Dear Friends,
Now, the season of advent is upon each of us and our loved ones. The word “advent” means “arrival,” and it signifies the coming of Baby Jesus Immanuel – “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Since the Creator God made human beings and walked and talked with them every day in the Garden, He has been with us. When we reflect on the presence of Immanuel God during the course of our faith journey, we cannot express our gratitude enough to the Lord. God desires to be in the company of each of us, His people, when we assemble to worship Him during the Advent season.
With this note, I extend a warm invitation to you and your loved ones to join our hybrid communion service at St. Andrew’s Fenelon Falls, on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. We will explore one of God’s names, “Immanuel,” and praise the Lord, our Immanuel, with all our hearts. We will observe Advent Communion and appreciate a new Advent program called “Family Time – Jesse Tree” during the service.
This divine gathering will be accessible both in person and online via live-stream. The Zoom link below will be active from 9:45 a.m. Announcement slides will be shared before the service with both the congregation in the sanctuary and those joining us on Zoom.
In addition to this information on Advent communion service, I would like to mention a couple of things.
Firstly, on behalf of the congregation, I want to express our sincere thanks to Elaine Bailey, Directory of the Reunion Choir, and the singing members for their lovely and joyful Christmas music. It was s meaningful and pleasant time for us as the audience, not only to listen to the beautiful songs but also to sing along many divine lyrics with the choir as a heavenly chorus and have friendly fellowship in the basement afterward. Our thanks also go to Stan Wray, the coordinator of the first public community event our church has organized since the era of Covid-19.
Secondly, as announced, this Sunday, the Community Christmas Carol Singing will be held at Fenelon Falls United Church, at 3:00 p.m. Each church’s choir or singers in our community will present sacred music, and all participants will have an opportunity to praise the Lord together and have fellowship following the event. We, as a congregation, give thanks to Barbara Dunn-Prosser for performing special music on our church’s behalf. We also appreciate Lynne Davis’s piano accompaniment for Barbara. Everybody is welcome to this event.
Thirdly, as mentioned before, St. Andrew’s Women of the Church will host a Christmas pot luncheon in the church basement on Wednesday, December 6th, at 12:30 p.m. I have been told that this fellowship is also open to anyone, including men! Around 1:30 p.m. a Christmas program, such as a reading, a favorite Christmas memory, music, and so on, prepared by participants will be presented not only in person but also via Zoom. The Zoom ID and its passcode are the same as the ones for every Sunday. You are more than welcome to join this Advent gathering. Bringing personal care items, which will be donated to the Salvation Army, will be appreciated.
Upcoming Church Events:
December 6: St. Andrew’s Women of the Church Potluck Luncheon
Time & Location: 12:30 p.m. in the Church Basement
Everybody is welcome to join in and celebrate the Christmas season together at this gathering!
December 10: Guest Speaker – Pastor Martin Chipp-Smith, Youth Unlimited Kawartha Lakes
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Morning Worship 10:00 a.m.
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service 7:00 p.m.
Upcoming Community Events:
December 5: “Tinsel and Tears” a quiet Christmas service
Time & Location: 2 p.m. at Fenelon Falls United Church
December 9: Salvation Army Toy Drive – new toys can be dropped off at The Red Apple from 10 am to 4 pm.
For more information about the community events, please reach out to Lizz Hoyle.
Blessings,
Caleb