THOUGHTS & PRAYERS - ANNOUNCEMENTS - EVENTS

PRAYERS FOR SUPPORT We ask that you keep Judy VanDuzer and her family in your thoughts and prayers as she continues her battle with cancer.

Please join us for the first Sunday of Advent for our Hanging of the Greens this Sunday at 10am This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and with that a new year begins in our church calendar. Last Sunday we covenanted to minister together in this place, and now we begin to tell our faith story all over again from the very beginning.  We will begin Advent this year with a “Hanging of the Greens”. This is an ancient tradition of decorating the church sanctuary, just as we decorate our homes, making connections between the symbols we use and spirituality. It will be a service full of visual symbols and music that will transform us into Advent. At the end of the service, as the final symbol in our worship, we will be decorating the Christmas tree. You are invited to bring an ornament from your home to add to others on the tree.  You are invited to come with a spirit of expectancy as we enter Advent with hope. God is with us. Anything can happen!  In solidarity, and toward shalom/Salem ~Rev. Keith Hagerman

REGISTER HERE

Prior to attending, please go through the attached screening. If you or anyone attending with you answers yes to any of the questions, please do not attend. In order to ensure that you are on the list of attendees, please register before Friday, November 26, 2021 at noon. YOU MUST REGISTER EACH SUNDAY AND REVIEW THE COVID SCREENING BEFORE ATTENDING

The service will also be broadcast on our YouTube channel, Marshall Memorial United Church. Hit "subscribe" (free of charge) to easily find us weekly. The service is archived for viewing anytime.

CHOCOLATE BARK FOR CHRISTMAS Last week to place your order! Outreach is once again creating bags of chocolate bark. Three varieties are available: milk chocolate with almonds, dark chocolate with almonds and a mixed bag of dark and milk chocolate with nuts and peppermint pieces and craisins. Cost will be $6 per bag. Delivery days will be December 11 from 11 a.m. till noon in the hall kitchen and again after church on Dec. 12. Please call Linda at 905 648 1671 or text at 995 929 0378 or email at craiglinda9@gmail.com Thank you for your continuing support as we walk in God's Way and serve in God's world!

White Gift Sunday, December 5th, 2021 As we enter the Advent season, we look forward to presenting our White Gifts that go to support the disadvantaged in our community. Two types of White Gifts are received-gifts of goods and financial gifts.  1.    GIFTS OF GOODS can now be brought to the church on White Gift Sunday and placed in the baskets or boxes in our foyer before the Sunday Service. The items most needed this year include baby formula and baby food. Also, dried lentils and beans, sugar, flour, tea and coffee. Any canned food products, cereal, and peanut butter, etc. will be gratefully accepted. They would appreciate winter hats, mitts and socks.   2.    FINANCIAL GIFTS can be placed in special envelopes that will be available on White Gift Sunday. You can leave your monetary gift on the offering plate as you leave the sanctuary. However, if you are not able to come to church or you would like a more hands-free method of giving, please consider:  Cheque mailed to the church with the comment “White Gift” Etransfer from your bank account to marshallmemorial@gmail.com with "White Gift" in the message The donate button on our website mmuc.org or directly at Canada Helps. Scroll down on the fund line to #5. White Gift Fund Donations of food and money are gathered together and distributed between Wesley Urban Ministries and Ancaster Community Services and Living Rock. Let’s make sure we are able to support the families, children and single folk of all ages that need a helping hand! Please send your monetary donations by December 15 to be included in this year’s distribution. WE SO APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS!!

FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR ADVENT Well, once again, it is already Advent - time to get our hearts and minds prepared for the birth of Jesus! The Sundays of Advent this year are Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, 12, and 19. Since the pandemic prohibits us holding our in-person, full-day event this year, we are once again sending out a special activity to all the families who have attended in the past. This year's activity is a 'road map to Bethlehem' with which families can move Mary and Joseph closer to Bethlehem each week of Advent, while progressively telling the story of the birth of our Lord.  We are attaching the activity to this newsletter as well, and encourage all of you to forward it to families you think would enjoy it or even post it on your social media. Let's work together to spread the good news of the Birth of Christ this Christmas!

Road Map to Bethlehem

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING  If you have your own Advent Candle Wreath at home, we've attached a very simple weekly ritual for lighting your candles based on the song "A Candle is Burning." If you don't have your own Advent Wreath, this document includes easy instructions for making your own. Many people find that lighting Advent Candles at home is a meaningful way to keep our focus on Christ during all the hub-bub of this busy time of year. We hope you will incorporate this simple ritual as part of your spiritual practices for Christmas this year.

Advent Candle Lighting

WE ARE BACK ON CABLE 14! Our services will be available on Cable 14 Sunday at 6 am and repeated Wednesday at 8 am.

FROM THE TREASURER We want to thank everyone who has been donating faithfully to Marshall Memorial. Although we appreciated the extra support at Easter and following our appeal in June, we are still $5,600 under budget in Givings. Now that we are worshiping in the sanctuary, offering plates are available as you leave worship. If you are only able to attend virtually, please ensure that your offerings are made by: ·        Cheques mailed to the Church ·        eTransfer using marshallmemorial@gmail.com as the recipient address ·        Donate button at www.mmuc.org. ·        Start regular giving through PAD by contacting Henrietta, our Office Manager, at marshallmemorial@gmail.com or by phone at 905-648-4631. Blessings, Barbara Mahaffy, Treasurer

SEEKING ACCOMODATION An Associate Professor at Redeemer University is seeking a room or apartment with parking for the coming months as he transitions into his teaching position. If you have accommodations that you would be willing to rent him, please contact the church office at 905-648-4631.

REV. HAGERMAN'S CONTACT INFORMATION You can reach Rev. Keith at 519-504-9880 or by email (keithhagerman@gmail.com). Please call first before coming to the church.  FROM THE OFFICE The office will be closed Friday, November 26, 2021 Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9-12. If you need to contact me please call 905-648-4631 or email me at marshallmemorial@gmail.com

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