december 2019 · a christmas that will last this christmas, when you’ve finished wrapping and...
TRANSCRIPT
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December 2019
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A Christmas That Will Last
This Christmas, when you’ve finished wrapping and unwrapping the gifts, and all the food is
eaten, what will have brought the greatest meaning? For many people fulfillment comes from
meaningful relationships, and for Christians, the most meaningful relationship is with Jesus.
In our fast moving world it is hard to develop relationships that are worthwhile, but that is the
purpose of Advent and Christmas. For Christians, Advent is not a season, but a decision!
It is a time to refocus our lives, to seek again the transforming power that we discover within
the measurements of a manger. We believe Jesus comes to bring that transformation to our
lives and to the world.
So, this Christmas, we invite you to Jesus’ House.
On Sunday, December 8 at 7:00pm we will hear Lessons and Carols from our Choir and
Choirs from Brooklin United Church, Northminster United Church and St. Stephen’s United
Church. In addition there will be Flute played by Pandora Bryce, Oboe by Kathy Beatty and
the Durham Wind Ensemble, led by our own Margaret Motum.
Then on Sunday, December 15 at 10:30am, our theme will be “Only Love Can See the Star”
while we celebrate Holy Communion.
On Tuesday, December 17 at 7:00pm we will share in our Longest Night Service where we
offer a special opportunity to be a supportive community for those who find Christmas a difficult
time due to the losses and struggles that life often brings.
Sunday, December 22 at 10:30am is the last Sunday of Advent preparations for Christmas.
Our theme will be “Jesus Slept Here”. Our Choir and Junior Choir will sing and there will be
liturgical dance as part of our celebration that day. Our children will also celebrate with their
Birthday Party for Jesus.
Finally, on Christmas Eve we have three afternoon Christmas Eve Services at 1:00pm,
3:00pm and 5:00pm, entitled “A Star is Born”. Of course live animals will make a visit.
At 10:00pm, we will celebrate Jesus’ birth with a Candlelight Communion Service.
Jesus is coming to Westminster, for a Christmas That Will Last.
You’re invited too!
Many Blessings, Rev. Dan
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First Sunday of Advent
December 1
10:30 a.m.
Family ADVENTure Day
December 1
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Second Sunday of Advent
December 8
10:30 a.m.
Lessons, Carols and
Candlelight Service
December 8
7:00 p.m. at Westminster
Third Sunday of Advent
December 15
10:30 a.m.
Longest Night Service
December 17
7:00 p.m.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22
10:30 a.m.
J.a.M.
Jesus’ Birthday Party
December 22
10:30 a.m.
Christmas Eve Play
“A Star is Born”
December 24
1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Candlelight
Communion Service
December 24
10:00 p.m.
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What a Wonderful Bazaar!
Thanks to all who made it such a fun and successful community event!
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COMMITTEE This month, we are highlighting the
Worship Committee.
The worship committee has a very important role in the community we call Westminster United Church. It is responsible for supporting our Interim Minster,
Reverend Dan Yourkevich, in the presentation of the weekly Sunday morning service as well as coordinating other services throughout the year. A Sunday service can include Communion (Sandra K-C.) and Baptism (Ava T.) as well as Minute for Mission and Stewardship. Ensuring there are Greeters (Patti L.) for the front door and candle lighters is another role under the Worship Team umbrella. Handing out bulletins and aiding people to their seats as well as helping to collect the offering is the job of the Ushers (Ed R.) and after service there is Coffee/Tea/Juice (Heather M.) offered to everyone. Following the church calendar and lectionary, the decoration of the sanctuary and Narthex falls to the Sanctuary Committee (Heather Von Z.) which changes many times throughout the year. To organize all of this, we often meet throughout the year and thankfully have a Secretary (Sarah B.) and Co-Chairs (Ava T. and Heather Von Z.) to run the meeting. Our Minister of Music (Margaret Motum) and Reverend Dan attend the Worship meetings and provide invaluable input. Our committee is very grateful for all the dedicated volunteers who work on the various teams to support Worship at Westminster. Working on the Worship Committee provides an excellent
opportunity to be an integral part of your church family. Please consider volunteering and getting to know your community.
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Christmas Hampers
Thank you for continuing to support Westminster’s annual Christmas Hamper Program.
