Today’s service will be offered in a few formats – view the video below, read the service below or download and print the service from this document – link
For the latest news and updates from Walton, please check our Facebook page, Instagram and website. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for videos of service, the choirs and more!
Please contact office@waltonmemorial.com if you would like to be added to our email list.
Masks are now optional in all areas of the church building Those who still wish to wear masks are, of course, encouraged to do so. If you have been exposed to illness in your household, mask-wearing is recommended as a courtesy to others. If you are feeling unwell or showing symptoms of illness yourself, we ask that you stay home.
National Volunteer Week 2023 April 16-22, 2023 “Volunteering Weaves Us Together”
Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers at Walton who together weave such a wonderful tapestry of caring and sharing, not only in our Walton Congregation but in the wider community. We are blessed to have so many volunteers who give of their time, energy and talents. Thank you so much for all you do.
Register now for VBS! – Registration is now open for Galactic Starveyors, Walton’s Vacation Bible School day camp running July 10-14, 2023. This fun-filled week will be jam-packed with music, crafts, games, Bible study and adventures all designed to teach kids that there’s nothing in the entire universe greater than Jesus’ love. Walton’s VBS is open to campers from SK – Grade 5 (select grade entering in Sept/23), junior leaders in Grades 6-8, as well as high school and adult volunteers.
Transfer of membership (live or virtual), Sunday, May 28 at the 10 am Service – If you are a confirmed member of any Christian denomination and would like to transfer to Walton from another congregation, we’d be pleased to arrange the transfer. Please contact the Church Office or Rev. Jim jamescgillwuc@gmail.com for more information.
Volunteer delivery drivers needed – If you are able to help deliver givings envelopes to addresses in the Oakville and Burlington areas, please contact the church office. This is a one-time delivery and does not require an ongoing commitment.
The CVITP Committee (Community Volunteer Income Tax Program) is taking appointments for April. If you need help filing your return, have a modest income, and have a simple tax situation, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program may be able to help you. There is no charge for this assistance. Details about the Free Tax Clinic are available online or call Ruth at 905-631-6188 or John at 416-840-9418. Tax assistance will be by appointment only – taxes can also be prepared by phone and by e-mail/internet.
Would you like to learn how to record a service? We would love to have you join the team! Training and try outs are unlimited and we would love to have you take part, or watch to see how it all happens. Please contact Wendy Silva through the church office or email socialmedia@waltonmemorial.com
New to Walton? Are you visiting today? Welcome! Please feel free to ask the ushers if you have any questions during the service and we invite you to fill out a welcome card in the pew racks and leave it in an offering plate at one of the doors. Please join us for coffee, tea or cold drinks and conversation in Bronte Hall after the 9:30 service ends and before the 11:00 am service begins. There you’ll also find the Welcome Centre with information about Walton and someone to chat with. Walton nametags, hats, pickles etc. are also available for purchase.
Rooms for rent – Looking for somewhere to host a meeting, bridal shower, birthday party, or music recital. exercise classes, sports groups, craft lessons or more? Walton has room for you! We have a number of rental spaces to accommodate groups large and small, for a one-off event or weekly sessions. Contact the church office for more details. See photos on our website – https://www.waltonmemorial.com/room-rentals
Children and youth are invited to view this week’s virtual Sunday School lesson online.
Walton’s prayer chain is open. Confidential prayers requests can be sent to office@waltonmemorial.com
If you need Rev. Jim for a pastoral emergency, please email him directly at jamescgillwuc@gmail.com.
As we gather today on these treaty lands, we are in solidarity with Indigenous brothers and sisters to honour and respect the four directions, lands, waters, plants, animals and ancestors that walked before us, and all of the wonderful elements of creation that exist. We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation for being stewards of this traditional territory.
Val: Good morning, I think this is one of my favourite Sundays of the year.
Jim: Oh really? Why is that, Val?
Val: Cause I love to laugh. Don’t you love to laugh?
Jim: Did you hear what Pontius Pilate said to Joseph?
Val: Joseph, Jesus’ other Dad?
Jim: No, Joseph of Arimathea. Pointius Pilate says “Joseph I really don’t understand. You are one of the richest men in the area, and you spent a small fortune on a new tomb for you and your family. And now you want to give it to this man, Jesus?
