He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. – Isaiah 40:11
Advent Greetings kindred in Christ,
The Advent season has started off with a bang! Last weekend over 200 people (mainly young families and children) flooded the sanctuary with glowsticks and song, the next night a more adult orientated audience was entertained by the organ concert with reception afterwards. And last night we hosted the 30th Advent Choral Festival which raised $5,220.70 for CBC feed a family. St. Paul’s certainly is the place to go for amazing music for all ages and stages. Check out the other amazing musical events Sharon has planned below.
As the days get shorter it reminds me that the Longest Night service is coming up on December 21st @7pm at Wilmot UC. This smaller, reflective and powerful service is shared between St. Paul’s and Wilmot. The longest night is designed for people who are just not feeling the Christmas Spirit, especially those who have experienced a death in the past year or other major loss. Held on the longest night of the year, this service reminds us that God is with us and that from this point forward the days will get longer. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Along with following the St. Paul’s twitter account for a daily walk towards Christmas scripture, and spending some time colouring our advent colouring posters. I invite you to take note of the other amazing events happening this season.
• Dec. 11 at 7pm, Christmas with the FHS Jazz Band,” A Jazz Christmas” directed by Craig Woodcock. Donation to support the FHS Jazz band and St. Paul’s music program.
• Dec. 18 at 7 pm Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Concert of Organ Music and Readings”. Donations for CBC feed a family. This is geared to organ lovers although all are welcome looks like fun!
• Christmas Eve Services 3pm family service 7pm traditional with candle lighting 11pm communication service.
• St Paul’s United Children’s Handbell Choir has started Sunday’s 10-10:30. This program is for children 6 years of age and older. Contact Tricia Berry tmberry@rogers.com
• Reflective Bible Study and Prayer Group Sundays at 9:15 am in the office. Tammy Landry is hosting. Come enjoy the scripture.
• Our Awesome Pantry Team has the current need for coffee, cheezwhiz, pasta sauce, house hold cleaner, large juice, tomatoes, and soda crackers. Thank you very much.
• St Paul’s Yarn Ministry meets on the third Wednesday of each month. no previous experience or affiliation with St. Paul’s required. Please let Jen Petryshen know if you would like to attend so we can book a spot.
• Money counters/Tellers needed. Training provided previous money handling experience is an asset, please let Eric in the office know thank you very much.
• Gifts with vision catalog’s in support of the United Church’s mission and service are available now! don’t know what to give someone that has everything, give them a gift that impacts the world through the gifts with vision catalog.
***Lights for St. Paul’s candle lighting service 7pm Christmas eve, a beautiful time of remembrance, please have the form back in by Dec 17th in order to be included in the bulletin.
This Sunday we take one more step towards Christmas, we hear the origin of familiar words spoken by John the Baptist “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven round shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” These words wer
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