This year is our largest undertaking yet, as we will be providing 81 Christmas Hampers
for those in need in our community.
If you are helping to provide for the families and individuals of this program
and you have already received your “Christmas Hamper “Tags”,
please take note of the important dates below…
...and Thank You in advance for your generosity!
Saturday, December 14th
Drop-off gifts in the gym (12:00pm to 4:00pm)
Sunday, December 15th
Delivery of Christmas Hampers
(After the worship service, Volunteer drivers needed)
CO
RN
ER
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Come Out and Get Your
GAME ON!
Friday, December 6th
7:00pm - 9:30pm (For Adults and those over 10 years of age)
Hope to see you at this
Fun, Free Event!
Come and be part of this
Awesome Small Group!
This monthly “come as you can” group
brings adults of all ages and genders together
for a time of discussion, food,
fellowship and prayer…...all in a casual
and comfortable environment.
Faith & Fellowship
will meet on the following dates,
from 1:30pm - 3:00pm:
December 18 and January 8
Hope you can make it!
For more information, contact Cathy Shaw at: [email protected] or 905-723-6442
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Advent Labyrinth Meditation
An opportunity to walk the
Labyrinth’s circuitous path
as symbolic of a pilgrimage and
a spiritual journey, transformation,
healing and wholeness in Christ.
During Advent, take time to slow down, to be still and to be awake
to the Divine Mystery that looks so common, so ordinary and yet is
wonderously present.
Prepare your heart to receive a blessing of peace from the Prince of Peace.
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J.a.M Kids
You’re Invited to a
Sunday, December 22
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It’s official - the cupboards are bare at our Food Bank!
Our demand is increasing and we are in great need of just about everything
(except pasta and chic peas)...we need canned meat/fish, canned vegetables
and canned fruit, snacks (granola bars, pudding, etc.), juice boxes, coffee, tea,
cereal, peanut butter and non-refrigerated milk (boxes of Almond, Soy, etc.)
We are also in need of toiletries. We thank you for your generosity to our Food
Bank and for helping to keep our shelves stocked. If possible, please check for
expiry dates on food donations...many thanks!
Grocery Cards Here’s a great Christmas gift idea, especially for that student living away from
home or that hard to buy for person in your life. Grocery gift cards are available
for purchase at face value during coffee time after service on Sunday or from the
church office during the week. The added bonus of purchasing these cards is that
Westminster receives a percentage for each card sold,
The Outreach Committee invites you to add child and adult sized mittens and
gloves to our Annual Mitten Tree. All donated items will be distributed during
the first few weeks of January to area schools and community groups that
have expressed a need.
If you are looking for a wonderful Christmas Gift idea, then look no further than the Fair Trade Table in the Gym each week. Not only are there wonderful Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate and other goodies to purchase, but at this time of year, there are also beautifully prepared Gift Baskets for that special person in your life.
Monies raised from our Fair Trade sales help with the costs of our Fellowship coffee time after church on Sunday mornings. Many thanks to everyone who supports this ministry! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ̂
The Longest Night Service
will be held on
Tuesday, December 17
at 7:00pm.
This service offers a time of care and concern for those who may be grieving or sad during
this Christmas Season or for people who are feeling stressed or ‘out of sync’ with the seasonal
emphasis on happiness, togetherness and family gatherings.
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Gentle God,
let the grace of this sacred
season take hold of me.
Free me from distractions
that steal away glimpses
of your goodness.
During these days and weeks
of anticipation
and expectation,
make me mindful of joy
and hope and the wonder
of your incarnate love.
Amen.
Bridge to a New Home
Our latest family, the Nwers, welcomed a baby boy on Nov 22, almost exactly one year after their arrival in Canada. Mom and baby (Tameem) are doing well and Fareeza is thrilled to be a big sister! Our committee has been busy, helping with continued support for these wonderful families. We are thrilled to welcome Tameem as our first Canadian citizen!
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How Might You Consider a Greener Christmas?
At least once a generation we are asked to consider that “Small is Beautiful!”. Right now rampant
consumerism is threatening many of the ecosystems that make our planet habitable. This hurts.
So we are sure that many of you are thinking of making the Christmas holidays a little greener
this year. We feel that our Lord would approve. Here are some ideas to get you started!
