Weekly News September 3, 2023

Announcements

FOOD BANK SUNDAY: The first Sunday of the month is designated as Food Bank Sunday. Envelopes are available on the table in foyer.

GUESTS NEXT WEEK: The congregation of Cowan Heights United Church have been invited to join our 11 am Sunday Service next week, September 3rd, as their minister, Rev. Oliver Dingwall, will be away.  Rev. Ian will still be on holidays and Rev. Karen Bursey will be leading our service.  We look forward to welcoming them!

BUILDING FUND SUNDAY: The last Sunday of the month is designated as Building Fund Sunday. Envelopes are available on the table in foyer.  if you would like to make a contribution.  Thank you for your continued support. 

RECYCLABLES?

The Youth Group continues to collect beverage containers. They must be clean and without caps. Note this is only beverage containers for which deposits are paid. Donations can be dropped off at the church or at any Evergreen Recycling location using the automated system and the church phone number. (Closest locations are Waterford Hospital or Blackmarsh Road).

NoticeWEEKLY BULLETIN DEDICATIONS: Now that we have resumed printing bulletins, you may dedicate a bulletin in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a special event. If you would like to do so, please put your name and phone number for a specific date on the sign-up sheet located on the bulletin board in the vestibule or call the church office at 368-2194.

Worship Schedule

Come Worship with Us!

at 221 Park Avenue

Mount Pearl

Worship Service

EVERY Sunday – 11 am

Bulletin

Worship Services Online

Starts at 11 am

“We respectfully acknowledge the territory in which we gather as the traditional territory of the Beothuk and Mi’kmaq.  We are conscious of the long and painful history of relations between the Christian church, colonial settlement practices and the harm caused to these lands and peoples.   May we always seek to live with respect on this land as we search for collective healing and true reconciliation and honour this beautiful land together.“

Gifts - GivingIt is with gratitude and thanksgiving we acknowledge the following Gifts and dedicate them to the Glory of God:

Peace Garden Donations

  • A Verazzo Stone has been donated in loving memory of Walter Noseworthy. From the family.
  • A Verazzo Stone has been donated in celebration of grandchildren Jacob, Lily and Declan.  From Bernice Skinner.

In Our Faith Community

BURRY HEIGHTS DAY:  Save the date of Saturday, September 16th, 2023 for Burry Heights Day.  A time of fun, friendship and music.  A time to experience the magic as you reminisce with old friends and meet new. More information will be announced as it becomes available. 

Coastal Sounds CBS Community Choir under the direction of Abra Whitney is pleased to announce their first rehearsal takes place on Wednesday, September 13th from 7 to 9 pm at Holy Spirit High School.  No auditions required.  New members welcomed.  For more information, please contact Abra at aurorachoir.ad@gmail.com

ANNIVERSARY DINNER:  Please join us for our Anniversary Dinner on October 21st at Cowan Heights United Church.  Tickets will be available starting Thursday, September 7th at the church office.  Cost is $30 per ticket.  Come join us for a memorable time. 

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD-ADULT DAY PROGRAM, BISHOPS GARDENS is now open and accepting new participants.  This is a drop-in service, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm for adults 55 years of age or older in the community, either independent or those who need family support.  The Neighbourhood provides fun and compelling activities for participants. For more information, call 709-327-7085 or email info@visittheneighbourhood.com     

BRIDGES TO HOPE BAG TO SCHOOL 2023:  We have the wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young students in our community through Bridges to Hope’s Bag to School Program, which we have supported for over a decade. Due to the extreme demand and rising costs to provide essential school supplies and equip these children for a successful academic year, they need to raise over $25,000 this year. Let’s come together as a church family to empower these students and demonstrate the true spirit of compassion and care. You can donate directly at www.bridgestohope.ca or put your donation in an envelope here at the church and note it is for this appeal. 

THE JIMMY PRATT MEMORIAL OUTREACH CENTRE:
The Jimmy Pratt Centre wishes to advise its patrons, volunteers and sponsors that the Centre will continue its programs and services in the St. John’s downtown area from its current location in the lower level of George Street United Church. The Centre will remain open for regular programming. If the Centre must relocate, it will do so in a suitable location in the downtown core.



Your generosity to help feed the hungry is much appreciated. The monthly item for September is canned soup. Some ‘weekly flyer specials’ which would be useful for Bridges to Hope for the week of August 31st to September 6th are:
No Frills- No Name Evaporated Milk $0.99
No Name Canned Beans $0.99
Colgate Toothpaste/brush $1.00
Walmart- Mr. Noodles $0.27
Kraft Dinner (12 pkg) $9.47
Palmolive Dishwashing 3/$5.00
Crest/Colgate Toothpaste $0.88
Colemans- Favourite Apricot Halves 4/$5.00
Dominion Oceans Tuna $1.29
Oasis/Allen’s Juice Boxes (8 pkg) $2.99

United Church Bookstore & Gifts UCC East

320 Elizabeth Avenue
St. John’s, NL

UNITED CHURCH BOOKSTORE ONLINE: The United Church Bookstore has launched the bookstore for online shopping as well as in-person shopping at 320 Elizabeth Ave. To shop online visit https://ucceast.ca/shop

70th Anniversary Fundraisers

THANK YOU from the Anniversary Committee!! Heartfelt thanks to all those who donated and bid on items for our Online Auction Fundraiser for the Peace Garden.  We are happy to report that we raised a total of $1,255.00. A little is a lot!!  

PEACE GARDEN UPDATE:  To date, all benches, 44 stones and general donations have been received for a total of $8,451.41.  Verazzo Stones for the retaining wall can be purchased at $100 each in memory of loved ones or in celebration of anniversaries, graduations and birthdays etc.  Benches have all been donated.  General Donations of any amount towards the project are gratefully accepted and can also be made in memory or celebration of loved ones or events.  All donations will be acknowledged. Thank you so much to those who have already donated♥♥

70th Anniversary Calendar of Events

  • Sept.24, 2023 11 am   dedication service with special speaker Rev Amanda Barnes, president of First Dawn Eastern Edge, followed with a Fellowship Hour
  • Oct.21, 2023 6 pm Anniversary Dinner and Basket Walk at Cowan Heights United Church Auditorium
  • Oct.22, 2023 11 am Anniversary Service with guest Speaker Rev. Faith March-MacCuish, former Minister of First United Church followed with a Fellowship Hour

If you know or someone you know has a story or a special event that happened at First United and would like to tell the congregation about it, please forward your story to Joan Winsor, email address joanwinsor59@gmail.com. These stories will be read during the service.

*We are looking for old photos of First United to put together a slide show for these services. Photos can be dropped off to the church or email them to the church. These stories will be read during the service. Please stay tuned for more information on the Anniversary Celebrations!!

Updates from Regional Council and UCC

First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council

Donating to First United

Great News!

E-Transfers Now Possible

First United is now able to accept donations through e-transfer
~
right from your bank account to firstunited@nf.aibn.com

Four convenients ways you can donate to First United

  1. In-Person
  2. PAR
  3. e-transfer
  4. online

For more details visit the How to Donate Page

Note:  If making a donation through e-transfer, please indicate your Envelope # (if you have one) and how you wish the funds to be used, i.e., Local Expenses, Building Fund, Mission & Service, Food Bank or Other.  If you need to provide more detailed information, please send us an email.

Please be advised of the Church office hours:

SUMMER CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Please note the church office will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 12 noon for the months of July and August.  

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