Today’s service will be offered in 2 formats – video and text View the video below or download and print the service from this document – link.
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Please contact office@waltonmemorial.com if you would like to be added to our email list.
• We are hiring! Do you take pride in a job well done? Are you looking for a part-time opportunity to serve your community? Walton United Church is searching for a part-time weekend Building Superintendent / Custodian. This role is available as either a part-time employee position or as an external, independent contractor. The weekend superintendent/custodian is responsible for the weekend maintenance (Friday – Sunday) of the church building and property to ensure they are clean, safe, and well-maintained, as well as setting up / taking down rooms for scheduled activities and rentals.
The ideal candidate is:
– Able to communicate clearly and follow instructions verbally, in writing, and by text/email
– Able to lift heavy items and perform physical work, both indoors and out, in all seasons
– Reliable, energetic, and independent
– Flexible
– Organized and detail-oriented
– Handy with tools
– Takes pride in a job well done
– Experience as a commercial cleaner is an asset
This is a part-time hourly position working Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Hours are flexible and will vary each week depending on events scheduled at the church – approximately 6-12 hours per week. To apply for the position, please send a résumé and cover letter no later than Sunday, February 5th, 2023.
• UCW Meeting – All Walton women are invited to come to our next meeting on Thursday, February 9th at 1:30pm when we will be hearing about the ministries and responsibilities of various Walton Church committees and deciding how to disburse current UCW funds.
• Naloxone Kits at Walton – Naloxone is a safe antidote for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. It’s safe for everyone and simple to use. We have two kits on hand at Walton in case of emergency: one kit is in the kitchen directly above the first aid kit and the second is in the office. Each kit contains 2 nasal sprays. For more info please speak with Cathy Winn, through the church office.
• The CVITP Committee(Community Volunteer Income Tax Program) is beginning to make appointments for March and April 2023. If you need help filing your return, have a modest income, and a simple tax situation, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program may be able to help you. There is no charge for this assistance. For details about the Free Tax Clinic, you can visit the following online page: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/free-tax-help.html 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. As the pandemic closure has been somewhat lifted, we will have you come to Walton Church Allen Entrance for an appointment with a tax preparer, however, you must be masked. Details also found on our website – https://www.waltonmemorial.com/cvitp-tax-clinic/
• Hospital – Please let us know if you are going in or are in hospital; access to patient lists in all hospitals by Walton volunteers and staff hospital visitors has become very limited. If you would like us to know of a procedure, operation, treatment or hospitalization please let the church office know.
• 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 11:00am 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.
• Annual Meeting – Please join us, Sunday, February 26th, at 12:00pm for the Annual Meeting in the Bronte Hall. All are welcome to attend. More details will be on our website as they are available – https://www.waltonmemorial.com/events/annual-meeting/
• Pickles by Sam– Lady Rose Pickles & 3 Pepper Relish are available in the Church Office – $5.00 per jar. All proceeds go to the Walton Treasury to fund programs and ministries.
• Smile! Photographs and videos will be taken throughout our services, programs and special events, to be used on our website, print media, or social media channels. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let us know by contacting the Church Office.
• Master List – Would you like to receive email information or written information, envelopes or equivalent or have your name and information added to Church Center? (our congregational organization program) Please contact the church office to be added.
• Children and youth are invited to view this week’s virtual Sunday School lesson online. Do you need a lift? Then God will pick you up!
• 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: Light & salt. I love them both. How about you? What do they both have in common?
Jim: I think you like salt, at least on potato chips and the pretzels you and your grandsons make especially.
Val: You are so right. You know I also love light, especially sunlight.
Jim: Yes, doesn’t everyone love a sunny day so much more than the dull dark days of January? It really doesn’t matter how cold it is, as long as it is sunny! The light seems to brighten our spirits so.
Val: Yes, it gives us vitamin D and hope.
Jim: You are right Val, but I don’t think that is what Jesus meant by the salt and light in scripture. I guess we will learn more about that through the service this morning.
Val: Great! So let us begin worship by singing:
One:When the ways of the world wear us down with constant demands or unrealistic expectations, we are invited to find refuge in God’s grace.
All:Together in worship, this is where we find our home, our church family.
One:When the morning sun is reflected off the snow and the skies open like a blue gift of joy, we are invited to notice God’s creating presence.
All:Together in worship, we are being made new.
One:Come, find refuge, find hope. Experience the Spirit naming you Beloved.
All:Together, in worship, let our souls sing praise.
(adapted Wendy MacLean, The Gathering A/C/E/2022/23)
All: Gracious God, you are great, you are wonderful, you are more than we can begin to imagine!
You love creation into being. You love us into wholeness! Alleluia!
But we have a question for you:
Do you really think we can do it?
Do you really believe that we can be more than we are?
Do you really believe that, as disciples of Jesus, we can be what you want us to be?
Do you really believe that we can be salt and light for each other?
Fill us with your love, we pray.
Pour down your wisdom, we ask,
Change us with your grace.
Because we know we can’t do it alone.
Amen.
