Upcoming Dates to Remember
Mondays Centering Prayer Group 9:30am Wednesdays Coffee and Conversation with Open Sky 10-11am Thursdays Parents & Tots (at St. Andrews Presbyterian) 9:30-11am Nov 27-Dec 18 Advent Worship with Rev. Jennifer 9am/11am Dec 10 Open Sky Open House Christmas Party 2-4pm Dec 14 Packing Day for Christmas Cheer (St Paul’s) 9am Dec 18 “Pastoral Caroling” 12:30pm Dec 21 Longest Night/Blue Christmas Service at SUC 4pm Dec 24 Christmas Eve Services SUC 6pm Upper Sackville 8pm Dec 25 Christmas Day Service for the Pastoral Charge at SUC 10am
ANNOUNCEMENTS for December 4, 2016 Advent II: Peace
WHITE GIFT SUNDAY: Sunday, Dec 4 is White Gift Sunday for the Pastoral Charge. Our unwrapped gifts will be collected and dedicated during our worship. Gifts can also be collected on Sunday, Dec 11, or dropped off at the church office during regular office hours from Dec 7-9.
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.
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.
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.
“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 following church on December 18 and go from there.
AN INVITATION FROM OPEN SKY: Our Board of Directors would like to invite you to an Open House Party at Open Sky Co-operative on December 10, 2-4pm. This is a ‘drop in’ event, so no RSVP is required. We hope you will put this on our calendar, and find some time in this busy season to stop by, say hello and accept our hospitality. It is through the generosity and spirit of people like you, that Open Sky thrives and is able to give back to community and families.
CHRISTMAS CHEER 2016: The Christmas Cheer program, which provides Christmas help to Sackville families, is once again accepting monetary donations (care of RBC), as well as donations of new toys, books and clothing for children aged 12 and under. Donations of secondhand clothing for adults and children, and of secondhand bedding would also be welcomed. Donations may be dropped off at Sackville United during regular office hours (Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m. to noon). Toy bags will be packed at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Dec. 14th at 9 a.m., with a storm date of Dec. 15th. New volunteers are always welcome. For further information, please speak to Beth Briscoe or to Janet Geier.
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
Fall 2016 Worship and Pastoral Care: The Pastoral Charge Executive would like to announce that we have pulpit supply in place for the fall – though the Christmas season if necessary – provided by Rev. Jennifer Brown, from Peticodiac. Rev. Nigel Weaver is our supervisory minister appointed by presbytery. For any pastoral care needs for the rest of the year, please feel free to contact Rev Jean Ward – 902-694-4372 or a.jean.ward@gmail.com
SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE: Campbell’s Funeral Home (89 Bridge St) is holding its 17th annual “Christmas Service of Remembrance” on Thursday, Dec 8 at 7pm. Leadership provided by Bill Drysdale, and music by Janet Crawford and Gerry Hannah. All are welcome to this non-denominational service, and refreshment will be provided. For questions, please phone 364-8188.
Scripture:
Isaiah 11: 1-10 Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19 (VU p.790, parts 1 & 3) Matthew 3: 1-12
Hymns:
All Earth is Waiting, VU 5 God of the Bible, MV 28 Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands, MV 173 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, VU 44 Offertory Response: In the Bleak Midwinter, VU 55, v.4
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