Friday Message

June 26, 2026 

A few times in my sermons I’ve mentioned that I follow the lectionary. Some of you may know what that means and some of you may not! I know that when I was growing up I was familiar with the phrase and the word Lectionary, but when it came down to it, I had not real idea what it meant – the word or the concept.

The lectionary is the selection of readings from the Bible that follow a three-year cycle. After the third year, we go back to the beginning of the first year and start over! As with many things in the church year, we repeat the readings again and again with attention to the context of our world and our lives at the time. Phyllis Trickle says of our repetition, “If there is any one thing that characterizes Western Christianity in our times, it most certainly is a kind of yearning – a kind of keening need, actually – to see and know and feel and touch again that from which we have come.” 

The repeated reading, holding, and interpretation of the biblical stories help us to do this, I think. To know our ancestors and the ancient ways that have been taught over thousands of years and how they are still speaking to our lives today. 

This Sunday’s Hebrew Bible passage is Genesis 22: 1-14, a story with multiple names: The Testing of Abraham, and in Jewish biblical and interpretive tradition more commonly Akedah, meaning “to bind” or The Binding of Isaac. This is arguably one of the most challenging stories in our scriptures – a man who is faithful to God is given a son in his old age and then the same God asks for son as a sacrifice. What?! Theologian Soren Kierkegaard wrote an entire book called Fear and Trembling on this passage, writing and rewriting the story with different endings trying to uncover its meaning in its terribleness. Both Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen wrote songs also trying to connect to meaning in their time and place. Cohen saw Isaac as all the children sent into war against Vietnam, while Dylan wrote a bluegrass version of the story that asks God, “Are you kidding?!” 

I do not have any answer for this story, but I know the story matters, and so we’ll read it on Sunday and make an effort with everyone who has come before to discern the meaning it has for us.  

“Oh God said to Abraham, ‘Kill me a son.’ Abe says, ‘Man, you must be puttin’ me on.’ God say, ‘No.’ Abe say, ‘What?’ God say, ‘You can do what you want Abe, but the next time you see Me comin’ you better run.’ Well, Abe says, ‘Where do you want this killin’ done?’ God says, “Out on Highway 61’” 

- Bob Dylan, Highway 61, from Highway 61 Revisited, 1965 

Wendy

Upcoming Week



Sunday, June 28

10:00 a.m. - Online and in-person Worship led by Dr. Wendy Cranston

Monday, June 29

Tuesday, June 30

Wednesday, July 1

Canada Day; office is closed

Thursday, July 2

Choir practice is finished until the fall

Friday, July 4

Saturday, July 5

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Alternate Worship Services While EMUC is Closed July 12, 19 and 26

Erin Mills United Church

will NOT be offering Sunday Worship July 12^th, 19^th and 26^th.  

Visit: www.emuc.ca

For Alternative-Church Options

and service links.

You are welcome to attend services at:

Eden United Church – Hybrid Service at 10:00 a.m. 

Erindale United Church - Hybrid at 10:30 a.m.

St. Stephen’s on the Hill - Hybrid at 10:30 a.m.

Glen Abbey United Church - In Person at 10:00 a.m.

Westminster United Church - In Person at 10:00 a.m.

You are welcome to attend services at the following churches:

Eden United Church (905)824-5578

3051 Battleford Rd., Mississauga, ON L5N 5Z9

Worship: Sundays at 10:00 a.m.: “In Person” or online from 9:55 a.m.

YouTube Channel Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/@EdenUnitedChurchMississauga/streams

St. Stephen’s on-the-Hill (905)278-9245

998 Indian Rd., Mississauga, ON L5H 1R5

Email: ststephens@on.aibn.com

Worship: Sundays at 10:30 a.m: “In Person” or via Zoom.

Call the office for the Zoom link.

Erindale United Church (905)277-3656

1444 Dundas Cres. (South), Mississauga, ON L5C 1E9

Email: churchoffice@erindaleunited.church

Worship: Sundays at 10:30 a.m: “In Person” or via Zoom.

Zoom ID: 938 9580 0673# Passcode: 727493

Glen Abbey United Church (905)825-5292

1469 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville, ON

Email: info@glenabbeyunitedchurch.com

Worship: Sundays at 10:00 a.m: “In Person” worship or

To Access Recorded Service (accessible anytime):

·      Go to the website and click on “Services” 

Westminster United Church

4094 Tomken Rd. Mississauga, ON L4W 1J5

Email: westminsterUC@bellnet.ca

Worship: Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

Encountering God – A Summer Bible Study! 

Please join Wendy over three Thursdays in the summer – August 13, 20, 27 – for a Bible study that follows the liturgical readings for those weeks: Jacob wrestling with the angel, Jesus walking on water, and the burning bush. We’re Planning on studying outside on a shady part of our lawn to encounter God in our stories and in the land that surrounds us. We’ll meet at 10:30 a.m. on the church lawn (and inside in case of rain)! 

No need to register, just come on out! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the church or email Wendy at wcranston@emuc.ca.

Special Fundscrip Announcement

Due to holidays, there will be no Fundscrip orders placed in May or June. We will resume the program in July. Please watch for further notice on the date for the next order.

Thank you for your continued support of this important fundraiser!

Submitted by Joanne Hines

Deacon's Cupboard Donation Suggestions

Thank you for the tremendous response to our request for food items. Your support has helped us stock our shelves each week. In June, we are asking EMUC to donate pasta and pasta sauce. Of course, we will also accept other food items. Your support enables us to share God’s bounty. 

Please note that the Deacon's Cupboard will be closed in July.

Submitted by the EMUC Deacon's Cupboard Team

EMUC is the Rain Venue for the Summer at Riverwood Concert Series

Starting on July 8 and every Wednesday up to August 26, there is a concert in the McEwan Barn in the Riverwood conservation area.



Our church is the rain venue for this concert series. If it is a rainy day, our sanctuary will be offering a free concert. All are welcome. More details are on the Community bulletin board.

Save the Date! Mark Your Calendar!

• Sun., July 12, 19, 26 - EMUC is closed; alternate service information listed above

Community Events

• TODAY, Fri., June 26 - EMUC, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., Free Women's Council health event; see poster below for information
• Fri., June 26 - Sun., June 28 - UCC at Toronto Pride; click here for more information
• Sat., July 11, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - M.P. Iqra Khalid's free BBQ at Erin Meadows Community Centre; see poster below for more information

Scent-Free Environment

Erin Mills United Church is a scent-free space. Some people have allergies or chemical sensitivities. To ensure that everyone can worship comfortably, we ask that you help us maintain a scent-free environment. Please avoid wearing scented products when attending service or events. Thank you!

Tina's Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tina will be working from home on Mondays (all day). She takes a half hour lunch break sometime between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.

Wendy's Office Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you want a meeting, conversation or pastoral visit, please email ahead to book a time. If you drop by and Wendy's door is open, come on in! (wcranston@emuc.ca)

For guaranteed access to the church, call or email to arrange a time in advance. Email (office@emuc.ca) or call (905-820-9466 x23).

For Pastoral Care Emergencies call 905-820-9466 x23 or email pastoralcare@emuc.ca

Erin Mills United Church | 905-820-9466 | emuc.ca