KNOX NEWS Nov. 23, 2018 FROM THE STUDENT MINISTER: Inside this issue: Well it has been a busy few weeks. After our Remembrance Day service, and our beautiful Confirmation service last week, we are beginning to gear up for Advent. On Saturday the Ayr Ministerial are taking part in the Christmas parade please make sure you wave to us! Knox will be busy with cookie walk afterwards a wonderful outreach event, so come and share some tasty items in the tea room and socialize. Knox has also placed beautiful wood Angels all around town in 20 businesses as part of the Good News Trail come and pick up a pamphlet to see where the angels are placed so you can go and find out all their names. A draw will be pulled of completed ballots during the Christmas eve service. Messy church will be sharing the Christmas story through crafts, games and stories on Dec 1 st, 4-6pm bring your child or grandchild or adults are welcome to come without a child! Our outdoor Christmas Nativity is just around the corner too on Dec 9 th at 6pm in Centennial park a wonderful way to share the Christmas message with your community. As we prepare for Advent, let us all remember to seek God in all our busy activities. It can be so easy to just get caught up in the busyness of the year, and not take time to pause, and reflect. Psalm 16 reminds us to see God s presence around us: I keep my eyes always on the Lord. God is at my right hand." Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy." There is an ancient Navajo blessing that is used in a healing prayer ceremony called The Blessing way. It s purpose isn t to cure illness, but instead to restore right relationships with one s self, other people, the rest of creation, and even the cosmos. It is to bring balance and harmony. At this busy time of year, I think it is a good blessing for us all to say aloud each day. May it be blessed before me, may it blessed behind me, may it be blessed above me and below me, may it be blessed all around me. May I always walk in blessing. The path of life. The way of blessing. Whether Hebrew or Navajo, the promise is the same. God is with us on the journey, wrapping us in blankets of love and wisdom, blessing us with beauty every step of the way. Peace, on your Advent journey. Gail. This Week at Knox 2 Kiley Joe Concert 3 Looking Ahead 4-6 Announcements 6,7 Service Schedule Volunteer Schedule Prayers for the Week Knox United Church 92 Northumberland St., AYR Church office Tel: 519-632-7461 Email: admin@knoxuayr.com Webpage: knoxuayr.weebly.com Student Minister: Gail Fricker Music Director: Nate Fanning Minister s Hours: Tuesdays to Thursdays Office Hours Tuesdays to Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. KNOW NEWS is published bi-weekly. Next edition: December 7, 2018 Next DEADLINE: December 6, 2018 9:00 AM 8
THIS WEEK at KNOX Dear All, As a parent or grandparent of a child, or youth, that sometimes takes part in our Adventures With God at Knox, I am inviting your child be part of the Christmas parade this Saturday - Nov 24th. They can ride on, or walk alongside our Ayr Ministerial float. Any age can participate and they are welcome to bring friends too. Please just show up at Calvary Church at 12 noon to get a costume as an Angel or a Shepherd. Adults are welcome to walk alongside the float too, and hand out bookmarks. Also, our Adventures With God will be leading our church service on Dec 16th. They will be doing a drama called "the Ragged Child". We will be having 3 short 10 minute rehearsals after church on Nov 25th, Dec 2nd and Dec 9th - and one on Dec 16th at 9.30am. Please try to come to at least one rehearsal - there are parts for everyone, speaking and non-speaking (including narration). Lets try to have as many children/youth involved as possible. Peace, Gail. KNOX COOKIE WALK & MORE... Pot pies will be sold at the Cookie Walk on Saturday, November 24th. For the detailed schedule at Knox for this coming week, see the attached pdf. Page 2
ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT FUNDRAISING EVENTS WHO IS KILEY JOE MASSON? Kiley Joe grew up in nearby Princeton. He now lives in Ingersoll with his wife, Lindsay, and 2 young sons. He has succeeded on the Canadian music scene for over 20 years as an accomplished singer, piano player, saxophone player and songwriter. Kiley Joe has made 5 albums and released numerous songs to Canadian and European Country radio in the 1990's. When he was a very young teenager, he wrote, "A Soldier's Memories" - a song that is still featured on many radio programs in Canada and in Europe for Remembrance Day specials. When Kiley Joe is not performing his own shows, he plays piano and harmonica in "Sweet Dreams" for the "Legendary Patsy Cline" tour, the "Loretta Lynn Show", "Waylon Jennings/Highwaymen Tribute Show" and "George Jones Tribute Show". It is a privilege to have invited Kiley Joe to perform gospel music in our sanctuary on November 25th at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are still available at only $20 with a light supper following. Tickets would also make a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys gospel music from a talented performer. Page 3
LOOKING AHEAD Our Advent Bible Study starts the last week in November. It is a 4-week study, approximately one hour in length. You can check the link at www.prayerbench.ca for more information if you like. Days & Times: 1st - Tuesday, November 27th, 3 to 4 p.m. 2nd, 3rd & 4th - Thursdays, December 6, 13 & 20th, 6 to 7 p.m. Location: Knox Library All are welcome! Come and join the Advent caravan on the way to Bethlehem! Contact: Susan Humphrey 519-632-9597 JAZZ VESPERS Wednesday, November 28th @ 7:00 p.m. Page 4
