Dear members and friends of Briarwood, In more normal days I have often wondered how I should sign off emails to friends and colleagues. Should I say: "Best regards" or "Cheers" or "Take care" or "Best wishes." Or should I forget about a sign-off phrase and just use my name or initials. It's a small thing, perhaps. But in these pandemic days, it feels more important than ever. How should I express care for someone else in signing off my email? Over the past weeks, I've started to use the phrase "grace and peace". "Grace" seems so important. The reality of grace means that God meets us where we are, blessing us beyond what we could imagine. Through Christ, God meets us to bring forgiveness
Briarwood's church building remains closed, as we comply with provincial regulations regarding self-distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our weekly worship services are available online, and a link is posted each week. We are still open as a community of Christ! Our staff is working from home. Messages and emails are checked daily. If you have any questions or prayer requests, please reach out to us by email or phone (514-695-1879).
WORSHIP SERVICE Here is a link to this week's service, contained in one YouTube video which will go live at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning—it will start at 10:30 a.m. sharp, following a countdown. This means we can all watch together at the same time on Sunday. Afterwards, it will remain available at the same link for later viewing. Also, there is a "chat" feature beside the worship video, so you can say hello "live" to friends, or add comments, if you join us for the service live at 10:30 am on Sunday. Thank you to those who participated in worship this week, including Esther De Vries, Sharon Williams, Judy Pemberton, Raphael Ashby, Rev. Oliver Kondeh Ndula and Rev. Dr. Roland De Vries (preac
Dear members and friends of Briarwood, These difficult days of pandemic have revealed some difficult truths about our society. Over the past few weeks we have realized that vulnerable, elderly persons have often been forgotten and inadequately cared for. We have also discovered that we don't value, or offer fair pay to those who care for the elderly in long-term care residences. In these revelations there is judgment. As a society we have failed, and this is a hard revelation. But there have also been other, more positive revelations about our society over the past weeks. Our love for neighbours has been revealed in the attention we have given to those living around us—we have called to see
Sunday, April 19th Meditation (Psalm 62:5-8): For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Call to Worship: The angel said to the women, “I know you look for Jesus. He is not here. He is risen.” O God who makes all things new, we offer our worship and praise. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “We were as good as dead, but God raised us with Christ.” O God of renewal and new beginnings, we offer our worship and praise. Jesus
Good Friday and Easter Sunday: There are no services or activities at Briarwood this week. We will email a Good Friday service (April 10th) and an Easter Sunday service (April 12th). If you would are not included in our email distribution list and would like to be, please let us know at: info@briarwoodpresbyterianchurch.ca.
Palm Sunday, April 5th: There are no services or activities this week at Briarwood. Look for our Weekly Worship bulletin in your email.
