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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Advent calendars bug me! Don’t get me wrong, I usually enjoy the little treats inside them, whether it’s chocolate or samples of tea or skin care (depending on the store where you buy it). But commercial Advent calendars always assume that Advent is the first 24 days of December, when it usually starts the last Sunday of November, as it does this year.
Advent (which means “arrival”) has been observed for centuries as a time to contemplate Christ’s birth, and is focused on the Sundays. The stores think that it’s a time of anticipating all the presents we’re going to get. Advent is about something much bigger than the shopping days that are left before Christmas.
“We miss the essence of Christmas unless we become, in the words of Eberhard Arnold, ‘mindful of how Christ’s birth took place.’ Once we do, we will sense immediately that Advent marks something momentous: God’s coming into our midst.” (From, Watch for the LIght)
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 A.M.
Central United Church welcomes you to join our Worship Service Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. In worship we proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour; God’s word is read and preached, sacraments celebrated, faith sung and prayers offered.
Sunday services are also livestreamed (and recorded) through the Church website or you can join here. A copy of the bulletin for this Sunday’s Service is attached here.
This Sunday’s Scripture readings are Luke 1:5-20 and Psalm 122. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING
You are welcome to join the Thursday prayer meeting tonight at 7:00 PM for a time of prayer and fellowship. The meeting is held using Zoom technology.
Here are the details for those who wish to participate:
Access to Join from your PC, Tablet or Smartphone:
Copy this address into your web browser https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81293996881 or click here.
Quick access by phone:
1. Call: 647 374-4685
2. When prompted press: 812 9399 6881 #
3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
CENTRAL’S VISION RECOMMENDATIONS
Follow Up Survey
Thank you for attending the congregation meetings to review the recommendations presented by the Strategy Implementation Team and the Vision Implementation Teams over the past couple of weeks.
Please complete the anonymous survey online here, or drop off the paper form in the envelope outside the Boardroom provided by this Sunday, November 30!
YEAR END GIVING REMINDER
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
As 2025 draws to a close, we warmly invite you to review your givings to Central United Church. To be eligible for a 2025 tax receipt, donations must be received by December 31st, and securities gifts should be arranged before Christmas.
Your generosity is deeply appreciated. Together, we are striving to balance our 2025 Offerings Budget and this requires $76,000 in donations during November and December.
Every gift, large or small, helps us continue to nurture faith, strengthen community and extend Christ’s love to others.
Thank you for enabling our Mission: “To Grow in Christ and help others grow with us” through your time, talent and treasures.
SOUP LUNCH
Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025
The Christian Education Committee will host a Soup Lunch in the Main Hall this Sunday, November 30th right after worship service. Everyone is welcome to join us as we celebrate the beginning of Advent! (If you can make a crockpot of soup, please sign up at the bulletin board.)
CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG
AND HOT CHOCOLATE NIGHT
Sunday, December 6 at 7 PM
Due to the ongoing Main St. Restoration, there will be no parade down the street this year. However, Central is joyfully continuing our tradition of opening our doors and welcoming the community in for a Christmas Carol Sing-Along & Hot Chocolate Night!
It will be a warm, fun, and heart-lifting evening — a wonderful way to begin the season together.
Although it’s short notice, we would love any help you can offer:
• inviting friends and neighbours
• greeting attendees
• making/serving hot chocolate
• handing out the song books
…and more!
If you’re able to serve in any way, please sign up on the bulletin board this Sunday, or let Christina know directly.
WHITE GIFT SUNDAY
Sunday, Dec. 7th we will celebrate White Gift Sunday during the morning worship service. Your donations of unwrapped nonperishable foods are appreciated. Cash gifts will also be received – special “White Gift” offering envelopes will be made available. Your gifts of food/money will also be used to assist the Markham Food Bank.
COMFORT SERVICE
Our Annual Comfort Service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7th at 7:00 pm. This service is offered to those who have experienced loss of a loved one and is a good opportunity to reach out to our congregation and community at large. All are welcome to attend and please invite family and friends who may benefit from such a service.
MITTEN TREE
With the Christmas season soon upon us, the Mitten Tree will once again be up in the Friendship Room. Should you wish to donate, please drop off hats, toques, scarves and gloves by Sunday, Dec. 15th so that we can deliver them to the Salvation Army before Christmas. They can be dropped off at the church on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm or if you’re attending in person worship on Sunday morning and prefer to drop them off then, that would be fine as well.
CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS
Christmas Gift Bags (Markham Food Bank Fundraiser) are the perfect gift for a hostess, the person who has everything, a “thank you” to someone who helps you, a friend or for yourself. Each bag contains a tree ornament and a message that it symbolizes a donation has been made to the Markham Food Bank. Suggested donation is $25 minimum (cash or cheque made payable to Markham Food Bank), with 100% of the proceeds going to the Markham Food Bank and a tax receipt to follow. If you need a delivery or porch pick up, please contact Ruth Duffield regduffield@gmail.com to coordinate.
SUNDAY SCHOOL HELPERS
We need helpers to assist Sharon in the Sunday School classroom. No teaching, singing, or crafting experience is required!!
We currently have 4 assistants rotating through the schedule, and we need to double this number in 2026. Please consider this way to serve. We would love to have you join our team!
Questions? Please speak to Pam Scarrow, or click here:
pam@thescarrows.com.
BOOK CLUB
Merry Christmas to everyone from the Central United Book Club members! Book Club will resume in January 2026! We hope to welcome new members in the new year!
Upcoming: Wednesday, January 28th – Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
Kindly message Helen at gratsos2002@yahoo.ca for details!
PASTORAL CARE
Should you become aware of any illness, bereavement, hospitalization, etc., among people of our church, please notify the church office as soon as possible.
If you would like a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Diaz at the church office 905-474-0183 or by email ldiaz@centralunitedchurch.com.
STAY CONNECTED…..
We want to help you stay connected so if you happen to be wondering “who’s doing what” in terms of duties, the list for this week is below….
November 30th 2025
SCRIPTURE READER: Felicity Monaco
MUSIC: Sarah Wyse
POWER POINT: Alan Heighway
GREETER: Maureen Dudley
WORSHIP HOST: Dave Dudley
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Pam Scarrow
SOUP LUNCH
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