Reference

Easter Services

April 15, 2020

Easter Services:
Good Friday Livestream 10am and Easter Sunday Zoom 10am 😀😀😀

LUC Reno Team Construction Update April 8, 2020

April 15, 2020

Construction Update – April 8, 2020

Good Morning. We would like to share with you an update on the renovation construction project, the budget status as well as show you some pictures taken during the week of April 1, 2020.

Construction

Generally, the construction is proceeding well. The trades, in the main, have voluntarily continued to work onsite daily. However, on April 6th the Government of Ontario announced the shutdown of many non-essential construction sites, including Leaside United Church (LUC), for a minimum of 14 days. This construction pause will mean workers will not be present onsite for at least the next 14 days.

Below are some of the key highlights and progress made:

  • The gymnasium flooring (including sports lines) and ceiling are now completed.
  • The downstairs kitchen is 75% complete with a new tile floor, dry wall is close to completion and the lower kitchen cabinets are scheduled to arrive this week.
  • The deep sink, designed for flower arranging, in the main floor kitchenette has been installed.
  • The water problem in the basement gym, kitchen and other basement areas has been addressed.
  • The downstairs washrooms have been dry-walled and have the floor tiling in place.
  • In the downstairs large gallery area, beside the auditorium and main kitchen, all wiring, electrical and ceilings are being installed.
  • Wiring has started for a modern Audio/Visual system to improve the sound system and our ability to better use visual affects

Looking ahead to when the construction pause is over, we currently expect:

  • Work will start in the boiler room in early May (after the construction pause) when the boilers and main hydro service are delivered and installed. The timing of this construction phase has been moved forward as a result of the Church being closed.
  • The complete church basement was targeted to be finished by the end of June.
  • The City of Toronto offices are closed so we are unable to obtain any revised or additional licenses, permits or site inspections.
  • Mrs. Parks Nursery School will tentatively restart at the beginning of May at the same time as Toronto District School Board (TDSB) schools. If the TDSB schools are delayed (as anticipated) there may be no nursery school in May or June. The owner, of Mrs. Parks School has announced she will retire at the end of June 2020. LUC is presently negotiating with another nursery school who will potentially rent this space starting in September 2020.
  • The Hearth Room will be out of commission in May when the boilers will be installed as the boiler room is below the Hearth Room. The boilers will require new venting which will cause some modifications to one of the Hearth Room walls.
  • In late April/May demolition of the sidewalk and ramp will commence depending on the construction stoppage. The alternative entrance will be on the Millwood side closer to McRae.
  • These are the new gender-free washrooms being constructed downstairs in the storage area we fondly called Bob’s Office.
  • New downstairs kitchen under construction. Floor tiling and cabinets going in next. Notice the physical distancing !!
  • New gymnasium  floor and ceiling completed
  • Here is an architect’s sketch of the new front entrance. Notice the striking glass enclosure, the new ramp and steps as well as the paving stones and space for some shrubs and greenery.

Budget Update

The budget challenge is that at the end of this renovation project we wish to have a building which our members and community will be proud of, yet, because of the physical condition of the building much of the focus has been given to needed maintenance and government directed accessibility enhancements. This is evident in the need to update and replace deteriorating facilities, rooms, ceilings, floors, boilers, etc. to meet todays’ building and fire safety guidelines. For a number of reasons, very little renovation or maintenance has been done in 30 to 40 years or more. The renovations will indeed improve the two kitchens, gym, sanctuary, boilers, wiring and plumbing. As is typical with many construction projects, we have had a number of surprises – that we continue to deal with every time a wall is taken down or floor lifted – for example, water in the basement has required us to readjust our budget.

We continue to look for cost and expense reductions and expect to need to make more compromises as we proceed. Let us repeat that our biggest concern is getting good value and utility, however, still have a building that everyone will be proud of.

On October 16, 2019 the LUC Church Council approved a budget projection of $3,107,500. To try to match our budget we have made a number of refinements to the original building project scope and budget as follows:

  • The exterior landscaping project has been reduced.
  • The newly planned larger elevator has been eliminated from the budget for at least three to four years. Fortunately, we plan to commission an excellent company to repair the existing elevator to allow dependable continued operation with floor calling ability. It will continue to be the same size in the same location.
  • New signage on the church lawn will be eliminated from the construction budget.
  • Despite various budget reductions we still anticipate an overage of approximately $350,000. A new fundraising team has been initiated to develop plans to raise these additional funds in the next two to three years.

We wish to thank you for your continued support, understanding and patience as we proceed.

Your LUC Building Project Team Jim Miller and Fraser Holman (Leads), Ann Fraser, Anne Raby, Brenda French, Graham Lute

Palm Sunday – Worship at Home Sunday April 5, 2020

April 19, 2020

PALM SUNDAY   We invite you to worship at 10:30am this morning one of two ways: (1) The “Worship at Home” service check your emails.  (2) Online worship on zoom.

