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FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
Are you ready for Christmas? People ask that a lot this time of year. Of course, we know immediately what they mean: have you bought and wrapped all your presents? Have you put your decorations up? Have you done all your baking, stuffed the turkey, ironed your ugly sweater, polished the silver, and chilled the wine? In the midst of our preparations, the church lectionary sends us John the Baptist, a man who swaps the turkey and shortbread for honey and locusts, and who wins the ugly sweater contest every year. He reminds us that the most urgent preparations have nothing to do with food and decor, but with our hearts and our souls. God is coming to our world in His Son, Jesus. Are you ready for Christmas?
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 1:68-79, Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6. You can also find a daily scripture message at the top of our website.
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/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
DONATING APPRECIATED SECURITIES
TO CENTRAL UNITED IN 2024
With the significant run up in the stock market this year, many investors have significant unrealized capital gains. Donating securities to a Central United Church in 2024 can provide tax benefits, including:
- Capital gains tax exemption
- Donating eligible securities to a registered charity is exempt from capital gains tax. This means you don’t pay tax on any gain realized in the securities. CUC receives the total value of the securities at the time of sale.
You can claim a donation tax credit for the value of the securities on
the date the charity receives them.
- Here are some things to consider when donating securities to charity. Please contact your investment advisor to discuss your unique situation:
To ensure your gift qualifies for a 2024 tax receipt, you should
complete your donation before the following deadlines:
- Securities: December 13, 2024
- Mutual funds: December 6, 2024
If you are interested in donating securities, please contact Lindsay Duffield (lindsay.duffield@rogers.com) or Scott Wetmore (swetmore@rogers.com).
REFUGEE OUTREACH
This Christmas it gives us pleasure to buy Christmas gifts for a number of refugee families who are struggling. Please watch the church bulletin board for more specific information.
Many thanks to those of you who have donated suitcases & good used winter coats to the refugee homes run by ‘The People’s Church’. This outreach will continue until the end of January. Please contact Éilis Wu at #416-889-6742, eilisannwu@gmail.com and she will arrange for pick up.
OFFERING ENVELOPES
For those of you who use offering envelopes, your boxed set for 2025 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 2024 you destroy your old envelopes and begin using the new set that has been assigned to you.
WHITE GIFT SUNDAY
This Sunday 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.
CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS
Christmas Gift Bags, a meaningful gift with a charitable donation, will be for sale this Sunday. 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. Gifting suggestions include: hostess gift, something for the person who has everything, teacher gift, for a co-worker, a service provider ….. Suggested donation is $25 minimum (cash or cheque made payable to the Markham Food Bank), 100% of the proceeds going to the Markham Food Bank and a tax receipt will follow. If you need a porch pick up or delivery, please contact Ruth Duffield regduffield@gmail.com to coordinate.
WOMEN’S ADVENT EVENT
Tuesday, Dec. 10th at 7:00 pm
Please join us in fellowship to welcome Rev. Lori Diaz to the fold, and to participate in an outreach activity together. All women are welcome to attend and any Christmas baking will be happily received. Invite a friend! If you have any questions, please contact Martha Stirling.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING & HOT CHOCOLATE
Saturday, Dec. 14th at 6:00 pm
Central will be part of this year’s Unionville Main Street Olde Time Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14th at 6:00 pm. Members of the choir and anyone interested can join in walking down Main Street in the Parade, singing carols.
After the Parade at around 7:30 pm , Central will open its doors and invite the community in to join us for a Christmas Carols Sing-a-long & sip some Hot Chocolate. Last year, 300+ people joined us!
It takes many people to help and we invite you to contribute and be a part of this festive evening! Please save the date, and sign up to serve the community here.
MITTEN TREE
With the Christmas season soon upon us, the Mitten Tree is once again 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.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Wednesday, Dec. 18th at 10:00 am
Come and join us for a chat in the Friendship Room on Wed. Dec. 18th at 10:00 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.
BOOK CLUB
Calling all book lovers – people of all ages! Everyone is invited to join Central United Church’s Book Club every 4th Wednesday of the month from 10-11:30am. We meet both in person & virtually. Good company, great books, compelling conversation & yummy treats!
Upcoming: Wednesday, Jan. 22nd – The Women by Kristin Hannah!
Kindly message Helen at gratsos2002@yahoo.ca for details!
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jeanette Victoria Anbinder on November 29, 2024. She will be sadly missed by family and friends.
Jeanette was a shining example to her family demonstrating strength, resilience and love. She was an environmental pioneer starting a volunteer led recycling program in Unionville in the 1970’s and later enhanced and managed the recycling program for the City of Markham.
A celebration of Jeanette’s life will be held on Thursday, December 12th at 11:00 am at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home at 8911 Woodbine in Markham.
We are grateful for our Saviour’s promise to welcome Jeanette home with Him. Please remember the members of Jeanette’s family in your prayers.
Link to Obituary Notice
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….
December 8th 2024
LAY WORSHIP LEADER: Joan Hubbert
MUSIC: Sarah Wyse
POWER POINT: Serag Gadelrab
GREETER: Martha Stirling
WORSHIP HOST: Doug Stirling
COFFEE HOUR: Small Group 2 (Pam Scarrow)
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sharon Gayman Laird
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