Spirit Lines - St Thomas United Church

Sunday, Nov. 23
10:00 am
11:00 am
Monday, Nov. 24
9:30 am
12:45 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 25
10:00 am
1:00 pm
7:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 26
9:30 am
1:00 pm
7:00 pm
7:30 pm
Thursday, Nov. 27
9:00 am
6:00 pm
6:15 pm
7:15 pm
Friday, Nov. 28
9:30 am
4:30 pm
6:30 pm
Worship Services
Community Time After Each Service
Worship
Craft Fair
Nov. 23 Reign of Christ
Hanging of the Greens
Message: Rev. Bob & Rev. Tracy
Nov. 30 Advent –Waiting
Message: Rev. Bob
Dec. 7 Advent 2-A New Social
Order
Message: Rev. Bob
Dec. 14 Advent 3- Children’s
Christmas Musical
Rev. Bob & Rev. Tracy
Blue Christmas at 4pm
Rev. Tracy & Rev. Bob
AM Fitness
Bridge
Carol Practice
Orchestra
Venturers
Pastoral Care Meeting
Prayer Shawl Knitting
Animate-Video Study
AM Fitness
Open Art Studio
Youth Choir
Yoga
Today’s Service
Quilting
Children’s Choir
Strummers
Adult Choir
AM Fitness
Scouts Popcorn
Youth Group
 Check White Board in the Narthex for location of activities
Please feel free to take a bulletin with you after Worship.
Scripture Reader:
“Ask Me” Hosts:
Drina & Bob Nixon
Greeter: Tess & Harold Ashley
Christ Candle: Richard Pon
Sound: Brian Shewan
Projection: Mark Wagner
Announcements: Mark Wagner
Sunday School Teachers:
Maxine Mendritzki/Sandra Glass
Youth Leader: Brittney Whittaker
The United Church of Canada
St. Thomas is proud to be part of the United Church of Canada which ministers to close to 3
million people in 3,500 congregations across the country. (For more information about the
United Church visit its websites: www.united-church.ca)
St. Thomas is an Affirming
Ministry within The United Church
Through our gifts we commit ourselves
of Canada. LGBT2S people are
to live out the mission and ministry of
whole people and full members in
the church. Please give generously to the
this community of faith.
Mission and Service Fund to make this
possible.
Welcome to Worship!
St. Thomas United is an open, affirming, accepting,
and child friendly faith community. With children
present we expect noise and movement, so there’s no
need to leave the Sanctuary when it happens. If
parents feel more comfortable with their children in
nursery care, we have a nursery for babies & children
under 3 years of age – just follow the posted signs.
We hope that your worship experience will feed you
and challenge you on your faith journey.
Please talk to a greeter or the folks wearing an “Ask
Me” badge if there’s anything you are unsure of or
have a question about.
There are Hearing Assistance Sets available. Ask a
greeter or Ask Me person to get one.
We project everything you will need to participate in
worship. You will also find hymnbooks in your seats
if you’d prefer to use them.
Newcomers – please fill out one of our
Communication Cards. This is our first opportunity
to be in touch with you so that we can start to get to
know one another.
Music Team: Pam Bazinet, Barb Robertson,
Erin MacLean-Berko, Dick Worton, Kloria Wen &
Kari Orosz
Accompanist: Kari Orosz
Office Manager: Sandra Dusoswa
Ministry Team:
Rev. Bob Fillier & Rev. Tracy Robertson
Youth Workers: Brittney Whittaker,
Marika Wagner, Matthew Taylor-Kerr
Email: office@stthomasunited.ca
(A full version of this morning’s liturgy is available –
just ask a Greeter or Ask Me host.)
100 Hawkwood Blvd. NW Calgary AB T3G 2S9 – office@stthomasunited.ca - www.stthomasunited.ca
Sunday, November 23 2014
10:00 am
Hanging of the Greens
VU = Voices United
MV = More Voices
Prelude~ Kari Orosz~ The Holly and the Ivy
~ English Traditional Carol
Welcome
Greeting One Another
Spirit Lines
Christ Candle, Silence, & Tone Bowl
Introit: Prepare the Way of the Lord
VU#10
Introduction
Opening Prayer
Ministry of Music~ The Youth Choir~
“Lift Up Your Voice, Alleluia~ by Sally Albrecht
Element: Evergreens
Hymn: O Christmas Tree
Element: Candy Canes
Hymn: Deck the Halls
Element: Ornaments
Ministry of Music~The Orchestra
~ A Pavane for Band~ by Hugh M. Stuart
Element: Poinsettia
Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful
VU#60
Minute for Mission: “Rainbow Ministry”
Our Offerings Are Received
Ministry of Music~ The Orchestra
~ MacPherson’s Farewell
Offertory: What Can I Do?
