Page 1 November 19, 2015 NEWS FROM THE PEWS NEWS AND INSPIRATION FROM ST. ANDREW S UNITED CHURCH, GEORGETOWN, ON Sunday, November 22 Reader: Gail Bancroft Greeters: Joe and Lois Oatman Ushers: Howard and Marlene Beitz Counter: Joe Oatman AV Operators: Bryan Scott and Graeme Thompson Announcements: Board of Directors Next week, November 29 - Anniversary Sunday Reader: Mattie Spencer Greeters: Gord and Mattie Spencer Ushers: Garnet and Linda Burt Counter: Bruce Munro AV Operators: Ryan Wilson and James Stringer Announcements: Board of Directors WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND November 22, 2015 Daring Faith Series: Part 2: Daring to be Generous This Sunday, we welcome back The Uganda Martyrs who will be joining us for worship and singing for us! We also continue in our worship series called Daring Faith. This week we focus on generosity. We have been blessed with God s generosity and abundance. That is where generosity begins - daring to believe that all we have comes from God. As followers of Jesus, we dare out of that belief, to be generous and when a whole community does that together- well that is a daring faith and amazing things can happen!!! We will be having an update on how our Stewardship campaign is doing to this point in the year and see how we are able to best invest in the community of faith while being generous with others. In the message we will explore what it means to be generous and how to give out of God s generosity. Paul s letter to the Corinthians outlines what true generosity really is about. He says in 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 God can give you all you need. He will give you more than enough. You will have everything you need for yourselves. And you will have enough left over to give when there is need. As you can see Paul is a faithful follower of Christ and has incredible trust is God s ability to provide for needs. Let this be a challenge for all of us to have the faith of Paul as we live our lives in this world. Scripture Readings for this Week: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 Mark 12: 41-44 Sermon: Daring to live a life of Generosity! A New Three Week Sermon Series has started - Part 2 this Sunday! Daring Faith Worship Series: Part 1: November 15th - Daring to Imagine Part 2: November 22nd - Daring to be Generous Part 3: November 29th - Daring to go in Faith
2 Page 2 HAPPY NEWS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY: 1. Happy Birthday to Agnes Taylor who celebrated her 92nd Birthday on Monday, November 9th. 2. Best Wishes to Glen and Margaret Emerson who were married 68 years on Sunday, November 15th. Congratulations to Agnes and Glen and Margaret!! OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-A-LONG - THIS SUNDAY! St. Andrew s Community Outreach Venture Sunday, November 22nd from 1:00 pm to 2:45 pm. Light refreshments. EVERYONE is welcome: kids, neighbours and friends! Goodwill donations helping needing families enjoy Christmas time. Sponsored by the Purple Bag Group. CHRISTMAS MUSICAL PRACTICE THIS SUNDAY (NOT ON SATURDAY) The next practice will be on Sunday, November 22nd at 3:00 pm. There is no Saturday practice this week because of the United Way Christmas House Tour Luncheon hosted by St. Andrew s. REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP MEETING There are a number of churches who are working on a plan to bring refugees to Canada. A meeting is scheduled on Monday November 23 at 7:30 PM at St. Andrew s. Anyone who is interested and wants to know more about sponsorship and what would be expected as a sponsor to bring refugees here are invited to come to this meeting. FRESH FOOD BOX PICK-UP ON TUESDAY The Fresh Food Box pick-up is on Tuesday, November 24th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Page 3 CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS - This will be the ast Sunday to Order As Christmas is fast approaching, it is once again time for our Annual Poinsettia sale. This is our 12th!! Once again, Kuyvenhoven Greenhouses have kept the prices the same. Poinsettias are available in red, white and pink in 6 inch, 8 inch and 10 inch pots. Burgundy flowers are available in 8 and 10 inch pots and the combos (red poinsettias with white mums) are in 7 inch pots.. They are once again the same price as the past eleven years: 6" pot for $8.00; 8" inch pot for $15.00; 10" inch pot for $20.00 and the 7" inch red & white combo is $9.00. If you wish to make a donation, we will purchase the plants required to decorate the church for the Christmas Season Forms will be available before and after church, or contact Jeanne Brennan at jeanneis@hotmail.com NOTE: The plants will be delivered to the church on Friday November 27th and can be picked up that evening between 4:30 and 7:30 pm or on Sunday November 29th. BOARD MEETING There will be a Board Meeting on Wednesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Room. AN ONLINE BIBLE STUDY Rev. Jean Leckie has begun an online bible study blog. If you want to read the Bible, but find it difficult to understand on your own this is for you. Each week she will post a brief reflection on a short passage of scripture that will help you understand it and think about the message it might have for us today. She is starting with the Gospel of Mark. This week: If Jesus was doing today what he did two thousand years ago would he end up in jail? Do the Greenpeace warriors and tree huggers and First Nations blockaders get their ideas from Jesus? Tell us what you think by joining our online Bible study: www.heartlakeunited.wordpress.com FALL WORSHIP SERIES- BULLSEYE- AIMING TO FOLLOW JESUS BULLSEYE SMALL STUDY GROUP - CONTINUES THURSDAY MORNINGS AT 10 AM Come and join us in a small group studying the 6 Markers of the Christian Faith. Thursday mornings at 10 AM. Everyone is welcome!
