Author Archive: Laura

Notes on the Notes – May 19, 2013

Theme:  Pentecost Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the twelve apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-31. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as the “Birthday of the Church.”  Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday. Today’s Readings: Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, […]

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Notes on the Notes – May 12, 2013

Theme: Mother’s Day – The Precious Legacy of Faith Today’s Reading:  John 17:20-26 Today’s Music: “Come In, Come In and Sit Down” (VU #395) – This family song became known to United Church congregations in the arrangement made by Darryl Nixon for Songs for a Gospel People (1987).  Singer songwriter James K. Manley, the composer […]

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Notes on the Notes – May 5, 2013

Theme:  Visions of a Different/Better World Today’s Readings:                                                              Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 Today’s Music: “What is the Place” (G #70) – This Dutch hymn by Jesuit priest, Huub Oosterhuis (1968) was translated to English by David Smith in 1970.  The music is Varius’ Nederlandtsche gedenckklanck (1626).  What is a church? Is it […]

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Notes on the Notes – April 28, 2013

Theme:  Love – the Way of Welcome and Acceptance / Patrick’s covenanting service Today’s readings: Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148, John 13:31-35 Today’s music: “Draw the Circle Wide” (MV #145) – This song is by Gordon Light (1994) of the Common Cup Company.  Draw the Circle Wide invites us to participate with God in creating a […]

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Observer article on the power of singing

New research shows that raising your voice in song can help lift the fog of depression By Vivien  Fellegi Check out this article in the current issue of the Observer!   http://www.ucobserver.org/features/2013/04/soul_music/  

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Notes on the Notes – April 21, 2013

Theme: A Shepherd’s Voice Today’s scripture readings: Psalm 23,   John 10:22-30 “Saviour, Like a shepherd lead us” (SFGP #93) –  We don’t know who wrote the words to “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.”  It first appeared in a children’s hymnal compiled by Dorothy Thrupp in 1836, so some people think that Mrs. Thrupp wrote it […]

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Notes on the Notes – April 14, 2013

Theme:  Now What?  Today’s readings: Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) – conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus John 21:1-19 – Jesus appears to the disciples while they are fishing   Today’s music:  “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” (VU #344) –  This hymn was written by John Newton, who is better known for his hymn […]

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United Church moderator’s Easter message 2013

The Resurrected Christ comes to us in disguise in our times, perhaps only visible to those who have eyes to see or ears to hear.  Hear  an Easter message from the Moderator, The Right Rev. Gary Paterson. http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/moderator/130325

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Notes on the Notes – April 7, 2013

Act 3: Resurrection Scripture Reading: John 20:19-29.   Today we welcome David Stubel, who will be reciting “Act 3: Resurrection” from “In Dog We Trust,” and our own Praise Singers, who will be leading the music in worship.  Today’s Music: “This is the Day”(MV #122) – Our opening song is by Bruce Harding (2003) and is based on […]

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Notes on the Notes – Sunday, March 31, 2013

Theme: Easter Sunday – Change that lasts…change that matters. History of Easter. Easter, the principal festival of the Christian church year, celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. The origins of Easter date to the beginnings of Christianity, and it is probably the oldest Christian observance after  the Sabbath. The Feast of […]

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Notes on the Notes – Friday, March 29, 2013

Good Friday – So many questions…does anyone listen to the answers? Readings: Isaiah 53:1, 6b, 7,  selected verses from John 18:1-19:42  What is Good Friday? Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is the most solemn day in the Christian calendar and is the pinnacle of Holy Week.  It falls on the last Friday […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 24, 2013

Theme:  A Different Model of Success Readings: Luke 19:28-40, Philippians 2: 5-11 Palm Sunday is the sixth Sunday of Lent and the last Sunday before Easter.  Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, where he would be crucified five days later. According to the Gospels, Jesus rode into town on a donkey […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 17, 2013

Today’s Readings – Isaiah 43:16-21,  Philippians 3:4-14 This week’s music: God You Meet Us – This hymn is from “the green book, ” Songs for a Gospel People.  The words were written by Glen Baker in 1976.  We will be using the tune HOLY MANNA (VU #460) which was composed by William Moore in 1825.   […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 10, 2013

Theme: Readings: Psalm 32, 2 Corintians 5:16-21 This week’s music: “Come Just as You Are” – This song, by contemporary Christian song-writer, Crystal Lewis, reminds us that all are welcome before God.  Watch a 4 minute video meditation on this idea at:  Come Just As You Are    “Bless the Lord” (MV #46) – This song, based on Psalm […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 3, 2013

  This Sunday is the third Sunday of our Lenten journey. Theme:  Reaffirming the covenant. Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10: 1-5, 11-13 Todays music: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (VU #220) – Joachim Neander rebelled against his family’s piety, but was converted at age twenty at St. Martin’s Church in his native city […]

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