MV#191
Offertory Prayer
Element: Nativity Scene
Hymn: Away in a Manger
VU#69
Element: Candles/Lights
Call to Prayer: Hope Shines as the Solitary Star
MV#220
Pastoral Prayers & Prayer of Jesus
Commissioning & Benediction
Hymn: There’s a Voice in the Wilderness VU#18
Postlude
Stewardship: Please remember to pick up your envelope, to help save postage costs!
Mark your calendars!: Sun. Nov 23, is the third annual St. Thomas Christmas Craft Fair taking place from 11am to 4pm in the
Mountainview Hall. Come get some Christmas shopping done while supporting local craftsmen and artists. Interested in being a
volunteer at this event? For more info please contact Theresa Smith at: theresa.michanna@gmail.com.
JNAC Update: The Presbytery Ministry of Personnel Support commission met on Nov 18. The commission accepted the St.
Thomas Joint Needs Assessment Committee Report, declared a Vacancy for an Order of Ministry position of Minister for Nurture,
Education & Outreach, affirmed Bob Fillier in his position as Minster for Preaching and Administration, and established a Joint
Search Committee. St. Thomas members on that committee will be Marjorie Aucoin, Hope Cochran, Jeff McLean, Mike Orosz,
Melinda-Rae Lyse, Elaine Taylor-Kerr, and Mark Wagner. Two Presbytery representatives will be appointed shortly.
Hello STUC Carollers! We will be forming a carolling group to sing at Blue Christmas this year. Our rehearsals will be held in the
Sunday school room from 6:30 to 7:30pm on Mon. Nov. 24 and Mon. Dec. 1. Blue Christmas is on Sun. Dec. 7 at 4pm. We will get
together in the sanctuary to run through music at 3pm.The anthem we will be singing is "One Small Child." If another carolling
opportunity comes up, and we are available, we will do that too! A sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex starting on Thursday.
During the season of Advent, there is an opportunity to participate in the lighting of the Advent candles and read a few scripted
lines. We encourage interested families, couples, or a small group of your choice to sign up on the candle lighting clipboard
available in the Narthex or contact Diane French/Linda Miller. Advent begins Nov. 30.
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Nov.16- 1 SAC Luncheon: There were about 80 adults and children who attended the hamburger soup, sandwich, and dessert
feast after church service on Sunday, Nov. 16. Thanks to all those who helped set this up, prepare food, serve and clean up
including: Harold & Loeta Black, Murray & Barbara Lees, Jen & Steve Abar, Jan Campbell, Lori Weller, Carrie-Faye Wong, Elaine &
David Gray, Shirley MacGregor, Majid Oloomi-Buygi (new and is from Iran!) Cam Six & Ruthann Watson, Wanda Veer. (Hopefully
I haven’t missed anyone). We received $297 in donations with $160 returned to the soup ladies and for deli meats. The leftover
contributions will go towards improving the kitchen (the very slow to drain commercial sink renovation would be high on the list
for many of us on clean up detail!) Thanks to all who stayed for lunch to make this event very enjoyable. Lori Weller (substituted
on Sunday for Wanda Veer)
Next SAC Lunch- Dec. 14: HELP! I need someone to host this next SAC lunch to be held following the Children's Christmas
Celebration on Sun. Dec. 14. It would be a fun event for all our performers, leaders, and family members. I will be away Nov 30 Dec 13, if I ever get over this flu bug. Barb Cousens and I have an easy menu idea... and with a sign-up sheet for food donations
and helpers....the lunch could flow very smoothly. Join the fun in the kitchen!! Wanda Veer
St Thomas UCW News: Fair Trade coffee orders will be taken on Nov. 23 & 30. Watch for us in the Narthex. The CHRISTMAS
POTLUCK BRUNCH will be held on. All ladies of St Thomas are welcome. Watch for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Sat. Dec. 6
from 10am - 12pm
Parent's Day Out: This year’s Parent's Day Out will be held on Sat. Dec.6 from noon until 4:30pm. This is an opportunity for
parents of young children to have FREE child care provided at St. Thomas, as they either shop, run errands, or just enjoy some
time to themselves during this busy season. Youth and other adult volunteers will care for the children and there will be a variety
of fun activities and games to play! Children can stay for the whole time or just come for an hour or two. We do ask that if you
are interested in bringing your child(ren) that you please register through the office so that we can appropriately plan activities.
