FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
In the wake of the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary and her becoming aware that she is now pregnant, she offers the wonderful song we call the Magnificat; she sings of God, “His mercy is for those who hear him from generation to generation.” Underline the word ‘mercy.’ Mary is a devout Jewish woman steeped in the good news of the Hebrew scriptures. In Mary’s day she would have knowledge of the Hebrew Bible and a Greek translation of that Hebrew Bible. In Hebrew the word for the steadfast love of God is ‘hesed.’ In the Greek translation the word ‘hesed’ is translated, depending on context, with the Greek word for mercy (elehos) or the Greek word for love (agape). So when Mary sings about the child in her womb and proclaims that it is the event of the mercy of God she means this Hebrew word for the steadfast love of God. On the fourth Sunday of Advent we light the candle of love proclaiming that the coming of Jesus into the world is the coming of this love.
IN-PERSON WORSHIP
We continue in Step 3 of the “RoadMap to Reopen”. In this phase there are no percentage capacity limits, but physical distancing and masks are still required. To view the guidelines at Central United, please click here.
REGISTRATION TO ATTEND IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS EVE
Registration for this Sunday’s service (Dec. 19th) and the 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service have reached capacity so registration has closed for those services. There is still availability for the 9:30 pm Christmas Eve service should you wish to attend that service. You can register through the church website or by calling the church office. Thank you for registering and helping Central maintain the current health measures in place.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Thank you for your continued support, especially during these trying times. We anticipate that our operating needs will be met in 2021, with no need for a special year end campaign for the operating fund. Please continue to also remember the Capital Fund and the Outreach Fund.
We are blessed to have such a generous congregation. Keep up the good work!
Your Finance Committee
CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS FINAL TALLY
The Gift of Christmas Gift Bags raised $2,025.00 for the Markham Food Bank, and a BIG THANK YOU is extended to all who bought Gift Bags or made a donation.
2022 OFFERING ENVELOPES
2022 Offering Envelopes are now available and can be picked up in the narthex this Sunday or you can drop by the church Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday mornings to pick them up. If you are unable to come in and pick them up please let Sharlene know in the church office and she will make arrangements to have them delivered to you. These new envelopes are to be used as of January 1st. If we have missed your name and you would like a set of envelopes, please speak to Sharlene and she will be pleased to look after that for you.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
Please come and join the Thursday prayer meeting tonight at 7:00 pm. After the prayer time we have some time for fellowship to allow us to catch up with each other a little. The meeting is held using the Zoom technology. Please join 10 minutes before the 7:00 PM start time.
Here are the details for those that wish to participate:
Access to Join Zoom Meeting from your PC, Tablet or Smartphone
- Copy this address into your web browser https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8925458525 or click here
- If you are joining with the Zoom App the Meeting ID is: 892 545 8525 (Note that you can also download the Zoom Application and use the Meeting ID to join)
Quick access by phone:
- Call: 647 374-4685
- When prompted press: 892 545 8525 #
- Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
ONLINE SUNDAY WORSHIP, December 19th
Sunday’s service will be available to watch via livestreaming at 10:00 am and is recorded for later viewing, through the Church website. To watch live or view a recording later, go to the Church website, scroll down and click on Central United’s Live Stream Page or click here. A copy of the bulletin for this Sunday’s Service is attached here.
We suggest, for joining the live stream, that you tune in early. You are encouraged to have your bible handy and please note that the text of this Sunday’s Sermon will be available on our Church website prior to Service time. This Sunday’s Scripture readings are Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, and Luke 1:39-45. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
Please join us each week and spread this good word. Share our streaming information with family and friends, and via your extended social network, hopefully, more and more people will hear about our live stream services and join in each week.
VIEWING OF LIVE STREAMED CHURCH SERVICES
If you would like to watch our Church services on Sunday, any time after the 10:00 am start of the livestreamed service, you may do so by logging onto YOUTUBE directly and searching for Central United Church Unionville. You should then have access to the most current service (as well as past services) immediately. If you wish to continue to watch the service through the MEDIA portion of our church website, please note that the service will only be available there approximately 24 hours after the live streamed service was posted.
ONLINE DONATIONS
Donations for the work of Central United Church can be made online.
- You can donate to Central United by clicking here:
- You can continue to specify how you want your donation to be allocated by either selecting the appropriate category on the website or by typing in your choice in the MESSAGE box.
- Donation receipts will be issued directly by Canada Helps, so there is no need to include your envelope number.
- If you have any questions, email finance@centralunitedchurch.com.
In addition to the online donation option, your church offerings can also be mailed to the church.
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 to book a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Clubine at the church office 905.474.0183×228 or mobile office 416.358.4924 or by email jclubine@centralunitedchurch.com.
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