Gilmore Park United Church
8060 No. 1 Rd V7C 1T9 Richmond, BC, Canada

The Season of Lent has begun. We invite you to journey with us through the next six weeks and during Holy Week and Easter. Additional programs will be announced in the coming days.

Celebrating our first drive thru Ash Wednesday Communion

In January 2020 we had a Beetle Drive lunch.... ask Kerry to explain. We were serenaded by the Gilmore Park Strummers with their Ukes.

Last night was a great ZOOM Pancake Dinner, hosted by South Arm United with Gilmore Park. Many thanks to Trish and Jean Anne and Dawna and Kerry and Alan, for a really good time. Last year we all gathered together in person at South Arm United and here's a picture of that good time together.

Today is Ash Wednesday. Join us at 6pm as we begin the Season of Lent with Worship via Zoom followed by drive thru Communion at St. Anne’s Anglican Church. All are welcome! Hosted by Gilmore Park United Church and St. Anne's, Steveston Anglican Church. For more information or to receive the Zoom link please contact either church office.

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." - Psalm 90:2 #UCCan [Photo by Antonio Grosz on Unsplash]

Jesus and Paul changed the understanding of life, by subverting the language of Empire and making it the language of the Kingdom of God. All those words like "church", "saviour", shepherd, and righteousness, and Gospel, once had meanings used by Caesars to convince people of the need for violence, war and power. But Jesus and Paul used them to show a community how to care for one another.

https://fb.watch/1_w2aLxFeS/ Need a time to "Lighten Up"? This fund raiser that will help support the United Church is hosted by Comedian Colin Mochrie. AND you can watch from the comfort of your own home.

Our friends at Ladner United Church are hosting a virtual Craft Sale. Check the link below for all the details.

Photography Invitation #6: Wonder and Awe We continue to offer photo invitations as a way for us to do something together even while we are apart. Even though creativity can be difficult when we feel stress, we hope that it can also bring a few minutes of inner calm, relief and maybe even a little joy. We are soon entering the season of Advent where we revisit so many beautiful themes in anticipation of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent is a time of waiting. It i...s a time associated with light coming to the dark. It is the time just before the celebration of an event that was to bring a miracle and great change for the good. It’s a time when we are close to great Mystery. In this very challenging time, we pray that you find moments of hope, peace, love and joy. We hope that the spirit of this Advent season brings, despite how things might be, a glimmer of light in the darkness as we remember the beauty of the season so we askwhat comes to your mind when you think of wonder and awe? We invite you to submit two or three photos depicting this theme to [email protected] for inclusion in the next video presentation. Deadline: If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to be in touch! We look forward to seeing your beautiful images! May you stay safe and well and know you are loved and missed. See more

A note from Moderator Richard Bott about how we should take care during the new surge in COVID-19 cases in some areas.

Are you planning to join our Advent Book Study? The last day to sign up is Sunday.

"Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her." - Wisdom of Soloman, 6:12 #UCCan [Art: Lamp of Wisdom, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN]

Prior to last week’s provincial order we had planned to offer two in person outdoor events during the Advent season. With those on hold and our building closed we still wanted the tree. A sign of hope and possibility for the future. A sign of waiting and anticipation for the season ahead. So here it is for all to see virtually. Advent begins Sunday. Thanks Gail for decorating this year and every year!

A Prayer for People of Courage on Remembrance Sunday. We offer to you, O God, our prayers for those who seek justice and resist evil. We pray for those who need... your presence and strength to stand firm; for those who are oppose the use of violence in any form in faithful response to the Prince of Peace. We pray for those are prepared to be firm to protect those in danger. We pray for those who walk with others who need strength. We pray for those who protest, those who organize letter campaigns, those who give sacrificially on behalf of others. We pray for those who speak the unpopular truth; who protect the unpopular victims; who choose the unpopular path of peace. We pray for those who do not let their desire for peace hinder the requirements of justice, and for those who do not let their zeal for justice override the call for peace. from "On This Day of Remembrance," prayers for Remembrance Sunday by the Rev. Dr. Neil Parker, military chaplain at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford, ON. [Photo: hennasabel, Flickr, CC by 2.0] https://www.united-church.ca/prayers/prayer-people-courage #UCCan #RemembranceDay #RemembranceSunday #LestWeForget

. The purpose of remembering the saints and soldiers, is not to imagine a Glorious past, of which this is a NOW of pale shadow. The purpose is to learn enough to LIVE a Now with the same commitment those we remember had. But not with live ammunition but with living wisdom and grace alive.

