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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. (Mark 13:33) The Church season of Advent begins on Sunday; Advent means coming and the theme of Advent is our Lord’s promised return as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. At the end of the book of Revelation is this line. “The one who testifies (Jesus) to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’” And then this prayer “Amen (even so). Come, Lord Jesus!” The word translated ‘soon’ also means ‘suddenly,’ that is our Lord will come unexpectedly as Jesus indicated in his comments about not knowing when. I find myself—perhaps like many Christians before me in other ages—wanting it to be soon. God’s delays are never God’s denials, as Jesus stated, the time will come.
SUNDAY 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 Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 and Mark 13:24-37. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS
Christmas Gift Bags, a meaningful gift with a charitable donation, will be offered for sale on Sunday. It’s a perfect gift for a hostess, the person who has everything, teacher gift, something for a co-worker/colleague and service providers who help you. Each gift bag contains a tree ornament made by an artisan in a developing country along with a message that the ornament symbolizes a donation was made to the Markham Food Bank. Suggested donation is $25 (cash or cheque), 100% of the proceeds go to the Markham Food Bank, with a tax receipt provided. If you would like delivery or porch pickup please contact Ruth Duffield at regduffield@gmail.com to coordinate.
OFFERING ENVELOPES
For those of you who use offering envelopes, your boxed set for 2024 is available for pick up in the narthex. If we have missed your name and you would like a set for your weekly offering, please speak to Sharlene or Sally Sandiford. Please ensure that at the end of 2023 you destroy your old envelopes and begin using the new set that has been assigned to you.
COMFORT SERVICE
Our Annual Comfort Service will be held this Sunday, Dec. 3rd 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.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Wednesday, Dec. 6th at 11:00 am
Come and join us for a chat in the Friendship Room on Wed. Dec. 6th at 11:00 am. Our purpose is to provide a place to connect with others and an opportunity for friendship and fellowship.
If you’d like more information or have any questions, please feel free to contact John Frotten at jfrotten@rogers.com.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND HOT CHOCOLATE
Central United Church will be part of this year’s Unionville Main Street Olde Time Christmas parade on Saturday, December 9th at 6:30 pm. Members of the choir and anyone else interested can join in walking down Main Street in the Parade, singing carols.
We will also be resuming our well attended Carol Sing at the church running from approximately 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Anyone who is out enjoying the parade, is welcome to come join in the Carol Sing as well. We will be offering our always well received hot chocolate & cookies! This is a fun and meaningful outreach activity for our community. Please sign up in the narthex if you can help with things such as preparing and serving hot chocolate, clean up, welcoming visitors, or singing in the parade.
WHITE GIFT SUNDAY
Sunday, Dec. 10th 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.
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. 17th 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.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING & TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
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/8925458525 or click here
Quick access by phone:
1. Call: 647 374-4685
2. When prompted press: 892 545 8525 #
3. Then when prompted again press: # to enter the call
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alastair McCallum, a long standing member of Central United Church on November 28, 2023. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Marion, his many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.
He had a great love for family, music and singing and a wonderful sense of humour. We will all miss him terribly.
Visitation will be held at Central United on Monday, December 4, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, with the funeral service and reception to follow immediately. The service will also be livestreamed through the Church website or you can join here.
We are grateful for our Saviour’s promise to welcome Alastair home with Him. Please remember Alastair, Marion and the members of their families in your prayers.
To view a copy of Alastair’s obituary, please click here.
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. Clubine at the church office 905.474.0183 or mobile office 416.358.4924 or by email jclubine@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….
December 3rd 2023
LAY WORSHIP LEADER: Sharon Gayman Laird
MUSIC: Sarah Wyse
POWER POINT: Alan Heighway
GREETER: Joan Hubbert
WORSHIP HOST: Cynthia Yee
COFFEE HOUR: Small Group 2
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird
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