Ceiling painting depicting the Pentecost by German painter Fidelis Schabet (1813–1874); at the Stiftskirche in Hechingen, Germany; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.
Dear Friends,
May the Risen Christ continue to bless and strengthen you every day.
This Sunday, May 19, “Read and Discuss”, the monthly virtual book study, meets at 1 PM and every 3rd Sunday of the month. We extend a warm invitation to those eager to engage in thoughtful discussions. A Zoom link to the meeting is available from the church office.
On Saturday, May 25, following the Yard Sale (9 AM–1 PM), the Bells of Guildwood holds its Annual Concert in the sanctuary (3 PM).
On Wednesday, May 29, “Listen and Listen”, a quiet prayer and communion service, will be held at the church (7:30 PM): March–June, September–November.
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, May 18, 2024, edition of Tidbits.
“Sunset in Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil” by NicolasAlbuquerqueWolf. CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported. Full image credit below.
Dear Friends,
We are observing the season of Lent during the month of March. May we deepen our awareness of God’s presence in the suffering world and prepare ourselves for the resurrection of Christ. Some highlights during the season of Lent to help us deepen our worship:
Sunday, March 10, Rev. Helen Smith leads the worship service as Rev. Moon is on study leave from March 5-12 (we apologize that there is no live streaming but there will be a web version of the service).
Wednesday, March 13 at 10 AM in the lounge, the Caregiver Support group meets.
Wednesday, March 13 at 7 PM in the church hall, Mind and Heart, the monthly Bible study, starts. The purpose of the gathering is to create a safe space to ask questions about faith and to deepen our understanding of God’s presence in the Bible and in our own lives. The first meeting is an introductory meeting. Each study is expected to last 30–50 minutes.
Friday, March 15 at 1 PM in the lounge, Read and Pray, the faith and prayer study group resumes. Anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge and experience of contemplative prayer is invited to join.
Sunday, March 17 at 1 PM on Zoom, Read and Discuss, the virtual monthly book study group meets. If you would like to learn what happens during the meeting, please me or the church office for the link.
Sunday, March 24, Rev. Bob Smith will lead Palm Sunday worship service, with Rev. Chuck assisting.
Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary, Listen and Listen, a quiet and communion service, is held. Please, anyone who wishes to deepen silence and contemplative prayer is invited to join.
Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday (Tenebrae) Service is at 7 PM, with a simple Soup and Rolls dinner at 6 PM (no charge).
Friday, March 29, Good Friday Service is at 10 AM.
Sunday, March 31, Sunrise Service starts at 6:45 AM at Guild Inn Park.
Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday Service is at 11 AM. The Bells of Guildwood will deepen our celebration. The choir is preparing a Cantata. We also welcome Steven Szeto as a member by celebrating the Profession of Faith. Anyone who wishes to become a member of our church may approach Rev. Chuck Moon or any elder.
Our prayers for each member of our community, as well as everyone in the suffering world, continue. Please expand our prayers by joining us.
“Moses Presenting the Tablets of the Law” (ca. 1648) by artist Philippe de Champaigne (1602–1674); from the collection of the Milwaukee Art Museum; taken from the Wikimedia Commons. In honour of this week’s sermon scripture on the Ten Commandments.
Dear Friends,
We are observing the season of Lent during the month of March. May we deepen our awareness of God’s presence in the suffering world and prepare ourselves for the resurrection of Christ. Some highlights during the season of Lent to help us deepen our worship:
Sunday, March 3, during a Mission Moment, Kunle Akingbola shares the journey of transformation as a part of the Black History Month celebration.
Wednesday, March 6, the Annual General Meeting is held at the church to celebrate the ways God has guided us in 2023, and to prepare ourselves for 2024 by approving its budget.
Sunday, March 10, Rev. Helen Smith leads the worship service as Rev. Moon is on study leave from March 5-12 (we apologize that there is no live streaming but there will be a web version of the service as always).
Wednesday, March 13 at 10 AM in the lounge, the Caregiver Support group meets.
