NEWS FROM THE PEWS NEWS AND INSPIRATION FROM ST. ANDREW S UNITED CHURCH, GEORGETOWN, ON

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1 Page 1 December 18, 2014 NEWS FROM THE PEWS Sunday, December 21 Reader: Graeme Thompson Greeters: Howard and Marlene Beitz Ushers: Bruce and Barb Munro Counter: Ross Yahiro AV operators: Andrew Piper and Rob Ogger Announcements: Mi&P Next week, December 28 Reader: Greg Howard Greeters: Greg and Carole Howard Ushers: Luise Zander and Joan Lovegrove Counter: Bruce Munro AV operators: Howard Beitz and Graeme Thompson Announcements: Mi&P NEWS AND INSPIRATION FROM ST. ANDREW S UNITED CHURCH, GEORGETOWN, ON This Sunday, we will continue our journey through advent as we move closer to Christmas. Over the past three Sundays, we have lit the candles for Hope, Peace and Joy and this Sunday we light the candle for Love. In the service, Sula Anne Kosacky will be preaching about the Advent Love that Christ brings. Also, we will hear a story about Christmas from Merna Prete and enjoy a vocal solo by Tracey Baszo. The Sunday before Christmas is often called Christmas Sunday because we come to church for the last Sunday before Christmas and celebrate the conclusion of the season of Advent. We inch ever closer to Christmas as we sing familiar Christmas Carols. Advent is a time of preparation to prepare our hearts and spirits for Christ s incarnation coming into the is the electronic newsletter of St. Andrew's United Church, Georgetown, Ontario, produced every Thursday. If you would like to publicize an event, please send it in the body of an (not as an attachment) to: standrewsoffice@cogeco.ca by Wednesday NOON. For further information, contact our secretary, Margaret Yahiro, or our Minister, Rev. Grant Williams, at WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND December 21, 2014, 10:00 am Christmas Sunday & Advent 4 - Love world in the form of a human being. Advent opens us up to new possibilities for hope in our lives. It helps us prepare the way for Christ to dwell in us, as the light of Christ shines in our lives. The Readings this week are: Luke 1: Corinthians 13: 1-13 Sermon: Christmas Stories

2 Page 2 EVERYONE IS INVITED TO AN INFORMAL CHRISTMAS CHEER EVENT TOMORROW St. Andrew s Youth Group invites you to join us on Friday, December 19th from 7-9 p.m. in the gym for caroling, snacks, and informal Christmas cheer! CHRISTMAS OFFERING There are special Christmas Offering envelopes in the Pews. Merry Christmas and thank you for your continued support! The Finance Ministry CHURCH ENVELOPES FOR 2015 ARE READY TO BE PICKED UP Church envelopes are on a table outside of the Fellowship Room. They are in alphabetical order by last name. If you would like to change to PAR (i.e. Pre- Authorized Remittance) givings, please ask for a form from the Church Office or from Nancy Thompson. Thank you! GUITAR GROUP - CHANGES The Guitar Group is moving from Friday mornings at St. Andrew s Church to Wednesday Mornings at St. Andrew s Residence Common Room from 9:30 a.m to 11:00.a.m. Starting January 14, Open to anyone interested, please come and join us. For more information, please contact Gordon Robinson. ANNUAL REPORTS - To all Ministries Please submit your reports for the 2014 Annual Report to the office by Sunday, January 4th, Those with Internet can them to standrewsoffice@cogeco.ca Thank you! CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE AT ST. ANDREW'S Thank you to Dorothy and Gord Robinson who have built mail slots for a Christmas Card Exchange at St. Andrew's. Save on postage and bring your Christmas cards for Church friends to church! Also, once December comes, don't forget to check the slots once in a while for cards addressed to you! ADVENT CORNER - Advent 4 Every Gift Has Value no room in the Inn That poor innkeeper! He probably felt awful about putting a pregnant woman in the barn. And yet, it meant everything to Mary shelter for birthing her first son. We often look at what we give and think it isn t enough that we are inadequate. The innkeeper teaches us that no matter what you give, it is a gift of value.

