ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY DECEMBER 15TH 2013-ADVENT 3

At Christmas Dinner at St. Mark's December 12th-wonderful to see everyone.

We had a great meal--and terrific time together. A Merry Christmas indeed!

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Greeters: Angus Mac Rae

Lay Reader: Archie Noseworthy

Advent Wreath: Natasha & Irelyn Gautier

Collectors (St. M.): Angus Mac Rae, Vali Ross,

Ingram Fowlie, Andy Palmer

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

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the 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. Next meeting will be Monday, December 16, 2013.

AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH OFFICE:  

Canadian Church Calendar 2014 

Cost: $6.00 ($1.25 profit from each to go to the Mission and Service Fund, United Church of Canada)

Advent and Christmas Worship and Events

December 21^st Longest Night Service, St. David’s, 6:30

December 22^nd Advent 4

December 24^th Christmas Eve 10:30 P. H. Nursing Home

December 24^th Christmas Eve Communion

6:30 p.m. St. Mark’s

8:00 p.m. St. David’s

December 29^th Christmas 1, 11:00 a.m.- St. Mark’s

Advent Small Group: Spiritual Practices in the Isaiah Readings

Wednesday December 18 10:00 a.m. St. David’s

The Canadian Government has extended the deadline for the dollar for dollar matching of donations made by individuals to registered Canadian charities - including the United Church - for Typhoon Haiyan relief.  December 23, 2013 is now the date by which donations need to be received, either by the General Council Office or by congregations.
January 8, 2014 is the deadline for congregations to ensure that all eligible donations, collected between November 9 and December 23,  are received by the General Council Office. Donations received after December 23, 2013 are still welcome, but they will not be eligible for matching by the Canadian government.
To donate now: https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1955&AID=3036
For more information about The United Church of Canada's emergency appeal, please go to: http://www.united-church.ca/haiyan
Cheques can be sent to:
The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy-Emergency Response
3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
Tel 416-231-5931 or 1-800-268-3781
E-mail listings can be sent to: finserv@united-church.ca

Dec. 21^st—Longest Night Candlelight Worship St. David’s 6:30 p.m.

Prayers, scripture and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle—and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness.

Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for January-February are available.

ST. MARK’S FLOWERS

- Wreath in the Church entry In Loving Memory of CHRISTINE LANGLEY from her family.

- In Loving Memory of OUR PARENTS, HARRY & HAZEL SMITH and BROTHER, SONNY from Sharon, Roy & Families.

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

PLEASE NOTE: Tuesday, December 17^th at 7:00 p.m. – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting. Executive only.

FUNDSCRIP REPORT December FundScrip Order Sunday will be December 15^th and December Delivery Sunday will be December 22^nd. December Promotions are:

Roots/Roots Home/Roots Kids 13% ( Regular 7%)

Pizza Pizza 13% ( Regular 10%)

Kernels Popcorn 10% ( Regular 5%)

FundScrip was initiated at St. Mark’s United Church in September 2013 with our first order sent September 8^th. We are participating in the program with Holy Trinity Anglican Church and by doing so our combined orders are large enough that we have eliminated shipping and handling charges. To date the program has raised $327.00 which is an average of $109.00 per month and if this continues for the year $1300.00 would be earned for our church. Fourteen supporters (families) from our church are using the program on a regular basis for groceries, gas, pharmacy items, restaurants and home supply retailers. Over the holiday season we hope these supporters and hopefully some new supporters will purchase additional cards to use as gifts for their families and friends. Please contact Patsy Brander at 625- 1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions about how to join this program.

St. Mark’s Lay Readers:

Dec. 21^st –Longest Night Service at St. David’s

Dec. 22^nd – Barbara MacIntyre

Dec. 24^th –tba

Dec. 29^th – Combined Service at St. Mark’s

Observer:  We were not able to get enough new subscriptions for 2014 so the price remains at $20.00/year.  This is still a great deal, less than $2.00 a month!  For all subscribers, please put your payment in a plain envelope with your name and mark it “Observer” and place it on the collection plate.  For new subscribers, please contact me with your full mailing address either by phone, 625-0535, or by e-mail lorna.harvey3@gmail.com  The list will be forwarded Dec. 18^th.

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Princeville United Church Annual Christmas Service will be held Sunday December 15th at 7PM.  Come and join in a wonderful evening of beloved Christmas music and readings in our beautiful old church decorated in Christmas finery.  Lunch will be served.  Everyone welcome.

“In the Dark of Winter” J. Franklin Wright Fibre Exhibition Jan 27 2014 - Mar 14 2014 Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre Opportunities for both amateurs and professionals, with categories for quilting, weaving, felting, rug hooking, knitting, spinning, and needlework. The entries are not juried. All entries following the guidelines in the prospectus are exhibited; however, they will be judged to award the prizes. The show is sponsored by the J. Franklin Wright Gallery. As part of this show we will be offering educational events, demonstrations and sale of entries. www.phcivic.com Registrations are due on or before January 17, 2014. The exhibit will run from January 27 to March 14, 2014.

The 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 Rosanne, Stan or Roberta or donations may be left in your name at the Royal Bank of Canada.