MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Advent Greetings, everyone.
We’re already halfway through this season of waiting and preparing. On Sunday we light the third candle of the Advent wreath, the candle for joy. We’ll take time to be grateful for all that brings joy in our lives and into our world.
One of the most joyful parts of Christmas comes in the blessing of giving. Receiving gifts is always nice. And there are so many in our world and in our communities who need so much. However, there is an amazing blessing that comes to us when we give… whether it’s food, clothing, or other donations, or when we give our time and our very presence. (It is said that the greatest present is just being present.) It opens us to others. It challenges our understanding of priorities. It changes our world.
This Sunday will be gift giving day. It will be a chance for us to bring non-perishable food items in time for them to be delivered to local food banks for their Christmas baskets. We are also receiving gifts of mittens, tuques, and scarves for Saint Columba House, as well as gifts for the Batshaw youth center. Or/and you can make a special Christmas offering, and also donate to the Christmas flower fund. There are more details about this work here in the newsletter.
This past week, December 6th, we recognized St. Nicholas Day. He was a leader in the church who lived in the third and fourth century, in the city of Myra in Asia Minor, the modern-day country of Turkey. (No connection to the traditional Christmas feast!) He is remembered for his great generosity and many legends of secret gift-giving (serving as a model for a certain visitor from the North Pole!). The church continues that spirit of generous gift giving, bringing joy, hope, peace, and justice into our world. With love. In the name of the One who is Love.
Peace.
Rev. Steve
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022
11:00 a.m.
ADVENT III
Hymns:
VU#6 “A Candle is Burning” Verse 3
VU#59 “Joy to the World”
VU#47 “Still, still, still”
VU#56 “Jesus, Our Brother”
VU#55 “In the Bleak Midwinter” Verse 4
VU#48 “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10
Reflection: Ike
You may join the service via Zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?pwd=RmF4Q0c1UVJlN1BIaUhEM1gvTk1MZz09
Meeting ID: 719 779 7321, Passcode: 442730
Or by phone at: 438-809-779
The previous service is available to view on YouTube:
December 4 – https://youtu.be/g019qbhdUEQ
COMING UP AT LAKESHORE TRINITY
December 11, Advent III
11:00 a.m. – We light the candle of Joy.
Giving Sunday. Sharing the joy of the season. Details below.
Saturday afternoon, December 17
Carolling with Jan Krejcar and the choir. All are welcome!
December 18, Advent IV
11:00 a.m. – We light the candle of Love. Celebration of Communion, participation of our young people. Any young people wishing to take part in the service are invited to meet with Jan at 10:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m. – Service of Lessons and Carols, with St. Edward, leadership from the choir.
Wednesday, December 21
7:00 p.m. – The Longest Night service, with St. Edward.
December 24, Christmas Eve
There will be 2 services: at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. They will be both the same, except that the choir will sing only at the evening service.
Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day: no service
Sunday, January 1, 2023, New Year’s Day
Lakeshore Trinity will be hosting the annual West Island shared Christmas service.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11: GIVING SUNDAY
On Advent 3, we light the candle of Joy, and we share the joy of the season with others. In order that all our gifts might be distributed in time for Christmas, we ask that you bring them in by this Sunday, December 11. They will be delivered to the appropriate agencies next week.
Mittens and scarves and hats and other warm woollies for the mitten tree.
Special Christmas offering, to be distributed to Montreal City Mission, Saint Columba House, and food insecurity agencies.
Gifts for the children housed by Batshaw Family Services.
Non-perishable items, food and toiletries, for the food banks.
The Saint Columba House mitten tree is laden with cozy mitts, hats and scarves (including a particularly charming pair of rooster mittens!) But there is still room on the tree for more, sharing some warmth through a cold Montreal winter.
Food banks are looking not only for edibles, but also non-food items such as Kleenex, toothpaste, diapers, soap and hand cream. Please consider these as you do your shopping.
All of these agencies are facing increased needs in these trying economic times. They are relying on our support and generosity.
A CAROLLING WE WILL GO!
Our music director, Jan Krejcar, invites everyone to join with the choir for Christmas carolling. We will meet in the foyer of Chartwell Manoir Residence, 2 Canvin, Kirkland, at
1:15 p.m. Saturday, December 17.
All are welcome!
THE CHURCH ANGELS
A sure sign of the season of Advent is the appearance of the trio of wooden angels on the lawn of the church. They were made by a neighbour at the bottom of the hill, down Aurora Avenue, and given as a gift to St. John’s about 20 years ago. They came as three separate carvings which were difficult to secure to the ground.
Walter Balleine took on the challenge. He tells the story:
“The angels were put on display free standing outside the church office window. Heavy winds and snowfall overnight, blew the angels over and covered them with snow. Being property chairperson at the time, I realized something had to be done to salvage these angels. If no action was taken and they suffered another storm, they would end up in the garbage. I couldn’t allow this to happen. I decided to build a heavy duty platform to accommodate them. The damaged angels were removed from the snow drift, totally dismantled, and rebuilt, replacing the nails with screws and glue. They were painted and mounted on the new platform, secured with barrel bolts. Once that was finalized, it was decided to illuminate them. A floodlight was installed in the maple tree nearby, and power was supplied from inside the office via an extension cord that had to be threaded through the mailbox.
Rod Troy adjusts the spotlight on the Lakeshore Trinity angels
I wish to mention the church members who assisted me to achieve my goal:
Murray McCrae, Lynn Coghlin, Al McConnell, Bert Patterson, Rod and Lyne Troy, Vera Balleine, Mafety Magas, and Dale Palin.
At a later date, I had an opportunity to visit with the gentleman who donated the angels while delivering Meals-On-Wheels to him. I mentioned what had happened to his angels, and supplied him with a picture. He was very happy to find that he had found such a good home for his angels.”
Walter Balleine
MEMORIAL FLOWERS
There is still time to remember loved ones with a donation for flowers to grace our church this Christmas. Please fill out the form on Sunday or contact the church office by email or call 514-697-6459. Please submit your request by December 11.
WE GIVE THANKS
The email address for e-transfer is: ltuc98givings@gmail.com. Please include your envelope number and indicate how you wish to have your offering divided. If not indicated, it will be designated as local offering.
Cheques should be made payable to Lakeshore Trinity United Church. They may be dropped in the mail slot at the church or sent by regular mail if you are not attending church in person.
Stewardship Letters are available at the back of the church on Sunday. Please pick up your letter on the way out of church and return the pledge card by December 11th.
Rev. Steve Gillam can be reached by phone or text at 514-235-9383 or by email at macduffsdad@hotmail.com.
Lakeshore Trinity United Church
98 Aurora Ave. Pointe-Claire, QC, H9R 3G7
514-697-6459
The church office is open Tuesday to Friday mornings from 9 AM to noon.
email: lakeshoretrinityunited@gmail.com
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeshore-Trinity-United-Church-101331995747334
