May 9, 2025
Hello Glenbrook,
I hope everyone is doing well. Pastor Ian and Gwenna were away these past few weeks and sent this magnificent photo of the Kelowna B.C area (pictured above) How magnificent is that? British Columbia is really one of our countries most beautiful provinces and if you’ve never been out there you must go.
This Sunday is of course Mother’s Day and so with that in mind, I wish you all a beautiful Sunday, whether you’re with family or friends or whether your family is near or far or like myself who keeps my mother’s memory alive every year by raising a toast in her honour. However you choose to spend it, make it a beautiful memory.
Have an excellent week
-Andrea
Devotional
Just a Pinch
Looking through old recipes one day, I found the recipe for homemade bread that I had tried to make with Mom years ago. The sheet was folded twice and had yellowed with age. A smile crept across my face as I remembered that cold wintry day in the hot kitchen, and Mom wearing her curly cap to keep hair from her face while she worked. I remember I had an old curly cap, too, "so no hair would fall in the dough," Mom had said.
Mom had been making bread, the old-fashioned way, with no bread maker, since she was nine years old. She gathered all the necessary ingredients and then said, "Well, let's get at it! You watch me and do the same thing."
Studiously, I watched her every move as she deftly went from the flour, yeast, warm water, sugar, eggs, and milk, and worked the dough expertly into a large, roundish ball. Her small hands moved knowingly and swiftly while my fingers fumbled in the mixture. She said nothing about my squarish-looking lump but carefully wrapped towels over the top of both bowls and set them on the warming oven so the dough
would rise. I anxiously waited for that dough to rise to the top of the bowl, peeking at it a number of times. But dough rises on its own terms and in its own time.
Mom was not going to waste the day while she waited, so she made pies, cookies, and loaves. My anticipation was mounting. When would this bread be oven-ready?
Finally, after two more "punch-downs", Mom said we should shape the bread to the size of the loaves we wanted. She showed me how to put it carefully into the right-sized greased pans and brush it with butter on the top and sides. At long last, the aroma of fresh bread wafted through the house, making me hungry.
When the bread was removed from the oven and set to cool, my loaves were a tad lopsided, but I was very pleased with my accomplishment. Mom's bread was perfectly shaped, as usual. I realized I hadn't written down the measurements.
Then came the crunch. "Mom," I said, "where is your recipe written? I want to copy it so I'll remember exactly how to do this." She smiled as only a mother smiles, with an all-knowing look, and said, "There's no recipe written, dear. You just take a pinch of this and a few pinches of that, and it all works out."
So, here I had a list of ingredients that make bread when combined properly — with "just a pinch or two" as the measurements. Needless to say, my bread-making abilities haven't really improved.
God takes our efforts, even when all we have is a pinch of faith, and uses them for His glory, in His time — and it always "just works out" as He wants. "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20 NIV)
-Lauretta Balderston
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Children and Youth Ministry
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are planning to restart our Sunday Nursery program. We are looking for volunteers to occasionally watch over our little ones in the nursery during our Sunday worship service. If you are interested in helping with this important ministry, please fill-in the signup list on the table in front of the sanctuary. Alternatively, you can contact Cindy Hallman directly if you have any questions.
-Conrad
Raw Carrot
REMAINING SOUP FOR SALE
There are a few packages of Raw Carrot Soup still available for sale. This is anyone's chance to cover a few lunches over the next little while. See Cynthia at Coffee Time for a package(s) from the following;
1 - Carrot - A silky sweet carrot base with a touch of fresh ginger and curry blended with creamy coconut milk.
2 -White Onion - A mix of leeks and shallots to embody the spirit of French cooking.
3 -Mulligatawny - A curry flavoured mix of vegetables and chicken with a slight sweetness form apples.
2 - Loaded Potato and Bacon - Onion, carrots and celery sauteed in butter and garlic with chunks of over charred bacon and the sweetness of potato.
4 - Butter Chicken - Traditional Indian spices and tender chicken simmered to perfection.
8 - Veggie Scotch Broth - A nourishing blend of vegetables, lentils and aromatic herbs.
9 - Veggie Thai Curry -A harmonious mix of vegetables simmered in fragrant coconut broth and rice noodles
4 - Asian Fusion - Savoury sausage, tender cabbage, crisp radish and sweet carrots, deliver robust flavour.
ALSO Thank you to all as we collected $295.90 in donations last Sunday for Muffins for Missions to go to Indwell!
McCauley Scholarship Application Invitation
Glenbrook, through the Gordon McCauley Scholarship and Trust Fund has an opportunity and funds set aside, for two students seeking financial assistance. This trust was generously set-up through Gordon McCauley who wanted to benefit and help young people associated with our congregation with the costs of tuition etc. If you qualify and are interested, please contact the Glenbrook office for an application form. If you have any questions, please contact the office and we will put you in touch with the Trustees of this fund. The deadline for receiving applications will be May 31st.
Bible Study began this past Tuesday and will continue every Tuesday until June 10th. If you are interested, please join us, we start at 10:00 am.
The Men’s Lunch will be held on Wednesday May 21. It will take place at Mulligan’s Pub and Grill. There is a sign-up sheet on the front table if you wish to join.
Located in: Woodchester Plaza
Address: 2458 Dundas St W, Mississauga,
Time: Noon
HOLD THE DATE JUNE 7th Bridal Tea for Sam
Ladies of Glenbrook, come and celebrate with us the wedding of our special friend Samantha Black. We are having a bridal tea for Samantha on June 7th. There is a sign-up sheet on the front lobby table and it’s filling up fast! If you plan to attend, please let us know so we have numbers for preparation of the food. Thank you
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. There is also a sign-up sheet on the front lobby table for those wishing to participate.
Looking for Coffee Volunteers
If anyone is interested in volunteering for coffee services on Sundays after the service, please let Admin know as we are a bit short staffed. Monthly or every other month or even just for the summer months??
Thank you!
Current Projects of PWS&D
The Presbyterian Church supports many mission projects and social justice initiatives through Presbyterian Sharing and Presbyterian World Service and Development. If you want to know more, please link to the following video for more information. Please also speak to Ellys Mackenzie who is Glenbrook's Champion. She will be glad to give you updates on the current projects of PWS&D.
Link:
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 Sunday May 11th, 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
Scripture Reading:
Acts 16: 11-15
Philippians 1: 1-11
Sermon Title: “Joy In Community” Pastor Ian McWhinnie
Sacrament of Holy Communion:
Benediction
Have a great week,
Andrea