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4 Page 4 The Ministry and Personnel Committee We are looking for new members to join our group in the coming year! Typically we meet every few months and liaise with the St. Andrew s staff and Church Council. If this is an area that you would be able to contribute to the life of the church, please speak to Bill Elgie, Colleen Sutcliffe, Sam Gilmour, Susan Quirk or Pat Huckins to find out more about our responsibilities. We welcome all who are interested and thank you for considering working on this team. COMMUNITY A NOTE FROM BILL ELGIE AND LESLIE HOYLE - KILIMANJARO TRIP Dear friends, Many of you have heard that we are going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with an Outward Bound expedition in January. This a fund-raising expedition for Outward Bound Canada. We worked for the Outward Bound schools in Australia and Canada at the beginning of our careers in outdoor education would like to "pay it forward" to help people experience this wonderful program. All funds raised will be used to support programs for youth at risk, Aboriginal youth, veterans and women from abusive situations. If you would like to contribute please follow this link to our fundraising page: All contributions go directly to Outward Bound and tax receipts are issued from OB as well. This is the link to the blog for our expedition: Thanks! Bill and Leslie This is the website for Outward Bound Canada which has information about the programs that we are supporting: Outward Bound Canada has links to recent articles: Videos on the Outward Bound youtube channel: A good "overview" of the OB story and impact is this video: MESSIAH IS BORN a Christmas concert presented by: Liberation Choir, mixed choir conducted by Laura Fitzpatrick and accompanied by Rebecca Loo. The choir is joined by special guests: Christ Church Bell Choir & Aoki Cello Duo Friday December at 7:30pm First United Church, 151 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga Free will offering appreciated. For more information or please contact liberationchoir@gmail.com

5 Page 5 DECEMBER NEWSLETTER - Now Available In This Issue: GSS Challenge: Appreciate Your Green Team! ; GSS Survey Request ; Green Rule Retreat Follow-up; Light for Lima; Celebrate a Green Advent; Celebrate a Green Hannukah; Green Faith New Year's Resolutions; Side bar - Interfaith, environmental, and event calendars A giving catalogue from the People of the United Church of Canada is now available. Gifts with Vision Projects support the work of United Church partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and across Canada. Gifts starting at $10. You can also choose gifts online. Website: vision.ca. Catalogs are available on the table across from the Church office. SUPPORT & HOUSING HALTON S THE COFFEE HOUSE SOCIAL GROUP A FUN AFTERNOON OF GAMES & ACTIVITIES Light refreshments will be provided. Every TUESDAY, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Andrews United Church. This space is wheelchair accessible if you need arrangements for accessibility, please contact Jennifer beforehand to make arrangements. For more information, contact Jennifer at (905) ex. 380 or jbarclay@shhalton.org Support & Housing Halton providing excellence in supportive housing, peer support & recovery since COFFEE HOUSE Social Group FOOD FOR LIFE Food for Life is a nonprofit organization that distributes surplus perishable food (baked goods, fruit and vegetables, prepared foods, dairy and meat) free of charge every Tuesday from 1:30-2:30 pm and 4:30-5:30 pm at St. John's United Church, 11 Guelph St., Georgetown. Volunteers always welcomed. CASHH 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills (CAShh) will be celebrating their 15th Anniversary on February 14, 2015 at the Acton Legion with a dinner, dance and silent auction! Tickets are $50.00 per person and are available December 1, 2014 at the CAShh office at 222 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown, ON. Come on out and help us CELEBRATE!

6 Page 6 Upcoming Advent and Christmas Services Sunday, December 21, Advent 4 Christmas Sunday at 10:00 am CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 4:00 pm - Christmas Eve Service for Kids A short, fun service for small children and their families, Candles, Nativity Story and Carols. 7:00 pm - Christmas Eve Service for Families A fun and interactive service with an impromptu play and Carols especially for those with families. 9:00 pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service A contemplative service with the Senior choir and a message to celebrate the Christmas miracle. Sunday, December 28th Ugly Christmas Sweater Celebration Service at 10:00 AM. Come with your best Christmas Sweater on. There will be prizes awarded. Church Secretary/Office: Closed Christmas Day and New Year s Day standrewsoffice@cogeco.ca Secretary - Office Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 9 am - 1 pm Thursdays: 9 am - 3 pm Minister Hours: Monday - Thursday Grant Williams: standrewsminister@cogeco.ca

