As families and friends travel and gather, we pray that everyone returns home safely after an enjoyable holiday.
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CHRISTMAS SERVICES
DECEMBER 23rd
Advent IV (Love) - A Festival of Lessons and Carols (with the Bells of Westminster)
DECEMBER 24th
Live Nativity on the front lawn at 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. Crib Service followed by fellowship & hot chocolate (for the young & young at heart) Service is 30 minutes in length.
7:00 p.m. Family Candlelight Service with the Spirit Band
10:00 p.m. Communion Candlelight Service with Basically Sound & The Bells
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In our thoughts and prayers
Nora MacLean, mother of Tanya Ellacott
Bill Robbins at home
Nathan Teeter at Headwaters
Mother of Beth Reid
Pray for the young mothers of the Massey Centre for Women in Toronto, an outreach ministry supported by the M & S Fund.
To email a Prayer Request click here:
All are welcome to join our Prayer Circle - Thursdays at 9:30 AM
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Work party to set up the stable outside the church is scheduled for Saturday, December 22nd at 9:00 AM. Volunteers are needed!
Work party is scheduled for Thursday, December 27th to work on the AVIT room as well as computer lab if possible. MANY volunteers needed. Let Brian Bleasdale know if you can assist. bleasdale@rogers.com
Rev. Sandra will be conducting worship: Dec. 30 - "The Stories behind the Carols of Christmas" followed by a pot-luck lunch
January 6 - Epiphany - "Finding Another Way"
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A MESSAGE FROM REV. SANDRA
This is my personal invitation to you to join us at Westminster for some or all of our Christmas services. Due to weather conditions last Sunday we had to cancel the carol service in the afternoon but there is good news... This Sunday Dec. 23rd at 10:30 a.m., we will present the majority of this program within our Advent IV worship service.
The Christmas Eve Services are outlined in this newsletter. Please note that the live animals will be at the church starting at 3:30 p.m. just before our new Crib Service and not at the 7:00 p.m service.
This past year, I have had the privilege to share in the moments of joy and sadness, of frustration and hope, within this congregation. I wish to thank everyone who offered their time and financial support to our church.
On behalf of my family, I wish you HOPE where there is doubt, PEACE where there is disease, JOY where there is struggle and LOVE where there is bitterness. "Follow the STAR, to illumine your pathway home".
Have a blessed Christmas.
Rev. Sandra
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A MESSAGE FROM MARTIN
As I write this, we are four days away from the fourth Sunday in Advent and we will light the candle representing LOVE. As I reflect on the events taking place in my life, this year I must say that I have never experienced such an outpouring of Love as I have received from the folks of Westminster United Church. Your Loving support, your Prayers and the beautiful Prayer Shawl I received from the Prayer Shawl group, have all helped make it possible for me to battle through the cancer treatments and to step out in faith on what felt at times like groundless ground.
As we continue to prepare for the coming of the Christ child, may you and yours continue to experience the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that this season brings. Merry Christmas!!!
Blessings
Martin James |
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NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION - 5TH SUNDAY POTLUCK
Everyone is invited to join us after worship on December 30th for our next 5th Sunday Potluck - bring your party hat and your favourite dish. Hope to see you there!
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JUST A REMINDER...
All action groups and committees are responsible for writing up a report for the Annual Report. Please have your report into the church office by January 15, 2008. Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 27th, after the worship service.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED FOR THE NEXT SESSION.
Do you have a child in our children's ministry program? Could you offer at least a couple of Sundays over the next few months? When we share the load wonderful things happen. Contact Tanya Ellacott through the church or by email at tanyaellacott@sympatico.ca
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NOMINATING ACTION GROUP NEEDS:
This year we have a number of folk that are retiring from Action Groups, taking a rest or exploring other interests within the congregation of Westminster. These vacancies provide an opportunity for others to take their turn living their faith through the service of these committees. A complete list of our action groups can be found on our website. Although we need folk to help us in all areas, listed below are our particular areas of concern for 2008. Those who wish to join Action Groups please contact the office. Duties would begin at the rise of the Annual Congregational Meeting at the end of January. For more information on these opportunities and more please contact Brian Heimbecker through the church or by email at lb.ironwood@sympatico.ca
FINANCE ACTION GROUP
This group is a key player in the stability of our church. The Nominating Action Group is currently searching for a NEW TREASURER to begin their duties at the end of January. Pat Ferguson our current treasurer has worked very hard at this task and we thank her for her work. More on this job description will follow in the next newsletter. In addition to this position we are in need of folk with experience with finance to join this team. A strong finance group can lay a firm foundation for the future of our church.
