April 17, 2025
Hello Glenbrook,
I hope you are all well. I will be sending the “…What’s New? “e-mail today so that you have both Good Friday’s service and Easter Sunday service below. It is still the same link.
Have a great weekend!
Andrea
Devotion
All She Had to Live On
By Matthew Ruttan, April 17, 2025
Today is Maundy Thursday. It's not as well-known as Palm Sunday, Good Friday or Easter Sunday. But many churches have special services.
The name comes from Jesus' words in John 13:34. He gave us a "new command" (Latin: mandatum novum) to love one another as he has loved us.
In Mark 12 we have a beautiful example of this kind of love.
A poor widow came up to the offering boxes at the temple and put in "two very small copper coins" (verse 42). Seeing this Jesus called the disciples together and said: "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on" (verses 43-44).
According to some sources I checked there were 13 offering boxes at the temple. Most had to do with sacrifices and other offerings. But the last few were for charity to help the poor. The poor widow was most likely putting her coins in those boxes.
Why would she do that? She herself was poor. It was "all she had to live on." She wouldn't have been able to buy her next meal!
The woman was a living example of Jesus' sacrificial love. He had just been teaching about loving one's neighbour as you loved yourself. If, as a poor widow, she would have appreciated help from others, then why wouldn't she help other poor widows? She was truly loving her neighbour as herself.
Did Jesus point her out to his disciples because she was successful, popular, rich, attractive, accomplished, smart, or strong?
No.
Jesus held her up as an example because he looked at her heart and saw devout, sacrificial love.
This Easter, may we become so swept up in the devout, sacrificial love of Jesus, that it becomes not only second nature, but first nature.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Spring Bible Study 025 Bible Study
Winter Bible Studies are now on pause until May 6th. There will be no study sessions on April 8th,15th, 22nd and 29th. See you on May 6th!
Open Door Lunch
As we have done for the past few years the Missions Committee will have Hot Cross Buns to serve warm out of the oven following the Good Friday Service. Please invite a friend and stay to visit over this symbolic treat to go along with your coffee or tea.
Raw Carrot
Easter Sunday is the final Pre-Order Date for The Raw Carrot Soup. If you have ordered the packages will be at church for pick up Sunday April 27th.
As the Veggie Thai Curry Soup was such a hit at the recent Soup Lunch I requested a whole batch (20 packages) be made for us. If you enjoyed it then maybe it would make a lovely gift for family after Easter. Chocolate or soup?? Thank you for your support.
The Soup Order is on the Lobby table order on Friday if you are at the Good Friday service.
Change Her World
Change Her World was created when Linda Willis, a retired teacher and Carol Hamilton, a nurse consultant/minister were confronted with the harsh realities of poverty and gender inequality during a study visit to Malawi, Africa in 2006.
As they embarked on a HIV/AIDS study visit to the rural region of northern Malawi, organized by Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D), their encounters with girls and women ignited an intense desire to take action in some way. Returning to their homes in Stratford, Ontario, they began researching and dialoguing about what they could do. We recently received an email from Carol.
“Dear Glenbrook Church, your support of Change Her World has meant so much. This weekend we will be celebrating 15 years of working in Malawi. To date more than 50 girls have successfully completed their college/university education and 98% are employed. We now have 155 students we are currently supporting as well as 30 elderly women and over 200 women involved in goat and pig projects. So...we have much to be thankful for. Glenbrook has been there from our first year and we are so appreciative of this support. Linda and I look forward to keeping the congregation up-to-date with the latest happenings. Thank you. “
Congratulations to Carol and Linda on this incredible accomplishment!
Indwell Guest Speakers Sunday April 27th
We will have guest speakers from Indwell ministries Trish DeSimone who is the Community Engagement Co-ordinator for Mississauga/Peel Region and Jess Brand on Sunday April 27th. Indwell is a Christian charity that creates affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness and belonging.
If you would like to learn more about Indwell and future events, please read more about them on their website at indwell.ca
A message from Trish DeSimone below regarding their Charity Fundraiser Event on May 1st
“Join us for a night of purpose and celebration, supporting Hope and Homes for all on Thursday, May 1st.
