If you are looking for a Sunday service we are offering them online and in-person at 10:30 a.m. Streaming info:
To watch via Twitch
https://twitch.tv/crescentfortrougelive
To watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY_yu6hzsG1yoisFBHvGm5A?view_as=subscriber
To watch on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/cfruc/
We hope to see many of you soon!
Thought for the Week
Back in the nineties I spent many happy hours playing a computer game called The Lost Vikings. Erik the Swift, Baleog the Fierce, and Olaf the Stout were three viking friends who had been kidnapped by an alien emperor. They managed to escape, but had to navigate various challenges and terrains in their quest to return home. Each of them had unique
abilities, and it was only in working together that they could solve the problems they faced and succeed in their quest. I think the reason I loved this game is that I’ve always been intrigued by how people can accomplish amazing things when they work together. While some of us may enjoy being alone, no one can live for too long in a state of complete isolation and loneliness. Solitary confinement is one of the worst punishments any person can endure and it has been found to be deeply damaging to the human psyche. In contrast, we thrive when we find a place of true belonging within a group. We need one another and we cannot find truly abundant life on our own. In John 17, Jesus prays for two things. The first is that he would be glorified. This is not asking God for fame and fortune. It was a plea that what he represented and lived would be recognised and embraced by humanity so that we could find fullness of life. Then, secondly, he prayed for people to be one. If love is at the heart of abundant life, then we must live as lovers. This means caring for one another, and working together to build alternative communities where we can all find a better, more fully human, way of being. In John 14, Jesus said that if we believe in him we would do greater works than he did. That’s because if we believe in Jesus and his message we will seek to become passionate lovers. And then we will start to do the kinds of things Jesus did—healing, serving, caring, teaching, supporting, and uplifting one another. But, because there will be a crowd of us, and not just one individual, we will accomplish more than even Jesus could. In the end, life is not about me or about you. Vibrant, abundant life is us—together. These comments are taken from John’s devotional resource for the season of Easter called “Resurrection Now.”
These eight weeks are the climax of what is known as the ‘Cycle of Life’ in the liturgical calendar and they invite us to connect deeply with the mystery of Christ’s life, ministry, passion, and resurrection. As we explore these key elements of our faith, we are invited to experience each of them in our own way. The story of Jesus is not just a historical account of one ancient rabbi’s life. It is an archetype of every human life. It invites us to experience for ourselves the journey into abundant life which follows the pattern of Jesus’ journey—life, death (including the little deaths we all
experience this side of the grave) and new life. The Devotional Guide is created for individuals who want to go deeper in their own spiritual journey and experience Easter as a lived reality in their daily lives and relationships.
SPIRITUALITY
“Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than [one]self, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.
“Spirituality means knowing that our lives have significance in a context beyond a mundane everyday existence at the level of biological needs that drive selfishness and aggression. It means knowing that we are a significant part of a purposeful unfolding of Life in our universe.
“Spirituality involves exploring certain universal themes – love, compassion, altruism, life after death, wisdom and truth, with the knowledge that some people such as saints or enlightened individuals have achieved and manifested higher levels of development than the ordinary person. Aspiring to manifest the attributes of such inspirational examples often becomes an important part of the journey through life for spiritually inclined people.”
Dr.Maya Spencer
WORSHIP
Weekly worship anchors our spirituality, and provides an opportunity for the community to gather (virtually and in-person) to hear our shared story, and to engage in a shared experience.
Worship reminds us of who we are and whose we are.
Worship helps to shape our understanding of what it means to walk in the way of Christ.
Worship helps reinforce a rhythm for our lives.
Worship allows us to enact through ritual, story-telling, music and prayer our core belief in a God of peace, justice, compassion, healing and hope who invites us to practice the same things.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP 10:30 AM
Sunday morning worship at Crescent Fort Rouge generally follows a predictable pattern of gathering in God’s name; hearing and reflecting on the intersection between the ancient faith story and the story of our own lives and time; responding to what has been heard; and going out with a commission to be actively engaged in the world.
Our worship respects the rich heritage and traditions of the Christian faith, while holding up a progressive and contemporary theology.
Our worship is designed to actively engage all of the senses, and welcome the participation of all.
Music is an integral part of our worship life, and we offer music in a wide range of styles and genres.
We come together around the Lord’s Table through the sacrament of communion six or seven times a year.
