December 17, 2015 NEWS FROM THE PEWS · 2 Page 2 News from the Pews AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY Rev. Jean...

December 17, 2015

NEWS FROM THE PEWSNEWS FROM THE PEWSNEWS FROM THE PEWS NEWS AND INSPIRATION FROM

ST. ANDREW’S UNITED CHURCH, GEORGETOWN, ON

Sunday,

December 20

Christmas

Sunday

Reader:

Graeme Thompson

Greeters:

Graeme & Nancy

Thompson

Ushers:

Bruce and Barb

Munro

Counters:

Andrew Piper and

Mike Sprague

AV Operators:

Ryan Wilson and

James Stringer

Announcements:

Ministry & Personnel

Announcements:


Next week,

December 27

Reader:

Brian Heinmiller

Greeters:

Valerie Jordan

Nancy Thompson

Ushers:

Margo Baird and

Joan Lovegrove

Counters:

Bruce Munro

AV Operators:

Andrew Piper and

Graeme Thompson

Announcements:


News: 1) Rev. Grant Williams will be away between December 25th and January 3rd.

For Pastoral Care emergencies, please call Sue Cowan at 905-873-3171

2) On December 27th, Bonnie Neely will be leading worship and it will be the

Ugly Christmas Sweater Sunday.

3) On January 3, Sula Anne Kosacky will be leading worship. 4) On January 10, we will begin the “Believe” Series for the year. 30 weeks of

themes. This is a sequel to “The Story”.

WORSHIP THIS WEEKENDWORSHIP THIS WEEKENDWORSHIP THIS WEEKEND Sunday, December 20, 2015

Advent 4 - Love

This week we are into Christmas full swing. Our favourite Carols will be sung and famil-iar Christmas stories will be read from the scriptures. It is just eight more days until the big day. The Sunday closest to Christmas is the fourth Sunday of Advent preparations. We have been watching and waiting, prepar-ing our hearts for the birth of Christ in the manger for 4 weeks now. On Sunday we will be lighting the fourth candle in our wreath, the candle for Love. In the service we will be hearing a selection from the Cantata by our Senior Choir and a solo by Shannon Bain.

Next week for Christmas Eve we will be hold-ing two services. The Family Service will be at 4:30 PM. An information and fun service with an Impromptu Christmas pageant. Cos-tumes will be available for the children to put on. There will be some youth soloists and lots of carols to sing. We will end the service with Silent Night. Then at 7:30 PM we will hold our Candlelight and Communion service.

The senior choir will be singing, along with some solos and duets. This service, with lots of music in it, will help prepare you for Christ’s birth in the manger.

We are looking for some helpers for the Christmas Eve services. This Sunday a signup sheet will be available for ushers, greeters, scripture readers, communion servers, cos-tume helpers, and stage helpers.

Scripture Readings this week:

Micah 5:2-5a

Luke 1:39-45, 47-55

Sermon:

Awaken the Wonder of Love!!

News from the Pews 2

AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY Rev. Jean Leckie has begun an online bible study blog. If you want to read the Bible, but find it difficult to understand on your own this is for you. Each week she

will post a brief reflection on a short passage of scripture that will help you

understand it and think about the message it might have for us today.

This week: God wants you to be a prophet like Anna. Are you up for it? Read about

her in our online Bible study: The Women Who Raised Jesus:

heartlakeunited.wordpress.com

CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE AT ST. ANDREW'S

Don't forget to check the mail slots for cards

addressed to you!

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE SUNDAY, JANUARY 3RD, 2016

To all Ministries, Committees and Groups: Please submit your reports for the

2015 Annual Report to the office by Sunday, January 3rd, 2016.

Those with Internet can email them to [email protected]

Thank you!

UNITED WAY THANK YOU

We would like to thank all the people that helped make the lunch at the United Way House Tour -

great success. There were many compliments on the food.

The beautifully decorated stage also added to the Christmas atmosphere.

A big thank you again. Your hard work was much appreciated.

