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

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1 Page 1 December 4, 2014 NEWS FROM THE PEWS NEWS AND INSPIRATION FROM ST. ANDREW S UNITED CHURCH, GEORGETOWN, ON Sunday, December 7 - Christmas Play Greeters: Leslie Moore and Valerie Jordan Ushers: Lorne and Susan Campbell Counter: Ross Yahiro and Mike Sprague AV operators: Bryan Scott Announcements: Ministry and Personnel Next week, December 14 Reader: Brian Heinmiller Greeters: June Longstreet and Fran Trowbridge Ushers: Bill and Linda King Counter: Pat Moore and Andrew Piper AV operators: Andrew Piper and Ryan Wilson Announcements: Ministry and Personnel This Sunday we will be lighting the second candle in the advent wreath; the candle for peace. Each year during the four Sundays in Advent we light a new candle. On advent 2 we think of the places in the world that are in unrest and conflicted situations. We pray for peace to reign. Our worship service will be held in the gym on Sunday. Once again we will be treated to a performance by the children and youth in our Sunday School. This year s performance is called I Witness News: Live from Bethlehem. Since September our young people have been working hard at practicing their lines and singing songs for this year s play. This is News from the Pews 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 4, 2014, 10:00 am Christmas Play & Advent 2 - Peace always a highlight in the season and we hope that you will come and support our young people. New for this year we have a second performance on Saturday night at 6:30. There will be tickets available for only $5.00 each. The donations will go to a local charity. It is often standing room only so if you hope to have a good seat please plan to arrive early. We look forward to this musical directed by Stephanie Scott each year and we owe her a huge thanks for all the work she puts into planning the program.

2 Page 2 News from the Pews CHRISTMAS MUSIC/CANTATA - PLEASE JOIN US ON THURSDAYS! if you are interested in joining the Senior Choir for Christmas please come to practices on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm. If you want to sing in the cantata only, please join us on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. The cantata is to be held on Sunday, December 14th in the evening. Please come out for a fun evening of song! GUITAR GROUP The group consists of about 8 beginners. If you re interested, or would like to play the guitar, come join us Friday 9:30 a.m. We have spare guitars to get you started. Maybe someone would like to come sing with us?? ANNIVERSARY OFFERING Thank you to everyone who gave or will be giving a special Anniversary Offering. Your continued support is greatly appreciated! 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! ATTENTION SENIOR YOUTH CLASS!!! COME AND JOIN US FOR THE NEXT FEW SUNDAYS AS WE CELEBRATE THE COMING OF JESUS. WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON ADVENT AND WHAT IT MEANS TO US. HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT SUNDAY (THIS SUNDAY IS THE CHRISTMAS PLAY). YOUTH CHRISTMAS PLAY PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The DRESS REHEARSAL will be this SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6th from 1 pm. For more information, please contact Stephanie Scott. December: Dress Rehearsal: Saturday 6th 1pm Performances: This Saturday, December 6th at 6:30 pm This Sunday, December 7th at 10am LIVING THE QUESTIONS GROUP - NOT MEETING ON MONDAY Living the Questions group will NOT be meeting on Monday as originally scheduled. Meetings will resume in the new year.

3 News from the Pews Page 3 THE OBSERVER - LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP Observer representative Graeme Thompson is not able to be in church this Sunday to collect your remittance for Observer renewals or new 2015 subscriptions. If you would like to get in on the current deal of 11 issues for a mere $10.00, please place $10.00 or a cheque made out to St. Andrew's United Church in an envelope (there are forms and envelopes on the entrance table of the church) and place it in the offering plate or hand in to the office. Make sure to write your name and "Observer" on the outside of the envelope. If you can't make it to church you may leave it in the office or contact Graeme Thompson. This is your last opportunity to receive this deal. TRUSTEES MEETING ON MONDAY,DECEMBER 8TH There will be a Trustees meeting on Monday, December 8th at 7:00pm in the Church Office. FINANCE MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10th There will be a Finance Meeting on Wednesday, December 10th at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Room. SPRING AUCTION PLANNING MEETING ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH There will be a Spring Auction Planning Meeting on Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Room. WHITE GIFT SUNDAY - NEXT SUNDAY On December 14th we will be collecting gifts of toys and food for White Gift Sunday. The gifts do not need to be wrapped in white. Please bring in at the start of the service and place in the wagons provided in the lobby. WHITE GIFT SUNDAY - WANTED We are in need of about 6 wagons to borrow for White Gift Sunday on December 14th. If you can help with this please let Grant Williams or the office know. 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!

