Weekly Update_Dec 22, 2024
Welcome to First! We’re glad you are here!
Rev. Hoeun Lee will be in the office Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Phone: 519-745-8487 (ext. 208)
Cell: 519-722-5990
Email: rev.hoeun.firstunited@gmail.com
For Sunday, December 24 & 29, 2024 – Advent 5
Lectionary Readings:
December 24: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96 (VU p. 816); Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
December 29: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148 (VU p.871); Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52
Regional Council Prayer Cycle
Kirkton - Woodham
Deadline for submission to the weekly updates is Tuesday by 4:00 p.m.
CONTRIBUTIONS:
To get your offering to the office you can use PAR, e transfer to firstunitedchurch@rogers.com, website donation www.firstunitedchurch.ca or send a cheque. Cheques can be dropped off at the church mailbox which is located at the Entrance on the William Street side of the building.
Also, you may send your cheque to
First United Church
16 William St. West
Waterloo ON
N2L 1J3
Reminder, credit card companies have a fee of around 3-5%. If you wish First to get the full amount, then please add that percentage to your contribution.
CONTRIBUTIONS ENVELOPES FOR 2025
Please contact the office at 519-745-8487 Ext 201 or email at office@firstunitedchurch.ca if you would like pre-printed contribution envelopes for 2025.
DONATIONS TO BE INCLUDED IN 2024 TAX RECEIPT
Donations to First United that are to be included in your 2024 tax receipt must be received in the office or placed on the offering plate in Sunday worship on/or before December 30th.
THANK YOU TO ARMSTRONG/GALT BELL CHOIR
A special Thank You to the Armstrong/Galt Bell Choir: Heather Galt; Lorraine Armstrong; Quinn Myers; Nicole Myers; Suzanne Armstrong; Lauren Galt ; Matt Galt and Deric Jacklin – for sharing their musical talents with us this morning.
SUNDAY SERVICE DECEMBER 29TH JOINT SERVICE
The Sunday Service on December 29th will be a joint service at Westminster at 10:30 am
Holiday Meal
First United’s Holiday Meal will be served on Boxing Day, Thurs. Dec. 26th . St. John’s Kitchen will be closed that day to allow the people who regularly serve there a well-deserved day off. We help out this one day a year so that no one has to go hungry over the holiday season. It has become a great tradition for many of us at First
to take part in this joy filled service to the community.
We welcome your help to provide dessert or juice, to prep food ahead of the event or to help during the event. Financial donations are also welcome. If you would like to help, stop by the table set-up
in Hilliard Hall Dec. 1 st or 8th . You can also text or call Kristin Snell at 519-594-2169 or email her at kdeesnell@gmail.com.
Thank you to all of you who take time in this busy season to help serve our neighbors and friends each year.
CHRISTMAS CARD CHRISTMAS TREES.
I have been collecting old Christmas cards. We can make the tree I have had on display at refreshment time in Hilliard Hall the past few weeks. Sometime in February we will get together with those of you who are interested in making one of the trees. You can make one for yourself or for the church to sell next Christmas. We can also use cards from other times of the year with great Christmas colours.
Watch for further news in the New Year. Alice Bieman
KINDRED WORKS UPDATE - DECEMBER 2024
Last summer, we knew that the period after we signed the agreement with Kindred Works to redevelop our property and build affordable housing would be a quiet time, as they began to develop the business plan that will come back to the congregation for approval.
In the meantime, the Property Development Committee (appointed by the First United Board in June to work with Kindred Works) is conducting a facility needs survey for church needs and outside tenants and rental groups, starting in January. We will be meeting with Kindred Works in late winter.
Members of the Property Development Committee are Vern Hall, Mathew Savage, Teresa Edge, Lee Willingham and Mary Joan Brooker.
We are happy to hear from you with your questions, concerns and ideas. Please speak to or email any of us or use the Property Development Team email: propertydevelopmentfirstunited@gmail.com
UCW MEETING
The next UCW Meeting will be in the Parlour on Thursday January 9th, 2025 at 1:30 – 3:30 pm.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT FIRST FROM DECEMBER 20 TO DECEMBER 31 |
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EVENT |
DATE |
TIME |
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Christmas Eve Service (Pageant) |
December 24 (Tue) |
7:00 pm |
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Intercultural Christmas Potluck Dinner |
December 25 (Wed) |
5:00 pm |
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Holiday Meal (Lunch) |
December 26 (Thur) |
11:30 am |
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Joint Service at Westminister |
December 29 (Sun) |
10:30 am |
KNITTING GROUP
The Knitting Group will be cancelled Saturday December 28th (this Saturday . We will resume knitting, chatting, crocheting, chatting, card making and of course chatting in the new year on Saturday January 4th in the Parlour. Have a wonderful Christmas and all the best for the coming year.