Talk with your family about traditions that are important to them and ways that they might suggest
that you simplify (scale back/prioritize/eliminate excess).
Christmas Cards: Buy them from a charity – Reuse last year’s (cut and paste) – Reuse card
fronts by putting a ribbon in a hole in the corner allowing them to be hung on the tree, a lamp or a
doorknob – Substitute with a phone call, especially to an old friend far away.
Christmas Tree: An artificial tree lasts for years and is comfortingly familiar - Buy a real tree that
can be replanted (you have to plan a hole ahead!) - Buy from a local, organic tree farm.
Ornaments/Décor: What do you have already that can be updated with red or gold accents –
Get out your warm shawls and throws to warm up bodies and rooms - Natural items like pine
cones will accept paint, sequins, ribbon or beads and will sparkle! - Cut or folded paper chains
add pizzazz – And don’t forget cookies and popcorn chains on your tree.
Gifts: Consider gifts of your time or talents (baking, preserves, knitting, sewing, bubble bath
(Ivory liquid, glycerin and sugar!). With your close family, share memories with a scrap book or
pass on appropriate treasures of your own (books or jewelry) – Consider sharing with several
others a “Gifts with Vision” donation. Many adults now make charitable donations in lieu of gifts.
Wrap your offerings in what you have: comics, maps, children’s art, wallpaper and tie with ribbon,
yarn or dental floss!
Reduce your travel. Treat loved ones to local theatre or musical productions instead of driving
to Toronto.
Traditions are important. Substitute or add a simple new one (a walk in the snow before
Christmas dinner) - Record your child reading the Christmas story or a Grandparent reading
The Night Before Christmas – Watch a particular Christmas video together – Make Westminster’s
Christmas Eve Service and Play an annual event.
Food and Drink: Challenge yourself to aim for the One
Hundred Mile Diet! Visit local markets (Macmillan and
Algoma have fresh and frozen offerings) – Use hot cider,
herbal tea or eggnog instead of coffee and hot chocolate –
Consider a pot luck which heightens everyone’s investment
in the event.
As you change your mindset and open your heart to the
season, the planet will thank you and the colour of your
Christmas will be enhanced!
The CDMC
(Climate Disruption Mitigation Committee)
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UCW Report
A hearty thank-you to everyone who so generously supported our
requests: the Spring request for soap and face cloths for Africa,
and our fall requests for Camp Quin-Mo-Lac supplies
and hygiene items for the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).
With your generous support, we donated the following: 318 bars
of Ivory soap, 20 hand towels, 2 dish towels, 49 dish cloths, 191
face cloths, and 4 preemie vests to Dr. Simone who ships them
from Lindsay to Guyana, Africa. Thank you to Bob and Glenda
Locksley for taking them to Lindsay. We sent: 4 footballs, 3 soccer
balls, 4 basketballs, 2 softballs, 2 hockey pucks, 5 various balls,
6 – 60-watt lightbulbs, 6 Noma lightbulbs, and 4 - 9-volt batteries
to Camp Quin-Mo-Lac. Thank you to Tena and Jack Darroch for
delivering them to the Lakeridge Presbyterial representative. We collected and gave: 4 towels,
41 tooth brushes, 10 tubes of tooth paste, 9 combs, 1 hair curler, 2 hair brushes, 14 packages
of sanitary pads, 89 packages of face soap, 1 hand towel, 12 packages of laundry soap,
3 sponges, 3 containers of deodorant, 3 packages of band aids, 1 package of sponges, 5 bottles
of body lotion, 1 bottle of body cream, 7 bottles of body wash, 14 hair products, 2 packages of
sponge wipes and 1 large bag of assorted clothing for the MCC personal hygiene drive. Thank
you to Mark Clarke and Carol O’Neil for picking it up and delivering it to MCC.
Our heartfelt gratitude to all the people who donated. Without you it could not have been done.
Thank you.
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If you’re a Youth in
Grade 6, 7 or 8
then this Youth Group is for you!
Every Thursday evening from
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Games,
Outreach,
Hot Topic Discussions,
Fun, Friends and Food…
…there’s something for everyone!
Bring your friends and make this group your own awesome place to
hang out on Thursday Night. Can’t wait to see you!
Note: Our Youth Group will not be at the Church on Thursday, December 5th, as they will
be shopping for Christmas Hamper Gifts!
