Friday, 30 November 2012

JUNE OLIVER PRESENTED WITH A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION

St. Mark's Mission & Service Committee presented June Oliver with this beautiful red pottery bird in appreciation for her many years volunteering at the Ten Thousand Villages Craft Fair.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY DECEMBER 2ND 2012 1ST OF ADVENT

MINISTER’S OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon Tuesday 9-12 noon

Wednesday 9-12 noon at St. David’s You may drop by for a coffee.

Thursday 9 – 12 noon Friday – Minister’s Day Off

The Manse telephone number is 625-0407

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of each month.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters - gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Mon., Dec. 17th at 1 p.m.will be our next time of gathering.

Gifts with Vision: A Gift-giving Catalogue -Our congregation has received multiple copies of Gifts with Vision: A Gift-giving Catalogue from the United Church of Canada for all of us to use and share. The catalogue represents a special opportunity to give gifts to loved ones and an additional way to support our partners through the Mission and Service Fund.

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

COURTESY CAR

If you need a ride to church during the month of December call

Dave Chapman at 787-2610

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.

Hanging of the Greens Service at St. Mark’s tonight at 6:30 p.m.

St. Mark’s Executive Board meeting December 11^th at 6:30 p.m.

The new Cookbooks are available. They make great Christmas Gifts. Please check with Ruth Mac Rae – Chair of the Ways & Means Committee.

Observer subscriptions/renewals are due by December 15th. Cost is $20.00/year. Please use one of the envelopes in the Narthex and place it on the collection plate. For further information please contact Lorna Harvey, 625-0535.

To those of you who have opted to take the online version of the Contact, St. Mark’s Finance Committee applauds you! The online version has all the photos in colour, which would be very expensive to produce in the printed copy. If you would like to have a copy e-mailed to you, please see Camille. The printed Contact is available on the table in the Narthex. Please be sure to take your own copy. If there is not a copy with your name on it and you would like to add your name to the list of those who receive a printed copy, please see Camille after Church. If you see one that belongs to a relative, neighbour or a friend, please pick it up and deliver it to them. The district lists have been altered and reduced due to the many people who have opted to receive their Contact online. If you had a district list in the past, please check with the lists on the table in the narthex. Your list may now have different names, or you may not have a list at all. If you see a district list that contains addresses in your part of town and the person who is supposed to be in charge of that list is absent, please take those copies and deliver them yourself or give them to the district person to deliver. With all this cooperation the Contact will be delivered in no time!

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ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday School at St. Davids on the First and Last Sunday of each month. (This will run two Sunday's together, but it is easier to remember this way) May God keep you in his warm and comforting embrace, Lisa

Hall Cleaners for December are Jean Hatcher & Marjorie Langford.

ANGEL TREE – You are invited to choose an angel (angels) from the Angel Tree in the Church entry. The gifts for children and the non-perishable food items should be returned next Sunday, December 9th for the White Gift Service. The fruits and vegetables should be returned December 16^th. All these food items and gifts will be used to pack Christmas dinner boxes for folks in our area.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Leeside Christmas Program Leeside Transition House provides Christmas gifts and food to families in need who use our services. Many of these families receive assistance only from Leeside. Donations from the community make the Christmas program possible. You can help in one of the following ways: Make a cash donation Donate a gift card from a grocery store "Adopt" a child or family to buy gifts for Tell others about the Leeside Christmas program For more info. call Leeside at 625-1990

“Step back in time for an Olde Tyme Christmas at the Port Hastings Museum; Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 7 to 9...daily 12 - 6pm. Bake Sale Saturdays @ noon. Quilts and other quality hand-crafted gift items for Christmas from local artisans and products from Galloping Cows. Special Doll Display. Free tea, cider, and cookies

Leeside Transition house Vigil on December 6^th in memory of the women who were murdered in Montreal at Ecole Polytechnique in 1989, and also in honour of those who have experienced domestic violence or any violence against women. It is being held at the Strait Area Women's Place from 12:15pm-12:45pm. 609 Church St. , Suite 104, Professional Building. For any questions call Leeside at 1 902 625 1990.

The Inverness County Singers and the Young County Singers invite you to Listen to the Story that they're telling about Christmas at one of their concerts: Friday, December 7^th: Stella Maris Church, Inverness Saturday, December 8^th, St. Mark's Church, Port Hawkesbury Monday, December 10^th, St. Mary's Church, Mabou A freewill offering will be collected at the door with proceeds going to local charities. All concerts begin at 7:30.

