HIGHLIGHTS December 23, 2018 We have finally come to the last Sunday before Christmas. All through Advent we have contemplated making room for God s blessings to dwell in us: hope, peace, joy. And today, how might we make room for love- not just the love we feel, but the love we choose that moves the world. (and Mortimer Mouse needs love too!) Highlands United Church, 3255 Edgemont Blvd. North Vancouver, BC V7R 2P1 604-980-6071 churchoffice@highlandsunited.org www.highlandsunited.org Rev. Will Sparks, Lead Minister
Highlands Upcoming Events and Programs This list does not include rooms booked for outside rentals (Scouts, AA, Alanon etc). Highlands Event Calendar can be viewed on our web site at: www.highlandsunited.org Sunday, December 23 9:30 am Coffee/Tea in the Welcome Space 10:00 am Sunday Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:15 am Coffee & Hospitality, Welcome Space 11:45 am Re:Sound Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Family Christmas Pageant Service, Sanctuary 7:00 pm Choirs and Carols Christmas Service, Sanctuary 10:00 pm An English Christmas Service, Sanctuary Church Office will be closed December 25 th to January 1 st. Office will re-open January 2 nd 9:00 am Sunday, December 30 9:30 am Coffee/Tea in the Welcome Space 10:00 am Sunday Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:15 am Coffee & Hospitality, Welcome Space 11:45 am Re:Sound Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room The next publication of the Highlights newsletter will be January 6, 2019
Donations to Highlands United Church for 2018 If you would like to make a donation to the church and have it included in your 2018 Charitable Donation Tax Receipt, please ensure that your donation is received in the Church Office by December 31, 2018. Any donations received after December 31, 2018 will be considered a donation for 2019. For 2018 donations please ensure that your cheque is dated no later than December 31, 2018. If you would like to make a donation via credit card for 2018, please contact Carol in the Church Office on Monday, December 24 th before 2pm. Just a reminder that the Church Office will be closed from December 25 th and will re-open January 2 nd, 2019. Please accept our deepest appreciation and gratitude for your continued support of Highlands and our many outreach and ministry programs.
There's still time to give Gifts that Give Twice! These are gifts that have real value, and keep on giving: because you are showing your love or friendship for someone close to you as well as giving something to someone who really needs it. The ideas here benefit the ministry of Highlands partners. Here s how: 1. Donate to First United Church Community Ministry Society. On the internet https://firstunited.ca/ or by cheque, payable to Highlands United Church, marked First United. 2. 2. Purchase a Multifaith Calendar, Coming Together: Exploring New Connections, supporting the ministry of the Multifaith Action Society. Almost all the holidays of almost all the world's faiths explained! Calendars available at Highlands Action Table. 3.Choose from Gifts with Vision from the Mission and Service fund of the United Church. Many partners at home and abroad can benefit! Booklets at the Action Table; or go to http:// www.giftswithvision.ca/ 4. Give Camp Fircom camperships Camp Fircom relies on donations both big and small to create incredible experiences for people of all backgrounds and financial means. Going to Camp Fircom for Mom & Kids is the highlight of our year for my daughter and I. We have been a single parent family since the day my daughter was born. Being at Camp Fircom is hands down the best holiday we have ever had together. - Campership Recipient Your gift will help send a kid to camp, maintain the solar panels, and feed the chickens. Anything and everything that Camp Fircom does relies on support from people like you. Visit www.fircom.ca and click DONATE or call 604 662 7756 and speak to Margo.
