GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

This education and support group is designed for those who are dealing with the death of a loved one. Taking a faith-based perspective, we will explore various aspects of grief, how grief affects one’s emotions, behaviours, body, mind
and spirit. We will look at tasks one can do and adjustments one can make to move through grief, and help find ways to reinvest in one’s life in meaningful ways. The content of the course are based on the materials of Dr. Bill Webster, Centre for the Grief Journey.

Leadership: The Rev. Dr. Deborah Hart
Minister of Deer Park United Church in Toronto, who has been facilitating grief support groups for 25 years.

Sponsored and Subsidized by Walton Memorial United Church and Maple Grove United Church as well as another area Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches.

Location: Maple Grove United Church, 346 Maple Grove Dr. Oakville, L6J 4V5

Dates: 5 Wednesdays, November 6 – December 4, 2019, and 1-month follow-up January 8, 2020

Time: 7:00 – 8:45 p.m.

Cost: $25 per participant for the course materials

Contact: Maeva Donaldson 905-845-7454 or maeva.k.d@hotmail.com for more information or to register

Risen

Luke 24:4-5

While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 24. Congratulations and well done to all who took part!

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Out of defeat, triumph; from confusion, understanding; beyond death to new life. Christ is risen, hallelujah! In the final chapter of his gospel, Luke relates the news of the resurrection in three different accounts – at the tomb, on the road to Emmaus, and in the upper room. In each account Jesus’ followers are transformed through their knowledge of the risen Christ. The revelation of his resurrection, and the fulfilment of his teaching, evokes awe and wonder and, gradually, enlightenment. As we celebrate the joy of Easter Sunday, let us also worship in awe and wonder, affirming that this miracle was brought about to renew each one of us. As we let our voices sing with jubilation and triumph, we also appreciate the relationship we can have with God because of this day. Let us then, through prayer and worship, move closer towards an awareness of the path God would have us follow, and how we can respond to God’s love with our lives.

Risen and victorious God, we sing praises to You in triumph and celebration. In joy and thanksgiving, we proclaim the depth of Your love and the new life, the restored relationship, You offer us. Guide us, we pray, this day and always, bringing us closer to You. Shape our lives, loving God, to respond to Your love in who we are and all we do. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

Certain

Luke 23:47

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 23:44-56.

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As the crucifixion came to its climax, as Jesus cried out his final words and breathed his last, his passing proclaimed his power to all those who were there. Moreover, this event inspired the first acknowledgement of the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice. “Certainly this man was innocent.” Hanging dead between two thieves, the truth of Jesus’ ministry could not be silenced. And it is not a disciple or follower making this assertion, or even one of the crowd, who had in turn cheered and then condemned Jesus. Jesus’ power compelled the centurion supervising his execution to speak out – a man who was only there to carry out an order, a disinterested, detached member of the Roman Army. His conviction, his compulsion, can renew and inspire our own confidence in the redemption we have through Jesus. On this day of waiting, between death and triumph, we can be certain of the power of God’s love and mercy, given for us.

Steadfast God, You determined to save us, even up to the point of crucifixion and death. Your truth will not be silenced. Your love cannot be repressed. As we remember Christ’s death, we affirm also the immensity of his love and the power of his sacrifice. Deepen our certainty in the love You have for each one of us and renew our gratitude for Your everlasting grace. Amen.
.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

Grace

Luke 23:42-43

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 23:1-43.

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This is arguably one of the most memorable of Jesus’ acts of forgiveness. In his last minutes of life, Jesus forgives one of the thieves hanging – dying – next to him. The thief simply acknowledged that he had been wrong, and asked Jesus to remember him. All that he had been – by his own admission, a condemned criminal, deserving of his punishment – was erased by God. And nothing was asked of him – for there would be no time to repair the damage he had caused, or to compensate for what he had taken from others. Just asking was enough. God’s desire to love each one of us overrides all our faults. All that we need to do is reach out and ask Jesus to remember us – as the thief did from the cross. The immensity of this forgiveness is breathtaking. The abundance of God’s love and mercy, shown to each one of us, is perhaps ultimately incomprehensible. Today, let us humbly pray: “Jesus, remember me.”

Gracious God, remember us we pray and bring us closer to Your eternal love. We give thanks that You accept us, with all our mistakes, our inadequacies, and our stubborn self-interest. And that despite this, You remain steadfast, patiently waiting for us to return to Your way. Though we may never comprehend the depth of Your forgiveness and mercy, we give thanks for Your unquenchable desire to know us. Humbly, we reach out for Your love. Amen.
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Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

Grief

Luke 22:61-62

The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

If you are taking part in the Lent goal to read all of Luke, today read Luke 22:24-71.

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Today’s reading describes a moment of immense humanity and deep shame, to which perhaps we can all relate. Despite everything that had gone before – all that Peter had seen and experienced – when accusations enveloped him, fear took over and Peter panicked. Uncertainty surrounding what would happen next, confusion over Jesus’ submission to his arrest, fear of more arrests or reprisals; each compounded the anxiety Peter felt. And so he denied knowing Jesus. Not once, but three times – just as Jesus foretold. As well as empathizing with Peter’s plight, we should also be moved, and even inspired, by Peter’s grief. In his bitter tears, there is no sense of self-justification or evasive excuses. Peter wholeheartedly accepts his failings, and accepts too Jesus’ knowledge of that failure. And yet, Peter is embraced by God’s grace and empowered to keep going; to greet the risen Lord, and to lead the disciples after Jesus’ ascension. This moment of despair and grief is the turning point for a life of conviction and faith.

Forgiving God, You see all our fears and doubts, our flaws and inadequacies, and yet You still reach out with love and forgiveness. Thank You for Your infinite grace that desires always to have a relationship with each one of us. Thank You for persisting in love to know and care for us, no matter how often we ignore or deny You. Be with us today and sustain us to turn our lives to You. Amen.

Thank you for joining us on this prayerful

journey of reflection through Lent.

Lent Devotional Home

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