Life & Ministry of Mt Paul United Church
Week of February 23, 2020 – March 1, 2020

Here at Mt Paul

Feb. 17 – March 17th
REV. LIZ AWAY DATES
Rev. Liz will be out of town Feb. 17 – March 17th inclusive. We will welcome her back into ministry with us at Mt. Paul mid-March to mid-June to cover off the gaps until new ministry personnel are called. Stay tuned for more details in coming weeks. Check with Kathy Akins or Don Lentz,  for details.

March 8 – Mt Paul – PANCAKES & PRAISE
Join us as we celebrate the 1st day of the return of daylight savings time with a pancake and praise worship service on March 8th. Doors will open at 8:30 AM. Pancakes, sausages & fruit will be served starting at 9:15 AM, with regular worship service starting at 10 AM. Donations for this breakfast will be gratefully accepted. Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward 1 hour Saturday Night March 7th, or you will miss the fantastic food! The coffee service that Sunday will not be needed, as there is sure to be coffee left over from the breakfast, for those who decide to stay after church. In the past people did not stay after the service for coffee.

Our Wider World…

KUC: Upcoming events of note:

February 25 – Sound Meditation with Gongs and Singing Bowls.
• Join us for Sound Meditation with Gongs and Singing Bowls. Rob Gretsinger offers a monthly meditative session (on the 4th Tuesday of each month). This event will take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 starting at 7:00PM – 8:30 PM. Note: KUC is a scent free zone.

March 6 – HOW A JUST PEACE IN PALESTINE-ISRAEL CAN SAVE OUR PLANET
• Join us for an Evening with Robert Massoud. He will be speaking about – HOW A JUST PEACE IN PALESTINE-ISRAEL CAN SAVE OUR PLANET.
This event will take place on Friday March 6, 2020 starting at 7:00 PM at KUC. Refreshments will be served. By Donation ~ All Welcome. Check out the poster board in the church office for details.
• Rev. Dawne Taylor is presenting a Lenten book study at KUC. The book is Death of Jesus, for Progressive Christians. There are 6 sessions starting on Monday March 2, 2020 from 4:45 to 6:45. Please register/order book by Thursday February 20, 2020 at the KUC office: call 250-372-3020 or email office@kamloopsunited.ca

Gathering our Voices
Secwépemc Traditional Territory in Kamloops, BC March 16 – 19, 2020
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Every year, GOV brings together up to 2,000 Indigenous youth delegates, as well as chaperones, Elders, speakers, workshop facilitators, entertainment, staff and volunteers. Young Indigenous people from all across Canada are invited to join us to explore, to learn and to engage with culture among peers. TO REGISTER: Online at gatheringourvoices.ca/volunteer
Check out the poster board in the foyer/hall for details.

We are here to serve you. Please contact us if you want to learn more about Mt Paul or
If you have any special questions or requests or just need a warm and cheerful greeting:
Rev. Liz Bowyer email: elizabethbowyer2007@gmail.com
Secretary: Margaret Pel email: mtpauloffice@gmail.com
Telephone: 250 376-2261 website: www.mtpauluc.ca

Readings from the three Abrahamic faith traditions:
Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  

 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Matthew 22:35-40

³⁵ and one of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question to test him. ³⁶ “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” ³⁷ He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the greatest and first commandment. ³⁹ And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Al Quran 2:178

Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travelers and beggars and to liberate those in debt and bondage; those who keep up the prayers and pay the prescribed alms; who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity and times of danger. These are the ones who are true, and it is they who are aware of God. 

Creator of the Promise

Around us, above us, beneath us lies the confirmation of what You have given us:

Earth spins on her axis;
Day transforms into night;
Seasons birth their designated changes
and populations progress, inch by inch.

We are blessed to live in the light, but for some places in the world, there is only enduring darkness.

The Syrian people in Idlib province live under the menacing shadow of war—a war that has lasted for 8 years, 10 months and 4 weeks to date.  Russian-backed Syrian government forces have layered communities in the grit and rubble of bombs, intending to fight “terrorism.”  The citizens access to food and water has been cut off.  Hospitals are regularly demolished.  Babies die in their mothers arms.  It is hard to stir down a sense of helplessness and anger toward a leader who would have his own people killed.  God of all humanity, we pray for an end to this madness.

We give thanks to the caregivers who work to contain the spread of the corona virus, and treat those who are affected by it.  We pray for the families who have lost loved ones to this virus.

We pray that the Holy Spirit might work to open the hearts of those in the U.S. Administration who claim to have a deep and abiding faith.  We hope that they will reverse their present course and follow the lessons that Jesus taught when making decisions that affect the nation and beyond.

We keep the people of Australia in our hearts and pray that the recent rains will slow the wildfires.

