Message from Our Minister Reverend Mary White
Good Day and Blessings,
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant...”
– John 15:5
When thinking of the fruit of the Vine, as a metaphor, the first thought that comes to mind are the children we bear. But, if we think of the Vine as being the strength and power of Love, then as branches, we would be the recipients from the Vine of this strength and power. As branches we are responsible for passing on to others through our actions the nurturing, loving-kindness and Love that the Vine feeds us.
With Love,
Rev. Mary White
Moved to Action by Helen Steven
One of my main reasons for believing in some kind of divine purpose comes from the sheer wonder and beauty of creation. Where we live in the far northwest of Scotland, we are privileged to be able to enjoy the darkness, and even occasionally the wonder of the Northern lights. Seeing great curtains of light flickering like searchlights in a great canopy across the sky or pausing to reflect on the time it has taken for the light of an individual star to reach our tiny planet, makes me so aware of how infinitesimally small we are in the whole cosmos.....
It is this love of the environment that we live in, and of the infinite variety of people around me, that inspires in me a deep reverence and gratitude for life, and so moves me to action.
My understanding of God, then, could be described as being in the connectedness of all life. God for me is like the divine spark that links me to another human being, to the animals, to all of creation – a kind of great web of connection, alive, shimmering with energy, creating flashes of inspiration and profound love.
Excerpt from: Neil Paynter. “Gathered and Scattered.”
Message for Young Families from Brenda Pielle
Dear Families and Friends:
Just when I was starting to wonder what happened to the "April showers", they came for this last week of the month. I hope you enjoyed the warm weather we had a couple of weeks ago which gave us a taste of what is yet to come in the summer.
This week the Parent & Tot video has the following songs: "The More We Sing Together", "Old MacDonald Had a Farm", "How Does the Rooster Talk", "The Wheels on the Bus", "The People on the Bus", and "The Whole World is in God's Hands". The story this week is called: You Are My Kiss Goodnight.
Have you ever heard the words, "cervid", "ungulate", and "ruminant"? The Family Fun video has a discussion about the meaning of these words as they relate to certain mammals, along with a poem about the robin. The songs this week are: "God Reaches Out to us with Love", "Let us Love One Another", "Beautiful Sunday", "This Land", and "Go Make A Difference".
I hope you enjoy singing along with your family. Best wishes for a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Brenda Pielle
Reaching Out to Families
Powell River United Church
Branches of the Vine
Original song and lyrics by Madonna Byrkeland
The branches of the Vine reaching far and wide spreading seeds of faith as they grow. Sustained by deepest roots bringing sustenance so the branches of the Vine will bear fruit.
Pruned branches are reshaped, guided and transformed. New life grows when we welcome grace. The smoke from blighted branches will signify, the perfume of change taking place.
In harmony the branches and Vine will sing the rich song of life that You teach. As humbly we embrace gifts of grace and love For through these we bear healthy fruit.
Deep - rooted Vine, life - giving Vine, nurturing Vine, sustaining Vine. Branch of the Vine, receiving Life, lifegiving Grace, changed yet whole, we grow a – new, grow in You.
PRUC Online Worship Service
Please join us this Sunday, May 2nd.
PRAYER
Beloved Ones,
A blessing of fire be yours,
of Love’s flame, of stars and sunshine.
A blessing of water be yours, of rain-washed streets,
and huge paddling puddles.
A blessing of air be yours, of the wild wind,
and pegged washing, dancing.
A blessing of earth be yours, of soil and roots
and green leaves unfurling.
A blessing of the elements be yours,
fire and earth and wind and water, a blessing of hope,
a blessing of wonder, a blessing of spring.
– Excerpt from Ruth Burgess “Spring”
Amen