Announcements

Friendly reminder ~ please have your bulletin announcements submitted to the Church Office, in writing, by Thursday mornings at 10 am. Thursdays are Bulletin Day ~ this means limited access to Tracy and the photocopier!!
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The Pastoral Care Committee  is requesting assistance from members of the congregation by contacting the Church Office (902-895-8098) if there is someone they know from the congregation who is ill or in hospital.
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Ida’s Cupboard is located off the church parking lot between the doors. Non perishable items, “leave what you can, take what you need.” A community food cupboard for those in need. Appropriate food items: Canned: baked beans, meats (tuna, ham/chicken), stews, soup etc., peanut butter, cheese whiz, kraft dinner, rice, bread, crackers, tin ravioli with pull tops, little boxes of cereal, juice boxes, bottled water. The cupboard is used on a daily basis and if often empty. Please give as you can.
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Fundscrip – Do you shop at Sobeys? Buy gas at Canadian Tire? Dine out? You could be buying Fundscrip Gift Cards from the church to help us raise funds for ongoing programming (and to help pay the bills!) You pay the face value of the card and we get a discount. It costs you nothing extra, but really helps us out! Order forms are available at the back of the church and the church office.  Place your order one week and pick it up the next!
ORDERS are placed on the first Tuesday of each month.

Next Order:  Tuesday, January 7th ~ Order Forms and payments are due MONDAY, January 6th.    Need more info?  Call Tracy in the Church Office – 902-895-8098.

Don’t want to order?  Purchase cards directly from the Church Office – Sobeys, and Superstore!!  $50 denominations.
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The Food Bank Sunday is last Sunday of the month.   Please remember those in our community who are less fortunate, and give as you can. Items always in need are canned meats & milk, soups, cereals, beans, macaroni, juices, tea and coffee.  Non perishable items may be left in the Food Bank box any Sunday of the month.  Sorry, we are unable to accept monetary donations.
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Change for Change is held the first Sunday of each month (except July & August).  Our Sunday School students collect your pocket change during the service and the money supports a scholarship for girls in Guatemala.

Our Prayer Angel Ministry has launched successfully, and we would like to add one more dimension.  Each week, the prayer angel request box in the sanctuary is checked and emptied, but we recognize that with the colder weather, some will prefer catching the service online on Sunday morning and so the collection box may be emptier than it would be otherwise.  To that end, if you have a prayer request, you can send it by email to the church office.  Please use the subject line: PRAYER ANGEL REQUEST when you send your email, and it will be sure to get to the right place!
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As the year 2024 comes to a close, should you feel inspired to make an additional contribution to support the Mission & Service Fund, please place your gift in an envelope, marked M&S Fund and place it in the offering plates, or drop off to Tracy in the Church Office.  If you include your name, address or even just your envelope number, it will most surely be included in your yearly receipt.
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Please sign up to bring refreshments for December 22nd and December 29th.  The sign up sheet is in the refreshment area or call Tillie 902-890-1598.
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Our Memory Tree – Remember someone this season with a star on our Memory Tree.  Drop off your donation and a photo of your loved one (if you wish) to Tracy in the Office. 
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2025 Church Envelopes are now available at the back of the Sanctuary.  If you are able to help deliver a box or two that would be greatly appreciated.
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2025 United Church Calendars are now available from the church office $10 each, limited number available.
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Please note: The Church Office will be closed from December 24th (12:30pm) until Monday, January 6th.  Anyone wishing to make a year end donation or top up their givings, may do so in the plate at any one of our services, or at the church office until December 24th.  E-transfers are accepted at firstunitedtruro@ns.aliantzinc.ca until December 31st.  Please give details in the memo of all e-transfers.
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Let’s Talk Israel: Past, Present, Future – Wednesday, January 8th, 15th, 22nd,  2025 from 10 – 11:30 am with Pam Bowman.  
 
January 8th  – Biblical, historical, cultural foundations for today’s State of Israel; photos from my clergy familiarization trip to “the Holy Land”.
 
January 15th – zoom conversation with my dear Jewish friends on experiencing antisemitism, particularly in the past year. Discussion to follow.
 
January 22nd – a way forward: further understandings, resources, actions
 
Pam grew up in a musical family in Moncton, NB, and despite teenage rebellion and a brief foray with chemistry, received degrees in Music and Music Education from Mount A.  She worked as a Music Specialist in Halifax and Toronto, and taught Music pedagogy at Dalhousie University and Toronto  Montessori Teacher Training Institute. Midlife crisis found her enrolled at Toronto School of Theology, with 25 (mostly wonderful) years of working in ministry. Greatest accomplishment? Chris Bowman!
 
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Upcoming Worship Services
December 22nd Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:30am
December 24th Christmas Eve 
       7pm – Worship for all ages
     10pm – Candlelight Communion
December 29th First Sunday of Christmas 10:30am
January 5th Epiphany Sunday 10:30am
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Upcoming Concerts:
 
Fri., Dec. 20, 7pm – Brigid “Christmas Blessings” Tour
 
Sat., Dec 21, 3pm – Creative Voices presents “Our Christmas Story”
watch for storm date if necessary
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