Announcements – a message from the Worship Committee: Any group wishing to convey information through
the church bulletin is asked to have their Announcement to the office by the Tuesday prior to the service. Announcements can be
sent to Sandra at office@stthomasunited.ca. Thank you for help in the smooth transition of our announcement format.
Inn From The Cold: Our next Inn is Nov. 29 and 30 and we are looking for one last person to help with making dinner for the
guests. The time commitment is from 5pm till about 8pm and you join the guests for dinner. For more information contact
Karen Kavanagh at karenkavanagh80@gmail.com or (403)286-8073.
Seniors Secret Santa: Are you looking for a way to make your Christmas something special this year? Would you like to make
the holiday season brighter and let someone know that they are cared for? We have an opportunity for you! The Seniors
Secret Service identifies seniors that have no close family or friends and matches them with people who are willing to provide
them with some special gifts for the holidays. If you are willing to provide some holiday cheer to a senior please contact
Karen Kavanagh at (403)286-8073 or karenkavanagh80@gmail.com.
Habitat for Humanity: Join us at Sugarplum Lane at Northland Village Mall. We are looking for friendly and outgoing
volunteers to serve as Santa's Helpers at Sugarplum Lane, an area for children and families to enjoy fun activities, yummy
treats and a visit with Santa. This event is in partnership with Northland Village Mall, and will take place daily from Nov. 29 –
Dec. 24. There are two shifts available each day: 11am - 1pm, and 2-4pm, and we are looking for 2-3 volunteers per
shift. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age. Register at http://habitatsouthernab.ca or call me and I’ll help you get
registered. Melinda-Rae Lyse- (403)926-2787 or melindaraelyse@altig.com.
Urgent Naramata Centre Appeal: The Centre at Naramata is at a crossroads and has initiated a campaign to raise $500,000 by
Nov. 30, 2014, in support of its 2015 operations. If pledges for $500,000 have not been received , the Centre will close its
doors for good and we will lose a wonderful resource that has nurtured spiritual growth and provided educational
opportunities for so many. Please join members of the Naramata Board for questions and answers, receive a briefing on the
Centre’s progress towards a sustainable operating plan, and share in the vision for the future. Sun. Nov. 23 at 7pm. Parkdale
United Church 2919-8 Avenue NW. For more information or to pledge support: www.naramatacentre.net/ Urgent Appeal.
Contact: Sandy Navrady (403)288-5339 or sandynavrady@shaw.ca, Andrew Taylor-Kerr (403)519-5698 or Elaine Taylor-Kerr
(403)959-5576.
Knife Collection Project: Have you started collecting your Safeway stamps for our project yet? For every $10 you spend on
groceries, you will get one stamp. Put these on a Safeway saver card. When you have completed the card or sooner, please
put it into the envelope on the bulletin board in the Narthex (yes, the one that went missing). The Mission and Outreach
Committee will be exchanging the stamps for the kitchen knives Safeway is offering. We will decide after Christmas which
group of needy folks these will be given to. This project will be very successful if you can begin saving stamps
now! Remember, it doesn’t cost us anything and the end result is so appreciated.
“My Best Friend’s Closet”: is an organization that provides teenage girls from low-income homes (ages 12-18) with a broad
selection of fashionable and functional clothing to meet their back to school and recreational needs. They accept donations of
new or very gently worn teen clothing items in ladies sizes XS through plus sizes. Here are some items needed: Jeans, pants,
leggings, skirts, athletic wear; T-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, cardigans, sweaters, vests, blouses; shoes and boots (all seasons);
accessories (pack sacks, purses, belts, jewellery, scarves, gloves, hats); jackets (all seasons) and winter parkas; toiletries
(unopened); brand new undergarments (underwear, bras, socks) and new lace up running shoes (sizes 5-11) are urgently
needed. Jennifer Mingo, on behalf of the presbytery wide youth committee, will be collecting donations until Dec. 28. A box
will be available in the Narthex.
The United Church of Canada calendar is in! If you would like one please call or email the office. They are $5 each to cover
shipping costs.
If you support the church by PAR, please pick up a PAR donor card on the Worship table, on your way into the Sanctuary.
Sign Up for STUC Announcements and E-Letters: Want to know what’s going on? Sign up for announcements by filling out a
Communication Card or calling the office at (403)241-0366.