July 11, 2025
Hello Glenbrook,
I hope everyone is doing well, I was looking at the community garden today and it is in full bloom! I see people there in the mornings cleaning and picking their harvests and it’s fabulous, makes me miss my little old garden.
I haven’t posted a Devotional lately because there have been so many announcements that it gets a bit crowded in the newsletter BUT I know a lot of you look forward to reading them so I’m going to sneak one in! Also, don’t’ forget the cricket tournament is this Saturday July 12th, more info below.
If you scroll down to the volunteer schedule section, there are now 2 new columns added. “Host” and “Worship Leader” to help keep things organized with all the moving pieces. There is also a schedule posted for Communion Servers that is included in the congregational email version of What’s New.
Have a great week everyone,
Andrea
DEVOTIONAL
This Ole House
Driving south from Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, last summer, we came around a curve in the road, and I was startled by the view before me. There was a large hill, on top of which stood the skeleton of what had once been a magnificent house.
The architectural style, the approximate age, the size, and the location indicated that the builder was an affluent homesteader, long before the turn of the previous century. The paint had peeled off; some of the windows were missing, as was some of the clapboard, so that light could be seen filtering through the old house.
As we came closer, I noticed the "For Sale" sign. That house will be bought by someone who can afford to pay for the land on which it stands, which provides such a beautiful view of the lake and valley below. It will be torn down, and another house, possibly even grander, will be built in its place, for it is the land that will be of value to the purchaser.
That "For Sale" sign set my mind in motion with the lyrics of the old song, This Ole House:
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer…
I'm a-gettin' ready to meet the saints.
I reflected on how much we, ourselves, are like that house on the hill near Kamloops, regardless of our present age. Some day each of us will have no more use for "this ole house" we are living in. Yet, unlike that old house on the hill, there will be no "For Sale" signs on our "houses". The architect, who created us and built us in the first place, will make new "houses", bodies, for us. He has bought us back, in order to build something more beautiful and glorious on the rock on which we stand today, Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:1 – Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (NIV)
We should not be afraid to see the gradual breakdown of our "houses", but marvel and wonder at the plan that lies, still hidden, on the drawing table of the master architect.
Margaret Vanderzweerde
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
LETTER & SURVEY FROM PASTOR STEPHEN
Hi folks,
I met with Session this week, and we spoke about what the coming months might look like. While a Search Committee hasn’t been formed yet, I’ll be around and working through the summer, collaborating with both Session and members of the Glenbrook congregation to get things rolling throughout July and August.
I’d love to hear from congregation members about what they value most about being part of Glenbrook, their hopes and dreams for future mission and ministry, and any ways they might be able to contribute during this season of transition.
I put together a short survey here that will collect responses until mid July:
Finally, I encourage you to continue praying for your community—especially for those on Session who carry particular leadership responsibilities during this time.
Thanks and God Bless
Rev Stephen Rothery
GLENBROOK ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEN’S LUNCH
The men’s lunch will be held at Mulligans at noon on Wednesday July 16th at Woodchester Plaza. There will be a sign-up sheet in the lobby so please leave your name, so we have an idea of how many people are coming. Thank you.
CHICKEN BBQ TIME
Jim's BBQ from Elmira will be coming and cooking up our favorite 1/2 chicken to go with volunteer made salads for a great outdoor meal on Wednesday July 30th.
Each order will be $17.50 and sign up will continue this Sunday at the lobby table. Payments can be made via e-transfer to glenbrookpcevents@gmail.com.
NURSERY SCHEDULE
Below is the schedule for the Nursery, if there are any switches made please let the office know so they can update the schedule. The office number is 905-820-9860.
July
July 6th – Cynthia S
July 13th – Laura F
July 20th – Rachel A
July 27th – Nancy A
August
August 3rd – Ann R
August 10th – Elayne T
August 17th – Anamika H
August 24th – Elayne T
August 31st - Laura F
September
September 7th - Rachel A
September 14th - Ann R
September 21st - Nancy A
September 28th - Anamika H
Thank you to everyone for their time!
ST THOMAS A BECKET CRICKET TOURNAMENT
A final reminder for all those who signed up for the cricket tournament. We will be teaming up with St Thomas a Becket church for the tournament this year. The tournament will be this Saturday July 12 at 9:30 am at the Sandalwood Sports Complex, 10530 Creditview Road, Brampton. It will be a great day of fun and fellowship.
Anybody, needing a lift to the tournament can reach out to Samuel
JULY 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 JULY 13, 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 Readings
Hebrews 11:1-8; 13-16 Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)
Message: At the Crossroads: Choosing Growth Over Comfort
