Baptism at St. David's of Jack, son of T.J. & Robin Campbell

St. David's Official Board Meeting January 20th

St. David's Official Board Meeting will take place January 20th. All committee reports are to be presented at this meeting. Bring bag lunch.

St. Mark's Congregational Board Meeting, January 15

St. Mark's Congregational Board will meet on Tuesday, January 15th.
Executive: 6:30 p.m.
Committees: 7:15 p.m.
Combined Board: 8:15 p.m.

Please note:
All reports are due for the annual meeting from Chairpersons and Treasurers (as well as Ministry & Personnel, Special Events (UCW), Men's Club, Helping Hands and Nominating Committee, etc.)

Readings for January 13th, Baptism of Jesus

Isaiah 42: 1 - 9
Psalm 29 (Voices United Page 756)
Acts 10: 34 - 43
Matthew 3: 13 - 17

IT IS STRANGE ISN'T IT...

Isn't it strange . . .
how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church,
but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange . . .
how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church,
and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange . . .
that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but..
you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange . . .
how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but
how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or ZANE GREY book

Isn't it strange . . .
how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games but
they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange . . .
how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda,
but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange . . .
how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others;
but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange . . .
how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but...
we question the words in the Bible?

Isn't it strange . . .
how everyone wants a place in heaven but...
they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn't it strange . . .
how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away but
when we are going to send messages about God,
we think about it twice before we share it with others?


IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT?

Baptism of children of Chris & Gayle(Baillie) Purcell

Church Directories

Anyone from St. Mark's and St. David's churches who did not have their picture take, but would like to have a church directory, they are available for $15.00 + HST. Please call Gladys at 625-2707, Rilla at 625-2411 or Ian at 625-2303 before December 31 if you would like to order a directory. Those who had their photos taken by Universal Portrait Studios will receive a free directory. Those who submitted pictures will have to pay for a directory.

Readings for January 6, Second Sunday after Christmas

Isaiah 60: 1 - 6
Psalm 72: 1 - 7, 10 - 14, Voices United page 790, parts 1 & 2
Ephesians 3: 1 - 12
Matthew 2: 1 - 12

Rehersal for Christmas Eve at St. Mark's

Go Tell it on the Mountain
That Jesus Christ Was Born!

Sunday, December 30, Food Bank Sunday

Food Bank Sunday at both churches! Please share your bounty during this time of celebration.

Christmas Eve Services:

St. Mark's United Church, Port Hawkesbury - 6:30 PM

St. David's United Church, Port Hastings - 8:00 PM

Observer Renewal is Due

Anyone interested in subscribing to or renewing the Observer for 2008 please contact Bonnie Dawson by phone 625-3838 or e-mail b.dawson@ns.sympatico .ca by December 23, 2007. The annual cost is $15.00 (includes GST/HST). Please put payment in Observer envelope (available in the Narthex) or regular envelope marked "Observer" and place in collection plate with your offering. Cheque should be made payable to St. Mark's United Church.

Rev. LeGrow with children at St. David's

White Gift Service at St. David's

Hymns For Sunday, December 16

A Candle is Burning page 6, verse 3 (Voices United)
Hope is a Star page 7, verses 1, 2 & 3 (Voices United)
She Came Sailing on the Wind page 380 (Voices United)
O Come, O Come Emanuel page 1, verses 1, 6 & 7 (Voices United)
Psalm: The Magnificat page 898 Refrain 1 (Voices United)
Doxology page 544, Tune page 75 (Voices United)

St. Mark's Congregational Board Executive Meeting

St. Mark's Congregational Board (executive only) will be meeting Tuesday, December 18th at 6:30 p.m.

Readings for December 16, 3rd Sunday in Advent

Isaiah 35: 1 - 10
Psalm: 146: 5 - 10 (Voices United page 868) or Luke 1: 47 - 55 (Voices United page 898 - 899)
James 5: 7 - 10
Mathew 11: 2 - 11

St. Mark's Hanging of the Greens Service

On Sunday, December 2nd, St. Mark's youth and Sunday School participated in a Hanging of the Greens Service. What a wonderful service it was! Congratulations to all the children and teens for a great job. Thanks especially to the teachers and to Joyce Oliver-Snair who assisted them. Everything went flawlessly! Cameron MacEachern was tremendous as master of ceremonies, and one had to look twice to make sure it was not his father, Bob speaking at the microphone! Rev. LeGrow was very impressed with the evening as were all who attended!

WOW!

Where have you all been?

St. David's Decorates for Christmas 2007

Once again, members of St. David's got together on Saturday, December 1st at 9 am. to decorate for the Christmas season. Many years ago, we used to do it after the church service the Sunday before Advent which meant we were there very late that day and often had to finish up during the week.

For the second year, Lew and Maxine Smith had the tree up in advance with the lights on but we were still there till 2 o'clock.

An enjoyable time was had by all who came out. Lisa Rhynold, our Sunday School Superintendent, and Katie Downard organized Christmas crafts for the children and Alycia Vink organized the delicious lunch for everyone at noon.

Rev. LeGrow helped me with the picture taking this year which was a big help.

Hymns for First Sunday of Advent

Hymn for Advent - printed
Hope Is A Star #7 verse 1
A Candle is Burning # 6 verse 1
We Gather Here #469
People Look East #49
Psalm 122 #845
Doxology #540
During the distribution of Bread
- Let Us Break Bread Together #480
- Cup - I Come With Joy # 477

Vigil of Remembrance & Hope

You are invited to participate in a
Vigil of Remembrance & Hope

Thursday, December 6, 2007
7:00pm
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Port Hawkesbury
A Reception Will Follow

For More Information Call:
Leeside Transition House
902-625-1990

In 1991, December 6th was declared Canada’s National Day of
Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The Vigil is a time to remember all women and girls who live with
violence or who have died as a result of violence.
It is an opportunity to nurture our hope.
The violence can end.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!