2 Page 4 CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW AT ST. ANDREW S CHURCH LAST SATURDAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED! Around 400 people attended with over 30 volunteers helping out! Thank you to everyone who donated items for the Silent Auction and Raffle as well as the bake sale! Also thank you to all of the volunteers who made it so successful - from picking up from Direct Buy, putting out advertising signs, giving out postcards at the mall, advertising, decorating, creating signs, organizing, preparing, setting up, selling, ticket-taking, greeting, doing parking lot duty, operating the elevator, monitoring, buying supplies, cooking, backing up people, calling winners, collecting money, doing the bank deposit, cleaning-up, etc! A very big thank you to everyone who attended and supported this event! Thank you to the committee who worked so hard to organize everything and a very special thank you to Jeanne Brennan who once again coordinated the vendors! We are still tallying the results, but before expenses, we made over $5,000. It takes a lot of people to put on these events, but once again the St. Andrew s team stepped up to the challenge! TIME TO RENEW OR SIGN UP! If you go to church, then the United Church Observer is your magazine, and can be had for only $25 per year including tax! That s for 11 issues per year, a good value! Contact Graeme Thompson ASAP as the subscriptions have to be placed in early December or there are some envelopes on the entrance table - you can fill out the information, put the money in the envelope and put it in the offering plate which will be separated out and given to Graeme or you can give it to Graeme after the service. If you haven t received the Observer before, there are copies in the holder on the bulletin board that you can browse.
Page 5 MEN S BREAKFAST CLUB - NOTE DATE - NOT THIS SATURDAY The next Men's Breakfast will be on Saturday, November 28th, at 8:30 a.m. at Angel s Restaurant. All men are welcome! (Delayed a week because of the United Way Christmas House Tour Luncheon this Saturday, November 21st, 2015.) OUR DAILY BREAD BOOKLETS FOR DEC 2015/JAN 2016/FEB 2016 The Our Daily Bread booklets are now available for December 2015/January 2016/ February 2016. Please find them on the table by the photocopier. A donation of $1 would be appreciated. CHILDREN S CHOIR New this fall, Leslie Hoyle has offered to lead a Children s Junior choir. There is a sign-up sheet for this outside of Grant s office, or speak to Leslie if your child would like to join. Practices will be determined after we know who will be in the choir. ST. ANDREW S CHOIR CANTATA - ONE SILENT NIGHT A CHRISTMAS BALLAD OF LOVE AND JOY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH At 7:00 p.m. Reserve this date - another wonderful Pepper Choplin Cantata! Freewill Offering COMMUNITY CREDIT VALLEY SHRINE CLUB - The Credit Valley Shrine Club would like to thank the members of St. Andrew s United Church for their help in collecting the Pop Can Tabs for our Shriner s Canadian Hospital. The tabs were delivered to Don Thompson (our auctioneer) for delivery to the Hospital. Thanks for your help, Ron Lovegrove
2 Page 6 HILLSVIEW ACTIVE LIVING CENTRE GEORGETOWN WELLNESS FAIR TOMORROW, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH - STARTS AT 10:00 A.M. Includes sessions at 11 am on Fraud Prevention by SALT and a Dance Fitness Demo; 11:30 am - Sustainability Plan; 12 pm - Get your Money; 12:30 pm - Bone Builder Demo; 1 pm - Find your way (Alzheimer s Society) and a Yoga Demo; 1:30 pm - Age Friendly Communities; 2 pm - Active Aging and Volunteering and 2:30 pm - Walk Fitness demo. CHRISTMAS HOUSE TOUR - THE UNITED WAY OF HALTON HILLS - THIS SATURDAY! Tickets are $30.00 The United Way of Halton Hills presents its annual Christmas House Tour on Saturday, November 21, 2015. On this self-guided tour, you will visit six beautifully decorated homes in Georgetown and Acton. A light lunch will be included at St. Andrew s United Church as well as an opportunity to purchase unique Christmas gifts from our vendors at the lunch room. For tickets or more information, please call the United Way Office at (905)877-3066 or e-mail unitedwayhh@bellnet.ca ST. JOHN S ANGLICAN CHURCH, STEWARTTOWN HAM & SCALLOPED POTATOES SUPPER WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH - 6 PM Adults: $15.00 (includes dessert and beverage), Children 6-10 years: $6.00, Preschoolers - Free No Tax! Take outs are available. Please purchase tickets in advance. Contacts: Barb - 905-873-6280 or Joan - 905-877-5797 CREDIT VALLEY SHRINE CLUB CHRISTMAS CAKES, SHORTBREAD COOKIES, CHERRY CAKES, PUDDINGS AND MORE WILL BE AT THE GEORGETOWN MALL Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - November 26th, 27th, 28th & 29th Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - December 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - December 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th Supporting Shrine Hospitals for Children. Joan Lovegrove can also take orders.
