Our Words ...

The Letter of James to the early church offers great wisdom for us today. James was a teacher, and early Christian church leader, who writes to tell people how to live the Christian way.

Much of his epistle is about how what we say can hurt, how words, simple words from that little organ we call the tongue can cause great hurt if misused.

Remember that old playground chant: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

Can you get any further from the truth? Ask anyone who has been a childhood victim of verbal bullying; or any adult who has been the victim of workplace gossip or bullying - names, words, can, and do hurt, when they are used in anger or to belittle or disparage another. They hurt in the moment, and they can leave lasting hurt. In some instances, lasting trauma.

Essentially, what the writer of James offers is wisdom for the ages - that message that our tongue, and our words have power to be blessing and power to be curse.

And in today's world, I think we can extend the idea of the power of the tongue to the power of the fingertips and social media. With the touch of our fingertips on a keyboard, and hitting "post", we have the power to uplift and praise people, or we have the power to hurt and diminish people, in a way that goes so much further than the confines of the schoolyard or the workplace.

As you encounter friend and stranger alike, face to face, or online - be mindful of how your words can be a blessing, or can be hurtful - and that as the body of Christ, we are called to be blessing to the world.

Blessings and peace, Tammy (Reverend Tammy Allan)
Olds-Sundre Pastoral Charge of the United Church

Are you someone who someone who has questions, who is seeking to explore your faith, and learn more about the story of Easter, or any of the other stories of our faith? You're welcome to join us in worship on Sundays, in Olds at 10:00 am, and in Sundre at 1:30 pm. If you'd like to have a conversation with me, the minister of the Olds-Sundre Pastoral Charge, please call the Olds office - 403-556-3052 and we can set up an appointment!

Church News & Events

November 11
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
Community Learning Campus (Olds High School Gym). Doors open at 9:30 am. Service begins at 10:30 am. Followed by a wreath laying service at the Cenotaph in Centennial Park.

Sunday Church Worship will be at Sundre United at 1:30 pm.

The church bells in Olds will ring at 4:45 pm at the setting of the sun, on Sunday. Everyone is welcome to attend, take a moment to pause and remember all those who served and sacrificed.

November 16
ANNIVERSARY SUPPER
Every fall we enjoy a delicious pork roast dinner. Plan on attending, and watch for the sign-up sheet to volunteer to help!

November 21
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Conversation, Coffee, and Muffins from 10 - 11:30 am. Everyone welcome to come and visit and chat with new and old friends. By donation.

MORE EVENTS HERE

Dear People of Olds United Church

• PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) - Are you on PAR? If you already pay bills, taxes, or your mortgage with automatic withdrawals from your bank account, then you've got the PAR principle. Monthly PAR (Pre-Authorized Remittance) offerings are an exceptional expression of commitment and allows you to support Olds United Church through automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account.

  Besides being convenient, using PAR for your offering ensures regular monthly givings to help our Church's ministry and increasing our overall financial stability, even while you are away. You can also include a regular Mission & Service gift at the same time. Why not participate in PAR? Here's how ...

  1. Prayerfully decide how much you want to give each month.
  2. Fill out a PAR Authorization Form with a cheque marked "VOID".
  3. Enclose both in an envelope and place on the offering plate, or leave at the church office.
  4. We send this information to the United Church's national office, who instructs your bank to automatically withdraw your gift around the 20th of each month.

  You can increase, decrease, or cancel your contribution at any time. To learn more, please call the church office at (403) 556-3052, The United Church of Canada at 1-800-268-3781, or visit www.united-church.ca. Thank you!

• WELCOME TO THE OLDS COMMUNITY LENDING SHELF! - Effective October 20, 2017 the Olds Community Lending Shelf became an outreach partner of Olds United Church. This means that this very important community non-profit is now housed in the lower level of our building, and has more space to carry out its work. We're happy to be able to provide space for these great folks, and we are pretty sure their director, Lucinda Watkins, has a spouse who is very happy to have his garage back! So, again, welcome!

Daily Scripture Reading

Phil 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Our church is always beautifully decorated. Visit our Photo Gallery to see our favourite pictures, including pictures from our 120th anniversary. Better yet, stop in for a personal visit!

United Church of Canada Videos
Meet the UCC's New Moderator
With so many things happening in our church and in the world around us, Moderator Richard Bott invites us to listen carefully to ourselves and to one another, and then to let our action be full of love.

You are a child of God. He created you in His own image. He chose the day for you to be born. Look up your birth date and see what Bible verse corresponds to it. Click the image above to look up your verse now.

	How to get here
				Olds United Church is located on the corner of 48th Avenue and 50th Street, just a couple of blocks west of Olds College. Click the map for an enlargement.
		office@oldsunited.ca Ph: 403.556.3052 Bookmark our website www.oldsunited.ca