Advent & Christmas at Highlands Nov-Dec 2018 making room for love
Advent Festival Friday, Nov 30 th, 6-9pm & Saturday, Dec 1 st, 10am-3pm Don t miss out on this wonderful start to the season of Advent. Invite your friends and neighbours to come and enjoy the many things to do on the weekend: An Exhibit of nearly 200 nativity scenes, the Christmas Café, Craft and Bake Sale, children s dress up and please touch space, the Kids Only shop for kids 4-14 (where no item is more than $5.00) a Labyrinth in the Sanctuary, a quiet space and seasonal music. Friday night 6 9pm and Saturday 10am 3pm. There is no cost to enter the exhibit, but donations are gratefully accepted toward the ministry of Highlands United Church.
Worship during Advent and Christmas Theme: Making Room Life is so full, even cluttered, and the season of Advent is filled with expectations, events and activities that swirl around us and can take over. Can there be space in the busyness? Instead of racing headlong for the finish line of Christmas, can we make room on the way to breathe, to spend a moment just being still, and preparing heart, mind and life for a gentle arrival? The First Sunday of Advent: Room for Hope Sunday, December 2 nd at 10:00am Hope is required when we don t know the outcome. But it is only human nature to try to control the outcome of things. As we begin our journey to the manger, we practice letting go of outcome, and trusting in the presence of God. The Second Sunday of Advent: Room for Peace Sunday December 9 th at 10:00am I wonder just how peaceful Joseph was when he found out his fiancé was pregnant. What does it take to move through disruptive news and events peacefully? How do we make room for peace in the midst of life? The Third Sunday of Advent: Room for Joy Sunday December 16 th at 10:00am Life is filled with moments of joy. But are we moving so quickly that we miss them? Mary and Elizabeth managed to find a way. How might we practice being in the moment enough to catch the Joy of it? The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Room for Love Sunday, December 23 rd at 10:00 am What must I let go of in order to embrace the love at the heart of things. Love in popular culture comes across as a feeling, a glow in the cheeks, a glimmer in the eye. As lovely as that is, love is a choice, a commitment, a decision. God chose love, vulnerable love, sacrificial love. How can we practice this kind of love?
Congregational Potluck Lunch Sunday, December 2 nd at 11:15am, after worship Come and enjoy an old-fashioned potluck lunch while taking one last look at the Nativity Exhibit. After lunch, you can pick up your nativity scenes to take home (and stay and help with take down if you are able!) Bring a cold finger food item to share eg. sandwiches, veggie or fruit platter, sweets, devilled eggs, mini quiches.you decide. Bring your food items to the Main Kitchen before worship. Let us know what you are bringing by signing up at the action table or emailing Sandi at sandi.parker@highlandsunited.org Seniors Connection Christmas Lunch with members of the Higher Ground Choir Wednesday, Dec 5 th at 10:30am Join us and members of the Higher Ground Choral group for a concert and sing-a-long and a Christmas luncheon. Call to reserve your spot.604-980-6071 ext 227. RSVP by Friday, November 30 th Vancouver Chamber Music Concert Wednesday, Dec 5 th at 1:30pm A Clarinet Trio with Christopher Lee, Lixia Li and Lee Duckeles
Laudate Singers Concert Saturday, December 8 th at 7:00pm Vivaldi Chamber Concert Sunday, December 9 th at 3:00pm December Birthday Celebrations Sunday, December 9 th at 11:15am in the Fireside Room Are you a December baby? Join us for cake (or fruit option) and fellowship after the worship service in the Fireside Room. For more information speak to Wendy McNaughton. Higher Ground Women s Ensemble The Eve of Beauty Christmas Concert Tuesday, December 11 th at 7:00pm
Youth Group Gingerbread Decorating Party Friday, Dec 14 th 7:00pm Gingerbread decorating for youth come join the fun! Speak to Allie Keir for more information. Seniors Connection Christmas Bus Trip Friday, Dec 14 th, 2018 at 10:30am Tour the historic Roedde House designed by Francis Rattenbury and built in the 1890 s in Vancouver s West End followed by lunch at the Sylvia Hotel. Depart from Highlands at 10:30am. Return at approx. 2:00pm Cost is $35 (includes lunch) Payment due by December 5 th. Marcus Mosley Chorale Christmas Concert Light of Love Saturday, December 15 th at 7:30pm Highlands Family Christmas December 16 th at 7:00pm An evening of choirs and Christmas fun. Join us in the church family living room (the Sanctuary!) to sing, dance, tell stories and celebrate together. Appropriate for all ages and an excellent opportunity to invite your neighbours, family and friends to a Highlands event. Featuring Highlands choirs, the Family Band and the world famous Stand up Sit down version of The 12 Days of Christmas. Family Band Rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 15 th at 11:00 am. For more info, contact mail Geordie Roberts geordie.roberts@highlandsunited.org
Quiet Christmas Service Dec 18 th at 7:00pm Christmas can be a time of mixed emotions: Joy and comfort mingle, loneliness and hopefulness. The busyness can be overwhelming. If we have lost someone if can be especially hard, and we can feel out of step with the season. Come gather for a service of carols, candles, for a time to simply be and feel God s quieting strength. Conversation and refreshments to follow. Christmas Eve Services Christmas Eve 4:00pm, Family Christmas Pageant A joyful retelling of the Christmas story through music and drama. All children are invited to dress up as shepherds, angels or sheep wear your own costume or come at 3:30pm and put on one of ours! Christmas Eve 7:00pm, Choirs and Carols With the Spirit Singers and the Genesis Too Youth Choir Joyfully we gather to hear again the story, which speaks to our deepest longings, our fervent hopes. As the song asks Is there room in your heart for God to write the story That sacred story includes us all. Christmas Eve 10:00pm, An English Christmas As the evening settles in, we gather for a peaceful service of lessons and carols by candlelight featuring the Re:Sound Chamber Choir and friends singing anthems and carols from the English tradition.
Throughout this season, Highlands United is here for you. If for any reason you need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to call 604-980-6071. Highlands United Church 3255 Edgemont Blvd. North Van, BC V7R 2P1 604-980-6071 www.highlandsunited.org www.highlandsunited.org www.facebook.com/hucnv