In the World Prayer Cycle we pray for France, Germany and Monaco.  We give thanks for their historic and cultural legacies and their friendships with one another.  We pray that they will work to overcome the fears that remain from the past and the fears of terrorism.

We pray that churches and governments will effectively counter anti-immigrant sentiments; for economic decisions that are accountable.

In the Pacific Mountain Region, we pray for the Amazing Grace ministry in Surrey; for the life and work of Reverend Bowyer and Reverend Austin; and for all who come to this building to gather, to learn, to cook, to pray, to take shelter in a safe place.

Many around us are in need of a holy touch this day.  We name them with our voices, or in the quiet of our hearts………

Spirit of Compassion,

In this moment we appeal to you to be the light for:

the confused, the lonely
the sickthe flat broke, the desperate
the oppressed
the ones without a purpose.

We ask in the name of the Holy One, who taught us this prayer, “Our Father…

LS Feb 2020

Here at Mt Paul          

 Mt Paul – EVENTS

• Income tax receipts for all donations made to Mt Paul UC in 2019 will be handed out at Sunday Service by the Usher/Greeter on February 16, 2020. After this date the tax receipts will be mailed out. Thank you for your financial support!

Lost & Found – LOOKING FOR MY HOME

ICS mentioned that they found an item of clothing in the kitchen area on Monday February 3, 2020.  The item is a grey & black Wind River men’s pullover size 2XL. Does this item belong to anyone in the congregation?  If it belongs to you it can be picked up during office hours or after Sunday Service. 

Our Wider World…

February 22, – The Mustard Seed – WALK WITH US

Come and join the walk that can help make a difference in the lives of those living in need!  Join us and thousand s of Canadians on February 22^nd as we walk to end homelessness.  The Coldest Night of the Year is a family-friendly walk that raises money for charities serving hungry, homeless, and hurting people in our community.  Circle the date February 22, 2020. 
TO REGISTER: Online at cnoy.org 

March 22 – KUC:  Upcoming events of note:

• Dawne Taylor is presenting a Lenten book study at KUC. The book is Death of Jesus, for Progressive Christians.  There are 6 sessions starting on Monday March 2, 2020 from 4:45 to 6:45.  Please register/order book by Thursday February 20, 2020 at the KUC office:  call 250-372-3020 or email office@kamloopsunited.ca

March 16 – 19, 2020 Gathering our Voices –Secwépemc Traditional Territory in Kamloops, BC 
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Every year, GOV brings together up to 2,000 Indigenous youth delegates, as well as chaperones, Elders, speakers, workshop facilitators, entertainment, staff and volunteers.  Young Indigenous people from all across Canada are invited to join us to explore, to learn and to engage with culture among peers.  TO REGISTER:  Online at gatheringourvoices.ca/volunteer

Check out the poster board in the foyer/hall for details.

Mt Paul – EVENTS

• Income tax receipts for all donations made to Mt Paul UC in 2019 will be handed out at Sunday Service by the Usher/Greeter on February 9, 2020 & February 16, 2020. After these two dates the tax receipts will be mailed out. Thank you for your financial support!
• All members of the Pastoral Care Team are invited to meet together in Rev. Liz’s office after worship on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
• Thank you to everyone who volunteered to fill the gaps for the February 9, 2020 Sunday Service all gaps have been filled.

Mt Paul – LOOKING FOR MY HOME

ICS mentioned that they found an item of clothing in the kitchen area on Monday February 3, 2020.  The item is a grey & black Wind River men’s pullover size 2XL. Does this item belong to anyone in the congregation?  If it belongs to you it can be picked up during office hours or after Sunday Service.  The pullover will be on the table in the office.

 Our Wider World…

 KUC:  Upcoming events of   note:

• KUC has Tai Chi classes available every Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 11 am.

Drop in and find out more about these classes. 

• Jazz Vespers: Sunday February 16, 2020.  KUC invites you to worship with a cool vibe on the third Sunday of each month from 7 PM to 8 PM.
• Dawne Taylor is presenting a Lenten book study at KUC. The book is Death of Jesus, for Progressive Christians.  There are 6 sessions starting on Monday March 2, 2020 from 4:45 to 6:45.  Please register/order book by Thursday February 20, 2020 at the KUC office:  call 250-372-3020 or email office@kamloopsunited.ca

Gathering our Voices
Secwépemc Traditional Territory in Kamloops, BC March 16 – 19, 2020

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Every year, GOV brings together up to 2,000 Indigenous youth delegates, as well as chaperones, Elders, speakers, workshop facilitators, entertainment, staff and volunteers.  Young Indigenous people from all across Canada are invited to join us to explore, to learn and to engage with culture among peers.  TO REGISTER:  Online at gatheringourvoices.ca/volunteer

Check out the poster board in the foyer/hall for details.