Page 7 14TH ANNUAL "ON THE WAY TO BETHLEHEM" CHRISTMAS PAGEANT to be held on the evenings of November 27, 28 and 29 from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. On the Way to Bethlehem is an outdoor Christmas Nativity Pageant celebrated each year at the Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Road, Milton. It is a major project of Milton Area Christian Churches Working Together. On arrival, visitors will enter the large reception area (Gambrel Barn), enjoy the music of the mass choir, and when ready, groups will travel the road to Bethlehem with a guide. On their 30 45 minute journey, visitors will witness King Herod s court, interact with Roman soldiers, shepherds, magi, innkeepers and fellow travelers to reveal the Christmas story. At the end of their journey, visitors will follow a lamplight walkway to the refreshment area, have their passports stamped and be given a wagon ride to the exit. Admission: Adults: $5 and Children: Free For more information: www.onthewaytobethlehem.ca or info@onthewaytobethlehem.ca Or phone: 905-875-0839. GRACE UNITED CHURCH PRESENTS A CELEBRATION OF A MUSICAL JOURNEY Featuring Don Salfarlie Saturday November 28th, 2015 At 7:00pm You are invited to a celebration of the musical journey of Don Salfarlie. This event celebrates Don s 65th Birthday and his 50 plus years as a church musician. Don Salfarlie may have ministered at your church over the years. He is known for his distinct style with the hymns and contemporary Christian music. The artist has a great love for the hymns and is a naturally talented musician who has broadened his gift in music in service to God and with his help. The event will specifically raise funds to support an Eritrean Refugee family, sponsored by the United Churches of Canada in the Brampton area. The family has come to Canada directly from an Ethiopian refugee camp. A free will offering will be taken during the service. Refreshments will be served following the music event. Grace United Church, 156 Main Street North in Brampton
2 Page 8 GEORGETOWN BACH CHORALE celebrates Advent, with Choruses and arias written by J.S. Bach for the preparation for the birth of Christ. Accompanied by Baroque Chamber Orchestra, we offer this beautiful music to stir the soul for the upcoming season. In addition, Bach`s Double Concerto in C Minor for two Harpsichords and Strings will also be performed. Please join us November 28th, 8 pm at St. John`s United Church in Georgetown (11 Guelph St). Tickets are $35 for Adults, $10 for Students, available on our website www.georgetownbachchorale.com, by calling 905-873-9909 or at Foodstuffs in Downtown Georgetown (905-877-6569). Join us in this glorious presentation, to drive the cold winter away! GEORGETOWN CHORAL SOCIETY - REJOICE WITH BRASS & VOICE Featuring the Trillium Brass Quintet Saturday, December 5th, 2105 at 7:30 pm at Georgetown Christian Reformed Church in Georgetown (11611 Trafalgar Road) Tickets are $25 for Adults, $10 for Students, Family of 4 - $50, each additional child under 12 - $10. Group rates are available. Tickets available on our website www.georgetownchoral.com, from members or at several locations around town. THE GEORGETOWN CELTIC FIDDLE ORCHESTRA ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT A delightful evening of Celtic tunes traditional Christmas Carols On Friday, December 11th at St. Andrew's United Church. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 and Under 12 - $5 Tickets are available from the Academy of Music - 905-877-2770 or see Jeanne Brennan. SUPPORT & HOUSING - HALTON S THE COFFEE HOUSE SOCIAL GROUP A FUN AFTERNOON OF GAMES & ACTIVITIES Every TUESDAY, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Andrews United Church Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Jennifer at (905) 693-8771 ex. 380 or jbarclay@shhalton.org Support & Housing - Halton providing excellence in supportive housing, peer support & recovery since 1982. http://www.shhalton.org COFFEE HOUSE Social Group &
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2 Page 10 OUR CHURCH VISION Growing In Faith Together actively serving Our God Our Church Family Our Community Week-at-a-Glance Thursday, November 19th 10:00 am Bullseye Small Study Group 7:00 pm Choir 7:45 pm Cantata Choir Practice Friday, November 20th 6:00 pm United Way Luncheon Set up & Prep Saturday, November 21st United Way Luncheon Sunday, November 22nd 10:00 am Worship 1:00 pm Christmas Carol Sing-a-long 3:00 pm Christmas Play Practice Monday, November 23rd 7:30 pm Refugee Sponsorship Meeting Tuesday, November 24th 1:00 pm Coffee House 2:00 to 6:00 pm Fresh Food Box Pick-up Wednesday, November 25th 7:00 pm Board Meeting Thursday, November 26th 10:00 am Bullseye Small Study Group 7:00 pm Choir 7:45 pm Cantata Choir Practice Friday, November 27th 9:30 am Circle of Friends Saturday, November 28th Noon Christmas Play Practice Sunday, November 29th - Anniversary Sunday 10:00 am Worship Humour Corner LEAVING THE CHURCH EARLY "I hope you didn't take it personally, preacher," an embarrassed woman said after a church service, "when my husband walked out during your sermon." "I did find it rather disconcerting," the Pastor replied. "It wasn't out of any disrespect to you," insisted the church-goer. "Fred has been walking in his sleep ever since he was a child." http://www.makeitclearnow.org/relhumor.html Have a Nice Day!
