St. Andrew s Presbyterian. Church

Transcription

1 St. Andrew s Presbyterian December 2015 Christmas Newsletter Church N EAL S NATTER It is easy for me to come up with a long list of reasons I do not like Christmas. More traffic, no parking spots at the Mall, longer line ups, stressed out store clerks, red cups at Starbucks (only kidding!), an empty wallet, my grandchildren constantly changing their gift list, the canned Christmas music wherever you go, and the systematic and un-relentless movement in our society away from Jesus being the reason for the season. But all of these reasons fade into insignificance for me in light of one important truth. At that first Christmas, God came among us. Jesus, called Emmanuel, God with us. This is the good news the angels brought, the news of the birth of the One who would save us from our sins. Honestly, I do not need more things to add to what I already have. I do not need more turkey and all its trimmings. I do not need the stress of the modern day festive season. But I do need God to be in my life. I do need to be saved from my sin. I do need to believe that God has a plan for our troubled and often crazy world. I do need the good news of the gospel. And so, I suspect, do you. Merry Christmas everyone. Enjoy the season. But never forget why we celebrate. Neal

2 L AURA S LI GHT S PREADING THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS Have you walked around your neighbourhood in the evening lately? Have you driven through a subdivision at night? Have you noticed the incredible variety of Christmas lights? On our short drive home from Aftercare, we have seen brightly glowing rope lights, delicate icicle lights and colourful traditional lights. They are strung across the tops of houses, wrapped around pillars and railings and lining fences. They are in trees and across front lawns. There are lights that look like fireworks or a snowfall. There are some that dress houses in hundreds of colourful light dots. Friday night, the Fearless Friends gathered on Main Street for the Candlelight Parade and Christmas Tree lighting. We walked up Main Street to join the crowd of people singing Christmas Carols led by the Citizen s Band. When we turned back to face the Church, we were amazed to see the Christmas tree glowing for the first time this season. There was a moment of wonder. Have you noticed Christmas lights punctuating the darkness all over town? In Worship, through Advent, we wait and prepare for a different kind of light that punctuates the darkness. We light the candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love as we wait and prepare for the birth of Jesus who is the light of the world not just for this season but always. As we wait and as we prepare for the coming of Jesus in these coming weeks, I wonder where and how we will see the light of Christ shining in our neighbourhoods and in our world punctuating the darkness. I wonder how we will let the light of Christ shine brightly through us. Laura Join us December 24 for our Christmas Eve Services as we celebrate the coming of Jesus. Ever yone Welcome! 5:00pm The ABC s of Christmas for Young Children & Families 7:00pm Family Christmas Candlelight Service 9:00pm Lessons, Carols & Communion

3 C ELEBRATING A DVENT AT ST. A N DREW S Children s Christmas Celebration Friday, December 4 Would you like to play sticker tag? Would you like to herd balloon sheep into a garbage bag only using your feet? Do you want to relax and watch a Christmas movie while eating pizza? If you are 4 or older, and not a parent, join us on Friday December 4 th from 5pm 8pm for the annual Children s Christmas Celebration! There will be games, crafts and movies, with pizza for dinner. This is an event for children and young people and an opportunity for parents to take care of errands, or to just catch their breath for a few hours. (A donation of $5/family is requested to help cover the cost of the pizza. Thank you!) Mitten Tree Sunday Sunday, December 6 When we first began decorating the Mitten Tree, it was something done by the children. Since that time, we have included some of our Elders, Grandparents and the Senior Youth Group. Now, I m never sure if the smiles from the Senior Choir are genuine, or trying to mask some serious worry about all of the mittens, hats and scarves flying through the air very near their heads. It is a time of laughter, celebration and incredible generosity, as we decorate the Tree with our gifts of warmth and caring. These gifts, that we have such fun giving, will go to people in our community who need help staying warm this winter. Church School Pageant Sunday, December 13 As part of their Social Studies homework, Callum and Zoe had to interview parents and grandparents about our family traditions. It was interesting to think how similar and in some ways how different the celebrations growing up in my family were from Chris family. It was interesting to think how similar and how different celebrations were in my parent s families and the families of Chris parents. How do you celebrate Christmas? How did you celebrate Christmas growing up? What were your parents traditions as they grew up, or the traditions of your grandparents? How do your friends celebrate? Are there traditions that have been passed down through generations? Are there traditions that came from other places? Using stories and songs, the Church School will share some Christmas traditions from around the world in the Pageant on December 13. I wonder if any of the traditions will remind you of Christmas at your house.