4 Page 4 News from the Pews EVERYONE IS INVITED TO AN INFORMAL CHRISTMAS CHEER EVENT 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! 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!

5 News from the Pews Page 5 COMMUNITY MAYFIELD ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT CANTATA Presented by The Mayfield United Church Choir "Where You There on That Christmas Night?" A Christmas Musical - Lloyd Larson Sunday, December 7 at 7:00 pm Mayfield United Church, Dixie Road, Caledon - Phone: Followed by Refreshments CHRISTMAS JAZZ VESPERS AT WINDERMERE UNITED IN TORONTO You are invited to attend a Christmas Jazz Vespers at Windermere United Church, 356 Windermere Ave, Toronto, ON M6S 3L3 on Sunday December 7th at 7:00 pm. Brian Stevens (piano) and Bill MacLean (vocals) will offer an hour long program of music and from their latest CD, Twelve Songs for Christmas. Brian and Bill will be joined for this concert by Geroge Jardine (drums), Michael LaLonde, (bass) and Lucas Tensen (cello). A free will offering will be taken. SENIOR'S TOUR OF THE LIGHTS Hosted by: The Kinsmen Club of Georgetown Date: Wednesday, December 10th Times: The tour departs from the Walmart Parking Lot at 7:00 pm The tour will be followed by snacks, entertainment and refreshments served at 8:00 pm at The Salvation Army Church. Pick ups, at the following locations, will begin at 6:30 pm: Mountainview Residence, Kincourt, Armstrong Terrace, The Sands, Cote Terrace, Royal Ascot, Georgetown Seniors Centre, Sargent Court, Victoria Gardens and St. Andrew's Church. For further information, please contact Rob Blackburn at THE GEORGETOWN CHILDREN'S CHORUS is presenting the Christian rock musical "In a Galilee Far, Far Away" on Sunday December 14th (1pm and 4pm performances) at the John Elliott Theatre. The musical has a cast of 60 kids ages 7 to 11...complete with costumes, sets, choreography and lively, rock music. Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for 18 and under. Tickets are available in person at the JET box office (at the Georgetown Library) or on line at Call Lois Fraser ( ext. 253) if your child (ages 5 to 18) is considering joining choir and she will supply you with a free ticket. 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

6 Page 6 News from the Pews MUSIC AND REFLECTION SERVICES AT MAYFIELD UNITED CHURCH The last service is on December 14, 2014 at 6:30-8:00 in the evening. These services create the environment of calm, safety and support, to bring people to their quiet place using the techniques of relaxing meditation and toremain there for a time, wrapped in the blanket of music. People of all faiths are welcome to explore their inner connection with spirit and expand their personal spiritual growth. An example of music created in the moment, is found at the following address: Listen to the first track called "Four Minutes" Offerings are accepted on a volunteer basis and are gratefully received in the form of money, food or clothing. These gifts are in turn used to support Mayfield's several community partners. The last Reflection Service will be held on December 14, 2014 at Mayfield United Church, Dixie Road, Caledon L7C 2L7. 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! 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

7 News from the Pews Page 7 ADVENT CORNER - Advent 2 Give With Respect offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh The magi had come from a foreign land, guided be a star. They gave to Christ generously as an act of respectful worship. They are the finest example of Christian stewardship, giving from a place of joy, gratitude and high esteem. We all need to be like those Magi seeing Christ for the first time generously giving to those in need for Christ s own sake! Story Corner - Thanks, Joan! A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect.. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! 'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice.. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question. 'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle.' 'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist. 'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?' 'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little. 'Listen, I have the money to pay for it.. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.' The pharmacist's brother was a well-dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?' ' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.' 'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago. 'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audible. 'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.' 'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.' He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.' That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. 'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?' Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar and eleven cents...plus the faith of a little child. In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.

8 Page 8 News from the Pews Reminder - the play is also being held with no Church service on Saturday, December 6th At 6:30 pm - doors open at 5:45 pm - $5 per ticket - Proceeds will be given to a cause decided on by the Youth.

