Advent Two: Peace. Friday, December 8, 2017

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1 FROM OUR STUDENT MINISTER Fri., Dec. 8, 2017 Inside this issue: Council Corner 2 Knox Choirs Outdoor Nativity Poinsettias 3 Advent Services 4 Advent Two: Peace This week we will light our second candle of Advent, the candle of peace. We live in a world where we are in constant search of peace. As I turn on the news, I see the streets of Jerusalem filled with rioters. Fire bombs are thrown, and Israeli army personnel walk the streets of the Holy City in riot gear. There is tension in the air. At the same time, Greek and Turkey leaders meet for the first time in 50 years and top of the agenda is the refugee crisis. Around the world we live in fear of terrorism; many women live in fear of abuse and domestic violence; members of the LGBTQ community sometimes face verbal or physical threats. We live in a time when it is more important than ever to reach out with peace. A time when we are called not to hold grudges, not to point the finger in blame, not to exclude people for their faith, their culture, or their sexuality. We need to ask ourselves, at this time in Advent, what would Christ do? At Christmas, the Christ Child comes into the world as the Prince of Peace. He brings the peace that passes understanding, the peace that we are called to pass on to others. Take time this week, to find a way to pass the peace of Christ onto someone. Peace, Gail. Advent Devotional Worship Workshop Knox Café 6 Food Bank Neighbours Helping Community Caroling Service Schedule Volunteer Schedule This Week at Knox 9 Scripture Reflections Prayers for The Week Knox United Church Student Minister: Gail Fricker Church office Tel: admin@knoxuayr.com Webpage: knoxuayr.weebly.com Office Hours: Tuesdays to Fridays 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

2 Page 2 THE COUNCIL CORNER This week at Knox we've seen the warmth of fellowship and the delight of festivities as Advent progresses. Sunday we welcomed with joy Nancy Anderson and the Leeming family to our membership. The service was followed by Munchies for Missions provided by our faithful and hard-working Church In Action group. The Kindred Spirits met at the lovely home of Chris Cochrane for Chris and Pauline's fun-filled Christmas meeting. On Wednesday morning the Men's Breakfast Group met - enjoyed by several from Knox. Later that morning Gail shared an Advent devotional time in the prayer room and we look forward to the Nativity in the Park on Sunday evening and Knox Cafe on the 15th. Although faith and joy are at a peak this festive time, I've experienced a difficult week as my support was given to loved ones whose husband and father was on life support. The experience taught me the power of prayer, the faith that sustains you and the hope that surrounds you. The blink of an eye, the squeeze of a hand and the turn of the head to ones voice became moments of great joy. We have so much hope! The Christmas season is always full of hope as we remember the first Christmas when a tiny baby brought hope to a troubled world. Jesus was hope personified in God's promise of a Saviour. As in the wellknown carol, we sing "Glory to the newborn King... God and sinners reconciled... Christ, the everlasting Lord;... Born that man no more may die." That is perfect Hope. T he star so long ago represents that hope. God chose a brilliant star burning in the darkness of night to demonstrate how His Son would soon become the light to a very dark world. More than 2000 years have passed and to this day, with great joy we celebrate the hope that is Christmas with stars and with lights on our homes, our shrubbery and our trees. When you see the beautiful, shimmering lights this Christmas season, may they be a reminder to you that Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). Thanks be to God. So... if you are able, experience the real meaning of Christmas - the hope - at the live Nativity on Sunday evening. The churches of the community are joining together to present the Nativity and to lead the community in a festive carol sing. The Dumfries Choir will also be attending. I'm looking forward to seeing you there. Yours in Christ, Betty Butcher Chair of Council

3 Page 3 ANGEL VOICES Knox s Children s Choir Practices Saturdays December 9th & 16th 3:00 p.m. All Children Welcome! Join The Choir For Christmas! The choir will be celebrating the Christmas story through song During the Christmas Eve 10:30 am service. They will be learning 4 songs (NOT too difficult). Extra practices will be held after church in the music room, Dec. 10th & 17th, 11:45am-12:30pm. Come and join the choir for Christmas! Sunday, December 10th, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. OUTDOOR NATIVITY in the PARK This is a joint event put on by the churches of Ayr. Community Carol Sing Hosted by the Township of North Dumfries If you would like to participate in the LIVE NATIVITY as an angel or a shepherd, meet at Christ Church at 5:00 p.m. KNOX POINSETTIAS Once again this December I will have poinsettias in the sanctuary for all to enjoy. If anyone is interested in donating towards a poinsettia In Honour of or In Memory of a loved one, please feel free to call me at home ( )or speak to me at church. And, if possible, please have your information down on a piece of paper so I won t make any mistakes on names for the bulletin. Thanks so much, Janet Furlong

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5 Page 5 Advent Devotional Advent is wonderful time of the year to reflect on God's word. As we rush getting ready for the season, please take time mid-week to pause & reflect on God. Join me each Wednesday of Advent for a half hour devotion. Wed. 13th and 20th. 10:00-10:30am. In the Prayer room. No registration necessary.

