What's Happening?

The Lenten season is coming to a close, and that means that Easter is right around the corner. As we prepare to journey together to the empty tomb and beyond, we will have an opportunity to explore the text more deeply!

Starting on Monday, March 25th at 6:30 PM, we will have weekly Bible Study sessions to explore the coming Sunday’s text. We will start that journey with some of the women in Jesus’ life at the empty tomb as we read Mark 16:1-8. Along with being one of the earliest Gospel accounts of the resurrection, it is also one of the shortest.

You are invited to join in this study either in-person in the parlour at the church or on Zoom by following the link below:

https://zoom.us/j/92733483423?pwd=a0xDOSszTFhScUxXdHI2QjN3ZmV4UT09

All are welcome to come along on this journey through the season of Easter, whether you have every verse memorized, or you have trouble knowing where to find the Gospels. All questions, perspectives, and ideas are welcome as together we explore the Word.

To aid in the conversation, a conversation guide is available for download. We may or may not cover the questions outlined here, but they may help as you explore the reading on your own or with others. You can download it by following this link.

EASTER MESSAGE – Throughout this time of Lent, we have been reminded to act generously, express gratitude, pray for those who challenge us, share our faith, lean into loneliness, and finally to sacrifice – give what we cherish. As you reflect on the Easter message and the joy and hope that comes through the resurrection, we encourage you to be mindful of the struggles, challenges, and sacrifices that many in our community and beyond have to face along with the hope, joy, and inspiration they receive through the programs, services, and support by the work of many people in our church. 

Our mission states “we are a community of believers in Jesus Christ…a caring people reaching out to each other, our neighbors, and all Gods people”. On the following dates: Mar 17, Mar 24 ( Palm Sunday), and 31 March ( Easter Sunday), you will find special Easter Offering envelopes available for pick up (if you choose), located on the tables in the vestibule. Envelopes may also be picked up from the office during scheduled hours. We invite you to use this envelope to make an Easter offering as an expression of support to our church, programs, and services provided to the congregation, our community, and beyond. Your envelope can be placed in the offering plate next week or returned to the church office. Thank you for your generosity. 

Rob Burton, Chair Finance

Good Morning Friends!

Judy is away on vacation, so this is Rev. Richard reaching out to you. Please the link for the announcements for this week at the end of this note. Of special note are the following:

• we have found a Finance Committee Chair (hurray!)
• we welcome two new members to our family
• our AGM is this Sunday following worship
• don’t forget your stone (you can get one Sunday morning if you don’t have one yet)

For other announcements, have a read by clicking the button below!

Blessings,
Rev. Richard Bowley (he/him)
rev.bowley@outlook.com

This coming week on Monday, February 5th, we will have our final Bible Study Session before Lent. Our text is Mark 8:27-9:8, and it finds Christ in conversation with his disciples. They talk about who Christ is to them, and what Jesus must face. We – along with Peter, James, and John – are then treated to an amazing scene on a mountain-top!

The Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/94040982155?pwd=aFkzSVg0dElvVy9aanZMQnlOYVRNQT09

You can access the study guide by following this link: https://nashwaaksisunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/feb05-epiphany-study-2024.pdf.

All are welcome to join in this study! Just bring your curiosity, questions, and perspectives to share.

If you have been trying to connect but have had issues, try joining a few minutes early, and Rev. Richard will help as best he can.

This coming week on Monday, January 29th, we will be exploring Mark 6:1-29, a story of rejection, commissioning, and bad decisions.

The Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/94040982155?pwd=aFkzSVg0dElvVy9aanZMQnlOYVRNQT09

You can access the study guide by following this link: https://nashwaaksisunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/jan29-epiphany-study-2024.pdf.

All are welcome to join in this study! Just bring your curiosity, questions, and perspectives to share.

If you have been trying to connect but have had issues, try joining a few minutes early, and Rev. Richard will help as best he can.

This coming week on Monday, January 22nd, we will be exploring Mark 5:21-43, a story of healing, resurrection, and new life.

The Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/94040982155?pwd=aFkzSVg0dElvVy9aanZMQnlOYVRNQT09

You can access the study guide by following this link: https://nashwaaksisunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/jan22-epiphany-study-2024.pdf.

All are welcome to join in this study! Just bring your curiosity, questions, and perspectives to share.

If you have been trying to connect but have had issues, try joining a few minutes early, and Rev. Richard will help as best he can.

We will be gathering for our Bible Study again at 6PM on Monday, January 15th on Zoom.

This coming week we will be exploring Mark 5:1-20, the story of Jesus’ encounter with a man who is said to be possessed. He is an outcast in his community, but Jesus comes to him anyway.

The Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/94040982155?pwd=aFkzSVg0dElvVy9aanZMQnlOYVRNQT09

You can access the study guide by clicking here.

If you have been trying to connect but have had issues, try joining a few minutes early, and Rev. Richard will help as best he can.

Beginning on Monday, January 8th at 6PM there will be a weekly Bible Study held on Zoom. This Study will run for 5 weeks and will focus on the upcoming Sunday’s scripture reading. The last session will be on February 5th, leading up to Transfiguration Sunday.

The Zoom link for each session will be the same, and is available below.

The link for the Monday Bible Study is: https://zoom.us/j/94040982155?pwd=aFkzSVg0dElvVy9aanZMQnlOYVRNQT09

Each week, on Thursday, a study guide will be posted here and on our Facebook page for the coming Monday. For January 8th, the PDF version can be found by clicking here. An image copy of the guide is included in this post.

Each week will deal with a different gospel reading, so if you miss one here and there, that’s OK.

All are invited to join in regardless of how much you know about the Bible. Bring your questions, your thoughts, and your insights as we journey together!

Remember, you can test Zoom by clicking the zoom link above any time before the Monday session. Waiting to test at 5:55 on Monday may create delays for you and others at the session.

Rev. Richard’s drop-in office hours are changing for this week only.

If you are looking to meet with Rev. Richard without an appointment, he will be at the church from 10 AM to 12:30 PM Wednesday January 3, and Friday January 5.

His drop-in hours will return to Tuesday and Thursday next week.

Have a blessed start to the new year