Ralph Connor Memorial United Church Weekly
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Greetings! 

We hope to  see you at Church on Sunday December 9 , 2018 
Second Sunday of Advent - Lighting the Candle of Peace

CONTRIBUTING TO SUNDAY 10:00 AM WORSHIP

Greeters: Barb Profitt & Linda Bolen
Worship Leader: Ian Schofield
Advent Candle Lighters: Charlene Stanway & Ruben Nelson
Children's Church: Margaret Claveau & Leslie MacFarlan
Fellowship/Coffee Time:  Isabelle Ramsay & Sim Gascoyne
Musical Director: Tanya Sullivan
Administration: Sondy Szymanis - 403-678-5354 - office@ralphconnor.ca
Minister: Rev. Greg Wooley, 403-493-4923, minister@ralphconnor.ca  

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NEWS & COMING EVENTS news
ROAD TO BETHLEHEM - THIS SATURDAY

Through the lens of recent archaeology and first-hand experience Richard LeSueur, former guide and lecturer with St. George's College, Jerusalem, will lead an exploration of "Bethlehem; Then and Now" on Saturday, December 8th in Gordon Hall.  Richard was one of the guides on Shannon & Greg's pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine this spring and comes highly recommended!

Come at 9:30am for coffee and muffins followed by a presentation/discussion beginning at 10:00 which will end at 11:00am.

Canon Dr. Richard LeSueur also runs tours to Bethlehem; some of our very own Congregation have gone on this Pilgrimage. If this is of interest to you  Richard will be leading an in-depth pilgrimage through Israel and Jordan next September 2019 (Sept 19-Oct 5), with an option to take the 13 day Israel segment on it's own. For full trip information contact Richard: 403-493-9922.

FAMILY CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY

crayon_tree.jpg
Saturday, December 15, 9:00 am-11:00 am 
Crafts, snacks and singing. 

Parent(s) and Grandparents are invited to attend with their children. Share this around with all your family and friends - we hope that this will be a community event, not just an in-house event! 

Please register by Wed, Dec 12. at office@ralphconnor.ca   - this will help us to have proper quantities of craft materials, etc. 

For more information or to volunteer please email 
Jan Dougall at  janisdougall@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS EVE HELPERS

It is time to sign up the help at the 5:00 pm Community Family Service at the Seniors Centre.  Decorating, Greeters, Ushers, Offering and Cleanup are available. 

We will also need helpers for the 8:00 pm Service at the Church, Scripture Readers, Greeters, Ushers, Offering , and Singing Support are needed. 

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We need a few more characters for the 5:00 Christmas Pageant, there will be very few speaking parts.  Only two rehearsals. 

Contact Isabelle Ramsay at  redbelle_20@yahoo.ca or sign up on the Sunday Clipboard. 


CHANGE - SOCK TREE 
and Food Collection

The mitten tree is going to be emptied of mittens, hats... and ready for Socks, we need socks!!!  

Starting now, until Sunday December 16 please bring much needed socks for those in need.  We have collected many mitts and toques and scarves.

We have also been asked to collect non-perishable food items for the Morley Food Bank. 

As we have done for many years, the donated items will be distributed to people in need at Christmastime.   

Bring your food and sock donations along to Worship on Sunday or Wednesday.  Thank you!
COIN CATCHERS FOR M&S

Throughout Advent the children will help us to relieve you of your pocket change to benefit the Mission and Service fund. 
 
So bring your coins to Worship and Jingle all the Way, December 9, 16 & 23. 

OBSERVER SUBSCRIPTION TIME

Barb Profitt will be collecting $25 to renew your subscription.  

If you would like to receive a monthly issue of the Observer please apply to Barb. 

Email -  bprofitt@shaw.ca or phone (403) 609-8239

POINSETTIAS 

Are arriving today.  John and Ann will be adding them to the sanctuary decorations.

Thank you to everyone who ordered these!

You may take your poinsettia home on Christmas Eve after service.  

And Many thanks to John & Ann and their Elves for all their hard work making our Church Beautiful for the Christmas season. 

CHRISTMAS SERVICES


Candlelight Service of Remembrance, an ecumenical time or worship for all who would like to light a candle in memory of those we have loved and who have died.  Alpine Voices Threshold Choir will be sharing their gift of song, and Prayer Shawls will also be dedicated. TONIGHT, Thursday December 6 at 7:00 PM at St. Michael's Anglican Church. 

