to serve:

The Worship Committee is looking for a team of volunteers to take turns to prepare  and serve communion. If you are willing to help out on occasion, please speak to Carolyn (cbpierson@mymts.net).

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, 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.