Please remember that Westminster
is a Fragrance - Free facility.
We thank you for not wearing
scented products.
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Making Bible Brownies
in the Garden of Eatin’
(Snack Workshop)
Our Just Jammin’ Class...
...working on a
Scripture
Puzzle.
(Matt 22:37-39)
Spending time in the Good News Room
(Lesson Workshop)
learning about the
Body of Christ
and how each of us have
special gifts to share…
...we cannot all be an eye or an ear or a
mouth or a hand.
Making Christmas cards in our all-ages
J.a.M Session!
One for each of the Christmas Hampers!
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Date: Tuesday, December 17
Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm.
Place: Westminster’s Gym
To Book an Appointment:
1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283)
www.blood.ca
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Affirming Sundays
With the support of Council, it has been agreed that Westminster United Church regularly
designate the fifth Sunday in a month to be an Affirming Sunday. These Sundays will
connect our faith to our continuing journey to be an affirming congregation. The Affirming
focus will include a variety of topics which will be reflected upon in our prayers and other
parts of the service. As well, there will be opportunities for information displays in the gym,
workshops/information sessions/luncheon after service.
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Diversity
Embraced
Here
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...Our Food Bank has had a very busy Fall. The number of clients continue to grow.
Many thanks for your generosity in keeping our Food Bank stocked! Please remember that
the need is great throughout the entire year.
...Have you noticed the number of children attending J.a.M.? How positive is that? A big
thank you to our Christian Education Committee and the J.a.M Teaching Team for all their
hard work, care, love and positive influence on our children!
...Have you noticed how well the music ties in with the key message of the worship service?
This does not happen by accident and involves the collaboration of our Worship Leaders.
...What a wonderful experience to hear Luke Yourkevich, son of Rev. Dan and Joanne, play the
trumpet so meaningfully on Remembrance Sunday. Thank you Luke!
...Our thanks to Rev. Dan for moving and greeting in the sanctuary before service every Sunday
and to Cathy for trying to “wrangle” him in time for the Service to begin.
...Are you aware that there is a group at Westminster which provides respite meals for those
who may need them temporarily? If you would like to be one of these meal providers or know
someone who might need this service, please contact Teena M. through the church office.
...Many thanks to the CDMC (Climate Disruption Mitigation Committee) for their presentation on
the plastic crisis which was held after service on Sunday, November 24th. It was an informative
session which opened our eyes to the need for action.
...Anything can happen on a Sunday morning. Were you there during the Children’s Time when
Rev. Dan asked each one how they squeezed their toothpaste, only to admit that he, himself
was a Bottom Squeezer! His comment didn’t phase the children, but it sure made the adults
chuckle. How wonderful that God gives to us laughter!
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There will be no Wine, Women and the Word in the month of December.
This group will resume on January 14, 2020
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JUST
FOR
LAUGHS
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You’re invited… Worship Service - Advent 2 - Peace
10:30am
Lessons, Carols and Candlelight Service
7:00pm
Sunday, December 8
NOOMA DVD Series (Small Group)
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Monday, December 9
Youth Group (Grades 6,7,8)
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Thursday, December 12 (every Thursday evening)
Christmas Hamper - Gift Drop-Off
12:00pm - 4:00pm
Saturday, December 14
Worship Service - Advent 3 - Joy - Communion
10:30am
Christmas Hamper Distribution
After Worship - Volunteer Drivers Needed!
Sunday, December 15
Blood Donor Clinic
4:00pm - 8:00pm
Longest Night Service
7:00pm
Tuesday, December 17
Faith & Fellowship (Small Group)
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Wednesday, December 18
Worship Service - Advent 4 - Love
10:30am
Jesus’ Birthday Party
(For J.a.M Kids, during worship)
Sunday, December 22
Christmas Eve Family Services - “A Star Is Born”
1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service
10:00pm
Tuesday, December 24
Worship Service
10:30am - Intergenerational Service
No Nursery or J.a.M classes today
Sunday, December 29
Worship Service
10:30am - Intergenerational Service
No Nursery or J.a.M classes today
Sunday, January 5
Living Alone Lunch
12:00pm
Wednesday, January 8
Wishing you and your family an abundantly blessed holiday season…
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!