Dear Friends,
This Sunday, we will launch an Advent sermon series titled “Christmas Songs” in our worship service. Christmas is a time for music! Christmas and carols go together. The word “carol” means a song of praise and joy. Melodies used to be written for and sung during all four seasons. But singing them at Christmas only has traditionally survived. In the next four Sundays, we will look at the first and second chapters of Luke’s Gospel and explore the first four Christmas carols sung by Zechariah, Mary, a group of Angels, and Simeon. Each anthem has been known by its opening Latin words: Benedictus, Magnificat, Gloria, and Nunc dimittis.
Next Sunday, a Community Carol Sing organized by Fenelon Falls Association of Churches will also be held at Fenelon Falls United Church. Barbara Dune-Prosser will present Christmas music on behalf of our church. Her high school friend, Barb Vant Erve, will accompany her. On top of her presentation, Barbara has been involved in a unique project, “Anne Langton: An Anglican Church Woman in Fenelon Falls.” This historically remarkable exhibition can be viewed at the following link: https://www.communitystories.ca/v2/anne-langton-anglican-church_l-eglise-d-angleterre/
The beautiful Christmas decorations have recently been set up at St. Andrew’s sanctuary by Wilma and Soon Hwa under the guidance of Stan. You will enjoy the Christmas message through this visual method.
With these notes, I invite you to join us in the first Advent service – Hope – at St. Andrew’s on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at 10:00 am. This divine gathering will also be broadcasted online. A virtual fellowship through Zoom will take place for those interested after the service. The Zoom link below will open at 9:45 am. Before the service, the announcement slides will be presented to the congregation at the sanctuary and on Zoom.
FYI 1: Mission Awareness Sunday Message “Empowered by the Holy Spirit” by Barb Silver can be viewed on YouTube once you click on the link below.
FYI 2: More sermons and events can be watched on our church’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@SaintAndrewsFF
FYI 3: Advent Bible Study “The Purpose of Christmas” with Rick Warren
Wednesday, November 30, at 10:00 am via Zoom
Session One: Christmas is a Time for Celebration
FYI 4: “Journey to Christmas Advent Devotional” – “This booklet includes prayers, reflections and activities for each week of Advent to help families and individuals prepare for Christmas” (Excerpted from Advent Resources in the PCC).
Upcoming Sunday Service Info:
December 4: Communion and Second Sunday in Advent (Peace)
December 4: Christmas Carol Singing at Fenelon Falls United Church at 3:00 pm December 11: Third Sunday of Advent (Joy) – Rev. Ron Wallace
December 18: Fourth Sunday of Advent (Love)
December 24: Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm
“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68).
Blessings,
Caleb