South Stormont Pastoral Charge

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a 34-year-old priest and professor, nailed his 95 theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. These theses were theological arguments against indulgences and the authority of the pope. This event sparked a lot of excitement and hope for change in the church. We remember this day as the beginning of the Reformation. A French poet, Eustache Deschamps (1346-1406), described the late Middle Ages in the West this way: 'Age of tears, of envy, of torment, ... Age of decline nigh to the end.' This was no exaggeration. At that time, there were numerous crises and problems, such as famines, a terrible disease called the Black Death, endless conflicts and violence like the Hundred Years' War, and fierce peasant rebellions caused by exploitation by the upper class. It was a time of darkness, despair, and chaos. In particular, the church did not act as a source of light and salt; instead, it became an axis of evil. Priesthood could be bough...

    South Stormon Pastoral Charge  (Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church) https://www.facebook.com/southstormontunitedchurches Led by Rev. Min Hwang *Gathering Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore You (#232 VU) Welcome Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship Let us affirm our commitment to seek truth and embrace the light of God's grace.   We gather as a community, rooted in the history of those who sought to renew and reform our understanding of faith. Let us stand firm in our conviction to be a beacon of hope and love in our world.   We affirm our dedication to live out the values of justice, compassion, and unity, as we embrace the diversity that enriches our spiritual journey. Let us celebrate the heritage that has shaped our faith and continues to inspire us to this day.   With hearts united, we embrace the transformative power of God's love, as we dedicate ourselves to honour the spirit of the Refo...

 Ants are like a great team, always working together like one body. When they share a nest, they rarely fight. But there's a way to make them fight: remove their antennae. Ants rely on these tiny feelers to recognize their buddies. Without them, they can't tell who's who, which makes them feel lonely and scared. This loneliness and fear turn them into fierce fighters, even attacking their own family, not knowing who's who. Recent news makes us very sad and shocked. In a place called the Holy Land, violence and terrorism are causing great pain. Like ants without antennae, those with guns are ruthlessly killing people. As the war in Ukraine continues, we are witnessing another tragic situation. Many children lose their lives, hospitals crumble, and the noise of air raids and bombs doesn't stop, which breaks our hearts and leaves us feeling helpless. Genesis tells us two stories about the creation of humanity. According to the first creation story (Genesis 1:1-2:4a), a...

   South Stormon Pastoral Charge  (Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church) https://www.facebook.com/southstormontunitedchurches Led by Rev. Min Hwang *Gathering Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore You (#232 VU) Welcome Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship Come, let’s praise God together!   For God is great, and worthy of our praise! Let’s tell stories of the things God has done— mighty acts of power and love throughout history:   for God is great, and worthy of our praise! Let’s remember how much he loves us, and celebrate the care he continues to show to all of creation:   for God is great, and worthy of our praise! Let’s worship God together! * Canadian Foodgrains Bank. A Worship Resource for World Food Day 2022 , page 4. Opening Prayer (Unison) Gracious God, in love You open wide the doors and welcome us into Your presence— saints and sinners alike. You spread a table before us, filled with ...

Thanksgiving is a time when we gather with our loved ones around a table to remember and celebrate the blessings God has given us in the past year. During this season, we express gratitude for God's gifts, especially the harvest that provides us with our daily bread. In doing so, we discover that within a loaf of bread lies the care of the entire universe. In that bread, we see the earth that embraced seeds in the spring. In that bread, we see the sunshine that nurtured the sprouts. In that bread, we see the rain that watered the roots, the wind that strengthened the stalks, and the moon and stars that watched over the grains during the night. Most importantly, we see the hard work of the farmers in that bread. Their hands sowed the seeds, tended to the crops, and harvested the grain. Without the labour of farmers, none of us could survive. Farmers, who work the land and feed humanity, are doing work that reflects the work of God. So, I hope this Thanksgiving is an opportunity for ...

  South Stormon Pastoral Charge  (Ingleside-Newington United Church & St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church) https://www.facebook.com/southstormontunitedchurches Led by Rev. Min Hwang *Gathering Hymn  For the Fruit of All Creation (#227 VU) Welcome Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship In the songs of birds and the warmth of sunshine,   we welcome the presence of God. In fields of grain, growing gardens, and flowers blooming, we welcome the presence of God. In the wave of a neighbour and the phone call of a friend, we welcome the presence of God. In the bustle of the day and the quiet of the evening, we welcome the presence of God. In the work we do and the games we play, we welcome the presence of God. In the lessons we’ve learned and the opportunities to come, we welcome the presence of God. In the memories we hold and the love we have known, we give thanks for the presence of God. Come, let us worship in the presence of...