Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are right in the midst of Advent now, making our way towards the end of the first week. Does anyone remember what we lit a candle for this past Sunday? It was Hope. During this first week of Advent, where did you give Hope a chance to win out over fear, despair, and brokenness? Where can Hope – fueled by faith in God’s continued grace – shine a light in your life or the lives of others? It isn’t too late as we come to the second Sunday in Advent to let Hope take hold of you, and indeed, may it do so beyond this week, this month, and this year!
But even as we continue to kindle Hope within us for what is to come, we must also open ourselves to a Peace that comes from God. This Sunday as we light the second candle of our Advent Wreath, Peace will be the theme and we will hear the reading of Esther 4:1-17. Come and find the Peace that God is calling us to share with the world.
Below is a list of some important events and opportunities. A more comprehensive Advent Calendar is below that.
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-Lectio Divina: Come and experience our Holy Scriptures in a unique way! Our Sunday morning sessions continue on December 9th at 9:30 am at the church in the Church Office. We also have our online session of Lectio Divina on Monday, December 10th at 7:30 pm. The link to join the online session is: https://zoom.us/j/920506969
-CHRISTMAS WISH TREE! Thanks to everyone who grabbed an angel off of the wish tree a few weeks ago. Now’s the time to get those presents in. If you can, drop them off to the church office this week, or bring them to church this Sunday, December 9th (it’s the last day!).
-Advent Recitals: Come and find an oasis of music in the midst of your week! On Wednesday, December 12th and again on the 19th St. Paul’s is hosting Advent Recitals over the lunch hour. Come and hear as people sing and play us through the Advent season.
-While we will have regular Sunday worship all through December, the service on December 23rd is going to be one entirely of Christmas music and scripture, based on the historic Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge (1918-2018). So mark your calendars!
-Do you wish you could be a part of the worship experience at St. Paul’s but can’t get there Sunday Morning? Whether you work, travelling, or just can’t get transportation on Sunday morning, we have options for you to be a part of worship. If you’re working, you can listen to the sermons throughout the week by going to http://www.stpaulsunited.ca/sermons/. If you just can’t get here, or if you are travelling for the Advent and Christmas season, we are inviting you to take part in something new. Each Sunday, and the 7 pm Christmas Eve service will be streamed LIVE! You can pray with your kindred in Christ, sing the hymns, and hear the Word read. Everything that is on the screens in the church, can also be on your computer screen! Each Sunday just follow this link: https://zoom.us/j/553395781. No login or sign up is required (make sure your sound is turned on though!).
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Advent Events Calendar:
December 12th – Advent Recital: FHS Jazz Ensemble (12:10-12:50 pm)
December 14th – Youth Christmas Party (7:00 pm)
December 15th – Rev. Richard & Natalie Open-house – Call Church Office for Information (2:00-5:00 pm)
December 16th – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (7:00 pm)
December 19th – Advent Recital: Sharon Pond/Vocal Collective (12:10 -12:50 pm)
December 21st – Longest Night Service @ St. Paul’s (7:00 pm)
December 23rd – Festival of 9 Lessons & Carols (10:30 am)
December 24th – Children’s Christmas Eve Service (3:00 pm)
December 24th – Traditional Christmas Eve Service (7:00 pm)
December 24th – Carols & Communion (11:00 pm)
December 30th – Joint Worship @ Wilmot (11:00 pm)
Advent is about preparing our hearts and minds for Christ. This means getting to know our Holy Scriptures with fresh eyes and an eager heart, but it also means seeing the world and our lives for what they are, and for what they can be with Christ at our center and the Holy Spirit leading the way. As we open our hearts to being transformed, let us offer this prayer together:
We pray, O Prince of Peace, for a world that truly lives out your kingdom. In the birth of a single child, you offer us a glimpse of the trust you have in your people: the trust to live out the dream you have for this world where all people join hands in love, not hate, peace and not war. Guide our hands and feet to make that dream a reality. AMEN.
Yours in Christ,
The St. Paul’s Ministry Team
The bulletin for this week’s service is available for download from here.