This Sunday we light our fourth Advent candle – the candle of Love. Trinity’s choir will be offering a fantastic cantata called I Hear the Prophet Callin’. Through upbeat songs and meaningful readings, the choir will lead us through the Christmas story from prophecy to fulfillment. Sunday December 22nd – I Hear the Prophet Callin’ – Trinity’s Choir Offering, 10:30 am
Join us on Saturday night – the longest night for a quiet and reflective candle lit service. The Longest Night is a candle lit worship service offered annually to the wider North Bay community by Trinity and St. Andrew’s United Churches. It’s an opportunity for quiet engagement with the Christmas mystery on the longest night of the year. The Longest Night service has become for many an important seasonal tradition, as it acknowledges the mixture of loss, contemplation, and wonder that attends Christmas and the winter solstice. Saturday December 21st 7 pm
Christmas Eve Services – Wednesday December 24th 7 pm and 8:15 pm
The All ages Family service begins at 7 pm. We joyfully celebrate the Christmas story with scripture and carols. A brief Communion service will follow. All are welcome to both of these services. Our nursery is available for your convenience but will not be staffed on Christmas Eve – children of all ages are more than welcome to both services! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Seasons of the Spirit Congregational Resource, the reading for December 22nd is from Matthew 1:18–25
As Advent draws to a close, we focus on the birth of Jesus. Joseph’s role in the birth and life of Jesus is often speculated, but one thing is sure – he trusted God’s will and stood by Mary during a difficult time in her life. Joseph provides a home and family for Jesus, an example that all of us can learn from today.
This week as you prepare your hearts and homes for Christmas, take pause and give thanks to all those people who act in courage and love to offer radical and gracious hospitality to those in need this season. People who donate items or money to an outreach organization, people who volunteer their time to help and those who invite someone for Christmas dinner who would otherwise be alone – your act of love truly is what Christmas is all about!
May the promise of the Christ Child fill your heart and home with radical and outrageous love!