Wednesday, March 13 at 7 PM in the church hall, Mind and Heart, the monthly Bible study, starts. The purpose of the gathering is to create a safe space to ask questions about faith and to deepen our understanding of God’s presence in the Bible and in our own lives. The first meeting is an introductory meeting. Each study is expected to last 30–50 minutes.
Friday, March 15 at 1 PM in the lounge, Read and Pray, the faith and prayer study group resumes. Anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge and experience of contemplative prayer is invited to join.
Sunday, March 17 at 1 PM on Zoom, Read and Discuss, the virtual monthly book study group meets. If you would like to learn what happens during the meeting, please join us on Zoom.
Sunday, March 24, Rev. Bob Smith will lead Palm Sunday worship service, with Rev. Chuck assisting.
Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary, Listen and Listen, a quiet and communion service, is held. Please, anyone who wishes to deepen silence and contemplative prayer is invited to join.
Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday (Tenebrae) Service is at 7 PM, with a simple Soup and Rolls dinner at 6 PM (no charge).
Friday, March 29, Good Friday Service is at 10 AM.
Sunday, March 31, Sunrise Service starts at 6:45 AM at Guild Inn Park.
Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday Service is at 11 AM. The Bells Of Guildwood will deepen our celebration. The choir is preparing a Cantata. We also welcome Steven Szeto as a member by celebrating the Profession of Faith. Anyone who wishes to become a member of our church may approach Rev. Chuck Moon or any elder.
Our prayers for each member of our community, as well as everyone in the suffering world, continue. Please expand our prayers by joining us.
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, March 2, 2024, edition of Tidbits.
Our faith community is committed to deepening our awareness of, and prayers for, each other’s experiences. We strongly believe that hearing personal stories significantly contributes to expanding awareness, understanding, and celebration.
February is Black History Month. Through the initiative and leadership of the Mission and Outreach Committee, we have invited three of our community members to share their personal reflections and stories.
Feb 11: Roslyn Thompson (Mission Moment: Awareness)
March 3: Kunle Akingbola (Mission Moment: Transformation)
March 10: Helen Smith (Mission Moment: Awareness)
Please join us in our observance and prayers.
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, February 3, 2024, edition of Tidbits.
Yesterday [as I write this] was January 25, Robbie Burns’ Day. I did not grow up in a home that knew or celebrated Robbie Burns Day, but I have met many friends who celebrated it.
I remember a friend who would always wear his family kilts to church around Robbie Burns Day and would tell me about his poems. He even initiated celebrating a Burns’ Supper at the church, complete with singing, reading, and welcoming. He died last year. He is no longer here, but I smile today because I can hear him talking about Robbie Burns and can picture him with his kilts. I still don’t know a lot about Burns, but I had a friend who loved him dearly. Whenever I hear the name, it makes me smile because of who my friend was.
I wonder if it is our work as Christians to help others smile when they hear the name of Jesus. Our sacred task is to allow our words, silence, actions, inactions, relationships, and all aspects of our lives to reveal the life of Jesus. May the Spirit of Jesus Christ continue to come alive in our lives today.
Happy ‘Rabbie’ Burns Day!
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, January 27, 2024, edition of Tidbits.
We are looking for a Sunday School Program Coordinator. This is a volunteer, non-teaching position to help organize our Sunday School teachers and will require on average 2–3 hours per week.
The main responsibilities are to:
Select and purchase curriculum in consultation with the Minister and the Nurture and Education Committee;
Schedule teachers and helpers for each Sunday from the 2nd Sunday in September to the 2nd Sunday in June;
Distribute curriculum and other materials to teachers for their Sundays.
It is a volunteer position, but a small bursary may be available for high school or post-secondary students. If you are interested in the position, please contact Rev. Helen Smith and/or Rev. Chuck Moon.
Virtual Book Study – Sunday, January 21 at 1 PM
We invite you to join our virtual book study gathering on Sunday, January 21 at 1 PM, and every third Sunday of the month. A warm welcome awaits those who are eager to participate in insightful discussions. This month, our focus is on Evelyn Underhill’s The Essentials of Mysticism. We look forward to engaging conversations with you. A Zoom link is available in your latest edition of Tidbits.