Arrive between 9:45 and 10 if you would like to join Natalie and Mary and make a palm for our virtual palm parade! Arrive any time between 10 and 10:30 for conversation before we begin the Palm Sunday service.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people grabbed anything that was around – cloaks and palm branches – to greet his arrival. We also reach for whatever we have around and, whether or not we join today’s 10am palm making session, ready ourselves for a strange parade. 

We look forward to worshiping together even while we are apart this morning!  – Emily, Matt, and Natalie (Worship Planning Team)

Click here for easy instructions on Zoom (thanks, Michele)

CONNECTIONS

Ways we worship, learn, and connect as Leaside United Church.

Lent Prayer Workshops will conclude on Wednesday. Contact Natalie if you would like to take part.  

Drop by Meet You @ Zoom at 1:15-2:30pm on Wednesday. We’ll be alternating Wednesday mornings and afternoons in the coming weeks. Everyone welcome!

The Arts and Crafts group will now be meeting weekly via Zoom 7-8pm on Wednesdays on zoom. Bring any arts or crafts project you’d like to work on.

Short daily podcasts “Listen to the Stillness” have started! Listen or subscribe here. 

Interested in daily readings and reflections during Holy Week? Contact Emily or Alison to be added to the email list. Be sure to read past today’s service for “Celebration Sunday” “A Note from Emily” and Matt’s “Music Notes.”   

What are you doing while you are at home? Send photos of meals, activities, and friendly faces to Alison to share with our Church Family email list!  

Emily: 647-303-6709 or emily@leasideunited.org 

Alison: leaside.admin@bellnet.ca or 416-303-0088 

Jean Marie: 647-896-0241 or jmsuchora@gmail.com 

Natalie: jahnnatalie123@gmail.com

WORSHIP AT HOME 

WORSHIP AT HOME 
This service includes links to listen to all the music and see the readings – click on the parts of the service that are underlined as you reach them. 

Jesus is Coming!  

Jesus was being talked about all over Jerusalem! 
“He is coming!” Someone would shout in the market place. 
“Have you heard? Jesus, the one they call the Messiah is coming here!” 

Another would say to her friend. And it happened, just as they said it would. Jesus and his disciples, his friends that learned from him how to follow the way he was instructing, began walking towards Jerusalem. Many people were expecting Jesus to be like the leaders in the city. Some dreamed of a man who would come in on a white steed and he would save the people from the Roman Empire. Others imagined he would look even more like a God they had heard about from the Chief Priests. 

As Jesus, riding on a donkey, and his disciples were getting closer to the gates they started to see a crowd of people coming out to greet them! People waving palm branches (wave your palms!) and shouting loudly,

“Hosanna! Hosanna! To the Son of David!” (From an Intergenerational Paraphrase by Jeffrey Dale) Palm Parade – Sanna Sannanina          (VU 128) SANNANINA

Sanna, sannanina,
sanna, sanna, sanna.
Sanna, sannanina,
sanna, sanna, sanna.Sanna, sanna, sanna, sannanina,
sanna, sanna, sanna.
Sanna, sanna, sanna, sannanina,
sanna, sanna, sanna.

Reproduced with permission under License #75948 LicenSingOnline  

Jesus caused a real stir that day in Jerusalem. In every corner of the city you could hear people whispering, “Who is this guy that everyone is so excited about?” “Is that who they say is the Messiah? What’s his name? Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee?” (From an Intergenerational Paraphrase by Jeffrey Dale) 

Lighting the Christ Candle  

We light this candle as a reminder of the ways Jesus rides into our lives, just as he rode into Jerusalem.  We have our own hopes and expectations. God is present but appears in ways we don’t expect.  Our sacred world shines with holy light.   Peace in this moment, for every moment.   You are invited to light your candle or to close your eyes and imagine the glow of a lit candle.    Our wish for peace for one another and our world reaches beyond the distances we keep, and flows from our very hearts out to one another.  You are invited to imagine the light of this candle expanding outward to surround those you love, and then even further as it encompasses our city, our country, and our world. 

A New Creed 

We are not alone,    

we live in God’s world  

We believe in God:  who has created and is creating,    

who has come in Jesus,       

the Word made flesh,       

to reconcile and make new,    

who works in us and others       

by the Spirit. We trust in God. 

We are called to be the Church:    

to celebrate God’s presence,    

to live with respect in Creation,    

to love and serve others,    

to seek justice and resist evil,    

to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,       

our judge and our hope. 

In life, in death, in life beyond death,    

God is with us. We are not alone.    

Thanks be to God.  

Hymn – Hosanna, Loud Hosanna          

(VU 123) ELLACOMBE 

Hosanna, loud hosanna
the happy children sang;
through pillared court and temple
the joyful anthem rang;
to Jesus, who had blessed them
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed
‘mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving,
and singing clear and loud;
the Lord of earth and heaven
rode on in lowly state,
content that little children
should on his bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!”
That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer,
earth let your anthems ring.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his humble presence
eternally rejoice.    

