Study

Singing Joy? | Sunday May 16th, 2021

June 11, 2021

The word joy appears times in the gospel according to John during the Farewell discourse, Jesus’ final words to the disciples on the night before his death. Today we ask the question: How do we talk, and sing, about joy during difficult times?

Our service will include music recorded last fall by the Uniting Voices Collective, Matt and four other music directors in Toronto. Our hymns will feature guitar, and we will hear the solo “Homeward Bound.”

On Zoom, the service will also include time to share your own favourite joke or pun, prayers and the Lord’s Prayer.
If you would like to share in conversation before the service (as well or instead of after), join Zoom by 10:15 to be placed in a breakout room. Or come even earlier for our Stories and Makers Nest program at 9:55 on Zoom, or any time on YouTube.


Next Sunday

May 23 is the first of two sermon and music exchanges with Northlea United Church. We will hear a Pentecost sermon by Northlea’s minister Lee-Ann Ahlstrom, and music will feature recordings from both Leaside and Northlea. Then, on June 20 we will have our second exchange, with both congregations hearing a sermon by Emily.

Spirit Alive – Saturday May 8th at 10:30am

June 11, 2021

Spirit Alive session is scheduled for this coming Saturday morning May 8th starting at 10:30 am

David P. will be leading the discussion this Saturday on the subject of “Pilgrimages”. Our session will build on our April session led by Margaret F. on the subject of “Journeys”.

In this case, our attention will shift from the “journey” to the “destination”.

Amongst the questions to explore are:

1. what does it mean to go on a pilgrimage?

2. what are the different kinds of pilgrimage?

3. how has the idea of “pilgrimage” changed over time?

4. have you ever been on a pilgrimage – of any kind? and

5. if you were to go on a pilgrimage, where would you go?

If you are interested in attending contact David P. for the Zoom link. 

Mental Health Sunday and Communion – May 2, 2021

June 11, 2021
Photo by Murray Fenner April 2021 at Leaside United
Today we will be celebrating communion live on Zoom at 10:30am. Bring bread, or something similar, and juice, wine or something else to drink when you join the service. We will share in communion together.
The YouTube service will include a poem “A Single Grape.”

On both Zoom and YouTube, our service will reflect on words from John’s gospel, “I am the True Vine.” We will hear the Leaside Virtual Choir anthem “For the Beauty of the Earth,” as well as sing a new hymn text for “Abide with Me” that connects with today’s scripture (see below). We will also hear another small spiritual practice, and say A New Creed together.

During the reflection, I will also be mentioning that this is Mental Health Sunday, the start of Mental Health Awareness week. The United Church is sharing an online series for everyone May 3-7, including “Mental Health, Wellness, and the Medicine Wheel Teachings” on Monday, and “Trauma Fatigue” on Friday. You can learn more HERE.
Next Sunday is Christian Family Sunday, and we have another fully recorded service perfect for sharing with family and friends. Music will include a Junior Virtual Choir Hymn, a new Leaside Virtual Choir Project, a solo, and a flute duet. The service will celebrate the radical openness of God’s love.

May 16th our service “Singing Joy?” will have a few jokes, some lighthearted hymns accompanied by guitar, music from the Uniting Voices Collective, time for reflection and our final Easter Small Spiritual Practice will be a part of this service on what joy means during these difficult times.

Earth Sunday – April 18, 2021

April 27, 2021
We are called to be the Church
to celebrate God’s presence
to live with respect in Creation
from A New Creed

Today we celebrate Earth Sunday in advance of Earth Day on April 22nd. Today our service includes the solo “I Got Me Flowers,” the United Church’s National Virtual Choir Project “Peace for the Children,” scripture and reflection, and another small spiritual practice to try this week.

On Zoom, the service will also include the hymn “This is God’s Wondrous World,” announcements, and as our gathering music “God of the Sparrow / O Beautiful Gaia.” If you would like to hear the Gathering Music, please arrive by 10:25am. However you join in worship this morning, you can join Zoom at 11:20am for conversation.

Our Stories and Crafts program will be about Sarai and Abram. For the craft, you’ll need a jar, water, dish soap, food colouring, oil, and your choice of items such as glitter, beans, sequins, or buttons. Join at 9:45 to watch on Zoom at 9:55am, or view any time on YouTube – and remember to share with those you know who are young or young at heart!

Next Sunday

We will celebrate 5 years as an Affirming congregation! The service will include music from the Uniting Voices Collective and an Opening Prayer written by our own Affirming Team. For those joining on Zoom, we will have a time for discussion during the service, and will also sing “My Love Colours Outside the Lines” along with the Junior Choir.

May 2 will be our next opportunity to share Communion live over Zoom.