ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY, MARCH 25TH, 2012 5TH OF LENT

Sunday School: Palm/Passion Sunday on April 1st will be an All Ages Worship with children and their families helping to provide worship leadership.

Lenten Reflection with the Labyrinth

There is a long tradition of making the Season of Lent a special time for reflection, especially personal reflections on one’s faith journey. A labyrinth has been created in the hall of St. Mark’s for the season. Use our labyrinth each week during the Season of Lent to mark the journey of God’s promises and the pathway to Jerusalem. A printed weekly reflection will be provided on a stand in the hall. Nan will continue a guided contemplative practice--now with the labyrinth--on Tuesday mornings at 9:30. Please join her during that time to walk the labyrinth--or walk the labyrinth at your convenience at times that the hall is not being used for other purposes. Labyrinths are symbolic journeys, a distilled version of the path we walk through life guided by our faith. This year, Lent is a time of immersing ourselves in God’s promises of presence, love, and guidance – enjoy the journey.

MINISTER’S OFFICE HOURS:
Monday 9-12 noon
Tuesday 9-12 noon
Wednesday 9-12 noon at St. David’s
Thursday 9 – 12 noon
Friday – Minister’s Day Off
The Manse telephone number is 625-0407
Nan is at St. David’s Wednesday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00. Drop by for a coffee.

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of each month.
March 28th – 10:30 a.m. - Service at the Nursing Home
April 5th – 6:30 p.m.; Maundy Thursday Potluck Supper and Worship Service at St. Mark’s. April 6th – Good Friday Service at St. David’s at 11:00 a.m.

50th Anniversary of The United Church Women
Come join the celebration
Come weave your story into Our Tapestry of Love
We invite all women of the United Church of Canada to gather April 14, 2012 to celebrate our past, share the present and anticipate the future at Warden United Church, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Registration forms available at the office.

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

We welcome members of the Guiding Movement & their leaders to the Service at St. Mark’s this morning.

COURTESY CARIf you need a ride to church during the month of April,

call Larry Evans at 625-0305
Please make your Courtesy Car request well in advance if possible.

Sunday Worship requests should be made by the evening before

or by 8 a.m. Sunday morning at latest.

Reminder Are you saving your pennies for M&S? Palm Sunday is April 1st - the day to pass along your sock full of pennies for M&S!

PALM SUNDAY PARTY- APRIL 1ST

Don’t forget your sock for M&S on April 1st , Palm Sunday.

Socks will be collected and prizes awarded for the best, ugly and pretty sock!

Everyone is invited to the party in the hall, following the morning service...there will be good things to eat!

2012 World Vision 30 Hour Famine is taking place at St. Marks on April 27th and 28th. Youth between the ages of 12 and 18 are encouraged to participate in this annual fundraising event. Please spread the word and have those who would like to participate contact Kathy Barss @ 234-2707 to make arrangements to get your participation package.

There are still two DVD and two CD Versions of the Hymn Sing available. If anyone would like one of these, please contact Ruth MacRae (625-2424). There is no cost.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters—gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3rd Monday of each month. Monday, April 16th will be our next time of gathering... at 1:00 for conversation, prayer…and knitting. Can't come to our circle but are knitting at home? If you have a shawl ready, we will receive them on the 3rd Monday of each month--or anytime during that week. A Blessing of the Prayer Shawls will be part of Sunday morning worship the following Sunday.

Youth Group meeting for youth 10 and up on the first Sunday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church Hall.

March 20th St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting; 6;30 p.m. – Executive, 7:00 p.m. – Committees, 8:00 p.m. – Combined Board.

ST. DAVID’S
ANNOUNCEMENTS

April 1st – Official Board Meeting following the Worship Service.

Church Hall Cleaners for March - Maxine Smith & Diane Mac Kinnon.

Celebrate Earth Hour 2012--Turn off your lights for an hour on March 31st at 8:30 p.m. Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour. More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. Turn off your lights for an hour--but make a commitment to change your life for the sake of the planet.

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The Food Bank would like small glass bottles with good covers holding approx. 1-1/2 cups They may be left at Church or Food Bank Monday morning.

In conjunction with the Antigonish International Film Festival, the Sunday Films Group has planned a day filled with insightful films to be held on Sunday, April 1 at the Shannon Studio. Tickets for this event are available at the Civic Centre Box office – for information, please contact 625-2591.