MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Our 7^th Annual Valentine Chocoholic Event

Saturday, February 11^th, 6 – 8 pm

FOR ALL AGES!!!

Delectable Desserts; Valentine Card Creation; Fish Pond;

Chocolate Making; Chocolate Fountain; Silent Auction.

An Evening of Everything Chocolate

WORSHIP BLOG

PICTOU UNITED CHURCH, February 5, 2012

Service for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany opened with “And He Shall Feed His Flock”, played by flautist Don Cameron, accompanied on piano by Donna Hargreaves.

Service centered on being still and allowing God to come into our lives.

The Christ Candle was lit by Rainn Langille. The Hebrew scripture was Isaiah 40: 21-31, in which God’s awesome power is described. It also tells us that if we wait upon God, we will be strengthened and lifted up. The Gospel reading was Mark 1: 29-39, in which Jesus spends much time preaching and ministering. He also spends time alone to be still with God.

After the offering, the choir sang, “I Feel the Winds of God”, accompanied by Don Cameron.

Reverend Moriarty’s Reflections furthered the theme of stillness. We need to be intentional in bringing God into our lives. To do that, we need to be in God’s life. After speaking, she and the congregation spent several minutes in quiet reflection.

Donna Weaver greeted the congregation. The steward was Jim Parker and the lay readers were Raine Langille and Chriss Landry.

Diane Vaughan announced the upcoming 7^TH ANNUAL CHOCOHOLICS event taking place February 11, 6-8pm. There will be lots of chocolate, a silent auction and more!

Service was followed by Coffee Hour.

Pictou United Church

Pictou – Greeting the congregation were Margibel and Wilson Jones, steward was Bill Dodson. Our Mission Moment was delivered by Brian Burris. Lighting the Christ Candle and leading us in worship was Rebecca Young. Rev. Mary-Beth Moriarity‘s time with the children centered around singing and hope. She asked them who likes to sing and why do we like to sing? Singing makes us feel good, we sing in church it she explained it is an activity that engages our whole body. The Hope Times prepared by the Sunday school children was handed out to the congregation when they arrived. This is something else that makes us feel good and gives us hope. When things seem gloomy in our world we can see lots of things that give us hope. “I’ve got a Voice” was sung with the children and congregation. During reflections Rev. Moriarity continued with her topic of song and singing. She asked the congregation how many songs they knew by heart. Songs touch us and stay with us without us even knowing it, such as Jesus Loves Me. Rev. Moriarity started singing various songs with those who knew them joining in. She explained the way the left and right sides of our brain works is no accident. Singing songs is one of the most powerful experiences of our human spirit. If you can walk you can dance. If you can talk you can sing.  Sung Psalm “You, Creator God, Have Searched Me” was led by June Cameron and Beth MacDonald. Gospel Song was “Behold the Face of Christ”.  New Keyboard and Sound System were dedicated in loving memory of Stan and Erma McLaren by the family. Ministry of Music “Sing a New Song” was offered by the church choir. This week’s bulletin was dedicated to those who deliver our Sunday worship CD and bulletins to members unable to attend.  Please join us this Sunday at Pictou United for worship at 10:30 followed by Coffee Hour. All are welcome.

Submitted by Sharon Cheverie

Pictou United Church

Pictou – Greeters were Millie Hoffe and Wanda Smith, steward was Bill Dodson. Lighting the Christ Candle and leading the Call to Worship was Taylor Toole.  Rev. Mary-Beth Moriarity’s time with the children today was centered on communication and the various ways we can do that. She talked of the sign’s without words that we can use to give and receive messages. She said sometimes God is trying to give us a message. She told of bible stories that are known as call stories. Stories in which God gives us a message about what he wants us to do with our life. When God calls, we answer the call. Hebrew Scripture 1 Samuel 3: 1-20 and the Gospel Lesson Mark 1:14-20 were read by June Cameron. During reflection Rev. Moriarity referred to the story of Samuel where three times he hears a call before he understands it is God calling. Then without hesitation he answers the call. Rev. Moriarity asked when our nominations committee puts out the call, what holds us back from answering the call? There are times God calls and speaks to us and people in our lives help us to perceive his call, perhaps the problem is with our listening. One way to share God’s love is to be the person he created us to be.  Ministry of Music “Let Them Come” was offered by the Church Choir. Today the UCW gave thanks to God for the ministry and faithfulness of those members who died in 2011. Candles were lit as each was remembered for how she reflected the divine light. Those being remembered were Janet Gunn, Vera MacDonald and Marguerite Parks.  Join us this Sunday as we MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE. Worship begins at 10:30, all are welcome.

Submitted by Sharon Cheverie