4 WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS LOOK LIKE AT ST. ANDREW S? A Christmas tree set at the front of the sanctuary with mittens, scarves and hats hanging on it, soon to be distributed to several agencies to help keep people warm this winter. Mitten Tree Sunday this year is December 6 th. Dozens and dozens of Poinsettias plants purchased from the Women s Fellowship and provided by Bradford Greenhouses to raise funds for mission purposes. Our Christmas Bazaar (held on November 14th), where the funds raised will support the many ministries of St. Andrew s. The annual tradition of our youth providing hot chocolate and hot dogs during the Newmarket Santa Claus Parade to engage the community & raise funds for youth ministry. Boxes filled with deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lip balm, tissues, foot powder, combs and hairbrushes, socks and underwear to help the homeless through the Presbyterian Church in Canada s Evangel Hall Mission in Toronto. Our annual Children s Christmas Celebration with crafts, games, movies and pizza (and an opportunity for parents to go gift shopping). An ornament filled Christmas tree in the church foyer with an invitation to take an ornament and purchase the item on it e.g. (gift cards, toys, groceries) to fill our annual Christmas hampers to brighten the lives of those who need this support at Christmas. Shoeboxes lovingly packed with treats sent to our University & College students to remind them how much we care for them. Our Church School Children s Christmas Pageant (Sunday December 13 th ) where the children remind us of the real reason for the season. Our Senior Choir s Christmas service will be joyfully presented during the 10:00am worship service on Sunday December 20th. Welcoming the community to our three wonderful Christmas Eve services at 5:00pm, 7:00pm and 9:00pm. Our Boarding Home Ministry Team hosting a Christmas Party with pizza, wings and gifts for the residents plus visits to Botsford House on Christmas Day. Why do we do all this? Because we strive at St. Andrew s to be, as our Vision Statement says, a caring congregation seeking to share, show and speak about the love and joy of God. Thanks to everyone who supports our mission as a congregation day by day and season by season.

5 T HANK Y OU FROM THE B OARD OF MANAGERS Thank you all for your generous support in 2015! D ON T FOR GET Don t forget to pick up your 2016 Church Envelopes. These are now available in the church foyer. Envelopes promote regular support of our congregation and also provide you with receipts for income tax purposes. If you are new to St. Andrew s and would like church envelopes please call the church office at St. Andrew s also offers its members and adherents the opportunity to give by PAR (Pre- Authorized Remittance). This program helps to stabilize our church income each month. Enrollment forms are found on the table outside the church office and should be returned to the office. This year has been a challenging one for St Andrew's, financially but, regardless we have enjoyed a great deal of success in achieving our key projects and objectives and we are thankful to be in a position where we can finish the year on target. St Andrew's is in the process of installing a new roof system, one that will last us for 50 years. We have had some critical restoration completed on the brickwork and steps of the older sections of our building. We have completed renovation of our nursery as well as to the rear entrance to our church and much needed enhancements are being made to the church's sound system. We also have a beautiful new street sign that announces our programs to the community. Much has been achieved. That we are able to enjoy and appreciate this progress is due to the commitment, dedication and generosity of our members. Without you, this would not have been possible. So, on behalf of my colleagues on Session and the Board of Managers, I have to say a heartfelt Thank you. It's time to prepare our budget for Though we have accomplished a great deal in this past year, much more needs to be done. A large portion of our building is aging and is in need of restoration so that it can be brought back into full use in our ministry. Not a small undertaking, I know. However, I also believe that by continuing to work together we can continue to do great works and we can build and grow St Andrew s for many years to come. Once again, a sincere thank you for your support. Matt Buist, Chairman Board of Managers