Jan 31 – Wild Church Movie Night –  rescheduled our Wild Church Movie Night after the big snow storm convinced us to cancel. 

Feb 2 –  Mt Paul – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting will be held on February 2, 2020.  We will have a potluck lunch and the meeting immediately following the service.  Please review your year-end package before the meeting (handing out January 26).  

Feb 8th – LUWA GROUP –MIDWINTER SOCIAL

LUWA will host a midwinter social event at KUC on Saturday February 8, 2020.   Stay tuned for more information!

Feb 9th – A volunteer is still needed for Prayers of the People Person. Contact Margaret at the office or Rev. Liz Bowyer.

Jan 12 – Sunday is our Ridgeview Lodge Service at 2 pm.  See Wally M. or Rev. Liz for more info.

Jan 14 – Tuesday is the last day to renew your Broadview subscription.  Write a $25 cheque to Mt. Paul with a note “Broadview”and you can keep up with the latest happenings of the UCC.

                  Annual Reports are due into the office as well.   Margaret needs time to compile and print before the AGM  on Jan 24, 2020. 

Jan 19 – World Religion Day.  
                This event will take place on Sunday January 19, 2020 at the Parkview Centre which is located at 500 McDonald Avenue starting at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
The aim of World Religion Day, held on the third Sunday in January every year, is to promote inter-faith understanding and harmony. This Kamloops event offers attendees an
opportunity for games, interaction, food, and conversation with a wide diversity of faith community participants

Jan 22 –  Wednesdays @ Kamloops United Church.  A new winter book study will be starting.   See Bulletin for contact info.

Jan 24 –  Annual General Meeting. more details to follow.   

VOLUNTEER MINISTRY NEXT WEEK

USHER/GREETER:         Pam L & Brenda R

READER:                              Brenda R

PRAYERS:                           Cheryl C

COFFEE:                              Bev D & Betty G

CHAIR SETUP:                 Tim B

Mt Paul – RENEWAL OF BROADVIEW (OBSERVER)

The deadline to renew your subscription for the Broadview Magazine (previously the Observer) is January 21, 2020.  The cost is $25 and cheques should be made out to Mt. Paul UC with a note that it is payment for the Broadview Magazine.  The cheques can be placed with the Offerings or it can be dropped off at the office.  New Subscribers are welcome.

 Mt Paul – SENSATIONAL SOUPS

The first serving will be on Monday January 6, 2020.  The ladies are returning from a well-deserved Holiday Break.  The Mt Paul Community welcomes back all the volunteers.  Again we will be able to enjoy their sensational soups, scrumptious baking, and more importantly their friendly service, welcoming all who entered the building. 

Mt Paul – MOVING FORWARD

At our congregational meeting we received unanimous support to join into a shared ministry with Plura Hills United Church.  Plura Hills held their congregational meeting and also received support to enter into this shared ministry.  Early in January our Ministry Profile will be put on the United Church Website for review by interested applicants.  Both congregations have nominated people to sit on a combined search team to review applications and interview prospective clergy.

 Mt Paul – ANNUAL REPORTS

Annual Reports are due from working groups and chairpersons by January 14, 2020.  In order for Margaret to compile and print the Annual Report before January 24, 2020 it is important to submit reports by the due date.  As this is Margaret’s first year compiling an Annual Report it may take a little longer to complete & print before the AGM.

Our Wider World…

KUC:                                  

• Interested in a winter book study? Starting January 22, 2020 Wednesday evenings, KUC has just what you need.  Contact Ross Styles 250 372-302 or email rdstyles68@gmail.com

Our upcoming Christmas Season worship services at Mount Paul are as follows.  Please join us for one or all of these services!

December 8 @ 10 am – Advent 2.  Our theme is PEACE

December 15 @ 10 am – Advent 3.  Our theme is JOY.

December 19 @ 7 pm – Blue Christmas Service.  Our focus is on being present to those not feeling the season to be merry

December 20 @ 2 pm – Ridgeview Lodge Service.  Join us as we offer a Christmas service to the folks at Ridgeview Lodge Retirement residence.

December 22 @ 10 am – Advent 4.  Our theme is LOVE.  Join us for this special service of seasonal song and candle lighting.

December 24 @ 7 pm – Christmas Eve service – Join us as we hear the Christmas story from the bible, and celebrate with song.

December 29 @ 10 am.  Join us as we welcome Rev. Juanita Austin and her husband Jim McConnell.  They will lead the service and play the music.

January 5 @ 10 am.  We celebrate the story of the three wise ones, and hold communion.