Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:
Organist: Al Fougere
Lay Reader: Wayne Simpson
Advent Wreath: Joyce Oliver-Snair
Mission Moment: Linda Howlett
Greeters/Collectors: Valli Ross, Linda Howlett
Counters: Annabel Butts, Coleen MacKichan
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday & Tuesday 9-12 noon, Nan at St. Mark’s
Wednesday & Thursday 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s
Friday Minister’s Day Off, 9-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s
The “UPPER ROOM” for January-February are available.
Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.
Deadline for items for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.
United Church Calendars are available at the office for $6.00 each.
Next morning worship at the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home will be Christmas Eve, December 24th at 10;30 a.m.
Nan and Bruce are appreciative of all the affirmations and kind gestures as they prepare to leave their ministry here, effective January 1st, 2019. They wish to extend their thanks and prayers for a joyous Christmas season and New Year to all of you. In this season of giving, they are requesting that if you would like to honour them with a gift, please consider giving to Gifts with Vision or a charity of your choice.
Longest Night Worship—December 21st 6:30 p.m. St. Mark’s
The Longest Night service is a way to acknowledge the pain which the Advent and Christmas seasons cause some people. The emphasis on family, joy, giving and “good cheer” can be very difficult for those of us who have experienced loss of another through death, relocation or broken relationships, those who live with depression or other illnesses, those who have no jobs or little money for giving, and those whose addictions make the emphasis on parties very stressful. “Longest Night” services, held on December 21st – the longest night of the year – are sometimes referred to as “Blue Christmas”. Even on the longest night of the year, God is with us and promises a new day. Everyone welcome to join us for the Longest Night, a quiet, reflective worship service.
December 24th – Christmas Eve Services:
10:30 a.m. - Service at Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home
4:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service at St. David’s
6:00 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service at St. Mark’s
December 31st – New Year’s Eve 11:00 a.m. St. Mark’s
On the final day of the year we reflect on the events of the past and look ahead to the future. This is a worship service devoted to a new covenant with God, to a new commitment to witness and service. Nan’s final day and worship service with these pastoral charges.
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ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lay Readers:
December 21st – Longest Night – 6:30 p.m.
December 23rd – David Chapman
December 24th – Christmas Eve – 6:00 p.m. Multiple Readers
December 30th – First after Christmas – Combined Service at St. David’s 11:00.
Executive Meeting of the Church Board will meet Wednesday, December 19 at 6:00 pm
Gifts with Vision Catalogues The new Mission and Service Gifts with Vision catalogues can be found on the table in the church entry. Online orders can be placed at https://www.giftswithvision.ca/
The Worship and Pastoral Care Committee feels worship will be enhanced if we fill the front rather than the back pews. Please move forward if you are comfortable doing so.
Collection Counters/Recorders Needed - Please sign up. The load gets lighter when many helping hands participate.
FundScrip resumes in January 2019. Please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838 if you have any questions or if you wish to join the program.
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ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lay Readers:
December 23rd – Kevin Pierce
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service 4:00 p.m.
December 30th – First Sunday after Christmas – Julia Mac Kinnnon
Hall Cleaners for December are Jean Hatcher & Marjorie Langford
December 24th – Christmas Eve Service – 4:00 p.m.
December 30th – First after Christmas – Combined Service at St. David’s 11:00.
$561.00 was raised at the Pastoral Airs Concert in aid of the Food Bank.
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Floor curling at St. Mark’s each Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. Drop in when you like. $2.00 per week. Bring indoor footwear. Please note that Floor Curling is postponed until after the holidays, commencing again on January 9th.