Port Hawkesbury Seasonal Services is once again preparing to provide Christmas dinner boxes for those in need in the Town. Anyone wishing to donate financially to this project may do so by contacting Jo-Anne MacDonald at 625-3003. Donations may also be left at the Pitt Street Post Office with Raylene Spear or Rosanne MacIntosh or donations may be left in you name, at the Royal Bank of Canada.

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

PORT HAWKESBURY NURSING HOME WORSHIP SERVICE

At the November 28th worship service at the nursing home--Al Fougere and Flo Hennessey. Al played Flo's favourite hymn "The Church in the Wildwood" and we joined in singing "Happy Birthday" in honour of her 90th birthday this Friday.

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

THE ADVENT CONTACT IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AND IN PRINT

To those of you who have opted to take the online version of the Contact, THANK YOU! The online version has all the photos in colour, which would be very expensive to produce in the printed copy. If you would like to have a copy e-mailed to you, or family and friends who live elsewhere, please inform Camille. (787-2610) Email: crchapman@ns.sympatico.ca
Some former residents of the area are already receiving the Contact by e-mail.

ST. MARK'S
The printed Contact is available on the table in the Narthex. Please be sure to take your own copy. If there is not a copy with your name on it and you would like to add your name to the list of those who receive a printed copy, please inform Camille before the next issue. If you see one that belongs to a relative, neighbour or a friend, please pick it up and deliver it to them.

The district lists have been altered and reduced due to the many people who have opted to receive their Contact online. If you had a district list in the past, please check with the lists on the table in the narthex. Your list may now have different names, or you may not have a list at all. If you see a district list that contains addresses in your part of town and the person who is supposed to be in charge of that list is absent, please take those copies and deliver them yourself or give them to the district person to deliver. With all this cooperation the Contact will be delivered in no time!

Thank you all!

Camille Chapman
Editor

Monday, 26 November 2012

ORDER OF SERVICE DECEMBER 2ND 2012-ADVENT 1

December 2^nd, 2012

1^st Sunday of Advent-Hope

The Sacrament of Communion

Thoughts around which to gather as we worship:

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

by Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome and greeting one another with the Peace of Christ.

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.

* Introit I Am Walking a Path

I am walking a path of hope, I am walking a path of hope,

I am walking a path of hope, lead me home, lead me home.

* Call to Worship

One: A branch begins to bud –

All: we wait with hope.

One: A new day begins to dawn –

All: we wait with patience.

One: A life begins to heal –

All: we wait with prayer.

One: A heart begins to open –

All: we wait for God.

One: Come, let us worship God.

Advent Candlelighting Liturgy

We Light the Candle of Hope (back of bulletin)

*Candlelighting Hymn Advent Candle Song (an echo song)

We light these candles as a sign.

Your light has come into the world.

Jesus has brought Your kingdom here.

Help us to share this good news.

We light these candles as a sign.

Your hope has come into the world.

Jesus has brought Your kingdom here.

Help us to share this good news.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Jeremiah 33:14–16 A righteous branch from David’s line.

One: This is the witness of the Hebrew people.

All:Thanks be to God.

Psalm 25:1–10 To you, O God, I lift my soul. Ref.2 VU 752

*Hymn Come Thou Long Expected Jesus VU 2

Opening the Word/Time with Children

The Gospel Acclamation

Luke 21:25–36 Signs in heavens and Earth; parable of the fig tree

One: This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Song/Doxology In Gratitude and Humble Trust VU 544

* Communion Hymn Eat This Bread VU 466

Sacrament of Communion Communion Insert, cover of VU

Distribution Hymn O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts VU 472

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Lead Me, God VU 662

* Commissioning and Benediction (together)

May we see the grace that surrounds us.

May we know the love that holds us close.

May we find the peace for which we yearn

May we live in God’s way of hope.

* Choral Amen

LIAISON COMMITTEE SURVEY

The survey below was circulated on Sunday, November 25th in both churches--and time was provided during worship for everyone to fill them out. If you weren't able to be at worship--and would like to voice your opinion, please copy the survey and fill it out and submit to nancy.corrigan@gmail.com

St. Mark's and St. David's--

Churches Working Together

“How are we doing?” Survey

This survey of morning worship attendees is for the use of the “Liaison Committee” of St. Mark's United Church, Port Hawkesbury and St. David's United Church, Port Hastings. It is a tool for us to use to continue our discussions about the effectiveness of our shared ministries and to help us determine future directions for our two pastoral charges separately—and working together! Please take a few minutes to respond to the questions below-- a quick, feeling-level response is desired, rather than lengthy reflection. Use the back of this page for “Other” responses—and for more space to respond if you need it. Try to complete all of the blanks where you have opinions. Place your survey in the box provided for that purpose as you leave the sanctuary. Do not take it home with you.

