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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Did it really happen in Canada? Eight young girls, in downtown Toronto, allegedly swarming a homeless man and stabbing him to death. Not the sort of news we expect at Christmas. “Except”, as Michael Higgins in his National Post article writes, “it’s not Christmas, yet. It’s Advent, a time of darkness before the light, a time to examine our fallen nature, a time to consider what we could become if we didn’t have something higher to aspire to.” Friends, evil is inherently senseless; there is no explanation for it. The message of Christmas is that God sent his Son into the world to defeat evil. The Light shines in the darkness. This is what the church proclaims in its Christmas worship. The world is ever in need of this good news. O come, let us adore Him!
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES
We would like to remind everyone about our upcoming Christmas Eve Worship Services. We will celebrate with two Christmas Eve services at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m; come and enjoy carols, choir and the reading of the story of the birth of our Saviour and we will share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. A copy of the bulletin for these services is attached here.
CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP SERVICE
Central United Church welcomes you to our Christmas Day Worship Service Sunday morning at 10:00 am and we would love to have you join us. We rejoice that we can worship together and give thanks, offering prayer, sharing in the Sacrament of Holy Communion and lifting our voices in song.
Sunday services will also still be available to watch via livestreaming at 10:00 am 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.
This Sunday’s Scripture readings are Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-12 and John 1:1-14. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
GIFT OF CHRISTMAS Gift Bags
and Markham Food Bank
$2,620.00 was delivered to the Markham Food Bank last week. A BIG THANK YOU to all who participated through the purchase of a Gift Bag or making a donation.
FINANCIAL AND STEWARDSHIP UPDATED
Through October 2022, the Church had an operating deficit (expenses > income) of -$22,623. While this is slightly better than originally budgeted, we now have some unplanned expenditures regarding the Strategic Planning project, which will increase this deficit.
Central United strives for a “balanced budget”. We encourage you to look at your givings to date and consider any additional donations by year-end. December is always a big month for donations and we hope even better in our first “Post Covid” Christmas season, with many more people attending services in-person.
If you would like an up to date balance of your YTD givings, please contact Sharlene in the church office who will put you in contact with the envelope secretary.
Thank you for your generous support.
Your Finance Committee
2023 OFFERING ENVELOPES
2023 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 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 or mobile office 416.358.4924 or by email jclubine@centralunitedchurch.com.
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