Advent
Sunday Mornings
2011 Nov 27, Dec 4, 11, 18 -- 10:30 am
The four Sundays preceeding Christmas are the season of Advent. We consider this to be a time of longing, waiting, and preparation.
White Gift Sunday
2011 Dec 11, Sunday at 10:30 am
White Gift Sunday dates back to 1904 in Ohio where the wife of a Methodist minister and her two daughters came up with the idea of giving gifts wrapped in white paper to people in need at Christmas time. Gifts were wrapped in white so that they would be anonymous. The United Church has participated in this tradition since the inception of the church.
Here in Edmonton we gather gifts for children, youth and adults along with nonperishable food items which are distributed to people in need through the Bissell Centre. If you choose to wrap the gifts in white, can you please indicate on the gift what it is or who it would be appropriate for (age/gender)? Here are some suggestions for donations:
- Hoodies
- Toiletries
- Clothing, toques, gloves, scarves, work groves or socks
- Toys, games, art supplies, pocket books
- Watches for all ages from small children to youth and adults
- Bus tickets
- Gift cards
These gifts will be collected and delivered to the Bissell Centre on Sunday Dec 11th, 2011. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
Service of Lessons and Carols
2011 Dec 11, 4:00 pm
This service is a classic tradition, with a series of nine scripture readings that take us through the whole story of God's promise, Israel's longing and waiting, and the fulfillment of promise in the birth of Christ. The story is accompanied by a feast of choral music and carol singing.
Live Nativity
2011 Dec 17, Saturday, 4:00 to 5:30 pm
The people of Robertson-Wesley will be creating a live nativity scene to be staged outside the church. We would like to invite any of you to participate in this endeavour. People of all ages are invited to join us and to sign up for short 15 minute shifts to become whatever character you have always wanted to be. We will have lots of different costumes available in the narthex of the sanctuary. You may want to sign up as a group or as individuals.
If you don't want to get into character we will also have people singing carols and handing out candy canes, take pictures, or serving hot chocolate to people passing by. We are also collecting donations of food or mittens, socks, blankets etc for the Bissell Centre.
This will be a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit and share the story of the Birth of Jesus with our community. If you have any questions feel free to talk with Rev. Karen Bridges. The sign up sheet will be in Memorial Hall under "Spiritual Formation Pod". Please note that you can still join us even if you haven't signed up.
Bringing the Christmas Story to Life!, by Rev. Karen Bridges