I attend ___ St. David's United Church, Port Hastings

___ St. Mark's United Church, Port Hawkesbury

2. I have attended here 3. My age is (please check one):

(please check one): ___0-17 ___55-64

___Less than 5 years ___18-24 ___65-74

___5 to 10 years ___25-34 ___75-84

___10 to 20 years ___35-44 ___85+

___More than 20 years ___45-54

I would describe the relationship between St. David's and St. Mark's as ___________________

I especially enjoy/value the times when we __________________________________together.

I wish we had more opportunity to ________________________________________________

Something I have always wondered about how we relate to one another is ________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Over the next 5 years, my hopes and dreams for the relationship between St. Mark's and St. David's include: (comment in as many of the spaces below as you can)

worship services___________________________________________________________________

music ministry_____________________________________________________________________

Christian education__________________________________________________________________

fellowship_________________________________________________________________________

communication_____________________________________________________________________

caring for one another________________________________________________________________

caring for our community_____________________________________________________________

caring for the world__________________________________________________________________

staff/ministry_______________________________________________________________________

finances and stewardship______________________________________________________________

church property and buildings__________________________________________________________

ADVENT 1 REFLECTIONS ON SCRIPTURE

December 2
Jeremiah 33:14–16
“The time is coming…when I will fulfill my gracious
promise with the people…”

God’s promises can sustain us. In Advent, as we prepare
to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we explore how we see
Jesus fulfilling some of the promises of God. While we
know the prophet is not predicting Jesus, we can see that
Jesus embodies ancient hopes, dreams, and ideas. As you
prepare to celebrate Christmas how do you see God’s
promises coming true in your daily life?

Saturday, 24 November 2012

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25TH 2012

MINISTER’S OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon

Tuesday 9-12 noon

Wednesday 9-12 noon at St. David’s You may drop by for a coffee.

Thursday 9 – 12 noon

Friday – Minister’s Day Off

The Manse telephone number is 625-0407

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of each month.

November 28^th – 10:30 a.m. – Service at the Nursing Home

Book Study: Darwin, Divinity and the Dance of the Cosmos. Change of meeting night for this week: meeting on Wednesday, November 28th at St. Mark’s, 7:00 p.m.

December 2^nd – First Sunday in Advent. Communion

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

COURTESY CAR

If you need a ride to church during the month of December call

Dave Chapman at 787-2610

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.

The new Cookbooks are available. They make great Christmas Gifts. Please check with Ruth Mac Rae – Chair of the Ways & Means Committee.

The pots, pans, plates and dishes are piling up in the corner of the kitchen. Please check out the pile to see if any might be yours.

Nov 30 ,2012 - Friday 7-9 pm

Annual Christmas Tea and Sale

The Annual Christmas Tea and Sale was a success even though the evening was chilly and there was the competition from the town with First Annual Christmas Parade.

Anyone interested in donating a poinsettia for the Hanging of the Greens Service is asked to leave it in the hall by the morning of December 2^nd. If it is in honour or memory of someone please contact Jane or leave a note on the collection plate with the necessary information.

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ST. DAVID'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

There Will be Sunday School at St. Davids on the First and Last Sunday of each month. (This will run two Sunday's together, but it is easier to remember this way) This will be starting on Sunday November 25th. We WILL be having our White Gift Service this year (I hope to have the service completed and ready for the kids to pick their parts on Nov. 25th) May God keep you in his warm and comforting embrace, Lisa

We would like to thank every one that helped to make the roast beef supper the success it was 2331.00 cleared From all of us, the board of stewards St Davids

Church Hall Cleaners for November are Claudette & Ashley Fox.

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An Emergency First Aid/CPR course will be offered in St. Peter’s on December 1^st and a Food Safety course in Arichat on December 15^th. For more information or to register, please contact the Richmond County Literacy Network at 226-0383.

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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“Step back in time for an Olde Tyme Christmas at the Port Hastings Museum; Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 7 to 9...daily 12 - 6pm. Bake Sale Saturdays @ noon. Quilts and other quality hand-crafted gift items for Christmas from local artisans and products from Galloping Cows. Special Doll Display. Free tea, cider, and cookies

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Lights of Love Christmas Campaign – join the celebration this year by helping the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home light up their tree with bulbs dedicated to love. You can dedicate a bulb in memory of a deceased loved one or honor someone presently in you life. Monies raised will be used to purchase Phototherapy Lamps and Easy Lift Chairs. Please join us on Sunday, Dec. 9^th at 7 p.m. in the R.K. MacDonald Chapel for the tree lighting and dedication ceremony.