"O come, let us sing to God; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" - Psalm 95:1 #UCCan [Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash]

This weekend the Pacific Mountain Region (PMR) of the United Church of Canada will hold its Annual General Meeting. This year the meeting is being held virtually and they have invited everyone to Worship together. The Opening Worship and Celebration of Ministry will be held today at 1pm. Streaming LIVE on the PMR Youtube Channel ... Here’s the link: See more

ADVENT BOOK STUDY The Season of Advent begins November 29th. Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes is a book written by Cynthia M. Campbell. A simple Advent story and devotional exploring the Christmas story through the gospels as a home that the church visits at Christmas. Join Kerry for a four week book study on Thursdays at 4pm via Zoom. November 26, December 3, 10, 17. ... Sign up by November 15th to allow for books to be ordered & delivered. For more information about this event or others please contact the church office via email: [email protected]

Hans, our long time Custodian is retiring! Join us via Zoom on Tuesday, October 27 at 7pm as we celebrate Hans and give thanks for the many years he has worked at our church. A Zoom link will be sent to those on the Gilmore Park email list. For more information about this event or others please contact the church office via email: [email protected]

Do you want to know why Humour is Holy and Laughter is a Spiritual Practice? Join us for a special worship with Comedian Charles Demers.

Virtual Drumming! Check out this music filled opportunity happening next week on Wednesday, October 20 at 5pm Pacific.

"O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling." - Psalm 43:3 #UCCan [Photo by Ronaldo de Oliveira on Unsplash]

Need to pray today? Here’s the video Kerry shared during worship on Sunday. We originally shared this in April and it feels right to share it again during this time of Thanksgiving.

"For all the saints who from their labour rest.." Gratitude for blessed memories"For all the saints who from their labour rest.." Gratitude for blessed memories

I’ve had a number of conversations this week about what Christmas will be like this year. There are many losses to acknowledge however the pandemic is sparking new ways of celebrating and connecting. What’s Your Grief provides a meaningful list of 14 ideas for a virtual holiday. What would you add to the list? How will you experience the upcoming season? -Kerry

Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for today?Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for today?

"Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times." - Psalm 106:3 #UCCan [Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash]

GRATITUDE is the theme of this Thanksgiving weekend. 2020 has been a wild year for most of us and it’s important to set time and think about what we are grateful for. Let us all give thanks for God’s beauty and bounty! Today during Kid’s Worship I invited everyone to create a gratitude pumpkin (or squash, apple, carrot etc.) as a centrepiece for your table. Here’s a photo of the one we started during worship. There’s also a very short video clip posted in the comments. Will you make one too? If so, take a photo and share below - Kerry

Happy Halloween

CREATURES OF CREATION A big thank you to everyone who participated in the most recent photo invitation on critters; wild animals and pets. Here is the latest photography video that includes all of the beautiful photo submissions sent in by members of our community and beyond. It’s in celebration of the Season of Creation and St. Francis. ... We offer a HUGE thanks to Shannon for her continued work on this photography series. Stay tuned for info about our next invitation.

We celebrate All Saints Day this Sunday at 1030am via Zoom

WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING Sunday, October 11th at 1030am. A simple 30 minute time of prayer, scripture, music and reflection. Sunday, October 11th from 1030am-11am. Worship will be led by Kerry and Miri and offered via Zoom. A link will be sent to those on the Gilmore Park email list. ... For more info about this event and others contact the church office at [email protected]

Kid’s Church - Saturdays at 12 Come along this Saturday for Halloween! Come in costume, be ready to sing, dance, pray and play. We'll celebrate Halloween and All Saint's Day. All children welcome for this 30 minute worship filled with music, faith stories, activities and more. We dance, sing, create and share via Zoom. A program held together with South Arm United Church friends and led by Trish, Kerry and Miri.... A Zoom link will be sent to those on the family email list of both congregations. For more info about this event or others, please contact the church office via email: [email protected]

"Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved." - Psalm 80:7 #UCCan ['God's Glory' by Inspiks, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.]