Summit Garden Chinese Cuisine (3015 Winston Churchill Blvd) is hosting an amazing (and delicious) fundraiser for Indwell, and you're invited to Open Doors with Indwell: Solving homelessness together. Book your $150 ticket by April 24 for the May 1st event.
Go to indwell.ca/event for more information to register or call us at 905-529-0454 Ext. 283
We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Thank you!”
HOLD THE DATE JUNE 7th!
Ladies of Glenbrook, come and celebrate with us the wedding of our special friend Samantha Black!! Details to follow.
St. Thomas à Becket Cricket Tournament
The cricket tournament returns on July 12th! An invitation to all churches in the area, including Glenbrook. No experience is required and if you would like to come out and watch that’s fine too! Save the date and if interested please speak to Pastor Ian.
PLEASE NOTE **We're sorry that our YouTube livestream stopped midway through Pastor Ian's sermon last Sunday. We tried to restart the stream, but our computer froze. We hope that this will not be a problem for this week's Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.
Income Tax Preparation and e-Filing
Glenbrook has joined CRA's CVITP (Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparer) program. If you have a simple tax situation and a modest income, we can prepare and e-file your income taxes for free. Seniors, students, and newcomers are all welcome to try this service.
If you do not qualify for CVITP but you would like to prepare your own income tax, we can help navigate tax software, troubleshoot error codes, and set up "My Account" on the CRA website. As of March 24, CRA will no longer accept bank information changes from e-filed tax returns.
Contact: Caroline at caroline1008@gmail.com
April/May Schedule of Volunteers
Please let me know if there are any dates which I need to change or move for you 😊 If you would like to join the volunteer team even once every few months, let me know!
Service for Friday April 18th, 2025
Please note that all services will be available on the SAME link each time. So click on the link below to watch all services live with us.
Enjoy the service!
https://www.youtube.com/c/GlenbrookPresbyterian/live
Worship Service: Friday April 18th, 2025
Welcome and Announcements
Video: “Good Friday”
Responsive Call To Worship
One: On this day, and in this hour, we gather to remember Jesus our Saviour
who loved us and gave himself for us.
All: We come in humble gratitude and joyful praise to Him who carries our sorrows, heals our wounds, and redeems us from sin and death.
Worship Song: “At The Cross”
Gathering Prayer:
Worship Song: “The Wonderful Cross/ When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Bumper Video: “Isaiah 53 Laid On Him”
Glenbrook Choir: “Easter Hallelujah”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
Hymn: “Beneath The Cross of Jesus”
Scripture Reading:
Luke 23:1-25
Hymn: “O Sacred Head Sore Wounded”
Scripture Reading:
Luke 23: 32-49
Bumper Slide: “Jesus, Remember Me”
Message: “Jesus, Remember Me” Pastor Ian McWhinnie
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Worship Song: “Above All”
Blessings and Departure
Worship Service Easter Sunday April 20th, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/c/GlenbrookPresbyterian/live
Welcome and Announcements:
Bumper Video: “Risen And Victorious”
Responsive Call To Worship
One: O Day of Resurrection, we lift our hearts with joy!
All: Christ has led us from death to life. Hallelujah!
One: O Day of Resurrection, we will live with hope!
All: Christ has led us from earth to heaven. Hallelujah!
One: Christ is risen from the dead. Hallelujah!
All: Hallelujah! He is risen indeed.
Worship Songs: “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”
Opening Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Worship Song: “King of Kings”
Bumper Video: “Three Days Later”
Glenbrook Easter Celebration Choir: “It was Finished Upon That Cross”
“Christ is Risen”
Scripture Reading:
Luke 24:1-12
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Title Slide: “Resurrection Faith”
Message: “Resurrection Faith” Pastor Ian McWhinnie
Bumper slide for Prayer of Dedication and Prayer of God’s Family
Prayer of God’s Family:
Hymn: “Stronger”
Benediction:
Sung Benediction: “Because He Lives” (verse one)
Have a great week,
Andrea