Family Christmas Crafts, will be held on  Saturday, December 15 from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Ralph Connor Hall. 

Ecumenical Senior's Service and Lunch  - Tuesday, December 18 at 11:00 am at St. Michael's sanctuary & hall. 

AND... the following...


CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Children's Church and Toddler care for Sunday Services are key ways that we support the faith development of children, and hospitality to young families.

Children may go to Children's Church after the first hymn and return later in the service in time for the anthem.  We are making a couple of adjustments to the Sunday service to give a bit more time for the Children's Church lesson, and a bit less back-in-the service time.

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Easy to lead lessons are ready for use, in the upstairs cupboard. 

Please sign up on the Sunday clipboard to help!

CHOIR REHEARSAL

Choir rehearsal each Thursday at 7:30 pm.  

New members are welcome to join us!  

Give Tanya an email at 
Another beautiful song from our very own Choir!

Soon and Very Soon RCMUC Choir

Soon and Very Soon RCMUC Choir

EVENSONG 
  
Each Wednesday night at 7:15,
we gather for holy silence, chant, song, reflective words, and experience the gentle nudging of the Spirit.  December 12 will be an Advent Evensong, and December 19 is "The Longest Night."

Come and join with us for "sabbath time" in the middle of the week. 

HEALING PATHWAY 

To book a session or inquire about this gentle healing ministry p lease contact: Sue Nichols at iamsue@telus.net  or call her at 403-678-4536

ALPINE VOICES THRESHOLD CHOIR

Rehearses the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7:30 - 9:00 pm in the sanctuary. Threshold Choir singing is described as "kindness made audible". 

If you would like to learn more about the practice of bedside singing, visit thresholdchoir.org
or contact Jan Tissandier, jan.tissandier@gmail.com  

New members welcome!  
CYAN - Canmore Young Adult Network

CYAN is hosting a Holiday Potluck on Tuesday, December 18 at Ralph Connor from 6 - 7:30 pm. 

If you are a Young Adult come on over, bring a dish to share with the group and enjoy the Holiday Cheer. 

 
MISSED A SUNDAY SERMON?
Click to go to Sunday Sermons

Away for a while? Missed a Sunday?  

You can the latest Sunday Sermon on our web page.  

Each Sermon is uploaded on Sunday afternoon. 

HAVE YOU VOLUNTEERED AS A SUNDAY HELPER?

Help us weekly and contribute to our Sunday Service, it is easy!

Just sign up on the clipboard during Sunday Worship or after at Coffee time, then go to our website at  http://ralphconnor.ca/volunteering/ and view or download the duty sheet for the position you have selected for instructions.  


click on the image to go to the webpage

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS community
THE MODERATOR'S ADVENT MESSAGE

Moderator Richard Bott's Advent message for 2018

Moderator Richard Bott's Advent message for 2018


This Advent, Moderator Richard Bott invites us to reflect and realign our lives with Christ's calling. Would you be willing to set aside six minutes each day during Advent to join the Moderator in "rebalancing" our lives? 

TONIGHT (Thursday) - UKULELE


The Ukulele Group  is well under way for its new season. 
Newbies welcome, no experience needed.  No need to pre-register, just bring your $5 per class along with you!

Newbie Group starts at 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary with  Vets at 6:00 pm.

Come for the start and stay for the finish, have fun and rock on!
GIFTS WITH VISION

This year's United Church "Gifts with Vision" book has arrived!  

Observer subscribers should have received their copy with this month's issue, and a few copies are available in Gordon Hall. Or... you may shop online at  https://www.giftswithvision.ca/projects 

This year a Morley-based program, listed under "Cultural Revitalization," is one of the options.   A great alternative to giving "stuff" at Christmas (or anytime!)

ADVENT UNWRAPPED

What is Advent? We often think of Advent as a time of preparation to get ready for Christmas. 

But it is more accurately a time to look forward to Christ's coming and Christ's reign. 

Let's get ready for Christ(mas)! 

See Advent Unwrapped for worship resources, reflections, and Bible studies for all ages. 
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 Phone: 403-678-5354 | Email: o ffice@ralphconnor.ca | w ww.ralphconnor.ca