Church in Action MUNCHIES FOR MISSIONS Sunday, December 2 nd After the Worship Service, come to the Fellowship Hall for coffee and treats in Support of Missions Freewill donations appreciated to go towards our yearly pledge. Looking for a fun gift idea? The children may be able to help. "Helping Hand" dusters will be available for purchase before and after church ($5 each). The proceeds will go toward the World Vision Child Sponsorship. Thank you for all who purchased the dusters on Sunday - due to popular demand, the children will be making another batch to sell after church this Sunday! SENIORS CHRISTMAS TIME OUT Monday, December 3 rd at 12:00 p.m. Enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner. Everyone welcome and spread the word. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season. Kate, Linda and all our helpers are looking forward to seeing you there. Calling all men of Knox for a morning get-together. Meet the first Wednesday of the month, December 5 th at 8:30 at Tim Hortons. Bring a smile to share! Page 5
OUTDOOR NATIVITY IN THE PARK Sunday, December 9th, 2017 @ 6:00 p.m. This is a joint event put on by the churches of Ayr. FROM CHURCH IN ACTION As we approach Advent and Christmas, we are reminded that we can play a small part in spreading hope, peace, joy and love to others in our community who may be experiencing difficulties in their lives at this time. We have started the Angel Tree promotion a little early this year in order to give those willing to participate a little more time before the crunch of Christmas begins. The Angels with the Christmas wish are downstairs on the Advent Tree hanging on the bulletin board outside the Phone Room. When the Christmas tree is set up, we will move them to the tree. We're asking members of Knox to help us fulfill this commitment by taking an angel, purchasing the gift, and returning it to Knox for us to wrap by December 9 th. Please leave the Angel with the gift. Neighbours Helping Neighbours (Christmas Hamper Drive). Knox has been asked to collect bags containing 1 each - laundry detergent, dishsoap, and an all purpose cleaner. Last year, Neighbours Helping Neighbours handed out 55 hampers to families. The organization supplies us with grocery bags in which to place the items. Although we are still awaiting the bags, we will need them back by December 16. On behalf of Church in Action, we would like to thank you in advance for helping us fulfill our mission and service commitments for 2018. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Through your actions, we can help spread the message of hope, peace, joy and love to those in our community whose Christmas experiences may otherwise, be a little less than hopeful. Page 6
MESSAGE FROM COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS We seek candidates for the positions of Vice-Chair and Secretary for the 2019 Church Board. Please contact Betty Butcher, Richard Kleri, or Alan Murray of the Nominations Team if you can serve in one of these roles. ADVENT Do You Like to Sing? The choir will begin practicing for their Christmas Cantata that they will perform on Dec 23rd - it a collection of fun and simple songs that tell the Christmas story. Rehearsals will be after church each Sunday for about 15 minutes - go and grab a coffee, and come a join us! No experience necessary - just come and sing! 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 (519-632-7878)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 Do you have a nativity set at home? As we draw closer to Advent, it is time to get our Christmas decorations out of storage. If you have a nativity set, I would love to see it! My plan is to come and visit folks and take a picture of their nativity set, and perhaps hear the story of how or where you got it. I will use those pictures on the PowerPoint throughout Advent. So dust off that nativity, and contact me by calling the office, calling my cell (519 703 1954), or emailing me (gfricker@rogers.com) to schedule a time for me to come and visit you, the sooner the better. Let s see how many we can get! Page 7
Service Schedule & Scripture Reflections Sunday, Nov. 25th Upside-down Kingdom Revelation 1:4b-8 & John 18:33-37 Sunday, Dec. 2nd ADVENT 1 Miracle on 34th Street Do you recognize Him? Sunday, Dec.. 9th ADVENT 2 A Christmas Story What are you hoping for this Christmas? Sunday, Dec.. 16th ADVENT 3 The Ragged Child Led by Adventures with God children Sunday, Dec.. 23rd ADVENT 4 A Christmas Story in Song and Word A cantata with Christmas Communion Sunday Volunteer Schedule Date Nov 25 Dec 2 Dec 9 PRAYER REQUESTS: Sanctuary / Church Decor Carol Kopp Betty Butcher ADVENT Kate, Christine + Janet-poinsettias ADVENT Kate, Christine + Janet-poinsettias As a church, we are called to pray for each other. Throughout the two weeks of Audio / Video System Kate Cressman Reg Cressman Diane Bartle November 25 th & December 2 nd Speaker Gail Fricker Gail Fricker Gail Fricker Greeter Susan / Betty Susan / Betty Organist/Pianist Nate Fanning Nate Fanning Nate Fanning Special Music Scripture Read- Sandra Dance Advent Advent Minute for Mission Reader Adventures with God Tiffany Jull Linda Davidson Tiffany Jull Shannon Lemay Diane Bartle Heather Raby Linda Davidson Sherri Johns We Pray for our Members, Ed Kopp, dealing with health issues. For Ken & Jean Fraser as Ken recuperates at home. Kenny Lawrence, Gerry Muir s nephew, recovering from surgery for an aneurism. Counters Jeremy Wright Heather Smith Sandra Dance Wayne/Karen Frank Nuyl Christine Coffee Time NO Coffee Time Munchies for Missions Marilyn Scott Page 8