(adapted Richard Bott, The Gathering A/C/E 2022/23)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
A: Remember at Christmas all the beautiful lights as we welcomed the light of the world, Jesus? Didn’t it feel great, didn’t we love the light of Jesus? At this time of the year we sure need light.
V: Yeah, there are so many things happening in our world that need light and love to bring healing and hope. Sometimes we notice it in our families, our churches, our schools and our communities.
A: Maybe we should have all kept our Christmas lights up! The good news is that each of you, each of us has a light to share. Each of you in your own way adds light to this room, to our church family and to this world.
V: Our Chrismon tree wouldn’t have looked as nice with only one light, would it? It wouldn’t glow. In the same way, this community of faith wouldn’t have as much hope, or joy or brightness with just one person. Each of you is a light or has a light inside you.You may not think you have a lot of light, but we’d like to show you how one little light can make a big difference.
A: Please don’t try this without help from an adult. I’m going to wet this paper towel and set it on the tray. Put a little tea light on it and light it. Notice how it burns brightly.
V: But will happen if I turn this drinking glass over it?
A: Oh no….the candle burns out. It gave its heart and soul. It spent itself. But did it’s light make any difference?
V: I think it did! I’m going to put these four apples on the tray. Pay attention! The empty glass, placed over the apples, can pick them up
A: How did that happen?
V: We might think of it like this. The candle burned up so much of the nastiness in the world around her that her little community became strong enough to do some heavy lifting.
A: So her light made it possible for the glass to lift the apples?
V: Yes isn’t that amazing! Her little light made a difference, even after it had burned out. Don’t you ever underestimate the significance of the spark and the hope that is inside of you. This is the life God gave you.
A: It matters what you do! You can make way more of a difference than you can ever imagine.
V: And when we shine together? It is just like the Christmas tree – so beautiful. So, “This little light of mine; I’m gonna let it shine.” And you – you go shine for others, too!
A: Let’s pray before we head out to Sunday SchoolJesus, light of the world, help me to shine your light and love to the world. Help this little light of mine to shine in these dark days of winter, in the chaos and busyness of life, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Amen.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world.” A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
It’s one aspect of winter most of us dislike. I tend to do it getting out of car or cleaning off my windshield of snow out in a parking lot. Have you guessed what it is? The title of this message describes it exactly: “Cleaning off our boots and pant cuffs.” The salt stains. Those telltale white marks on your black boots or black pants cuffs.
Salt causes far more problems than cleaning our clothes in early February. In the province of Ontario, our natural water systems like Bronte Harbour and Lake Ontario receive part of the annual 3-5 million tonnes of road salt, used as an anti-icing method for winter road maintenance.
We do need to use salt to make our roads and walkways safe. But too much of it enters the water cycle. In Jesus’ day, salt was used as a preservative for food rather than creating stains on our pant legs or dresses from road salt. Jesus spoke of salt in these words read earlier, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” I have always wondered about this passage and salt losing its saltiness. How exactly does that happen?
Dr. Lance Waldie says, “the chemical properties of salt do not change. Hence, salt is always salt.” Waldie goes on in this explanation, “Yet it becomes more tasteless the more it is diluted. In a cup of water, for instance, a teaspoon of salt makes the water too salty to drink. But in ten gallons of water, a teaspoon of salt is barely evident. So, although it is practically impossible for salt to lose its saltiness, it can be so diluted that it becomes undetectable by the tongue.”
Dr. Waldie helps me to get Jesus’ meaning. You and I are both salt and light, says Jesus today. Just as we are not to hide our light under a bowl, so we are not to dilute our saltiness. Why are we to make sure we are both light and salt? Jesus gives this explanation at the end of this teaching section, “may [people] see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Those around us see God in us by what we say and do. This is called “our witness.” You know that song? “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Our saltiness is not to be diluted, nor is our light to be hidden away.
Keeping our Christ light shining and our salt tasting salty happens in so many ways. One critical way is through our worship, both individually and what we do as a family of faith. Today is our winter communion where we have this feast, this meal, shared in common. Our worship is a witness. Do we do as Jesus said, “may (people) see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. This bread and wine is part of the salt and light Christ calls us to be about. Jesus said, we are to do Sacrament in Remembrance of Christ.
Worship music is another critical way of being both salt and light. Today, we have the Youth Choir singing and the Chancel Choir at 11am. Last week it was the Junior Choir at 9:30 am. Choirs and choral music are a powerful way to be that salt and light. Roger Wayne Hicks wrote this tribute to choirs I share with you today:
“Notes, rests, intervals, rhythms, tempos, dynamics, tone, diction, and interpretation are your tools. Your diligent use of these tools has great effect on many lives, bringing them joy and a sense of God’s presence. In fact, God Himself is blessed by your singing.
Thank you for the many hours you spend in rehearsal. Thank you for those often-times hurried meals, or missed meals, the juggled family schedules, the sometimes-late hours. Each contributing to effective music ministry.
What a delight it is to see the choir step into the choir loft as the worship service is about to begin. The choir’s buoyant, enthusiastic appearance seems to say: “God is in our presence! Let’s worship!” Sometimes it has not been easy for you to be in your place in the loft. Thank you for being there, especially in those times.