Page 11 Grant s World We are well into the busy season around St. Andrew s. It seems that when November comes around each year there are many opportunities to be involved in congregational life. Last Saturday we held our third annual Craft Show. It was a roaring success with about 400 people coming through our doors to shop the table vendors, Café, bake sale, silent auction and raffle. Overall we raised close to $5,000 in fundraising. Many thanks to all those who were part of the planning team and those who came to the event to help out. We could not have done it without you all. On Sunday we held the funeral service for one our long time and committed members, Mr. Doug Magwood. It was a wonderful tribute for a man of many talents who made so many contributions to this church, teaching students and in helping the wider Georgetown community through his volunteer service. Doug will be sadly missed. We continue to offer our prayers to his wife Charlotte and their two children Colleen and Sean. On Saturday, this week we will be the host site for the United Way Christmas house tour. This is a large scale event in Georgetown and this year our church was selected to offer lunch to all those on the tour. There will be hundreds of people coming through our doors. We owe a huge thanks to Colleen Armstrong and her team for the efforts they have made to pull it all together. Christmas Carol Singing on Sunday Afternoon On Sunday afternoon at 1 PM there will be a Christmas Carol sing in the gym, organized by Wilf Gray. This will be a fun social event with an outreach focus to it. Any donations that are made will be donated to a family in need in our community. Please consider joining us for this event. Refugee Sponsorship Meeting on Monday night This Monday night we have a Refugee Sponsorship meeting here at 7:30 PM. This will be an information and organizational meeting for all the churches in Georgetown. We have a longtime friend of mine, Diane Anger coming from Islington United Church who has chaired their Sponsorship committee for many, many years. Islington United Church has over 30 years experience with sponsoring refugees and have written a manual about how to do it. We look forward to hearing what she has to share. We also hope to have Rev. Lloyd Paul from Mayfield United church come to share his experience with bringing a refugee family to Brampton from Eritrea this year. If you would like to be involved or want to hear more please attend this important meeting on Monday at 7:30 PM. Advent and Christmas Finally, Next Sunday will be our 57th church anniversary Sunday and the beginning of the season of Advent. I am hoping to have some input in a few areas. First, I would like to hear what your favourite Advent and Christmas Hymns are that you hope to sing this year. There will be a music request sheet available this Sunday. And secondly, if you would like to have some input into what the Christmas services will be like please speak to me and we will set up a meeting. Thanks and blessings to you. See you on Sunday, Grant
Page 12 Preparing for Winter Thank you to the Beautification Team and their helpers for taking such good care of the Church gardens!
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Page 14 STAYING CONNECTED TO ST. ANDREW'S ONLINE! St. Andrew s has a Facebook site at: www.facebook.com/standrewsunitedgeorgetown. 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 twitter @SaintAndrewsUC to read late breaking news. Our Website at www.standrewsuc.ca includes lots of information about St. Andrew s programs, events and ministries. Also posted are HD videos of the Sunday sermons. Look under the Media tab and click on sermons. 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 e-mail (not as an attachment) to: standrewsoffice@cogeco.ca by Wednesday at noon. For further information, contact our secretary, Margaret Yahiro, or our Minister, Rev. Grant Williams, at 905-877-4482. Contact us: Website: www.standrewsuc.ca Church Secretary/Office: standrewsoffice@cogeco.ca Secretary Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Thursdays: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Minister Hours: Monday - Thursday Grant Williams: standrewsminister@cogeco.ca