9 News from the Pews Page 9 GRANT S WORLD Last weekend was a spirit filled time in the life of St. Andrew s. On Saturday we held our second visioning weekend with our consultant Duane Whittey. Duane led the group of 23 or so people through a conversation about what our vision statement means to each of us. The new vision statement is St. Andrew s will faithfully support our growing community by identifying unique needs and delivering transformational solutions. We shared our thoughts and feelings of how God is calling us to be as a congregation. It was a very fruitful and spirited conversation that I felt united us with a common purpose as we serve our community s needs and as we live out our Christian faith in God. There were opportunities to voice opinions, fears and our hopes for the future. It was an engaging meeting to set us up for a promising One of the main focuses in our new vision involves outreach initiatives. Our youth group are already beginning to implement the outreach focus by collecting bags and clothing items to give to the homeless. On Sunday December 14th our youth group will be heading to Toronto to hand out these bags as they serve lunch to homeless people in Moss Park with the Uganda Martyrs United Church youth group. This is putting our faith in action to help transform the lives of people. If you would like to come and join us on the 14th please let me know. On Sunday night we held our first Taize worship service. A Taize service is a quiet and reflective service that allows us to focus on God though our breathing and prayers. We had an opportunity to light candles as we quietly prayed. Colleen played the piano while Sula Anne played her 12 string guitar. This was a great way to begin the advent season. It was a lovely service that was well attended. Hope to see you all this weekend for the Christmas musical. Blessings, Grant STAYING CONNECTED TO ST. ANDREW'S ONLINE! St. Andrew s has a Facebook site at: On the site you will find news about upcoming events, pictures, videos and daily devotionals. Please like our site! Check it out! You can also follow us on to read late breaking news. Our Website at includes lots of information about St. Andrew s programs, events and ministries.

10 Page 10 News from the Pews Did you know The UNITED CHURCH OBSERVER is the oldest continuously published magazine in all of North America? (Since 1829) In April 2014, it took home 25 Associated Church Press (ACP - a North American organization) Awards, including 10 first-place prizes and Best in Class for denominational magazines? In May 2014 it was recognized by the Canadian Church Press (CCP) by winning 15 CCP awards, including 8 first-place prizes and the top award for general excellence in magazine publishing? In June 2014 The National Magazine Awards, a foundation with a mission to recognize and promote excellence in the content and creation of Canadian print and digital publications, gave the UNITED CHURCH OBSERVER first and second place prizes for pieces in two different categories? Gold - Science, Technology & the Environment for Losing the Hooded Grebe by Alanna Mitchell Silver - Online Video for Cold Comfort by Kevin Spurgaitis & Jill Kitchener plus two other Honourable Mentions If you go to church, then the UNITED CHURCH OBSERVER is your magazine, and can be had for only $10 including tax! That s for 11 issues per year, less than a buck an issue! Please contact Graeme Thompson or the Church office by this Sunday, December 7th as the subscriptions have to be placed in early December. Name Address

11 News from the Pews Page 11 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 4 1:30 pm St. Andrew s Women and U.C.W. 6:30 pm Choir practice 7:30 pm Cantata Choir practice Friday, December 5 9:30 am Guitar Group 7:00 pm Celtic Concert 7:00 pm Youth Group Saturday, December 6 1:00 pm Christmas Play Dress Rehearsal 6:30 pm Christmas Play - I Witness News: Live from Bethlehem Sunday, December 7 10:00 am Worship - Christmas Play - I Witness News: Live from Bethlehem- Monday, December 8 7:00 pm Trustees Meeting Tuesday, December 9 1:00 pm Coffee House 7:00 pm Spring Auction Planning Meeting Wednesday, December 10 6:45 pm Finance Meeting Thursday, December 11 6:30 pm Choir practice 7:30 pm Cantata Choir practice Friday, December 12 9:30 am Circle of Friends 9:30 am Guitar Group NO YOUTH GROUP - MOVED TO SUNDAY Sunday, December 14 10:00 am Worship After worship Youth group to Toronto 7:00 pm Choir Cantata Church Secretary/Office: 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

12 Page 12 News from the Pews All the panels in the Sanctuary were made by one person - Joan Lovegrove The newest one is below. The beading detailed work is wonderful! They certainly enhance our place of worship! Thanks, Joan!

13 News from the Pews Page 13 Some of the others... The names of all the Church members were added when Joan made the one to the left.

14 Page 14 News from the Pews Our 50th Anniversary Crest to the left.