OFFICE HOURS:
Monday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’sTuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Wednesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. David’s, Jane at St. Mark’s
Thursday 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s
Friday Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s
Nan will be away for 2 nights—December 13th and 14th. Back home the afternoon of Tuesday December 15th.
Food Bank donations received on the last Sunday of the month.
Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.
Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle: Knitters and crocheters gather in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3rd Monday of each month. Next time of gathering is Monday December 14th at 1:00 p.m. for this month only.
Copies of the “UPPER ROOM’ for Nov.-Dec. are available
Reading and Reflecting through Advent & Christmas
A contemplative corner has again been set up in St. Mark’s sanctuary—a quiet space for the Advent and Christmas seasons. There you may light a candle, read and reflect. In the corner, you will find the book “Awaiting the Already: An Advent Journey Through the Gospels” by Magrey R. DeVega. Read a chapter each week you visit the corner. Spend some time with the reflections, activities and prayer that are provided at the end of each chapter. Let us prepare for Christ’s coming, one Gospel at a time.Advent and Christmas Worship and Events
December 20th – Advent 4December 21st -- Longest Night
6:30 p.m. -- Service at St. David’s
December 24th – Christmas Eve Communion
6:30 p.m. – Service at St. Mark’s
8:00 p.m. – Service at St. David’s
December 27th – Christmas 1, 9:30 a.m. St. Mark’s
The ‘UPPER ROOM” for January- February are available.
ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lay Readers:December 20th – Rachael Robitaille
December 21st – Longest Night – Combined with St. David’s
December 24th – Multiple readers
December 27th – Combined Service at St. Mark’s
FundScrip Financial Report and Order/Delivery Schedule
Promotions
Petro-Canada 3% ( Regular 2% )
Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy 7% ( Regular 5% )
The Children’s Place 10% (Regular 8%)
Pizza Pizza 12% (Regular 10%)
The Delivery Sundays are December 20th and the Order Sunday is December 13th. FundScrip will resume in early January. Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions of if you wish to join the program.
Looking for Holy Family St. Mark’s is looking for 3 people to represent Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus at Christmas Eve Communion Service. Do you have family visiting at that time which have a babe in arms? Would Dad, Mom and baby be willing to do this for us on Christmas Eve? Please let Nan know if this is something your family would like to do.
50th Anniversary! In 2016, St. Mark’s will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary. 50thAnniversary weekend will be June 10th to 12th, 2016. The next meeting is January 11th at 1:30 p.m. in the parlour.
It’s Observer Time again! Please consider ordering a new subscription to this award winning United Church Magazine. To our present subscribers, please note there is a price increase (first time in 5 years) to $25.00 a year. If we could get 5 new subscribers, we could keep the cost to $20 for this year only. The list must be returned Dec 15th, so please act now if you are interested. Contact Lorna Harvey, lorna.harvey3@gmail.com or 902-625-0535. As in past years, please place your payment on the collection plate with your name and address, clearly marked “Observer”.
December 15th – St. Mark’s Board-Executive Only
December 20th – 8:00 a.m.; St. Mark’s Men’s Group Meeting.
ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lay Readers:December 20th – Kenzie Mac Lean
December 27th – Kevin Pierce
Cleaners for December are Jean Hatcher and Marjorie Langford.
St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, “Longest Night” Service Dec. 21st at 6:30 p.m.
The treasurer will close the books for the year on December 31 and all entries/donations have to be submitted by then.
St. David's UCW will meet on Tuesday, December 15 at 12 noon at the home of Maxine Smith.
The Angel Tree in the front entry was set up to facilitate the collection of food and Christmas gifts for Christmas dinner boxes. If you picked the angel (s) with perishable items (fruit, vegetables), it would be very helpful if you would be able to get these items to us later in the week of Dec. 13th (Dec. 17th-19th). We will begin packing the boxes on Saturday, December 19th and they will be delivered to families and individuals in our area early on Dec. 20th.
St. David’s Annual Congregational Meeting February 7th, 2016. Reports are due on January 17, 2016.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rotary Club “Carolling in our Community” Friday, December 18, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury. Free-will offering to go to Seasonal Services in Port Hawkesbury. Followed by refreshments. Everyone of all ages welcome. For more information, please contact Rotary Club of Port Hawkesbury President, Chris Cook, via 902-631-2858Longest Night/Blue Christmas Services
Trinity United Church, Mulgrave offers a special “Blue Christmas” service Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, a “Longest Night” service Dec. 21st at 6:30 p.m. Come and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, hymns, and scripture that acknowledge God’s presence for those who mourn, for those who struggle and that God’s Word comes to shine light in our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background, is welcome!
Princeville United Church will celebrate their annual Christmas service of readings and beloved Christmas music on Sunday, December 13th at 7PM. Refreshments will be served following the service
Christmas Carol & Reading Service at River Denys Presbyterian Church on December 20, 2015 at 7 pm Everyone welcome. Ministry of music by local and invited guests. Fellowship and refreshments to follow the service. Free will offering in support of River Denys & Malagawatch Church.