6 B E THE CHANGE Be the Change is a group of young adults at St. Andrew s who are in university or who have recently graduated university. As a group we decided we wanted to do something for our church community, the community of Newmarket and the international community. We discussed what we want to see in our church and other communities and that if we wanted change or something new it was us who had to be the change. Through many meetings and prayers our group decided that our first mission would be helping out international communities through a mission trip overseas. There were many destinations that we could choose from including India and Ghana, which became our top two choices. Both India and Ghana possessed interesting cultural experiences and programs that we would be involved in. Be the Change met with Matt Foxall, the Youth in Mission Coordinator for The Presbyterian Church in Canada, to discuss what country would fit our group best. After many discussions and prayers our group decided that Ghana was the best fit for our group. We are very excited to announce that we will be going to Ghana, Africa in May At this time we have our destination and limited information about our trip but we will inform the St. Andrew s congregation as we gather more information. We thank you for your support and prayers as we plan our mission trip to Ghana. How do our Food Pantry donations get from St. Andrew s to the Newmarket Food Pantry? Thanks to Don McCallum! God bless you Don for your compassion for others. Choir Christmas Presentation On Sunday December 20 th as part of our morning worship hour at 10:00am, our Senior Choir will be presenting a selection of songs for Advent and Christmas to help us reflect on the meaning of the birth of Christ. E.P.I.C. Longest Night Monday December 21 st at 7:15pm is our E.P.I.C. Longest Night service. This is a time for reflection and remembrance. FLAT JESUS This summer we took Flat Jesus to such places as Blue Mountain, St. Catharines, Cuba and the Rocky Mountains! Camp Cairn Gift Baskets Thank you to all those who contributed to the wonderful Camp Cairn Silent Action Gift Baskets. The themed Gift Baskets Crazy for Chocolate and Rainy Day Family Fun were filled to overflowing.

7 Our Board of Managers are working on the 2016 budget. Please remember them in your prayers. Interested in being part of our band (musicians or singers)? Please speak to Harrison Clementson. We welcome Doug Sneddon & Adela MacDonald into membership at St. Andrew s. Doug comes to us from Knox Presbyterian Church in Alliston and Adela from St. Andrew s Presbyterian Church in Saskatoon. On All Saints Day we remembered all those who were dear to us who had passed away this year. The prayer litany Lest We Forget, written by Rev. Mathers and used at St. Andrew s, on Remembrance Sunday, was also used in over a dozen other churches, in 4 denominations (Lutheran, United, Presbyterian & Pentecostal) and in 4 provinces. Scheduling events at St. Andrew s is a complicated task with around 40 congregational and outside groups using our facility every month. Thank you Bob Virtue, our Facilities Coordinator. In October, 11 members of St. Andrew s attended the Presbytery of Oak Ridges Worship Renewal Day Apart Conference with church consultant Tom Bandy. In January 2016, 5 of our members will be attending the Symposium of Christian Worship in Grand Rapids, MI, the fourth year St. Andrew s has been represented at this international worship event that draws together 1400 participants from 40 countries. Drop by and take a look at our newly renovated church nursery and the beautiful wall mural designed and painted by Jen Maddock. Check out our church library. We have all kinds of great books for casual reading or study as well as copies of our national church magazine The Presbyterian Record. Our 2016 Budget will be in a Narrative Style in order to better communicate with our members and adherents and to promote a better understanding of what our annual budget supports.

8 Adult-Child Spirituality Retreat The adult-child spirituality retreat has become a tradition at St. Andrew s. It began as a gift from Dorothy Henderson, who remembering a spiritual retreat with her son Daniel when he was a child, set out to offer a similar experience to families in our congregation. She reflected that at the retreat she attended there were; engaging stories, lively music, beautiful crafts, and smoky campfires. Best of all, she had an opportunity to focus on one of her children and he had her all to himself without the competition of work, his siblings and father, the pets and laundry. This year, again, there will be engaging stories, lively music, beautiful crafts and a smoky campfire. There will be a walk to howl at the moon a tradition at the retreat. There will be good food, time to slow down, time to talk with each other, to talk with God and to listen. The Retreat is for children ages 5 12 and a parent, grandparent or other significant adult. (A few years ago we had an adult cousin join us with one child) It takes place January 15 th and 16 th at Jackson s Point. The cost is $60/ adult-child pair. Please speak with Laura, if you would like to take part this year! P LANNING F OR WARME R WEATHER.. Canada Youth Canada Youth is a gathering of youth, young adults and youth leaders from across the Canada. They are also joined by International Guests. Since the conference began in 2000, CY has been a gathering place for Presbyterian youth to worship, play, create, learn, dance, act, make new friends, study scripture, share joy, laugh, discover, play crazy games, reflect, pray, sing and share. It is an opportunity to grow in faith. In 2014, a group of 7 young people and 2 leaders went to CY from Newmarket not knowing quite what to expect. They came home with reflections and wonderings about what they had experienced and heard. They came home with insights and ideas. They came home with a great deal to share with the congregation and they are still talking about the event; what happened and what it meant to them. Canada Youth 2016, We are home, takes place again this summer from July 5 10 at Brock University and Bagel Breakfast is already discussing who is planning to attend! Surf Shack Bible Camp Surfers and Lifeguards, get ready to catch the wave of God s amazing love this summer at Bible Camp! We will hear stories about God s creation, and a surprise breakfast on the beach. There will be music, crafts, games, experiments, and great snacks! We will connect with friends from last summer and meet new friends like Snappy the Crab and some professional surfers at the Surf Shack. See you there July 11-15, 2016!

