Upcoming Dates to Remember
Mondays Centering Prayer Group 9:30am on pause until January 9 Wednesdays Coffee and Conversation with Open Sky 10-11am on pause until January 4 Thursdays Parents & Tots (at St. Andrews Presbyterian) 9:30-11am Nov 27-Dec 18 Advent Worship with Rev. Jennifer 9am/11am Dec 18 FOOD BANK SUNDAY Dec 18 “Pastoral Caroling” 12:30pm Dec 18 Lessons and Carols for Anderson Settlement 6pm Dec 21 Longest Night/Blue Christmas Service at SUC 4pm Dec 24 Christmas Eve Services SUC at 6pm, Upper at 8pm Dec 25 Christmas Day Service 10am Jan 1 New Year’s Day Service with Rev. Jennifer 10am
ANNOUNCEMENTS for December 18, 2016 Advent IV: Love
FOOD BANK SUNDAY: Today is Food Bank Sunday for the month of December. We are asked to bring our offerings of non-perishable food items or consider a monetary contribution to the food bank to help meet the immediate needs of our neighbours and friends, even as we continue to address the long-term issues underlying food insecurity.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: This year the pastoral charge will be offering 2 services on Christmas Eve. The 6pm service at Sackville United will feature a Nativity Drama written and directed by Fiona Brett, and the wood fires will keep our hands and hearts warm as we join in Lessons and Carols at 8pm at Upper Sackville. Both services are intended for all ages, and will be lead by Rev. Jennifer. Communion will be celebrated at both services, and we will close our time together by candlelight.
LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE: Join us at 4pm on Wednesday, December 21 for a contemplative and centering time of worship. Christmas is a time of mixed emotions for many and on this, the shortest day of the year, we take time out of the bustle of our lives to experience God’s comfort, healing, and peace.
CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE: The pastoral charge will celebrate on Christmas Day (Dec 25) with a shared service at 10am at Sackville United. Jennie Del Motte (with possible assistance from Megan, who has now learned the word “Merry” and says it approx. 10000 times a day) will lead us in a 30-40 minute service of song, prayers and readings. Why not take a pause between opening presents and putting the turkey in the oven to celebrate the mystery of Christmas with our church family!
JUST US HOLIDAY SPECIAL ORDERS: If you would like to order Just Us products in bulk for the holiday season (boxes of coffee, cases of chocolate, tea, hot chocolate or other products not usually kept in stock) please email the church office or speak to Jennie with your order. Our order will be submitted on Sunday December 11.
“PASTORAL CAROLING”: Every year, a group of us join together to visit those in our church family and community who are not regularly able to attend worship to sing a couple of carols and spend a few minutes visiting with them. It is a fun and meaningful time for everyone involved. If you have any names of those who might appreciate a festive visit with a little bit of song, please contact the church office. We will meet TODAY following church and go from there.
AFFIRM: Sackville United has received word that our Affirm Vision Statement has been approved by Affirm United. We can now proceed to the next step of the Affirm Process, which is to develop and Action Plan. The Executive is inviting the creation of the Circle of Service to create this plan. It is hoped that this group could have a plan ready for the AGM. If you are interested in helping with this task, please sign up on the Discernment Board.
Some Sound (and visual) Advice: If you would like to learn how to use the sound board at the back of the church or to get involved with the words on the screen for Sunday worship, please sign up on the Discernment Board. Craig is willing to help show you the ropes (and buttons).
Would Someone You Know Appreciate a Pastoral Care Visit?: Pastoral care for SPC is generously being provided by Rev. Jean Ward. For any pastoral care needs, or if you know someone who might appreciate a visit, please contact Rev. Ward directly – 902-694-4372 or a.jean.ward@gmail.com
LESSONS AND CAROLS IN ANDERSON SETTLEMENT: Carols and Lessons for the Anderson Settlement United community will be held on Dec 18 at 6pm at the Home of Richard Wells in Anderson Settlement. Please note the change of time to 6pm. A time of fellowship and holiday mingling to be held following the service. All are welcome to attend. Contact Kyle Wells at kylerdwells@gmail.com for further details.
GIFTS WITH VISION: Still looking for ideas for Christmas presents? Do you know someone hard to shop for? Why not give the gift of a generous heart through Gifts with Vision, a United Church Mission & Service project. Learn more and select your gifts at www.giftswithvision.ca or pick up a brochure at the table in the back of the sanctuary.
“The Hours of Christmas”: The Prayer Bench has generously offered a free Christmas Day resource for families and individuals. Copies are available on the side table in the sanctuary for all to take home with them. Thank you to Janice MacLean for creating and sharing this wonderful resource.
2017 Offering Envelopes Now Available: 2017 offering envelopes are available for pickup on the table along the wall as you enter the sanctuary.
UCW COLLECTING SMALL ITEMS TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE: UCW continues to save the following items: Independent Grocery Tapes, pop tabs, plastic bread tabs, used postage stamps (1/4″ border), Campbell’s Soup Labels, the front cover of used Greeting Cards. All items can be left in the basket which is on the book shelf as you come in the main entrance of the church.
CENTERING PRAYER: Centering prayer group meets every Monday; all are welcome to join for one half hour of prayer together.
HURRICANE MATTHEW APPEAL: This has faded from the headlines, but the need for our help continues. Find out more and support the relief effort by visiting http://www.united-church.ca/hurricane-matthew
Scripture:
Isaiah 7: 10-16 Matthew 1: 18-25
Hymns:
People Look East, VU 9 Walls that Divide, VU 691 O Ancient Love, VU 17 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, VU 333 Offertory Response: In the Bleak Midwinter, VU 55, v.4
Quotations to Ponder
Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart. – Roy, T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one. – John Lennon
Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together. – Anais Nin
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. -J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
For More About What’s On Visit: http://www.sackvillepastoralcharge.com
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