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Sunday, March 9
Port Burwell/Vienna United Church
The congregation met at the church at 11a.m. with Rev. Cordell Parsons leading the service.
Music was supplied by Frances Martenkevicus.
The service opened with Rev. Parsons announcing this was the first Sunday in Lent for 2014 and the church Lenten candles were lit followed by a Lenten Candle Liturgy led by Rev. Parsons and responded to by the congregation.
There was a sung response called We Shall Overcome.
The call to worship was led by Rev. Parsons and responded to by the congregation.
The next sung response was O God How We Have Wandered.
Rev Parsons led the opening prayer responded to by the people.
The first hymn was On Eagles Wings.
Rev. Parsons led the people in the Lords Prayer.
The scripture reading was taken from Matthew 4:1-11 in which Jesus goes into the desert for 40 days and nights without food or water while being led by the spirit. The devil comes to Jesus and tempts him with the possibility of turning the stones into bread if Jesus is the Son Of God but Jesus told the devil that man does not live by bread alone but by the word that God speaks.
The devil tempted Jesus to throw himself down but Jesus said “do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Jesus was tempted in other ways by the devil but did not give in to any temptations. If we understand the intent of Jesus we will make better choices. If we strive to remain loyal to our purpose for being, we shall get better answers to the test of life than what the world seeks. The net result will be that we will feel the warmth of God’s love and know the wonder of God’s peace.
Communion was served to the congregation by Rev. Parsons.
The final hymn was Oh Jesus I Have Promised.
Next Sunday service will be at 11 a.m. and all are invited to attend and worship.
Avondale United Church
The congregation of Avondale United at 60 Harvey Street gathered for worship and the celebration of infant baptism and renewal of baptismal faith.
The service began with gathering praise led by Bruce Fleming who read part of Psalm 32. Opening songs were sung and the Christ candle lit. Lay Reader Ashley Edwards welcomed everyone and gave the announcements.
Susan Barker-James, Heart Team Rep, presented and welcomed to Avondale Alexis Yarmie, Harvey Whittington, Bob and Nancy Hewson and Nancy van der Wolf. A combined video and choir anthem was the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego which tied in with our Lenten theme "Walking with God in the Furnace".
In the message for adults, Rev. Fred Hagle chose as his topic "Walking". Human life is fragile and we need to take life seriously. God walks with us in the midst of fire and trouble. Under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar, all people were to worship a 90-foot-high image of gold - the god of Babylon. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused, they were thrown into a furnace. Nebuchadnessar was amazed that God saved these three and they were in no way harmed.
How do we live our faith? Jesus said we will have trouble but He overcame the world. During Lent we should draw closer to God. The fires of life are hard but we shall emerge refined. We should be someone else's sunshine and the reason they smile today.
You are welcome to join in Sunday worship and communion when the sermon topic will be "Weeping". Read Isaiah 42:1-9 to be prepared. Wear green and bring your favourite pot luck dish for the pot luck lunch after worship. Please bring your own plates and cutlery so clean up is easier.
Upcoming events in Tillsonburg include a musical afternoon featuring Gentlemen of Harmony at St. Paul's United on Sun., Mar. 23 at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $10. A Spaghetti Supper is scheduled for Sat., Mar. 29 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. also at St. Paul's. Adults are $10 and children under 12 $6. Call their church office 688-0011 if you'd like to go. A Chili Lunch at Avondale is scheduled for Sun. April 6 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Adults are $7 and children $5 and this ticket includes a FREE choice of swimming or skating at the Complex from 3 to 4 p.m. Money raised will help send kids to Camp Tanner.
Langton Baptist Church
Rev. Keith Sutherland opened the First Sunday of Lent church service at 11 a.m.
His message was on ‘Lent: swimming against the stream, the voice of life and the voices of faith. Spiritual life came through Adam. God sets us toward a new creation. The tree of knowledge is both good and bad. What’s God’s will for us? What choices are we making? Temptation is always there within us. We are set apart to worship God only, and to follow God’s ways. Let us receive God’s forgiveness.’ Prayer followed.
The children’s story was on ‘The desert has lots of sand and is very hot, but it is very cold at night. You might die if you don’t have a sleeping bag. We are tempted and faced with extremes. Praise God we can find God’s ways and what his purpose is for us.’
Hymns sung, were: O Worship The King, I Need Thee Every Hour, All To Jesus I Surrender, and I Stand Amazed In The Presence with Jacob Morris controlling the power system.
Responsive readings, were: Let us begin our Lenten journey and worship God together.
Scripture readings, were: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-24; Psalm 32, Matthew 3:13-4:11; and Romans 5:12-19.
Prayers of supplication and praise were given by Rev. Sutherland.
Offering was received by Jeff and Dalton Morris.