9 Smiles from Student Care Packages New Roof Manse Clean Up Baskets for Camp Cairn E.P.I.C. Reflection & Remembrance How Bazaar Some of the wonderful volunteers. Nice hats ladies! Part of the new mural in the Nursery! Artist: Jen Maddock Men s Chorus -November 15

10 St. Andrew's Calendar D a t e T i m e E v e n t Sun Nov 29 10:00am 1 st Sunday of Advent Celebration Fri Dec 4 5:00pm-8:00pm Children's Christmas Celebration, Ages 4+, Fun & Pizza Sat Dec 5 10:00am-Noon Poinsettia Plant Pick-up in the Fellowship Hall Sun Dec 6 10:00am Mitten Tree Sunday, 2 nd Sunday in Advent Sat Dec 12 9:00 & 10:00am Pageant Rehearsal: 9am Choir, 10am Full Cast Sun Dec 13 10:00am Church School Christmas Pageant, 3 rd Sunday in Advent Sun Dec 20 10:00am Choir Christmas Presentation -All Welcome! 4 th Sunday in Advent Mon Dec 21 7:15pm EPIC Longest Night Service Thurs Dec 24 Christmas Eve 5:00pm 7:00pm 9:00pm ABC s of Christmas for Young Children and Families Family Christmas Candlelight Service Lessons, Carols & Communion Fri Dec 25 Christmas Day Merry Christmas from St. Andrew's! Sun Dec 27 10:00am 1 st Sunday After Christmas Day Fri Jan 1 Happy New Year 2016! Sun Jan 3 10:00am Epiphany Sunday Thurs Jan 7 Children's Choirs Resume Sun Jan 10 10:00am Baptism of our Lord Mon Jan 11 Jan 15 & 16 Annual Reports are due into the Office -Thanks! Parent-Child Spirituality Retreat at Jackson's Point Sun Jan 17 10:00am 2 nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Week of Prayer Sun Jan 24 10:00am 3 rd Sunday after the Epiphany Sun Jan 31 10:00am 4 th Sunday after the Epiphany Sun Feb 7 10:00am 5 th Sunday after the Epiphany, PWS&D & Transfiguration Sunday Wed Feb 10 7:15pm Ash Wednesday, Midweek Lenten Services Begin Sun Feb 14 10:00am 1 st Sunday in Lent. Happy Valentine's Day! Mon Feb 15 Family Day Holiday Wed Feb 17 7:15pm EPIC Lent Midweek 1 Sun Feb 21 10:00am 2 nd Sunday in Lent, Heritage Sunday Wed Feb 24 7:15pm EPIC Lent Midweek 2 Sun Feb 28 10:00am 3 rd Sunday in Lent Wed Mar 2 7:15pm EPIC Lent Midweek 3 Fri Mar 4 World Day of Prayer Sun Mar 6 10:00am Annual General Meeting, 4 th Sunday in Lent, Communion Wed Mar 9 7:15pm EPIC Lent Midweek 4 Sun Mar 13 10:00am 5 th Sunday in Lent, Daylight Saving Time Begins Wed Mar 16 7:15pm EPIC Lent Midweek 5 Sun Mar 20 10:00am Palm Sunday Wed Mar 23 7:15pm EPIC Lent Midweek 6