Val: What did Joseph say?
Jim: Well, it’s just for the weekend!!
Val: Oh, Jim that is awful.
Jim: But isn’t it true Val?
Val: Get ready folks! It is Holy Humour Sunday, and Jim is on a roll!
Jim: Let us sing….
One: So, did you hear the one about Jesus rising from the dead?
All: It seems we’ve heard that story told before.
One: So, did you hear the one about how we share that promise?
All: I think so, but tell me again anyway.
One: Jesus rose from the dead, dancing on death’s grave, changing forever how we see life and our living.
All: You mean we are free? You mean we can celebrate the new life we share in Christ?
One: That’s the story. That’s the promise. That’s the truth!
All: We, then, must be the fruits of that story, for we follow where Jesus leads, trusting in God’s loving Spirit to sustain us.
adapted Cathy Gradante, The Gathering L/E 2018
All: O Holy One, you fill the world with wonder, an open tomb, empowered disciples, love that cannot be diminished. You fill the world with joy and laughter, the wagging of tails, the playfulness of primates, clowns, comedians, and witty remarks. You fill the earth with life, with green buds, singing birds, and the laughter of children. Fill us with your joyful laughter, that we may celebrate your presence and the richness of life. Amen.
from graceunitedhanover.ca
All: Our Father in Heaven,
let Your holy name be known,
let Your kingdom come, and Your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today the bread that we need,
and forgive us our wrongs, and OK,
we’ll forgive those who have done wrong to us, too.
Do not lead us into trial, but save us from evil.
For we want for You alone to rule in our hearts.
You have power to transform,
and in the light of Your smile is Your glory. Amen.
from an order of worship by the Oakton United Methodist Church.
I love Holy Humour Sunday, don’t you? It’s amazing how powerful words can be. When someone tells a joke or says something funny, those words have the power to make us laugh, and smile, and even to feel happy.
But what about words that don’t make us feel so good? Have you heard the saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me?” Well, I think that saying is WRONG. Words can hurt, a LOT! God wants us to be careful with our words -why?
Once words come out of our mouths, we can’t put them back! When we speak in anger, or we say hurtful things, our words are like this toothpaste. (Kids help squeeze toothpaste onto a tray.) What a mess! What if you’re sorry and you want to take your words back? Let’s try to put all this toothpaste back in the tube. (Kids use toothpicks to try and put the toothpaste back in the tube.)
It’s impossible! There’s no way to put the toothpaste back, just like there’s no way to take your words back. Once the hurtful words come out of your mouth, the damage is already done. You can say sorry, but you can’t undo the hurt they caused someone else. What can we do instead?
We can turn to the Bible. It always tells us what God wants us to do. ((Kids take turns pulling out a piece of paper and reading them.)
Proverbs 11:17 Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer quiets anger but a harsh one stirs it up
Proverbs 15:4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim
Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey: they are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body
We can’t take our angry words back; we can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube. So even when someone hurts us and we want to hurt them back, let’s remember what the Bible says. Using unkind words doesn’t just hurt the person we’re talking to; they hurt us as well! Kind words can heal wounds, make anger disappear, and nurture our spirits.
Let’s use our words the way Jim and Val are using them on this Holy Humour Sunday; to bring happiness and joy to other people. Let’s say a prayer together:
Loving God, sometimes it’s hard to control my words. Sometimes angry words squirt out of my mouth, like toothpaste from a tube. Help me to be slow to anger, and to be careful with my words. Remind me to use words that help, instead of words that hurt. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Soloist: Jillian Vander Doelen
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
All: We believe in God,
who made us in His image.
We live, we love, we laugh,
because we are like Him.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, our Lord and Savior.
He had the last laugh on the devil
when He rose from the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son.
Our counsellor, our guide, our motivator –
He is our joy!
posted on the website of the First Christian Church, Conroe, Texas
Who was the shortest man in the Bible? Nehemiah (knee-high-miah).
What time of day was Adam created? A little before Eve.
When was medicine first mentioned in the Bible? When God gave Moses two tablets.
What kind of car did the disciples drive? A Honda – it says they were all in one Accord.
