Dear Friends,

This Easter Sunday we will be led in worship by Rev. Dr. John-Peter Smit. God’s Word will come from Isaiah 25:6-9; Responsive reading is Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; and our third scripture reading is Mark 16:1-8. The sermon title is Who will roll away the stone?  Our worship will include full procession communion this Sunday.

Please remember to donate warm socks for men and / or women at EVANGEL HALL this Sunday.

Annually our neighbourhood churches join together for Good Friday Services. Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. we will gather at Bloor West Village Baptist Church (formerly known as Farmer Memorial Baptist) near Bloor and South Kingsway. Come if you can.

Hildy

Dear Congregation,

This Sunday the service will be conducted by Glenn McCullough.  Old Testament Reading is Zechariah 9: 9 – 10; New Testament Reading is

Mark 11:1-11 and the Responsive Psalm is 118:1-2, 19-29.

The sermon is called “Lay Down Your Cloaks”.

See you on Sunday.

Hildy

Dear Church Friends,

This Sunday we will enjoy the Rev. Dr. John-Peter Smit in our pulpit as he leads us in worship. The biblical texts are as follows:

Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; and John 3:14-21. The chosen sermon title is LOVE WINS.

What an amazing abundance of food and people helped in last Sunday evening’s Dinner @ Evangel Hall. A special thank you to Sheila and Marilyn for co- coordinating the entire event so smoothly…….and thanks to all who contributed in many ways.

In Christ’s Love,

Hildy

Dear MHP Comrades,

Remember to adjust your clocks forward this Saturday night for DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins.

Rev. Cam Taylor will be our worship leader on Sunday, March 8 and his sermon title is, WHO WILL RESCUE ME?  The biblical readings for the service will be: Jeremiah 18: 1-6; Psalm 19: 1-8; and Romans 7: 14-25.

Many thanks to Marilyn and Sheila for organizing MHP’s response to serving dinner this Sunday evening to our inner city mission people at Evangel Hall.  As well, we are grateful to all those who are preparing and donating food, and serving the 120 – 140 guests.  Remember that all food donations are expected to be at the church by worship time on Sunday morning.

See you on Sunday,

Hildy Stollery

Dear MHP Congregation,

At worship on Sunday we will be led by Phil Yoo.  The scripture readings for this Sunday are: Genesis 17: 1- 7, 15 – 16; Psalm 22: 23 – 31; and Mark 8: 31 – 38.

Please remember to attend the Annual General Meeting this Sunday.  The Pot Luck Luncheon will be held 11:30 – 12:30 followed by our AGM, 12:30 – 1:30 (2:00) p.m..   Bring your own report from home if possible.  Some extra booklets are available at the church.

Hope to see many of you there.

Hildy Stollery

Dear MHP Congregation,

Dear MHP Congregation,

1) At worship on Sunday we will be led by Rev. Dr. John-Peter Smit, and his sermon title is : Yes I know.  Keep silent (the elephant in the room).

This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday and we will be celebrating the holy light that illuminated Jesus….  From God’s holy mountain, God’s light, the perfection of beauty, shines out.

The scripture readings for this Sunday are 2 Kings 2: 1 – 12; Psalm 50: 1 – 6; and Mark 9: 2 – 9.  (As I’ve said before I like to preview the biblical text which support the sermon as it strengthens my comprehension of the message.)

2) Please pick up your MHP 2014 income tax receipts which will be in the narthex this Sunday as you arrive for worship.  Ask the greeters to give your annual receipt of your church givings to you.  Otherwise these unclaimed tax receipts will be mailed out to you on February 21, 2015.

3) See attached:  The Annual General Meeting Report for 2014. For those members who are not on email a paper copy of the report is available through our church office. If you need one contact Laurel Gerrie or an usher/greeter on Sunday.

4) Please sign up for our 2 sheets in the fellowship hall: 1) potluck luncheon for March 1st just before our annual general meeting, and 2)  for helping to serve and/or making a food donation To Evangel Hall’s chili dinner on March 8. MANY THANKS.

5) WORLD DAY of PRAYER is being held this year on Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church. All are welcome to attend. MHP is one of nine churches in our Bloor West-Swansea area that hosts this universal day of prayer once every nine years or so, and we actively support our sister churches when they are hosting it. Usually a light lunch is served at the end of the service during a delightful time of fellowship in our wider community of churches along with a display of resources about this year’s featured country. For more information contact Norma Jansson.

See you on Sunday,

Hildy

It is with delight that we welcome back to our pulpit Rev. Cam Taylor.  His last time preaching at MHP was during our vacant pulpit time between the ministries of Rev. Will Ingram and Rev. Karen Dimock.  Rev. Cam is a “good friend” to several families in our MHP congregation.

This coming Sunday’s sermon title is TO BE KIND.  Three scripture passages during worship are Micah 6: 1 – 8; Psalm 147: 1 – 11; and Mark 1: 29 – 39 , (in case you enjoy savouring these words in advance of the Sunday service as I do.)

Plan to come and share the WORD; the “Peace of Christ” handshake and smile; as well as our one hour FELLOWSHIP HOUR over tea, coffee, and finger food!  All are welcome.

Remember to mark on your February – March calendar that our MHP Messenger Newsletter is ready for pick up now; electronic/or paper AGM booklet will be distributed on Feb. 15; Pancake Supper is Feb. 17: AGM Pot Luck is March 1; and serving a hot meal to our downtown inner-city mission at Evangel Hall will happen on March 8.  This Sunday you will find 2 sign-up sheets asking for your food assistance in making March 1 and 8 shared meals very special and satisfying.

See you Sunday,

Hildy

Hello to All!
This coming Sunday at MHP our guest preacher, Dr. Philip Yoo will return and will conduct worship with us on February 1, 2015. The related scripture readings can be found in Deuteronomy 18: 15-20, in Psalm 111, as well as Mark 1:21-28.

Although our music leader and soloist, Iris Krizmanic, has given MHP her final Sunday last week as our “ official” music leader she will be with us this coming Sunday and that will be when we will say our good-byes to her as we honour her years among us with a special cake, flowers and photos of this heartfelt occasion. Please plan to attend this special send-off for Iris in this manner as she pursues her musical career with big-city symphonies and other opportunities further afield.

Session would like the congregation’s input in selecting our new Search Committee. Please spend some reflective time considering some names of members or adherents who you would trust in helping to choose our new minister. For the next week you are invited to write these names on a piece of paper and put them into the designated box in the narthex. Criteria to help you in choosing appropriate candidates will be printed in the February 1st worship bulletin. Thank you for your willingness to be in prayer and discernment on this very important work leading into our shared future life as a small , yet vital neighbourhood church family. Your faithfulness and involvement are deeply appreciated.

Also, two new items have been added to the church website to aid in communication:

• District Fellowship Schedule
• Worship Leaders (Jan-Mar 2015)

Peace in Christ,
Hildy Stollery

Happy Friday!  This week John-Peter Smit will lead our service and has titled the sermon “I Hate Happy Endings.”  Here is what JP has to say:
This week’s Old Testament passage is the story of the people of Nineveh repenting as a result of Jonah’s prophecy. To say Jonah was not pleased is an understatement! This week we get to wrestle with the question of what it means to serve a God who loves and forgives the people we hate and want to see punished. I can’t promise answers, but, there will be lots of questions.

This week’s readings are:

• Jonah 3:1-5, 10
• Psalm 62:5-12
• Readings

You can click on the readings above to read them online.

Also, two new items have been added to the church website to aid in communication:

• District Fellowship Schedule
• Worship Leaders (Jan-Mar 2015)

Peace,
Lauren Matheson.