1. Christmas: More or Less? This Advent-Christmas season we’re encouraging each other to make our celebration more meaningful by spending less on ourselves and giving more to those who are in greatest need. We have catalogues from The Presbyterian Church in Canada that provide a list of significant gifts to share. Another gift giving project is called “Advent Conspiracy”, which can be found at www.adventconspiracy.org.
2. Children's Christmas Celebration – today, December 15 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. families with children in Grades K to Grade 6 Sunday school are invited to join us for a special presentation with songs, poems and drama to celebrate Jesus' birth. Afterwards, we will have refreshments and good cheer in Campbell Hall.
3. Scripture for this Sunday – Luke 2: 8-14
4. The Ministry of Children – Some of our children from Sunday School will be providing special music at both services this Sunday. We thank them for their ministry and we thank Evelyn Pike for her leadership.
5. An Evening of “Christmas Joy!” – One of the highlights of our Christmas celebration takes place this Sunday evening as we share “Christmas Joy” through music presented by the choir, the Manotick Brass Ensemble and other instrumentalists. Mark Thallander, our guest organist this Sunday morning, will also be at the organ on Sunday night. Mark’s latest CDs and devotional book are available in Campbell Hall.
6. Christmas Focus is Here – Pick up a copy this Sunday of St. Paul’s Christmas Focus. It’s also available on line.
7. St Paul’s December Schedule – We have many things to look forward to for the whole family in this festive season:
Dec. 15 – Children’s Christmas Celebration at 3pm
Dec. 16 – “Christmas Joy”, an evening with the choir and singing at 7pm
Dec. 24 – An “Upside Down Christmas”, a family-oriented service at 4pm
– Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7pm
Dec. 30 – single service at 10:30am
Jan. 6 – single service at 10:30am
8. Christmas Eve Services – Be sure to join us and invite friends, family and neighbours to come along for one of our two Christmas Eve Services this year. At 4:00 p.m. we’ll host a Family Worship Service called “An Upside Down Christmas,” and at 7:00 p.m. we’re looking forward to a traditional Candlelight Service.
9. Children's Pastor Search Update – The Search Committee has received applicants for the position of Children's Pastor. We have made our choice of several interview candidates. Interviews will start in January 2013. Please continue to pray for God's guidance during the process.
10. Thinking Ahead – The deadline for Team reports for the 2012 Annual Report is WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16. If you submit your report electronically, please use a plain font with no “fancy” formatting. It would be helpful if you would submit some photos to illustrate your report. If you have any questions, please contact Frances Cartwright in the church office.
11. International Potluck Dinner – Mark off January 19, 2013 in your calendars for St. Paul’s International Pot-Luck Dinner at 5:30 p.m. More details to follow soon.
12. Engaging Each Other Online – Much effort has gone into renovating our church website. We thank Rob Chalmers and Ed Smith for all their work. One of the features you will find on the website is a media page that lists audio recordings of the entire worship service at St. Paul's. We invite you to discover all of the features of our new website at: www.stpaulspcottawa.com
13. 2013 Offering Envelopes Available – Do not forget to pick up your 2013 Offering Envelopes which are available in the narthex after the service. If you have not had envelopes in the past but would like to order some, please contact the church office. Another donation option is the “Pre-Authorized Remittance” (PAR) program. Please call the office or speak to any member of the finance team for details.
14. An Updated Report from the Finance Team
Operating budget for the year $590,931
Amount given to December 9th $540,071
Difference $50,860
We are thankful that approximately $16,000 of the amount needed will be provided by monthly PAR contributions. The remaining amount is approximately $11,500 for each of the remaining three Sundays of December. The congregation is reminded that contributions for inclusion in their 2012 charitable donation receipts must be received by December 31st. Please consider prayerfully your contributions to the congregation’s outreach programs as we remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour. Thank you for your support.
15. Thank you to our Wonderful Church Family – Marian Archibald would like to express appreciation for all the good food, thoughtful cards, kind words and other expressions of concern after her recent surgery. Marian and Jack are grateful for every indication of your Christian love.