Sincerely

Pam & Pauline

CHRISTMAS OFFERING There are special Christmas Offering Envelopes in the Pews for the Christmas period. If

you can make a special donation, it would be appreciated. Thank you for your continued

support! From the Finance Ministry

News from the Pews

WINTER CLOTHING CAN ALSO BE DONATED

- for Brampton Hospital - for Syrian Refugees

- a note from Sula Anne

Brampton Civic Hospital is the designated medical center for all the incoming refugees, and the

volunteer department is taking donations of winter clothing in all shapes, sizes and ages.

These people will be landing into likely their first winter.

If St. Andrews has some winter clothing to donate into the mix for these folks,

please leave it on the bench outside of the offices and

Sula Anne would be glad to come by and pick it up.

Thank you for your continued support of these Outreach initiatives!

ST. ANDREW’S CHOIR CANTATA - ONE SILENT NIGHT

A CHRISTMAS BALLAD OF LOVE AND JOY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH

At 7:00 p.m.

Reserve this date - another wonderful Pepper Choplin Cantata!

Freewill Offering

CHILDREN’S CHOIR

New this fall, Leslie Hoyle has offered to lead a Children’s Junior choir. There is a sign-up

sheet for this outside of Grant’s office, or speak to Leslie if your child would like to join. Practices

will be determined after we know who will be in the choir.

BELIEVE WORSHIP SERIES AT ST. ANDREW’S IN 2016!

Starting on January 10th, 2016, St. Andrew’s will be beginning a new journey of faith in our

worship services, Sunday school and study groups. Once again we will be following a unique

curriculum called “Believe” that is a sequel to “The Story Program” by Zondervan books. Each

person in the church will have access to the same bible version for their age groups and follow

the same stories for 30 weeks, broken down into three 10 week units.

There will be books available for sale on December 20th through January. In this series we will

explore God’s word through a variety of themes. See poster.


2015 Poinsettia Sale In Memoriam Donations

A Special Thank you to Jeanne Brennan for Coordinating this sale!

Colleen & Rick Armstrong In memory of Dorothy Armstrong

Norma & Keith Arthurton In memory of Our Parents

Margo Baird In memory of Ed

Tracey Bazso In memory of Grandpa David

Jean Brown In memory of loved ones

Alice Greenaway In memory of Grant Greenaway

Wilf and Jackie Gray In memory of Jack & May Hewitt

Leslie Hoyle, Bill Elgie & Family In memory of Colin & Mary Hoyle and Bob Elgie

Victoria Keay In memory of Jean & Bill Kerr and brother Tom

Rosemarie Lee In memory of Margaret & Tom Shambrook

June Longstreet In memory of her husband Lee

Lorne & Kathy MacLeod In memory of the MacLeod & Glover Families

Scott & Barb Martin & Family In memory of Evelyn Martin

Linda McKinnon In memory of my brother, parents & grandparents

Phil & Judy McClure In memory of Our Parents

Pat Moore In memory of Jim, Bill & Terry

Bruce & Barb Munro In memory of Our Parents

Ken & Norma Nokes In memory of our loved ones

The Ohashi Family In memory of Minn Ohashi

Earl & Margaret Pepper In memory of Our Parents

Marolyn Pilgrim In memory of her husband Robert

Ina Reed In memory of Jack

Florence Riehl In memory of Earl Nelson, Laura & Gordon Riehl

The Rosie Family In memory of Bob Rosie

Myrtle Rowntree In memory of her loving husband Russell, and her son

Tom

Doug, Teresa, Milton & Doris Ra-

pien In memory of Beate Rapien

Colleen Sutcliffe In memory of Herb Sutcliffe

Agnes Taylor In memory of her husband Dave

Bev & Read Whatmough In memory of Janice & Al Thachuk

The Yahiro Family In memory of Michelle Yahiro's Grandparents

News from the Pews

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Circle of Friends will resume meeting in January on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Fridays of the month. The next meeting will be on Friday, January 8th, 2016, from 9:30 - 11:30am.

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

TV’S ARE NEEDED.

St. Andrew’s is looking for three (3) Flat screen Televisions to use for

projecting DVD and YouTube type videos.