7 Page 7 GRANT S WORLD Last Sunday was a day of blessings for myself and some of the youth in our congregation. Our Youth group, along with a few parents, went downtown Toronto and served the homeless. Over the past month, our youth group had been collecting hats, mitts, socks, bags, blankets and coats to give out. Immediately after church, eleven of us headed downtown to Moss Park, to hand out clothing and food. It was a truly amazing day. In the area around the park, there are a number of homeless shelters providing a warm bed for people to stay in at night and out of the cold. We met at 1:00 p.m. along with some folks from the Uganda Martyrs United Church and prepared to set up tables for the clothing. It was amazing to see the dozens of mostly men, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere to come and pick up some free clothing. It was like seeing a child on Christmas morning! Then we set up the lunch tables. We served rice, soup, chicken, pasta, salad and more. Two women from the Uganda Martyrs church prepared the hot meal and our youth served it to the homeless people gathered. All in all we served 101 meals outside in the corner of Moss Park. We feel so grateful to the Uganda group for preparing the food and inviting us to join them to serve. We now have a standing invitation to join them any time they go. From what I have heard from our young people, I think this will become a regular occurrence. The Youth group will be inviting members of St. Andrew s to continue to make donations of clothing items to hand out. Mostly in need are socks, gloves, coats, and blankets. As a group we were blessed to be able to serve those less fortunate as we live out our Christian commission to go and serve in his name. Last Sunday night we heard our Senior choir sing in their annual Cantata. The singers did an excellent job and we owe a huge thanks to Susan Whaley and the choir for putting on this great performance. This coming week is Christmas Eve. This year we will be holding three services. A 4:00 p.m. service for families with young children. It will be a short 30 minute service of carols, candles and fun. Then at 7:00 p.m. we will be holding our Family service with an Impromptu Nativity Play. It will be an interactive service with children and youth participating in the play along with vocal solos, carols and readings. We will also be holding our Traditional Candlelight Communion Service at 9:00 p.m. This will be a calm soothing service with carols, choir and a meditation. We will conclude the service with the singing of Silent Night around the circle. Next Sunday, December 28 th, we will be holding our second annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Celebration service at 10:00 a.m. You are invited to wear your best or your ugliest Christmas Sweater. Prizes will be awarded for those who participate in the Sweater Parade. In the service there will be lessons and carols along with a short mediation. It will be a fun Sunday. Blessings to you Merry Christmas, Grant

8 Page 8 OUR CHURCH VISION With God s Help we will: develop Spiritual and personal growth through Christian faith and fellowship welcome and encourage new ideas encourage outreach programs offer programs for all ages and stages in life foster personal growth and friendship through Small Groups ministries be more visible in our community Week-at-a-Glance Thursday, December 18 7:00 pm Choir practice Friday, December 19 7:00 pm Youth Group and Informal Christmas Cheer Gathering for the whole congregation Sunday, December 21 10:00 am Worship - Christmas Sunday Tuesday, December 23 1:00 pm Coffee House Wednesday, December 24 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Service for Kids 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service for Families 9:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day Merry Christmas, Everyone! Friday, December 26 - Boxing Day Sunday, December 28 10:00 am Worship - Ugly Christmas Sweater Celebration Service Tuesday, December 30 1:00 pm Coffee House Wednesday, December 31 New Year s Eve Day Thursday, January 1, New Year s Day Happy New Year, Everyone! Sunday, January 4 10:00 am Worship Tuesday, January 6 1:00 pm Coffee House Thursday, January 8 10:00 am Bible Study 7:00 pm Choir

9 Page 9 Christmas Play Again this year, the children and youth (and one young at heart) put on a Wonderful Christmas Play - I Witness News: Live from Bethlehem A big Thank you to Stephanie Scott for dedicating herself from September to put on such a spectacular play! Also thank you to Bryan Scott, all of other volunteers who helped with this play, the parents and of course, the children, youth, Jeff and Phil who put on the play.

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