Christmas Hamper Ministry Gift giving is such a tangible way of telling someone you are thinking of them, and wanting to show your love for them. These days, it is becoming more common to support important causes and good work in the world at Christmas. As Christmas has drawn closer, Highlands has been the beneficiary of your thoughts and your love and we feel it. The Spirit Singers, the Local Connections Committee and many individuals have made it possible for Highlands to help families in need this season. Thank you everyone. You have made a tangible difference. Will Sparks and Lora Gardiner Collectibles & Antiques Sale Mark your calendars! May 11, 2019 Antiques and Collectibles Sale! Donations will be gratefully accepted in the new year, and by appointment until that time. Please contact Susan Hughes for further information. susan@bcadaptive.com
Message from Highlands Shelter to Home Team Thank you Thanks to everyone who spread the message that we were running low at the Shelter to Home storage room. Thanks to all our donors. We've received five times the bedding and household goods that we normally receive, including 3 Christmas trees. One donor bought some furniture in an on-line auction, then donated and delivered a table, chairs and a living room table. Another Highlands donor donated a new microwave, yet another contributed $100 which allowed us to buy excellent pots at the Sally Ann, and sets of kitchen tools at the Dollar Store. The Donor phone line hasn't stopped ringing. The teams that assess, transport and sort donations have been working over-time. We still need beds, but we have enough in all the other furniture departments. So except for beds, we can't accept any other furniture until the New Year. We are grateful for your support. Blessings for a wonderful Christmas, Ruth Kershaw To donated items to the Shelter to Home Program please call 778-331-8465 Community Event Jazz Vespers Sunday, December 30 at 4 pm St. Andrew s United Church, 1044 St. George s Avenue @ 10th Street in North Vancouver Join Steve Maddock and Friends, as they play an engaging mix of jazz standards: hard-driving swing, smooth Latin jazz, beautiful ballads, plus an original composition or two. Joining Steve is legendary guitarist Oliver Gannon who has been decorated with some of the industry's top prizes, including a Juno Award and a National Jazz Award. Gannon was recently awarded The Order of Canada for his contributions to the arts. His fluid, swinging style reminiscent of Wes Montgomery and Barney Kessel is rooted in 50s and 60s bop. This promises to be a joyous and uplifting musical experience for listeners of any age or musical taste. Info: 604-985-0408 / events@st-andrews-united.ca / www.st-andrewsunited.ca
The North Shore Tai Chi Spirit & Chinese Health Qigong group that is headquartered out of Highlands United Church had their annual "Friendship Party" on Saturday, December 8 th, 2018. The party was a huge success with close to 170 attending. Everyone participated in easy-to-follow Qigong exercises and then were treated to some student Tai Chi demonstrations. After all the fun everyone enjoyed coffee, tea and a huge banquet of great food. Most important is that the group raised close to $1700 in money and food donations for the Saturday Lunch Program. Everyone shared in helping others with this celebration of mind, body and spirit. SPECIAL FOR HIGHLANDS MEMBERS: If any Highlands church members wish to join up for the first time in January, now is your chance. For the Jan to Mar session any Highlands Church member can join a Newbies/Beginners class for 15% off. Highlands Newbies can learn the basics on: Saturday Tai Chi at 11:30pm-12:15pm, starting January 5th Wednesday Tai Chi at 4:15pm, starting January 9th Saturday Calming and Relaxing Qigong from 10:45am-11:30am Tai Chi and Chinese Health Qigong is called "Meditation in Motion" as well as "Medication in Motion" for those struggling with health and wellness issues. It works! Email taichispirit@shaw.ca if you are interested.
Prayers for Christmas Eve (exerpts) by Dr. Susan M. (Elli) Elliott Fragile God, born in the night We listen in the clarity of the cold night air. We hear the hoofs clopping in the dust, a man's soft voice reassuring a tired woman. We hear his voice inquiring, "Is there room?" "Is there room for us?" Fragile God, born in the night We know the story. We know that you are coming. "Is there room?" "Is there room for you?" Fragile God, born in the night We see the shadowy figures finding the stable. "There is no room." We see the man preparing a place in the hay. He makes room. We see the woman moving heavily, The hours of labor, the sweat, the tears, the cries, the moans, the crushing grip of the hands. We hear the insistent cry of the child wail out, born at last! "Make room!" "Make room for me!" Fragile God, born in the night You come as a tiny light in a vast darkness yet that fragile and flickering light changes the darkness completely. Fragile God, meet us here in the lighting of our small lights, that we may know your awesome power making room among us a is the light that shines in the darkness, the fragile light that the darkness cannot overpower. Fragile God, there is room in our inn. Be born in our night. Amen.