Special Worship Services

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Time:  7:00 pm
Location: SJRUC- Santuary
Description: For many, the festivities of Christmas can be overshadowed by a sense of loss or emptiness.
The quietude of this service offers strength and the reassurance of God’s presence. It reminds us that the birth of the Christ Child speaks to us of new beginnings, and of a promise of peace.

This Christmas message of hope is for all to hear, not only for those who have lost someone through death.


National Day of Remembrance
and Action on Violence Against Women

Monday, December 6, 2010
7:00 p.m.

in the sanctuary of St. James’-Rosemount United Church

A candlelight prayer vigil to:
* remember and honour victims of abuse
* challenge attitudes that perpetuate violence against woment

This service is open to everyone – men and women – and is offered in team by
Elaine Graham, Minister of Pastoral Care, Parkminster United Church &
Val Pitt, Minister of Pastoral Care, SJRUC

Bring a Rose.
Wear a white ribbon.
Please stay after the service for coffee and fellowship.


Sunday, September 5, 2010

9:30 AM

In the event of rain,  we will move to the gym – pets & their people!

“…all creatures great and small ….in love God made them all”

Join us for an outdoor service celebrating God’s special gift to us – our pets. All pets ~ from Australian cattle dogs to Zippy the Turtle and all creatures in between ~ along with their people are welcome . Please ensure your pet is on a leash or in a carrier. The service will take place on our labyrinth. Bring a lawn chair, relax in the shade, and celebrate the love of pets with us!

A BBQ “brunch” will follow.


PicnicSunday, June 13, 2010

Worship 10:30 a.m.

Where: Forest Heights Collegiate Institute,  255 Fischer-Hallman Rd.
Map to Forest Heights

Rain location ~ 11:00 a.m., Trinity United Church, 74 Frederick St. (Park in Market Square parking garage)

Everyone is welcome to attend this joint picnic and worship service.  Our speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Paul Crittenden (from SJR).

You are asked to bring:
* chairs or blankets to sit on
* food to contribute to the potluck lunch (no method of heating available)
* reusable cutlery, plates, glasses, napkins and mugs
* your congregational name tags
* sunscreen, umbrellas and hats (the congregation will sit in the shady area this year, but you may wish to move into the sun)
* in respect of creation, we ask you NOT to use materials which pollute our environment such disposable plastic water bottles, styrofoam plates, or disposable plastic cutlery

Join us and celebrate being part of the wider church!
This special event is hosted by the nine Cooperating Kitchener United Churches.


Monday, April 12, 2010

Guest speaker this year is Angela Schmidt, Director of Health Care Chaplancy, Grey-Bruce Area

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.  Registration; Coffee & Muffins will be served

9:00 a.m. Welcome, warm up sing, worship & communion

12:00 & 12:45 p.m. Lunch – two sittings
Lunch tickets $10, nonrefundable
For lunch tickets call Muriel 519-893-8124

1:15 – 3:00 p.m. – Afternoon session

A wonderful book room and several displays will be on site.

All women are welcome!



Friday, April 2, 2010

Time: 7:00 PM 

Location:  SJRUC -Sanctuary

The word ‘tenebrae’ is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. This is not intended to be a particularly “happy” service, because the occasion itself is not a happy one. It is more an extended meditation on the passion of Christ.
 
The core of the Tenebrae service works something like this: it starts out with the church in candlelight. There are as many candles as there are readings. As readings are completed, candles are extinguished until only one candle remains. When the single remaining light leaves the sanctuary,  the congregation is in near total darkness. At this point, the service ends. There is no benediction and the people leave in silence. (Lighting is sufficient to ensure a safe exit from the sanctuary.)
The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events, and it is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until Easter Day.
Think of it this way: If you were to see only the happy ending of a movie, everyone who saw it from the beginning is elated, but you go away saying, “Okay, so they’re all hugging each other. So what?”  But if you see the beginning and the middle, with all of the suspense and grief, you have some  understanding of what the characters have overcome. The happy ending is all the happier.
Attending Easter morning worship service without attending the Holy Week services that lead up to it is like watching the happy ending of the movie without seeing the middle—-you only rob yourself of the complete joy of Easter morning.