West Side United Church

Within our worship service offered for December 13, 2020 a prayer was shared called the "Hot Cocoa Prayer". We offer the a printed version here for your personal time of reflection and prayer.

We invite you to join us, and be part of our celebration of Christmas Eve in two different ways. The poster below provides you with the information about our two service options. Please feel free to share this with your friends, families and neighbours. There are copies of this posters placed in our mailbox to the left of the main front doors if you wish to stop by and pick up a copy to take to someone else. Sharing this special evening with our community is one of the many joys of our ministry.

We surround the family and friends of Derek Baker (of West Dublin) with our love and support during this difficult time of loss and grief. http://www.corkumfuneralhome.ca/obituaries/149782

Hoping everyone remembered to change their clocks ... Fall Back ... one hour. We have one extra hour in this day to spread goodness, joy and love those around us and out into the world. Welcome to November!

Welcome to our Service of Worship and Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020. Our Theme for worship today is focused on the gift of joy. May we be inspired to discover the ways in which joy is present in our lives and how that gift can be a source of courage and strength for the journey, challenges and celebrations we encounter each day. I refer to a prayer in our worship that is part of a resource called Advent Unwrapped offered to us by The United Church of Canada. I will be posting this Hot Cocoa Prayer in a separate post if you wish to make it part of your daily or weekly time of reflection and prayer. Blessings of abundant joy Rev. Neil.

We turn over the leaf of the calendar and reveal the new month of November. As we embark upon this new month we start off with the observance of All Saint's Day and so we celebrate the blessing of those who have shared their life and faith with us as inspiration and guidance. We have been blessed and inspired to be a blessing through our witness, proclamation and expressions of love as the disciples of Jesus and the beloved children of God. Thnks you for joining us for our time of worship and reflection today. Blessings, Rev. Neil

Our ministry is not limited to our building nor our community. Our ministry reaches out into the world. When we cannot be present in the midst of others to share God's love we offer our gifts so that others can be messengers for us. One way we do this is through our financial gifts to the Mission and Service Fund (M&S) of the United Church of Canada. Here is one story about how our contributions make a difference in the lives of others we will never meet but whose lives are impacted by our donations.

Worship Oct 25/2020 Part 2 of 2 Today we worshipped in our Sanctuary with a community of about 24 in attendance and is offered in TWO PARTS. On this day we celebrated being a community and affirmed our God-calling to love neighbours as ourselves as we live out the Gospel story. Thanks to all those who phoned/emailed ahead to reserve their spot for this worship service. Our next "In Sanctuary Worship" will be the last Sunday in November. Thank you for joining us for worship and a time of reflection and prayer. Blessings, Rev. Neil

In The Bleak Mid-Winter ... an Advent/ Christmas Hymn for your reflection on this day as we journey closer to The Season of Christmas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE0aIQp9V4s

Worship - Oct 25/2020 - Part 1 of 2 Today we worshipped in our Sanctuary with a community of about 24 in attendance and is offered in TWO PARTS. On this day we celebrated being a community and affirmed our God-calling to love neighbours as ourselves as we live out the Gospel story. Thanks to all those who phoned/emailed ahead to reserve their spot for this worship service. Our next "In Sanctuary Worship" will be the last Sunday in November. Thank you for joining us for worship and a time of reflection and prayer. Blessings, Rev. Neil

We hold in our hearts the family and friends of John Lohnes as they journey through a time of grief and loss. A private graveside service was held earlier this week in Pinehurst. NS. http://www.corkumfuneralhome.ca/obituaries/149399

As a Community of Faith and a circle of friends we hold in our heart Linda Richards on the recent death of her husband Wilson, and we hold his circle of friends in love as well. A private graveside service will be held. A complete obituary can be found on the Corkum Funeral Home website. http://www.corkumfuneralhome.ca/obituaries/149503

In support of Treaty rights...

Sunday, October 25, 2020 we will be offering an "In Sanctuary" service of worship at 10:30 AM. We have limited seating available. Leave a message here or contact Rev. Neil (902-523-5687/902-688-1580) to reserve a seat. Please use the hall door at the far end for entry; arrive before 10:30 AM to allow for time to gathering information; masks to be worn throughout the service; observe social distancing and other guidelines for health safety. If you have any further questions contact Rev. Neil.

As a Community of Faith we are grieving the death of one of our long-time members Florence E. Corkum. She was involved in many aspects of our ministry and in many capacities and shared generously of her time on committees, groups and at events. She also served as a member of South Shore Presbytery, Maritime Conference and even as a commissioner to General Council. Her work with Presbytery and the Education & Students Committee enabled her to participate in the Laying on of Hands ceremonies for those being Ordained/Commissioned/Recognized into Ministry. While we grieve her death we give thanks for her life, her faith and how she shared generously with other. We surround her husband Billy, her family and her circle of friends with our love and support during this difficult time. http://www.corkumfuneralhome.ca/obituaries/149415

Today we observe World Food Day and mindful of food insecurities locally and internationally and how we can respond in faithful ways to ensure all are fed and nourished in body, mind and spirit. We are thankful for the food that fills our stores and cupboards from around the world and we are encouraged to offer others around the world with our blessings. Thank you for joining us for our time of Worship & Reflection and may all that you hear and witness inspire you in your faithful call to be a blessing to others. Blessing, Rev. Neil

Our website https://www.westsideunitedchurch.ca/ now has a convenient and safe way to offer your financial support for our ministry with your credit card or paypal. Go to our website and click on the DONATE button located just above the worship videos. Your continual support has been a blessing to us and the ministry we offer to our community locally and around the world. Thank You.