St. Matthew’s Church and Hardwood Lands Church

As I reflect on the ministries that came to pass in 2008, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God’s people. We are a community of faith and fellowship where love for
each other is expressed in practical ways through respect, forgiveness, affirmation and compassion. It certainly was a spirit-filled year for both church communities and for
me personally.

We are a community of faith and fellowship where love for each other is expressed in practical ways through respect, forgiveness, affirmation and compassion.

The year 2008 marked 75 years of ministry for Hardwood Lands. The church first held its dedication service on October 22, 1933. On October 26, 2008 we joined together
with St. Matthew’s to celebrate Anniversary Sunday in Hardwood Lands. It was a joyous event praising and glorifying God. Rev. Ruth Draffin from St John’s, Cornwall, our guest minister, had all the children and most of the elderly people in the congregation singing, stomping and twirling in the pews for children’s time.
After the worship, lunch was served, and fellowship and laughter of the old-timers and new-timers blended as one community serving the Lord.

Throughout the year we also had mini celebrations to commemorate the occasion. One wee boy at the Sunday school BBQ said, “My kite is flying all the way up to God.” What a great affirmation for our Sunday school teachers!

St. Matthew’s continued to work on their DREAM vision statement: Discipleship, Relationship, Equipping, Adoration, and Mission. Some highlights from both churches
putting that vision into action in 2008 include:

• An Exploring Faith and the Church 101 workshop
  which was very well attended.
• Supporting local charities (Caring and Sharing, Food
  Bank, etc.) and helping with a “10,000 Villages”
  sale.
• Sponsoring a young adult to attend Camp Geddie.
• Raising over $4,000 for the Breast Cancer “Run for
  Life”.
• Increasing their givings to Presbyterians Sharing.
• Sponsorship for the youth in our congregations to
  attend CY 2009.
• The baptism of six children.

Psalm 111 vs.2 in the NIV version of the bible reads: "Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them." To ponder means to contemplate,
leisurely, to find balance, rhythm and peace. As grateful recipients of the works of the Lord, we give heart-felt thanks to Canada Ministries for allowing us the
time to ponder where God is calling us.

—The Reverend Gwen Roberts