Who was the biggest sinner in the Bible? Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
Note that Jesus did not even “knock knock” on the door to get in. He just appeared behind a door which was not just closed, but securely locked. Jesus had been buried in a tomb on Friday but he did not stay there. The rock door of the tomb could not hold Jesus. There was no “knock knock” to get out; Jesus just came out of the tomb. He had the last laugh on those who thought they had gotten rid of Jesus the prophet from Galilee at Calvary.
Today is Holy Humour Sunday 2023. Whether it is a “knock knock joke” or not, Holy Humor Sunday has become a yearly Walton tradition on the Sunday after Easter. This idea of setting aside one Sunday each year to celebrate God’s gift of laughter and joy may or may not be new to you. It’s got a long and rich history in many congregations around the world, in many different types of denominations and traditions.
The scholars tell us Holy Humor Sunday (also known as Laughter Sunday, Hilarity Sunday, God’s Laughter Sunday, Bright Sunday or Holy Fools Sunday) has its roots in a number of different Christian backgrounds.
Churches in 15th century Bavaria used to celebrate the Sunday after Easter as Risus Paschalis (‘God’s Joke,’ or ‘the Easter laugh’). Priests would deliberately include amusing stories and jokes in their sermons in an attempt to make the faithful laugh. After the service, people would gather together to play practical jokes on one another and tell funny stories. It was their way of celebrating the resurrection of Christ. The heart of Holy Humor Sunday is the supreme joke God played on Satan by raising Jesus from the dead. The tomb could not hold the crucified Christ.
In the Orthodox tradition, people would gather on Easter Monday to tell jokes and funny stories, and to dance and eat together.
In 1988, the Fellowship of Merry Christians began encouraging churches to resurrect some of these Christian traditions. Particularly to, “celebrate the grace and mercy of God through the gift of laughter and joy.”
For example, nobody noticed that Jesus Christ talking to 5,000 people without a microphone is a miracle. We just focus on the food. A recent Christian meme reminded us of that point. We see, of course, the feeding depicted here on the liturgical wall hanging on the northeast side of the sanctuary but how did 5,000 people hear his words?
On past Walton Holy Humor Sundays, the various speakers have told jokes. I have more recently told funny real-life stories from actual church life that I could tell privacy-wise or with permission. Last year Val and I focused on the many video bloopers and funny experiences we had while filming the outdoor virtual services and mid-week check-ins. Who, for example, could forget the cow that came right up behind me while doing the Benediction at the end of the service on a country road?
Sometimes we tell a Holy Humour joke and really want to “nail it,” using a Holy Week analogy, while other times we misspeak, often laughing from mixing up our words as I have over the years with thongs and tongs.
Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible? David. He “rocked” Goliath to a very deep sleep.
When was meat first mentioned in the Bible? When Noah took Ham into the ark.
How do we know that cars are in the New Testament? Because Jesus was a car-painter (carpenter).
Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible? Samson. He brought the house down.
The Bible tells us about a time Jesus was talking about knocking, knocking, knocking. One day, Jesus was teaching the disciples how to pray. He said, “Let’s say you went to a friend’s house late at night…” (knock, knock.) “You said to your friend, ‘I need to borrow some bread. I have a friend visiting and I have nothing to feed them.’ “
“What if the friend answers, ‘I can’t help you right now. It’s late and we’re already in bed.’ But what if you keep knocking on the door? Jesus said, “If you knock so long that you wake everyone in the neighbourhood, your friend will get up and give you some bread.”
Jesus used this story to tell his followers and us to knock on God’s door by praying, by asking for what we need. We are encouraged to just keep knocking. Jesus says, “Everyone who asks will receive what they ask for. Everyone who looks will find what they are looking for. Everyone who knocks will have the door opened to them.” In short, Jesus said to pray, pray, and pray some more as a powerful way to ask, seek, and knock.
When did they play tennis in the Bible? When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court.
How does Paul make his coffee? Hebrews it.
Who was the smartest man in the Bible? Abraham. He knew a Lot.
Who was the fastest runner in the race? Adam, because he was first in the human race.
What animal could Noah not trust? Cheetah.
The Mayo Clinic tells us, “Laughing does you good. Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that’s no joke. There is stress relief from laughter. A good sense of humour can’t cure all ailments, but data is mounting about the positive things laughter can do.”