In the Sunday school, our new “Believe” curriculum has a video component

to it and our younger classes currently do not have access to a TV system. We are in need of two

(2) 26-40 inch TV’s to be wall mounted along with a DVD player. These TV’s must have 2 HDMI

inputs on them. TV sets and DVD players can be new or gently used and must have a remote

control with them.

In the Fellowship Room we are hoping to mount a 39-48 inch Flat screen TV on the wall for use

with any study groups (including the Believe series) using technology and for the projection of

video when overflow seating is required, such as funerals. This TV setup will be needed weekly

for a variety of uses. The TV set must have at least 2 HDMI inputs, RCA inputs and will be a

“Smart TV” to be able to connect to the internet. This can be a new set or a gently used set with a

remote control.

If you can help in the donation of or help with purchasing these sets please place an envelope in

the offering basket or speak to Rev. Grant Williams.

ECUMENICAL CAMPUS MINISTRY - UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

Ecumenical Campus Ministry (ECM) is the on-campus home of the Anglican, Presbyterian and

United Church at the University of Guelph.

Andrew Hyde (used to the Youth Leader at Norval United Church) is the new full-time Ecumenical

Campus Ministry (ECM) Campus Minister.

If you know of anyone attending the University of Guelph, please let them know about ECM.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ECMguelph

Twitter: @ECMguelph


2015 CHURCH BASEBALL NEWS - TOURNAMENT

The first Tournament game was yesterday. On Saturday, August 22nd, the first game will be at

8:00 am on the Middle Diamond against Mayfield, then at 9:15 am on the Far Diamond against

Heart Lake. Come out and cheer on our team at the Gellert Centre baseball fields.

THIS SUNDAY

News from the Pews

News from the Pews

A Christmas Prayer

by Sheila Ward

Christmas is coming and all it implies

Turkey and stuffing and homemade mince pies

But let’s not forget the event of this time.

That brought us our Saviour, Lord Jesus Divine.

With loving hearts let’s reach out to those

Who are sometimes forgotten

And so we propose

To help them feel wanted

And that Christmas for them

Be one of rejoicing and believes in heaven.


OUR CHURCH VISIONOUR CHURCH VISION

Growing In Faith Together actively serving

Our God

Our Church Family

Our Community

Friday, December 25th - Christmas Day!

Sunday, December 27th - Ugly Christmas

Sweater Celebration Service

Week-at-a-Glance Thursday, December 17th

7:00 pm Choir

7:45 pm Cantata Choir Practice

Sunday, December 20th -Christmas

Sunday

10:00 am Worship

7:00 pm Choir Cantata - One Silent Night

Thursday, December 24th

4:30 pm - Family Service

7:30 pm - Communion Service

Humour Corner

SIT STILL

"After A Miracle?

Father O'Malley was driving down to Boston on Christmas Eve when got stopped for speeding in Medford. The highway patrol officer smelled alcohol on the priest's breath

and then saw an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car.

He said, 'Father, have you been drinking?'

'Only water', replied Father O'Malley.

The policeman asked, 'Then how come I can smell wine?'

The priest looked at the bottle and said, 'Good Lord! He's done it again.'

http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/christmas/funny_christmas_religious.htm#More_Religious_Christmas_Jokes

Have a Nice Day!

News from the Pews

Grant’s World Grant’s World Grant’s World

This is the week of all weeks in the church Calendar. It’s Christmas time once again. In just one week we will be celebrating Christmas Eve here at St. Andrew’s. The church is decorated, the music is ready and we wait for the birth of Jesus to come once again.

As Christians, we gather in God’s name in celebration of the miracle of Christ being born to us in a manger. The birth of Christ to Mary is a miracle above all miracles. As we gather with our fami-lies this year let us all think of the reason for the season. As we unwrap our gifts, drink eggnog and eat turkey let us also think of those whom Christmas may be a difficult time. This season is a happy one for many, but for some it is a blue Christmas as people cope with loss, pain or un-certainly in their lives. In these times we pray that God will lift up those who are hurting and bring them joy and hope. Last Sunday afternoon and evening we held a 6 hour prayer vigil and con-templative service to allow people the quiet to come and sit, pray, or light a candle, and just be with God.