Joanne (The Knitting Elf)
CHURCH OFFICE CHRISTMAS HOURS
The Church Office will be CLOSED:
Wednesday December 25th
Thursday December 26th
Friday December 27th
Wednesday January 1st
The Church Office will be OPEN:
Monday December 23rd – Regular Hours
Tuesday December 24th – Closing at 1:00 pm
Monday December 30th – Regular Hours
Tuesday December 31st – Closing at 1:00 pm
COMMUNITY EVENTS
YOUTH FORUM 2025
Youth Forum is an opportunity for young people to participate in the education, decision-making, and community of General Council 45 of The United Church of Canada. Its aim is to ensure that young people have a voice in the denomination-shaping issues and decisions for the next three years in the life of the church. Youth Forum is open to young people, ages 15 to 25, selected by regional councils.
There will be three online sessions for the General Council: April 27, June 22 and June 28.
Youth Forum gathers in person August 5-7 in Calgary. There will be two age groups, 15-17 years and 18-25 years. General Council will meet August 7-11 at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre. Youth Forum will close August 12 by noon. Registration for Youth Forum at GC45 is free and travel arrangements are made by the General Council.
Contact Kathy Douglas, Faith Formation Minister with any questions at KDouglas@united-church.ca
CONRAD GREBEL EVENTS:
BONHOEFFER: CELL 92 – JANUARY 10 AND 11, 7:00 PM
A Cinematic Theatre Production created by Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole. This thought-provoking single actor play focuses on the final period of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, a German pastor and theologian involved in the Protestant resistance to Hitler and National Socialism. Two nights only, at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo. To get tickets: www.uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/Bonhoeffer-cell-92
LOOKING FOR MORE PURPOSES IN YOUR LIFE?
Whether you are interested in exploring vocations of ministry and service, deepening your understanding of Christianity and the church, or seeking personal enrichment, the Master of Theological Studies program at Conrad Grebel University College could be a great fit for you. Apply by February 1st. Full tuition scholarships available for full-time Canadian students. www.uwaterloo.ca/theological-studies
MASTER OF PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES (IMPACS) PROGRAM
Create meaningful impact with the Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (IMPACS) program at Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo. Combine interdisciplinary scholarship and experiential learning with a focus on nonviolent peacebuilding and community-led change. Apply by February 1. Discover more at www.uwaterloo.ca/impacs or register for an upcoming information session.
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Sunday, Dec 22 |
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10:30 am |
Worship – Advent 4 |
Sanctuary |
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12:00 pm |
MTSpace (Homecoming) |
Chapel |
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4:00 pm |
MTSpace (Ukranian Dance) |
Labyrinth Room |
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Monday, Dec 23 |
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9:30 am |
Holiday Meal Preparation |
Kitchen |
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10:00 am |
MTSpace (BID) |
Chapel |
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Tuesday, Dec 24 |
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1:00 pm |
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSES |
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7:00 pm |
Christmas Eve Service |
Sanctuary |
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Wednesday, Dec 25 |
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9:00 am |
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED |
Chapel |
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3:00 pm |
Multi-Cultural Potluck Christmas Dinner |
HH/K |
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Thursday, Dec 26 |
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8:00 am |
HOLIDAY MEAL |
HH/K/P |
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9:00 am |
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED |
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Friday, Dec 27 |
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10:00 am |
MTSpace (AE-CG) |
Parlour |
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10:00 am |
MTSpace (BID) |
Chapel |
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1:00 pm |
Fridays at First |
Hilliard Hall/Kitchen |
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Saturday, Dec 28 |
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10:00 am |
MTSpace |
Chapel |
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1:00 pm |
Dudgeon & Dragons |
Labyrinth Room |
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Sunday, Dec 29 |
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10:30 am |
JOINT SERVICE |
Westminster U.C. |
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12:00 pm |
MTSpace (Homecoming) |
Chapel |
WEEKLY UPDATE
of happenings, events and concerns of our
First United Church Family
December 22, 2024
Minister Rev. Hoeun Lee
Music Director Kathleen King Martin
Church Administrator Sheena Curwood
AV Technician Harold Arnett
Custodian Jay Brooker
Assistant Custodian Craig Lennox
16 William Street West
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 1J3
Office: 519-745-8487 x201
Office Hours: Mon-Thu 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
email: office@firstunitedchurch.ca
website: firstunitedchurch.ca
Chair of the Board
email: firstunitedboardchair@gmail.com
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Greeters: December 22: Jean Hoffman December 24: Nola Mott
Readers: December 22: Joanne MacPhail December 24: Nola Mott, Miriam Beldock, Paul Miller Serving Coffee: Finance
Serving refreshments this month: Finance
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