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Upcoming events at Strathspey Place - Jimmy Rankin debuts his Christmas album, Tinsel Town on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the show. River Hill Players presents the hilarious Cash on Delivery at Strathspey Place on Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1 at 7:30 pm. Tickets: $15. Tickets are available by phone: 902-945-5300; or at the box office at 11156 Route 19, Mabou, NS. Email: admin@strathspeyplace.com www.strathspeyplace.com

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Strait Richmond Healthcare Foundation 9^th Annual Lights for Life campaign We invite you to join us for the Strait Richmond Hosptal – Tree Lighting Event Thursday, November 29, 2012. Tree Lighting 6:30 pm (Outside) Followed by hanging of Memorial Ornaments! (Inside)Santa will be joining us with some treats! Enjoy and/or participate in the lovely holiday music by local choir members and local talent! Refreshments will be provided!

If you have not had a canvasser at your door, you may purchase a Memorial Ornament on the night of the event! Income Tax receipts will be issued for all donations of $10 or more. For more information, please contact: Aurine Richard, Fundraising Coordinator 625-7234

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Leeside Transition house is putting on a Memorial December 6th. The December 6th Vigil is held in memory of the women who were murdered in Montreal at Ecole Polytechnique in 1989, and also in honour of those who have experienced domestic violence or any violence against women. It is being held on December 6th in Port Hawkesbury at the Strait Area Women's Place from 12:15pm-12:45pm. The address is 609 Church Street, Suite 104, located in the Professional Building. If you have any questions about the vigil, or if you are not sure where the above address is, you can call Leeside at 1 902 625 1990.

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Tuesday, 20 November 2012

ORDER OF SERVICE NOVEMBER 25TH 2012-REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY

St. David's Sunday School discuss "Alpha and Omega" as a way of describing God. The Sunday School are beginning to prepare for White Gift service on December 9th.

November 25^th, 2012

Reign of Christ Sunday

Thoughts around which to gather as we worship:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says our God, "the sovereign one, who is, and was, and who is to come." Revelation 1:8

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome and greeting one another with the Peace of Christ.

One: The peace of Christ be with you.

Response: And with your spirit.

* Introit How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds v. 1, 4 VU 344

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!

It soothes the sorrows, heals the wounds,

and drives away all fear.

Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, my Prophet,

Priest, and King, my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,

accept the praise I bring.

* Call to Worship

One: Like leaves skipping over the carpet of grass,

All: God comes to us, the One who was and is and is to come. One: Like the first glimpses of the sun peeking over the horizon: All: God comes to us, the One who was and is and is to come. One: Like the moon lighting our way on a cloudless, autumn night: All: God comes to us, the One who was and is and is to come. One: We have chosen to be here, where God remembers us.

All: God comes to us, the One who was and is and is to come.

* Hymn Rejoice, the Lord is King VU 213

Opening Prayer

God of endings and beginnings, of timeless circles of forever,

we celebrate this day the Reign of Christ:

child of David, and of Mary, sovereign of eternity,

servant leader, witness of truth, and governor of our lives.

Help us renew our commitment and covenant to be disciples and leaders. Help us live the example and ministry of this same Christ in whose name we both worship and pray. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

2 Samuel 23:1-7 David's last words glorify God.

Psalm 132 God will bless with abundance. VU 854

*Hymn Seek Ye First the Kingdom VU 356

Opening the Word/Time with Children & The Lord's Prayer

Revelation 1:4b-8 I am the Alpha and Omega.

One: We give thanks for these readings.

All: May the Spirit bless us with wisdom and wonder,

as we ponder the meaning of these words for our lives.

Reflection on the Word

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn Jesus Shall Reign VU 330

Minute for Mission & Offering Our Gifts to God

* Offering Song/Doxology Grant Us, God, the Grace VU 541

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

One: We lift our voices to you, O God,

All: May your reign be among us and within us.

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns VU 211

* Commissioning and Benediction

One: Take this circle of hope into the places of responsibility

to which you have been called,

live as people of God’s covenant and promise,

get on with the work of God’s reign,

and bless the world as God blesses you.

All: Let the faithful shout for joy!

* Choral Amen

Reign of Christ/Christ the King Sunday

The Feast of Christ the King was added to the calendar of the Roman Catholic church in 1925 and, since 1970, has been observed by Christians in general on the last Sunday prior to Advent. Several churches refer to it as “Reign of Christ Sunday,” and the lectionary readings provide an opportunity to explore what it means to live as members of God’s realm, and/or to explore the new images of kingship and leadership that Jesus modeled.

White or gold vestments are used on this day that brings the cycle of the church year to a close. Next Sunday begins a new year and a new season, and yet in some ways it is just a continuation, for the Christ on whose reign we focus today is the same one whose birth we begin to anticipate again next week.