We worship in-person and online. Please join us at:
To join via Zoom, click on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89592579513?pwd=UWo1MERacndZSVNIZEdELzZiK2Z4Zz09
Meeting ID: 895 9257 9513 Passcode: Worship
To watch via Twitch https://twitch.tv/crescentfortrougelive
To watch on YouTube CFRUC Live
To watch on Facebook Live go to https://www.facebook.com/marc.whitehead.37
OCCASIONAL SERVICES
In addition to regular Sunday morning worship, we also offer worship experiences at other times to mark special days or occasions. These include such things as Pet Blessings, Blue Christmas services, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
SERVICES FOR LIFE TRANSITIONS
CFRUC provides opportunities to recognize significant life passages with ritual and celebration such as Baptism, Confirmation, Weddings and Funerals.
Services to Recognize Other Life Transitions
We also work with individuals to create meaningful rituals to mark significant life passages such as moving to a new home, divorce, miscarriage, adopting a child, or seeking healing after trauma or violence.
Please contact our minister if you would like to explore some of the possibilities. cfruc@mymts.net
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES AND FAITH FORMATION
Prayer Group — Weekly prayer gatherings via Zoom will continue Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:30am. Contact CFRUC@mymts.net for more info.
MORNING PRAYER RESOURCES
In many faith traditions, it is customary to pray at specific times of day. The discipline of morning prayer allows one to start a day grounded in God, and the intention to be mindful of God’s presence in all that unfolds.
A Selection of Prayers for Morning
PRAYER OF EXAMEN
The prayer of examen, is a traditional form of “end of day prayer” which invites reflection on the day that is past, an expression of gratitude for what has been experienced, and an opportunity to explore in greater depth God’s presence in our lives. Our friends at The Work of The People https://www.theworkofthepeople.com/ have created a contemporary expression of this ancient form of prayer.
For a version of the Examen, please click here.
HOME DEVOTIONS
If you are looking for online resources for home devotions, the following sites are highly recommended.
Frederick Buechner
www.frederickbuechner.com
The Center for Contemplation and Action
cac.org
Sacredise
Sacredise.com
INTENTIONAL STUDY
If you want to do some more intentional study, a variety of online programs and webinars are available through:
The Abbey of the Arts
https://abbeyofthearts.com/
The United Church of Canada
https://www.united-church.ca/
Adult Study Group — From time to time we hold study sessions on a wide variety of topics. Sometimes we do a study of Bible passages. At other times we look at social justice and world issues with a view to understanding them in light of our faith. Sometimes we do these studies within our own congregation. At other times we link up with our friends at Churchill Park and Harrow United Churches or other groups in the community.
We encourage you to look at the Events page on this website or go to our Facebook page to find out when these study sessions are being held.
SPIRITUAL JOURNALLING
One time tested way of nurturing the spirit is to maintain the disciple of keeping a journal. During this time of self-isolation we invite you to join others in a 28 day journaling challenge. Click here for a list of daily prompts. Self-Isolation Challenge
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Children (age 3 – 12) — Children are encouraged to begin their Sunday morning church experience with the gathered community in worship. This time with adults includes a theme conversation with one of the ministers and introduces children to the concept of worship. Following this time, the children participate in age appropriate activities designed to introduce them to faithful living. We make use of a variety of teaching activities: drama, music, cooking, art, science, games and more. Parents and guardians of very young children are welcome to attend this program with their young ones until the children feel comfortable enough to attend the class on their own.
Youth (ages 13 and up) — About once a month our youth gather for conversation and activities related to church and faith. In the recent past there have been trips to community ministries, the Human Rights Museum, and fund raising events. Our youth periodically take leadership roles in Sunday morning worship and often look for ways to offer service to folk in our congregation and beyond.
RESOURCES FOR HOME USE
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
BUBBLES
The Bubble Who Would Not Pop by Shelly Roark
A while ago, at Messy Church, we read a book “The Bubble Who Would Not Pop” by Shelly Roark. In the story a little girl sends her prayer up to God in a bubble. After we read the story, we had fun making bubbles out in our Churchyard. We used hoops of wire, pipe cleaners, water bottles with the bottoms cut out and lots of other things that the grownups hadn’t even thought of, trying to make the biggest, strongest bubbles that we could.
Super Duper Giant Bubble recipe
- 6 cups of water
- ½ cup Blue Dawn dish soap
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 Tablespoon glycerine
Stir it gently with a whisk and keep the whisk handy because you’ll need to stir it again as the cornstarch settles.
Can you make a square bubble? Take a picture of you sending a prayer to God in a bubble and post it on FaceBook.
MORE LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS
Activities for Any Time
25 Easy Sunday School Crafts
https://www.signupgenius.com/church/sunday-school-crafts.cfm
49 Outstanding Christian Craft Ideas for Kids
https://wehavekids.com/education/all-christian-crafts