Applewood United Church

10/12/2026

God, giver of all good,
you continually pour your benefits upon us.
Age after age the living wait upon you and find
that your faithfulness has no end,
that your care is unfailing.
We praise you that the mystery of life
is a mystery of infinite goodness.
We praise you
for the order and constancy of nature;
for the beauty and bounty of the earth;
for day and night, summer and winter,
seedtime and harvest;
for the varied gifts of loveliness which every season brings.
We give you thanks
for all the comfort and joy of life,
for our homes, for our friends,
and for all the love, sympathy, and goodwill of all people.
Amen.

—from Celebrate God's Presence: A Book of Services for The United Church of Canada (UCPH, 2000).

09/30/2026

Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, is a time to remember and honour Indigenous children who were taken from their communities and families to residential institutions.

Every year on Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we wear an Orange Shirt to remember children like Phyllis Webstad whose beautiful and special orange shirt was taken from her when she entered residential school. We remember children who didn’t return home, we remember survivors and their families who suffer with intergenerational trauma stemming from this system.

The United Church is responsible for 15 residential schools operated between 1849 and 1969. About 6.7% of the approximately 80,000 residential school students still alive today attended United Church schools.

In 1998, the church apologized specifically for its role in Indian Residential Schools, and since 2008 has been actively engaged in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), which was created to address the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools.

On our website, you can find out more about The United Church of Canada's ongoing work toward Truth and Reconciliation, along with ways individuals and communities of faith can practice reconciliation and work for Indigenous justice: https://united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/reconciliation-and-indigenous-justice

Creator and Sustainer of Life
Grant us Grace and Mercy for the difficult journey ahead
We seek to repair our past, going forward on a shared road of blessing and goodwill.

Lord Hear Our Prayer

Grant us Peace and Knowledge to know your ways
We seek a new path that supports those in need and those who struggle in these times.

Lord Hear Our Prayer

Grant us Purpose and Commitment to make collective choices
We seek to act for the care of our neighbours, and for the wellbeing of our communities.

Lord Hear Our Prayer

May we contend with our history in healing ways
May we seek a new unity and the promise of a new beginning.

Lord Hear Our Prayer

—prayer from a new Orange Shirt Sunday worship service by Rev. Tony Snow: https://united-church.ca/worship-special-days/orange-shirt-sunday

You can support The United Church of Canada's reconciliation work by donating to the Healing Fund, which funds Indigenous healing initiatives around the country. https://healingfund.pllenty.com

National IRS Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419 / MMIWG Crisis Line 1-844-413-6649

09/28/2026

We're pleased to share that The United Church of Canada has appointed Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly as the next General Secretary, effective January 1, 2027.

Currently serving as Executive Minister for East Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario Outaouais, and Nakonha:ka Regional Councils, Rev. Hébert-Daly brings extensive experience in church leadership, strategic planning, and community development. A passionate advocate for a thriving and welcoming church, he has played a key role in shaping Toward 2035, our hope-filled strategy for a bolder future.

Born to an Acadian family, Éric has roots in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. He will be the first Francophone to serve as General Secretary.

We give thanks for the faithful leadership of Rev. Michael Blair, who will continue as General Secretary until December 31. Following a transition period in January 2027, he will retire, after more than six years of dedicated service in this critical leadership role.

Please join us in congratulating Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly as he prepares to begin this new ministry of leadership and service.

Read more: https://united-church.ca/news/rev-eric-hebert-daly-appointed-new-general-secretary

[Photo: The United Church of Canada]

09/27/2026

The Outreach Committee will be holding a Food Drive Donation Drop Off at Applewood United Church to support Food Banks Mississauga on Saturday, October 3rd and Saturday, October 10th from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm.

Members of the committee will be on site to accept your food or monetary donation directly from your vehicle. Enter through the parking lot and exit by the church.

Non-perishable items only and please check the expiration dates. Most urgent needed items are peanut butter, pasta, cooking oil and tuna. Other food required are fruit juice, canned vegetables and fruits, rice, cereal, soups, stews, mac and cheese, along with baby food and formula.

Any cheques are to be made payable to Food Banks Mississauga.

If you’re not available on those days you can make a donation online at

Donate to Food Banks Mississauga and help provide nutritious food through 60+ local programs. Give once, monthly or explore other ways to support.

09/09/2026

08/19/2026

Eden United Church, Mississauga, Ontario
Erin Mills United Church

07/26/2026

Our prayers are with the LGBTQ community in Berlin, Germany, as a terrorist drove a van into a Pride festival event last night, and also attacked people with a machete.

One person was killed and at least 29 others injured. The suspect has been identified and is still at large and being sought by police.

An attack on one LGBTQ community is an attack on LGBTQ communities everywhere.

We pray for the victims in Berlin, for their families and for those responding to this tragedy as medics, police and community leaders. We pray also for the police as they search for the person or persons who wreaked this chaos on an event meant to celebrate the community, solidarity and joy of Pride.

Bring your comfort, your justice and your healing, dear God.

In the name of the One who brings peace. Amen.

[Photo: shaunl / iStock]

07/15/2026

As wildfires impact lands and peoples across the country, we ask you to join us in prayer:

• For safety and protection for people, animals, and communities in harm’s way
• For strength and resilience among evacuees, fire fighters, and other first responders
• For those affected by the smoke of the wildfires which is impacting the air quality across broad distances
• For acknowledgement and action on the ongoing impact of climate change caused by human activity, and renewed attention toward an energy transition
• For healing and renewal for the land and all of creation

Let us pray—

Creator,
Wildfires are engulfing homes,
leaving us vulnerable, exposed, open:
We come to you, broken, seeking wholeness…
In our time of need provide for us those things that will bring restoration to all of creation,
the gifts of the spirit
and the gift of each other.
Above all, remind us always of your steadfast and abiding love.
Amen

The United Church of Canada has created a new handbook for communities of faith to prepare for any major emergency or disaster. Available for download at: https://united-church.ca/worship-theme/emergencies

[Photo: shaunl / iStock]

06/01/2026

God of the Rainbow,
More than those who watch for morning,
Our souls wait, for the day when each of us,
of every gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation
knows that we are meant to be:
loved, cherished, and protected; and
that we are to be:
proud of our identities; and
celebrated.

For we are your imperfectly perfect children,
called to reflect Christ’s radiant light,
embody Christ’s radical love; and
build your beloved community,
especially when storms of fear and hatred rage around us.

And so, more than those who watch for morning,
we, in our great diversity,
wait for your promised rainbow of peace,
as we work towards a world where every gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation is affirmed as beloved; and,
every soul’s spirit is able to sparkle, shine and sing your dream with pride.

May it be so,

Amen.

—Rev. Dr. Alydia Smith