Scripture and Reflection 

You are invited either to read today’s scripture, reflection, and discussion questions (below) or do an all ages activity. 

Scripture Readings

Matthew 21:12-16

Philippians 2:5-8 

Reflection

Jesus arrived in Jerusalem to the excitement of crowds filled with expectations of what he would do – how he would save them. Yet he creates disruptions, and is challenged immediately. As the week continues, the crowds diminish. Jesus does not meet the expectations of the people. He does not appear as a divinity offering easy rescue. Instead he is human, vulnerable, humbled. Instead he is brave, loving, holy.  

How are we like the crowds, filled with longing to be saved? What do we bring to the parade? 

How are we like Jesus, humble and hopeful, aware of our human frailty and yet bravely caring about others even when it means hardship for ourselves? 

Offering  

If you usually give via the offering plate, consider making a donation online with paypal (the link is at the bottom of the email), or add your donation to a Leaside envelope to bring when we are worshiping in the building again.  

Offertory Solo – Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Paul Simon

Prayer
You are invited to pray for our congregation, our city, and our world. You might chose to do so using  this prayer, or with whatever words are in your heart today.

The Lord’s Prayer

Hymn – There Is a Balm in Gilead  

VU 612 BALM IN GILEAD

Refrain:

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead to save the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged,
and think my work’s in vain,

but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again.   

There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead to save the sin-sick soul.

If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot preach like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus
and say, “He died for all.

“There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead to save the sin-sick soul.

Reproduced with permission under License #84268 LicenSingOnline 

Blessing

May we move from this moment into every moment, aware of God’s love surrounding us. And may we share that love in our thoughts, words and actions. Amen.

If you missed the service on Zoom you can hear the scripture and reflection here:

April 5, 2020 via Zoom – 8:39: Palm Sunday -Rev. Emily Gordon

Thanks be to God!

Celebration Sunday

We will now be sharing celebrations every Sunday!
Send Alison (leaside.admin@bellnet.ca) any birthdays, anniversaries, births, new accomplishments, or other celebrations that happen this week. 

Matt has completed all of his classes at Emmanuel College!

A Note From Emily

Today is Palm Sunday! It’s hard to believe we are here already. It feels strange not to be struggling with the donkey, and talking about parade choreography. It feels strange knowing that the spaces will feel even greater this year as we toward Good Friday, and that Easter will not have the crowds overflowing from the pews and flowers crowding the chancel steps. And yet…  

Today is Palm Sunday, and Easter is not cancelled. 

When we return to the building we will have our big Easter Celebration! There are plans for flowers, trumpet, and strings. There will be our choir’s glorious singing, and the excitement of hunting for eggs. (We’ll also hear, at another time, the beautiful Requiem the choir has been practicing.) 

And this week, we’ll share Good Friday and Easter in different ways. We’ll be sending more information during the week, but you can expect a reflective Good Friday service with solos by our section leads, and you can expect an Easter Sunday service with a Chancel choir anthem – and a Junior Choir anthem, recorded by everyone in their own homes! 

Yes, it will look different. We won’t know quite what to expect, but Holy Week is at the heart of our faith tradition and we’ll share these stories of suffering and new life together. 

Blessings this Lent,  

Emily  Rev. Emily Gordon Work cell: 647-303-6709 Email: emily@leasideunited.org

Music Notes from Matthew

VU 128 Sanna, Sannanina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv_tnrZRoWI

Reproduced with permission under License #75948 LicenSingOnline  

This song has been popularized for its use on Palm Sunday. Both the words and music is traditional South African. This version is arranged by Nicholas Williams ca. 1993. The word Sanna sannanina is an African version of “Hosanna.” This hymn has a great, and lively melody used for the Palm procession. 

VU 123 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEPSQyVgXhw

Reproduced with permission under License #97922 LicenSingOnline 

Jeannette Threlfall, the author, daughter of a Blackburn, England wine merchant, was disabled early in life by an accident. With much time on her hands, she turned to writing hymns, which she sent anonymously to various periodicals. This hymn, based on Mark 11:1-10 for Palm Sunday, is widely used in church services. 

VU 612 There Is a Balm in Gilead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fcMxI_6xsk

Reproduced with permission under License #84268 LicenSingOnline  

It is probable that this spiritual grew out of the experience of hymns by Charles Wesley and John Newton, for both used the phrase “sin-sick soul.” In Jeremiah 8:22 the question is asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” and the expected answer is “No.” But the spiritual turns the negative into affirmation, and hopelessness into hope. The balm in Gilead may have been from a local tree or bought from Eastern Caravans passing through, but the balm of the spiritual is Christ.

Matthew Boutda, Director of Music