July 25, 2025
Hello Glenbrook,
A quick hello and I hope everyone is doing well. Yesterday I saw those dark clouds rolling in from the north and I watched the storm come through like a freight train! Spectacular lightning and thunder. The heat waves have been quite consistent this season so please make sure you are drinking plenty of water if you are out and about. If you do venture out and love a good market, here is a reminder that Mississauga City Hall (Celebration Square) has the Central Lions Famers market running every Wednesday from June 5th through to Oct 30th 8 am – 3 pm. It helps support our farmers, you get fresh produce, and it supports local businesses as well. A win for everyone. Don’t forget our BBQ at Glenbrook happens this Wednesday! Scroll down for more info,
Enjoy your weekend and keep well,
Andrea
DEVOTIONAL
The Swamp
For my granddaughter's fourth birthday, we went to Jurassic Forest, a theme park about 45 minutes from our new home. As we walked along the various paths searching out and discovering life-sized, animated replicas of numerous dinosaurs, I noticed something else. The whole area was built on a woodland swamp. The paths were raised boardwalks above the swampy water, while the woods lent the perfect staging place for the lifelike dinosaurs. The boardwalk also sported information signs and pictures of resident plants, insects, and small mammals that thrived within the swampy area.
Wow! I thought to myself. Where most people would have written off this property as basically useless wasteland, one person had seen a much higher and wider vision. What was useless to most was a marvellous opportunity to another.
Sometimes, we, too, can see our own situation or a situation which lies ahead of us only as difficult, useless, or hopeless: a swampy, unappealing wasteland of life which we wish we could navigate around, over, or under. God, however, is calling us to go through it. With the guidance of His Holy Spirit, Who is able to give wisdom freely to all who choose to call upon Him for help, we, too, can have our hearts, minds, and eyes opened to see opportunities which we may never have seen before to learn and grow and shine for God's kingdom as we are led to think outside the often narrow box of humanity and discover a whole different way of looking at our situation: God's way.
Let us therefore endeavour to be prepared to have our thoughts, ideas, and ways stretched by the One Whose thoughts are not our thoughts, and Whose ways are not our ways. By so doing, our swampy situations may become magnificent opportunities that will change for the better not only our lives but also the lives of those around us, who will be amazed and encouraged to see just what God is able to accomplish amid the most unlikely situations.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that when we are stumped, when we don't know what to do amidst swampy situations, You do, and You are able and willing to assist us by opening our hearts and minds to ways that we have never thought of or even dreamed about. Help us to remember this and to be quick to turn to You to see opportunities instead of wastelands. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
LETTER & SURVEY FROM PASTOR STEPHEN
Hi folks,
I met with Session recently, 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 in July: https://forms.office.com/r/hKv29Z9X4J
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
CAIRN PRESBYTERIAN SUMMER CAMP
Rachel Alexander recently attended camp from July 13-19th at Cairn Presbyterian Summer Camp near Baysville. From Pee Wee camp as a 6-year-old to teen week, Rachel has attended this camp ten times and was presented with a “10 Year Paddle” with her name that will now hang from the rafters of the Lodge. Rachel has loved the summer camp experience and has made many new friends from Presbyterian churches across Ontario.
Chicken BBQ Day is THIS WEDNESDAY JULY 30TH!!! 5pm – 7pm
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.
Please bring any salads to us by 4:45pm and the food line will open beginning at 5pm in the Hearth Room until the food is all gone.
We will provide real silverware, napkins, plates, cups and iced tea, water and ginger ale, plastic cups, bowls, and ice-cream for dessert.
We expect about 80 in attendance, and we will call a table at a time up to get food. If weather is not too hot or rainy we will be out back of the Hearth Room on the lawn. In case of bad weather, we will eat in the Anglican Hall.
As a reminder the chicken is a large serving so if you anticipate leftovers, you can bring along a cooler bag and small container.
The proceeds from this event will go towards this fall's Canadian Foodgrains Bank Fundraiser.
Thank you in advance for your participation and see you there. Come hungry!
JULY/AUGUST 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 27th, 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/liveScripture Readings
Mark 1:14-15
Matthew 6:25-33
Matthew 13:44-46
Message:
The Good News of the Kingdom