The Mayo Clinic website continues, “A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can: Stimulate many organs; activate and relieve your stress response and soothe tension; and stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.
It’s also good for you over the long term. Laughter may improve your immune system, relieve pain, increase personal satisfaction, and improve your mood. So laugh, chuckle, giggle, titter, howl, hoot and roar. God gave us laughter for our healing.
What kind of lights did Noah have on the ark? Floodlights.
Why did Noah have to punish the chickens on the Ark? Because they were using “fowl” language.
What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why they no longer lived in Eden? “Your mother ate us out of house and home.”
Why didn’t they play cards on the Ark? Because Noah was standing on the deck.
Remember that well-known “Turn, turn, turn” passage? In Ecclesiastes 3 it says;
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
Hear that last part of verse 4 in the Hebrew Scriptures of God’s word again: “a time to laugh.” There is a time, a season to laugh. So I leave you with these chuckles to test your biblical knowledge and your funny bone.
What is Eve’s favourite food? Ribs
What kind of cell phone did Delilah use? Samson
What kind of car did the disciples drive? “They were all in one Accord…” Were you paying attention? This is a repeat
What is the best way to study the Bible? You Luke into it.
O Lord, giver of joy and laughter, we thank you for giving us these gifts.
For the moments of laughter and unbridled joy, you give to us:
for opportunities to laugh at ourselves,
for the belly laughs of children,
for friends and family who love us because of our quirks, and not just in spite of them,
for artists who give us the opportunity to see the world through the surreal,
for the courage to smile even when difficulties arise,
for those who have hope even when others think there is no hope,
for saints in the Lord who overflow with laughter and spread your joy to all of us.
For the words of Jesus that defy our logical minds;
for teaching us that we can be born again,
for the woman who finds a lost coin and calls her friends and neighbours to celebrate,
for the absurdity of a camel trying to fit through the eye of a needle,
for the father of the Prodigal Son who is willing to look like a fool as he runs to greet his son,
for the generosity of the landowner who will pay workers a whole day’s wage when they only worked
one hour,
for tiny bits of faith that can move entire mountains,
for the reality that nothing can live unless it first dies.
For the great reversal of the Gospel:
that the last shall be made first,
that the rejected stone became the cornerstone,
that those who wish to become great must serve,
that the lost will be found,
that the small will become great,
that though you are Wisdom,
you choose to forget our sins,
that when we are weak, your strength shines through us.
O Lord, giver of joy and laughter, we thank you for giving us these gifts.
Thank you for the gift you give us that allows us to enjoy these things to the fullest.
We can laugh because of the most amazing thing of all –
that you conquered death,
that the tomb is empty,
that light shone so bright
that it overcame the darkness.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Amen.
adapted by April Fiet, and posted on At the Table with April Fiet.
Stand for a minute and feel the sun’s warmth on your face. See the colour and buds bursting in our gardens. Feel God’s love and laughter in his creation, of animals, birds and bugs. Oh how we are blessed to witness rebirth and life. May our offerings this morning bless someone who is in need of you, Lord. Our offerings will now be received.
♥ by secure online payment from your debit or credit card. Click here to go to our donation page to make a single or recurring donation. Multiple funds can be included in one donation by using the “Add Donation” button
♥ by cheque through the mail slot at the Church office entrance or by Canada Post
♥ by monthly PAR payments. To sign up contact stuart@waltonmemorial.com
All: We thank you, Lord, for the many blessings we can share today through our offering. May our gifts bring your hope and love to those whose hands are stretched out for help. May they feel your love and life as they see your creation, perfect in its design and purpose as spring bursts forth, with the budding trees, the daffodils and dandelions, perfect in their diversity and unity. Help us to be like your creation.
Amen.
May the God of surprises
bring smiles and joys to the everyday and ordinary.
May the God of love
be seen in all we do and say.
Go forth rejoicing,
for the good work has just begun!
Amen.
excerpted from Rev. Susan A. Blain and Rev. Scott Ressman, on the United Church of Christ website
Scripture Readers: Susan Sheppard, Geoff Harrison
Soloists: Jillian Vander Doelan “O Happy Day”, Grant Gulland “Accentuate the Positive”
Here is Rev. Jim’s mid-week update for Wednesday, April 12th
