Weekly Update

Lectionary Readings for Sunday,  March 22, 2020
1 Samuel 16: 1-13, Psalm 23 (VU pp. 747-749),
Ephesians 5: 8-14, John 9: 1-41
 
Stewardship/Finance Update
                                       February 2020        Year To Date
General Fund Local          $14,100.00           $ 30,000.00
Other Operations              $  4,958.35           $ 16,065.89
Mission & Service             $  3,896.00            $  8,392.00
  Total Income                   $22,954.35           $ 54,457.89
  Total Expenses               $36,708.66           $ 76,067.59
Excess Inc./Exp.              ($13,754.31)         ($ 21,609.70)
Capital Income                  $  6,210.00           $   6,680.00
Capital Expenses              $14,439.46           $ 14,540.30
Capital Excess Inc/Exp    ($ 8,229.46)          ($  7,860.30)

 
Thank you for your continued generosity and support.  

Cathy Raithby beloved wife of George passed away after a long and courageous battle with MS at home on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the age of 79 years. Funeral arrangements are being planned for May 2020 and will be published in a later edition of the Waterloo Region Record. Information may be obtained through Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.  

UCW Annual General Celebration:  CANCELLED 
Sat, Apr 4th 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Purchase Ticket by March 25th.  Tickets available in Hilliard Hall until Mar 22nd.
 
New photo directory is here!
If you or your family was photographed at First United Church in August or September 2019, you are entitled to one free 2020 Photo Directory. They arrived from the printer this week and will be available in the Narthex before or after the church service on Sunday, March 15.  After that date, people can pick up their copy during church office hours.

Pre-service coffee:  Many enjoy a coffee when they arrive for church on Sunday morning.  If you would be able to set up the coffee station in the narthex some Sundays please contact Joan Westcott (westcottj@rogers.com).
If we had a few people willing to do a few Sundays it will make less work for all.
 
Resiliency Challenge Our loan payments related to the mold abatement are $898 every month.  We urge everyone to make a small donation to this challenge each month. We thank those who are already doing so.
 
Grocery Card Sales: Just as a reminder!!!!    Grocery cards from Zehrs, Sobeys, Central and Metro are only sold weekly after church in Hilliard Hall and are not available by contacting the First United office.  If you are not able to attend Sunday services and need cards, please contact Jacqui McFarlane.   Please do not contact the office for Grocery Cards.   First United  is the recipient of 5% of  the value all of the sales.  Thanks for your participation in this fund raising effort. Jacqui
The funeral committee wishes to thank the congregation for their support in providing funeral receptions here at First United.  We are also looking for another person to join our committee. Please contact Alice Bieman 519 634 8614 if you are interested. Barbara Blain, Jan Baxter and Alice Bieman
 
WATERLOO UNITED CHURCHES SHARED SERVICES
Maundy Thursday - April 9, 6:30 pm at Emmanuel 
Good Friday -  April 10,10:30 am at Westminster
Anniversary Service -  June 7,10:30 am at First
 
Broadview Magazine (previously the Observer): It’s time to renew or start your subscription.  Get 11 issues of the award winning United Church Broadview for just $25.  Envelopes are on the information table and can be placed in the offering plates or brought to the office. (The envelope says Observer but it’s ok to use them). Please make cheques payable to First United Church, with “Broadview” on the memo line. Deadline is April 12th.
 
Rummage Sale News… Last October the U.C.W. Rummage Sale was given some wonderful pieces of jewellery.  In the past few months $1000.00 was received from the sale of this jewellery. The money will be split between the U.C.W. budget and the Resiliency Fund.   Alice Bieman
 
Book Study - "Love is Stronger than Death" by Cynthia Bourgeault
If you read the "Wisdom Jesus" or "The Meaning of Mary Magdalene" you won't want to miss this book study.  Cynthia is an Episcopal priest who writes of a new dimension and understanding of human love and the possibility of survival beyond the grave.  Isabel Allende describes the book as an unconventional love story of two aging individuals in search of God who meet and recognize 'the beloved' in one another.  Together they discover a deeper, richer form of human love that defies death.
Join Rev. Kellie, March 18, 25, April 1 and 8 from 3 pm - 4 pm for a deep and meaningful conversation about this book.  Please email Rev. Kellie McComb (kellie@firstunitedchurch.ca) if you are interested in participating in the Book study, as she is looking at a way to connect online.  
  
Book Club, Apr 4, 2020 at 10:00 am in the Parlour
The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah.  Feel free to bring a treat to share with the group.  Please join us!  The book is available at Wordsworth Bookstore with a discount as part of our First United Book Club.
 
Notice re. Taxi Fund
The Taxi Fund pays for those who cannot walk, drive or take public transit, to come to events at First United Church. The fund needs replenishing, and so there will be Taxi Fund envelopes in the narthex during March. Thank you for your generosity in helping First United to offer this service to those who need it.

 
 If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact the office directly 519-7465-8487 Ext 201 or office@firstunitedchurch.ca.

Sheena