On Sunday, I am so proud of our young people and parents for going to Toronto again to serve the homeless and hand out clothing. There were about 20 volunteers between St. Andrew’s and Uganda Martyrs. We owe a huge thanks to Nikki Hogan for making all the soup for 100 or more people, to Scott Martin for making sandwiches with the youth, Nancy Stringer for making deli-cious cookies, to Kathleen at Traditional Taste Bakery for providing baked goods, and to the many people who donated water and clothing items.

After the day was done, we had some left over soup and it was then donated to the Food for Life Program at St. John’s United on Tuesday. The left over clothing was donated to the Brampton Civic Hospital yesterday through Sula Anne Kosacky. I found out that the hospital needs do-nated clothing all through the year and has a clothing cupboard. We truly are living out our vision to be the church for the community and are blessed with so many people committing to out-reach.

This week, I also am pleased to tell you that we will be moving ahead with sponsoring a refugee family from Syria. St. Andrew’s will be working with St. John’s United and Knox Presbyterian church on a joint sponsorship. This is exciting for us to work at bringing a family in need to our community. Over the past few weeks we have held a few meetings to discuss it and now there is a plan in place to move ahead. Our responsibility as a church is to provide at least 5 volunteers to be on the planning team and to work towards raising $10,000 towards the total amount of $30,000 to support a family of 4 for one year. If people wish to make a financial contribution to-wards the fundraising efforts, please make your cheques out to St. Andrew’s United Church and place a note on it for Refugee support.

News from the Pews

Grant’s World (cont)Grant’s World (cont)Grant’s World (cont)

We will be holding a planning meeting on January 5th

at 7:30 PM at St. John’s United Church. At this meeting we will be selecting people willing to take a leadership role on the team as we prepare to complete the application. If you have any questions or would like to be a part of the team please let me know.

One last reminder to people about our annual Choir Cantata this Sunday at 7 PM. Please come and support Sue and the choir as they sing. A freewill offering will be received and do-nated to charity.

Go out into the world this week knowing that we are loved and cared for by God and we are blessed by Christ.

Merry Christmas,

Hope to see you soon,

Grant

News from the Pews

News from the Pews

News from the Pews is the electronic newslet-

ter of St. Andrew's United Church, Georgetown,

Ontario, produced every Thursday.

If you would like to publicize an event, please

send it in the body of an e-mail (not as an attach-

ment) to:

[email protected] by Wednesday at

noon.

For further information, contact our secretary,

Margaret Yahiro, or our Minister,

Rev. Grant Williams, at 905-877-4482.

Contact us: Website: www.standrewsuc.ca

Church Secretary/Office: [email protected]

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays:

9:00 am - 1:00 pm Thursdays: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Minister Hours: Monday - Thursday

Grant Williams: [email protected]

STAYING CONNECTED TO ST. ANDREW'S ONLINE!

St. Andrew’s has a Facebook site at:

www.facebook.com/StAndrewsUnitedGeorgetown.

On the site you will find news about upcoming events,

pictures, videos and daily devotionals.

Please “like” our site! Check it out!

You can also follow us on twitter @SaintAndrewsUC

to read late breaking news.

Our Website at www.standrewsuc.ca includes lots of information

about St. Andrew’s programs, events and ministries. Also posted are HD videos of the Sunday

sermons. Look under the Media tab and click on sermons.

http://www.standrewsuc.ca

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.standrewsuc.ca

News from the Pews

Upcoming Advent and Christmas Services

THIS Sunday December 20 at 10:00 AM

Advent 4: Love - Christmas Sunday

Sunday December 20 at 7:00 PM

Choir Christmas Cantata - One Silent Night

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Thursday, December 24th at 4:30 PM

Family Christmas Eve Service

A short, fun service for small children and their families, Candles,

Impromptu Nativity Play and Carols.

Thursday, December 24th at 7:30 PM

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

A traditional service with senior choir and a message to celebrate the Christ-

mas miracle.

Sunday, December 27th at 10:00 AM

Ugly Christmas Sweater Celebration Service

Come with your best Christmas Sweater on. There will be prizes awarded.

December 17, 2015 NEWS FROM THE PEWS · 2 Page 2 News from the Pews AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY Rev. Jean...

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