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, January 20, 2024, edition of Tidbits.
“Jesus Christ with the children / Let the little Children come unto Me / Suffer the Children” by Danish artist Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834–1890); from the collection of the Frederiksborg Museum of National History, Hillerød, Denmark; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.
Dear Friends,
We are looking for a Sunday School Program Coordinator. This is a volunteer, non-teaching position to help organize our Sunday School teachers and will require on average 2–3 hours per week.
The main responsibilities are to:
Select and purchase curriculum in consultation with the Minister and the Nurture and Education Committee;
Schedule teachers and helpers for each Sunday from the 2nd Sunday in September to the 2nd Sunday in June;
Distribute curriculum and other materials to teachers for their Sundays.
It is a volunteer position, but a small bursary may be available for high school or post-secondary students. If you are interested in the position, please contact Rev. Helen Smith and/or Rev. Chuck Moon.
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message appeared in the Friday, January 12, 2024 edition of Tidbits.
We extend our heartfelt wishes to you for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May this sacred season be filled with peace and love. May the Spirit of Christmas deepen our awareness of God’s presence in our lives.
Thank you for expressing interest in a monthly Bible study. We are pleased to announce that starting Wednesday, March 13 at 7 PM, a monthly Bible study called Mind and Heart (theology and contemplation) will be held at the church. We will be studying the Gospel of John together and will meet every 2nd Wednesday of the month on March 13, April 10, May 8, and June 12. We hope to create a safe space to ask questions about faith and deepen our meditation on God’s words.
Groups resuming in the New Year
Read and Pray (faith and prayer study group): 3rd Friday of the month @ 1 pm, March-June, October-December
Listen and Listen (quiet prayer and communion service): Last Wednesday of the month @ 7:30 PM, March-June, September-November
Read and Discuss (virtual book study group): 3rd Sunday of the month @ 1 PM)
Mind and Heart (Bible study): 2nd Wednesday of the month @ 7 PM
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, December 30, 2023 edition of Tidbits.
“Christmas Eve” painting by J. Hoover & Son, 1878; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.
We are approaching the end of the season of Advent, a time of waiting and preparation. While the cultural demands and expectations of Christmas can be overwhelming, the season of Advent serves as a deliberate reminder that the light of God surpasses the darkness in the world. May we fix our eyes on Christ Jesus, the symbol of God’s hope, peace, joy, and love during this season.
Sunday, Dec 24, 7 PM: Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols (Bells of Guildwood & Choir)
Sunday, Dec 31, 11 AM: Last Sunday Service of 2023
Monthly or Biweekly Evening Bible Study
I’m currently in talks with a few of you about initiating a monthly or biweekly evening Bible study (or Lectio Divina: Divine Reading) in the upcoming year. Please let me know if you’re interested in joining a monthly or biweekly evening Bible study.
—Rev. Chuck Moon
A version of this message appeared in the Friday, December 22, 2023 edition of Tidbits.
Advent wreath made from natural materials on the first Sunday in Advent 2021. Burkhard Mücke CC BY-SA 4.0 International. See below for full photo credit.
Dear friends,
We are entering the season of Advent, a time of waiting and preparation. While the cultural demands and expectations of Christmas can be overwhelming, but the season of Advent serves as a deliberate reminder that the light of God surpasses the darkness in the world.
May we fix our eyes on Christ Jesus, the symbol of God’s hope, peace, joy, and love during this season.
Upcoming Advent and Christmas Events and Services
There are many upcoming events, services and concerts in this special season, from the Second Advent (Peace) & Amnesty International Write for Rights Service next Sunday, Dec. 10, to the The Light of the World Concert on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7 PM, to The Longest Night, a service of quiet prayer & healing which will be led by Rev. Dr. Laura Alary, on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7:30. See the full list of events and services for more details.
Monthly or Biweekly Evening Bible Study
I’m currently in talks with a few of you about initiating a monthly or biweekly evening Bible study (or Lectio Divina: Divine Reading) in the upcoming year. Please let me know if you’re interested in joining a monthly or biweekly evening Bible study.