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN WORSHIP?
Our Nominating Action group are looking for folk to join the team. This group meets once a month to work with our ministry team in creating meaningful worship.
WE NEED A LEADER FOR THE PROPERTY ACTION GROUP. Are you the kind of person that likes hands on experience? This may be the job for you. Contact Brian Bleasdale through at bleasdale@rogers.com
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ORANGEVILLE'S FIRST NIGHT
Orangeville's fourth annual First Night celebration to be held on December 31st, will feature horse-drawn wagon rides, an outdoor stage (Campfire Poets, Tres Hombres, Erich Rock, and T.J. Whitelaw), an indoor stage in the Orangeville Opera House (Academy of Performing Arts, Rory "The Gnome", Adam Kozak), street performers (Elias on Fire, Al The Pal, and Frank Santangelo), and a pyrotechnics display at 9:30 p.m. The First Night celebration will run from 6-10 p.m. at Broadway and Second Street. Leading up to the celebration, the Town of Orangeville will offer free skating on both ice pads at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre from 4:30-6 p.m.
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COME TO THE MANGER
December 24th at 3:30 PM prior to the 4:00 PM Crib Service and afterwards until 5 PM. We require participants to become the figures for our "Live Nativity" outside on the front lawn of the church! No age restriction! Sign up on the bulletin board downstairs in the Auditorium to be part of this fun activity!
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OTHER NOTES OF INTEREST
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
Westminster United Church, Tweedsmuir Presbyterian Church and Good Friends Fellowship are presenting a display at the "Christmas in the Park" in Kay Cee Gardens in Orangeville with entrance off Bythia Street. This display opens at 7:30 p.m. on December 8th until December 29th. All are welcome to visit between 6:30 and 10 p.m. We are looking for volunteers for one or two evenings of park supervision from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Anyone wishing to assist may call John Marshall at 941-1583.
We have discussed "Unwrapping Christmas" by Lori Copeland and have arranged for a conference call with the author which has been postponed to January 2008. More information to follow.
NEXT SUNDAY...
December 30th & January 6th - Family Services - regular Sunday School classes will not be held.
CONSIDER NAMING WESTMINSTER AS YOUR CHRISTMAS CHARITY FOR DONATIONS
For many years our extended families have been drawing names to buy Christmas gifts. For the past few years, we have specified a charitable donation be made in our name instead of a gift. This year, our family will be naming Westminster United Church as our charity when we draw names. If you are used to a similar tradition in your family, consider naming Westminster as your charity of choice for this Holiday Season. Donations can be made by family members quickly, easily and securely over the Internet through CanadaHelps.org by going to www.westminsterorangeville.ca and then clicking on 'Donate' or by calling Lynne in the church office at 519-941-0381.
CALLING ALL INSTRUMENTAL MUSICIANS
Are you interested in creating beautiful Christmas Music for our church members? The commitment is short, just a few weeks. Anyone with a flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, sax or drum and is interested in playing before a service, call Laurie Heimbecker at 519-941-6225. Music will be handed out shortly and practice will commence soon. We already have ten interested members. Westminster Church is such an amazing place for concert band instruments to perform in!
WESTMINSTER'S 2008 PHOTO DIRECTORY
Have we missed contacting you? Do you wish to be part of our directory? Photos are being scheduled for January 2008. Please contact Lynne Smith in the office (519) 941-0381 or by email at westminster@westminsterorangeville.ca.
Merry Christmas from your friends at Westminster United Church! |
Isaiah 7:11 "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." |
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Contact Info
Telephone (519) 941-0381 Fax (519) 941- 0385
Website http://www.westminsterorangeville.ca Email westminster@westminsterorangeville.ca
We worship Sundays at 10:30 AM
Donations to Westminster United Church accepted online at CanadaHelps.org or via PayPal to user: westminster@westminsterorangeville.ca | |
