Main Street United Church
133 Ontario Road N0K1N0 Mitchell, ON, Canada

Rev.Tom is away this week preparing all the upcoming special services. Please watch the video below to see Rev.Tom's friend the Rev.Theo Rolle from St.Pauls Methodist Church in Freeport, Bahamas. This is the church that Rev.Tom and his family have attended for a number of years while on vacation. Watch closely for a couple of other Main Street United Church members in attendance. Rev.Tom will be back next week as we begin Advent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2-vM7i6NZA

I received a call from a friend, who was commenting on the fact that our bubbles are getting smaller, and that that they were hearing more often that people are... "cancelling Christmas." They asked me what I'd say, if I were told that I had to cancel Christmas this year. What I said was, "It is impossible to cancel Christmas. Christmas is celebrated each time a disciple of Jesus lives love. Christmas isn't an event. Christmas *is*." Christmas is. (Thanks for the cool graphic, Fey!)

Food Bank Collection as well as return of your White Gift items for the Women's Shelter.

Not mine but wanted to share..... T’was a Month Before Xmas 2020... T’was a month before Christmas, And all through the town, People wore masks, That covered their frown. The frown had begun Way back in the Spring, When a global pandemic Changed everything. They called it corona, But unlike the beer, It didn’t bring good times, It didn’t bring cheer. Contagious and deadly, This virus spread fast, Like a wildfire that starts When fueled by gas. Airplanes were grounded, Travel was banned. Borders were closed Across air, sea and land. As the world entered lockdown To flatten the curve, The economy halted, And folks lost their verve. From March to July We rode the first wave, People stayed home, They tried to behave. When summer emerged The lockdown was lifted. But away from caution, Many folks drifted. Now it’s November And cases are spiking, Wave two has arrived, Much to our disliking. Frontline workers, Doctors and nurses, Try to save people, From riding in hearses. This virus is awful, This COVID-19. There isn’t a cure. There is no vaccine. It’s true that this year Has had sadness a plenty, We’ll never forget The year 2020. And just ‘round the corner - The holiday season, But why be merry? Is there even one reason? To decorate the house And put up the tree, When no one will see it, No-one but me. But outside my window The snow gently falls, And I think to myself, Let’s deck the halls! So, I gather the ribbon, The garland and bows, As I play those old carols, My happiness grows. Christmas ain’t cancelled And neither is hope. If we lean on each other, I know we can cope.

https://www.wevideo.com/view/1826801329 A new sermon series begins today!

On Tuesday, September 22, at 12.30 p.m. on the eve of the Throne Speech, The United Church of Canada is asking Canadians across the country to light a candle in... support of a guaranteed livable annual income (a.k.a. guaranteed basic income). Find out how you can participate: http://ow.ly/35hF50Bu2lm #UCCan #UCCanLivableIncome #BasicIncome #Dignity #guaranteedlivableincome

Break the cycle...

UPDATED******** CALL FOR DONATIONS: New/Unused, Knitted and Crocheted (or any new fabric material) Baby Hats and Blankets Sizes? Small and soft for preemies.... All are appreciated. Dropping by? Please knock on the Foundation office window and well let you in. Thank you for your generosity, as always #gratitude Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance

For everyone on this planet, its Suicide Prevention Day. Please reach out, help yourself & others. In Canada call 1-833-456-4566, or contact a crisis centre worldwide: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

A Prayer for Renewal ... O Creator God Great one who created the stars and the vast ocean depths. Let me begin anew and bloom like the flowers, After a spring rain. Free me from the pain of my past. Help me to unburden my mind and soul, And begin again. Refresh my soul O Lord, Let me move forward in hope. Keep me from revisiting the thoughts and the pain That have held me down and frozen me in place. Let me find forgiveness for those who have injured me, Let me forgive my own mistakes and misdeeds. You are my compass and my anchor. Please Lord let me have the strength, The strength to let go and to move, Always toward your light, In Christs name we pray. Amen. Prayer by Beth Maxwell Boyle.

Rev.Tom is away this Sunday but will be back next week with a brand new sermon series and some exciting additions to online worship. In the meantime, this week enjoy the music and prayer found here; https://www.youtube.com/watch

A bit of our history from one of the United Church of Canadas founding denominations

https://www.wevideo.com/view/1809243432 Sunday Message August 30

The mantle of His love...

Exciting news from The United Church of Canada. Congratulations to Rev. Michael Blair, who has been appointed as the churchs new General Secretary.

I love these words from The Message interpretation of the Bible. I imagine this is what God is saying these days.

https://www.wevideo.com/view/1799556021