6 Page 6 Knox United Church invites You to participate (play / perform) in the KNOX CAFÉ To sign up, contact Gail or gfricker@rogers.com

7 Page 7 CHURCH IN ACTION CAMBRIDGE SELF-HELP FOOD BANK Items should be placed in the boxes provided under the coat rack outside of the Fellowship Hall. Items are weighed by Laura Johnson before they are put in the cupboard. Suggestions for DECEMBER Personal Care items (Shampoo / Conditioner / Razors, etc.) NEIGHBOURS HELPING NEIGHBOURS Knox is collecting cleaning supplies for the Community Christmas Hamper program. If you wish to help out, please bring in 1 bottle of dish soap, laundry soap and an all purpose cleaner on or before December 17th. There are collection bags available by the coat rack. Neighbours Helping Neighbours is a community group that collects food and donations throughout the year to assist families in the community. Created in 1990, it is a combined effort of the four churches in Ayr (Ayr Ministerial), collecting food, doing the yearly Christmas baskets, and even assisting with gas cards to help families get to hospital when needed. Contact: Ivan Bell: Cover the Community with Christmas Blessings! Community Carolling Thursday, December 21st Meet at Calvary at 5:45 p.m. Will be back at Calvary by 8:00 p.m. Intergenerational fun event. All are welcome. A chance to share the Blessings of Christmas.

8 Page 8 December 10th December 17th Service Schedule A Christmas Carol Big News Story December 24th 10:30 a.m. The Christmas Story through song (Communion) 7:00 p.m. Stories from the Stable (Family service) Sunday Volunteer Schedule Date December 10 December 17 December 24 10:30 am December 24 7:00 pm Sanctuary / Church Decor Kate Cressman Christine Cochrane Kate Cressman Christine Cochrane Kate Cressman Christine Cochrane Kate Cressman Christine Cochrane Audio / Visual System Janet Millward Dennis Millward Diane Bartle Reg Cressman Reg & Kate Cressman Musicians Carol Ditner-Wilson Mike & Merry Schmidt Carol Ditner-Wilson Mike, Merry Schmidt Scripture Reader Advent Advent Advent Christmas Eve Minute for Mission Reader Christmas Eve Adventures with God Heather Smith Diane Bartle Christmas Pageant Linda Davidson Heather Raby Christmas Eve Counters Mary Perriman Wayne/Karen Ehnes Rob Wittke Harry Humphrey Jeremy Wright Anne Lovett-Hutchinson Christmas Eve Coffee Time Marilyn Scott Kate Cressman Christmas Eve

9 Page 9 This Week at KNOX KNOX UNITED CHURCH COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 9:30 AM Choir Practice Choir Room 10:30 AM Worship Service Sanctuary 11:30 AM Coffee Time Fellowship Hall 11:45 AM Christmas Choir practice Sanctuary 6:00 PM Outdoor Nativity Cenntenial Park SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 OFFICE CLOSED 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM North Dumfries Preschool 11:30 PM CSC Community Dining Classrooms Kitchen 6:45 PM Cubs Fell Hall TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 9:30 AM OFFICE OPEN 12:30 PM 9:30 AM - North Dumfries 12:00 PM Preschool Classrooms 7:00 PM Church in Action mtg Scutt home 6:00 PM Gym Jam Fell Hall WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 9:30 AM OFFICE OPEN 12:30 PM 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM 10:00 AM Advent Devotional Prayer Room North Dumfries Preschool 1:00 PM Knox Connection mtg Library Lounge 12:00 PM Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank 2:30 PM Worship Workshop Library Lounge 3:30 PM The Art of Music Academy THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 Classrooms Kitchen Choir Room / MP Room 9:30 AM OFFICE OPEN 12:30 PM 9:30 AM - North Dumfries 12:00 PM Preschool Classrooms 4:00 PM The Art of Music MP Room 9:30 AM OFFICE OPEN 12:30 PM 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM 6:45 PM Beavers Fell Hall FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 North Dumfries Preschool 7:00 PM Knox Café Fellowship Hall 12:00 PM FCC "Young at Heart" Seniors Lunch 3:00 PM Angel Voices practice Choir Room THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 Classrooms Kitchen SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 9:30 AM Choir Practice Choir Room 10:30 AM Worship Service Sanctuary 11:30 AM Coffee Time Fellowship Hall 11:45 AM Christmas Choir Practice Choir Room SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

10 Page 10 SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS December 10 th 2 nd SUNDAY of ADVENT Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 December 17 th 3 rd SUNDAY of ADVENT Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, PRAYER REQUESTS: As a church we are called to pray for each other and for our mission in the world. Throughout the week of December 10, 2017 We pray for the churches and their pastors in Ayr Ministerial: Roseville United Brethren (Pastor Randy Magnus) We pray for the churches in the Hamilton Conference: Erindale, Mississauga (Halton Presbytery) As we participate in the Monthly Prayer Cycle: (December) Erie Presbytery Pray for Our Church (Conferences): Prayers for our members: Jack, Betty Butcher s brother-in-law Anne Carroll