Minister’s Corner
By Rev. Jamie York
EASTER GREETINGS 2025
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. (Luke 24:1-3)
Easter is one of the most joy-filled times of the year. Maybe even moreso with the winter that we have had this year. I know I can’t wait to be able to open the windows and hear cheerful bird song outside. So many thoughts come with the season. Springtime… New life… New birth… Budding trees and blooming flowers and the thought that the dark days of winter are over.
We can add to all of our joyful thoughts and experience that of the real reason for Easter… The Resurrection of Jesus the Christ.
Easter’s Resurrection account is the main theological tenant of Christianity. A Christian faith not defined by resurrection is really no faith at all. It takes time for one to mature into what the Resurrection might mean for one’s life. A life of stories, questioning, studying, and worshipping gets you to that place where beliefs become part of the story of your life and you are able to embrace life in all its wholeness.
As Christian people, we are an Easter people. Living into what the Resurrection means for our faith life. I encourage you during this Eastertime to be a part of your local faith community. A place where you are free to worship God, in prayer, praise, and song. And if you want… to engage with others in exploration of their faith.
The churches of Trinity Hastings and Roseneath United encourage you to be part of exciting Easter news within our midst. Our hope is that you will come and be part of a worshipping, welcoming, faith community.
As you journey into the season of Easter, may the spirit of the living Christ, be renewed in your spirit. May the promise of new birth be born and reborn in you. And may the Holy Spirit infuse your heart and soul with the love of God forever. Amen.
Easter Blessings,
Jamie
Christmas Greetings
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS GREETINGS 2022
“They shall name him Emmanuel which means, God is with us” (Matthew 1:23)
Predictions of the coming of a child who will be the salvation of the world, swirled around the ancient middle eastern region long before the Christ child was born. It is very imaginable that the world who knew these prophetic ideas, were watching at the birth of every new baby, to wonder if this was the one. So what made the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that special birth of a child who would become for many, “God’s Anointed One”? One of the answers to that question, can be contained in the signs that pointed to Jesus’ birth. And these would have been signs that people would have looked back on and said, “Aha”, this was most certainly the birth that had been predicted. Angels… Dreams… Uncertainty… a betrothed virgin… pregnancy… birth in a manger… clear skies… guiding stars… a heralded arrival. All of these signs pointing to a holy birth of one who would be God’s anointed one, the prince of peace, Emmanuel.
Predictions of the coming Christ child, continue to swirl around our own individual worlds to this very day. How will you receive him this year? My hope and prayer is that you will receive him into a heart that is aching to know God’s presence. Pay attention to and embrace the signs of Christ’s presence in yourself, your loved ones and your neighbours.
It has been two years since we have been able to hold a Christmas Eve worship service in our sanctuaries. We will be worshipping in our churches this Christmas Eve. On behalf of the congregations of Hastings and Roseneath, I invite you to come to worship in the sights and sounds of this Christmas.
May the peace of God be with you, the love of the Christ Child enfold you, and the nudging of the Holy Spirit inspire you, now and always.
Reverend Jamie York,
Hastings Roseneath Pastoral Charge, The United Church of Canada
CHURCH WORSHIP SCHEDULE
(Sunday worship, Hastings 9:15 am, Roseneath 11:00 am, unless otherwise advertised)
Holy Communion Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18th at both churches
Christmas Eve worship services December 24th 5:30pm Hastings 7:00pm Roseneath
No worship service on Sunday December 25th.