God has indeed blessed you with a beautiful and meaningful ministry. May you accept your musical talent as a gift from God and your ministry as a marvelous medium of God-centered worship.
Thanks to God, for giving you the gift of music. Thanks to you, for giving much to others through your musical gift of making God’s praise glorious!”
Have you ever been to the Sifto salt mine at Goderich? It is located 1,800 feet under Lake Huron. It is the largest underground salt mine in the world. The mine is as deep as the CN Tower is tall. This mine which is 200 kms away from this Walton sanctuary has more than 100 miles of underground roadways. They are part of an underground industrial town site that is actually larger than Goderich, the beautiful historic town up on the surface. The Sifto mine supplies much of the salt applied to slippery streets each winter throughout HGTA and other urban areas in the Great Lakes area of the U.S. and Canada.
Goderich is named after Fredrick John Robinson, 1st Viscount of Goderich who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Note the first 3 letters of the name Goderich has in it the word, “God.” The location of the biggest supplier of salt begins with the word “God.” A powerful reminder we are not to dilute our saltiness that we are to be for those around us that salt.
Next time you bend over and do this. (clean off pants). Remember today’s words from Jesus: “you are the salt of the earth.”
We give thanks for the blessing of winter:
Season to cherish the heart of God.
To make warmth and quiet for the heart.
To make soups and broths for the heart.
To cook for the heart and read for the heart.
To curl up softly and nestle with the heart.
To sleep deeply and gently at one with the heart.
To dream with the heart.
To spend time with the heart.
A long, long time of peace with the heart.
We give thanks for the blessing of winter:
Season to cherish the heart of God. Amen.
adapted from Michael Leunig’s “The Prayer Tree”
This bread and wine is a seal of the Holy Spirit.
It is a physical sign of the innermost truth: that we are deeply cherished, protected, cared for, and held safe in Christ, who lifts us into the very heart of God.
And so even in these darkest and longest of winter days, we give praise:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and mightHeaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest. Amen.
In this meal, seal us once more, O God, with the fullness of your life poured out for the world.
As we gather in the long, dark of winter, we remember how your Spirit brooded over the chaos, bringing light and life from the darkness.
We remember that you provided for your people in the desert, bringing water from the rock and food from the heavens. We remember how you cherished your people, holding them even when they were far from home. We remember how John the Baptist preached hope in the wilderness orienting the people the coming day.
And so in our wintertime, we look with John the Baptist to your kingdom coming. The day is dawning, the light is breaking, the frost is thawing. Come, Lord Jesus, warm our hearts once more with the hope of your life poured out for the world.
Great is the mystery of faith:
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
And we live in this mystery.
Warmed by the light of the coming day, we remember that on the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and giving thanks he broke it, saying,
“This is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying,
“This cup is new covenant sealed in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the risen Lord until he comes. Amen.
Holy Spirit of God, brooding over the wilderness, through these gifts of bread and wine,
May we be united with you, with one another, and with your world, and lifted through Christ into the eternal, loving heart of God.
The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
The cup we take is a sharing in the life of Christ.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
A Winter Communion, Services for Campus Life, Otago Campus Chaplains
Holy Spirit, the light within us, you enable us to be the fragrance of life and the salt of the earth. You lead our hearts so that we may season the world with grace. In the same way, you gathered us at this table to sustain us so that we may be salt and light in the world.
Ever thankful, we pray that you would sprinkle spiritual salt on this holy meal we shared today. May it renew our communion in Christ and with one another. With joy, we celebrated this meal which is not limited to this time and place. And so, as you bind us together with the cup and the loaf, we give thanks that this table extends to every cathedral, sanctuary, home and group where two or three have gathered in your name.
Now with the boldness of those who know the love of God, the light of Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we join our voices in this prayer. Amen
adapted from “Life in the Labyrinth”
Sometimes in church, we share the words: “Our offering will now be received.” Sometimes we declare: “We give our offering.” Any difference? The first seems to be from the point of view of the church institution receiving. The second is from the point of view of the giver. I tend to lean toward the focus being on you and me as the givers, our ability to give, our interest in giving, our gratitude, our generosity, our discipleship. What a difference a turn of phrase can make! We give our offering.
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All: Loving God, we thank you for the blessings you have given each one of us. We thank you that we can both give and receive according to your grace and love. Amen.
One: We extinguish the candles today, but we can never extinguish the light. We each have work to do as we leave this place to be the light of God’s presence in the world.
All:Some of us are sent out to be God’s eyes.Some of us are sent out to be God’s ears.Some of us are sent out to be God’s voice.Some of us are sent out to be God’s hands.Some of us are sent out to be God’s feet.All of us are sent out to be God’s heart in this world.
One: With God’s blessing, with the love of Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit filling our hearts, our lives become God’s presence in the world this week. Amen.
Mary Grant, The Gathering A/C/E2022/23
Scripture Readers: Russell Derrah, Nicole D’Angelo
Here is Rev. Jim’s mid-week update for date
