Announcements November 27

THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

27 November 2022

Welcome! We extend a warm welcome to our guests, and invite you to sign the guest book at the back of the sanctuary. Everyone is invited to remain for coffee and fellowship, downstairs in the Church Hall, following the service.

The Greeters this month are Bruce and Lisa Sneesby.

The Reader today is Keith Kelly.

This Week in First Church:

– Today – Deadline for submissions for the December Newsletter

– Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. – Bible study (by Zoom)

– Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – Men’s Breakfast

Coming Up:

– Sunday, 4 December – Hanging-of-the-Greens service and pot-luck lunch

– Sunday, 11 December – Communion service; Anniversary Sunday

– Saturday, 24 December, 7:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve service

The Christian Year – Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is the first of the six seasons of the Christian Year. Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas, the festival of the birth of Jesus. It always has four Sundays.

The name “Advent” comes from the Latin word advenire, which means “to come to”. Advent is a season distinct from Christmas. It has to do with preparing ourselves for God’s coming into the world in Jesus Christ. That is, we recall how the ancient Israelites anticipated the coming of the Messiah, how God announced to Mary and Joseph that they would become the earthly parents of Jesus, and how John the Baptist called on the people of his day to repent (turn away from sin), in preparation for Jesus’ ministry. At the same time, we focus on Jesus’ promised Second Coming at the end of the age, and prepare ourselves for it by turning away from sin, and renewing our commitment to God.

The symbolic color for Advent is purple, signifying repentance and preparation.

Full announcements here

Announcements November 20

CHRIST THE KING

THE FINAL SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

20 November 2022

Welcome! We extend a warm welcome to our guests, and invite you to sign the guest book at the back of the sanctuary. Everyone is invited to remain for coffee and fellowship, downstairs in the Church Hall, following the service.

This Week in First Church:

– Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. – Meal-in-a-Bowl Supper

– Thursday, 7:00 p.m. – Session meeting (by Zoom)

Coming Up:

– Sunday, 27 November – First Sunday of Advent

– Sunday, 27 November – Deadline for submissions for the December Newsletter

– Sunday, 4 December – Hanging-of-the-Greens service

The Christian Year – Today is Christ the King, the final Sunday of the Season after Pentecost, and the final Sunday of the Christian Year. A new Christian Year begins next Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent.

Christ the King affirms and celebrates Jesus’ kingship over the world and over the church, as well as in the lives of individual Christians. Today’s scripture readings lead us to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ kingship. In the Gospel reading, he is derisively called “the Messiah” and “the king of the Jews” at his crucifixion by people who don’t accept him as such; while in the reading from the Letters, he is portrayed as possessing great authority and power.

The symbolic color for Christ the King is white, symbolizing joy and celebration.

Full announcements here

Announcements November 13

THE 23RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SOUP KITCHEN SUNDAY

13 November 2022

Welcome! We extend a warm welcome to our guests, and invite you to sign the guest book at the back of the sanctuary. Everyone is invited to remain for coffee and fellowship, downstairs in the Church Hall, following the service.

The Greeters this month are Bruce and Lisa Sneesby.

The Reader today is Philip Dunn.

This Week in First Church:

– Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – Presbytery meeting at Neepawa

– Friday, 10:00 a.m. – Synod meeting, by Zoom

– Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – Men’s Breakfast

Coming Up:

– Wednesday, 23 November, 5:00 p.m. – Meal-in-a-Bowl Supper

– Sunday, 27 November – First Sunday of Advent

– Sunday, 27 November – Deadline for submissions for the December Newsletter

– Sunday, 4 December – Hanging-of-the-Greens service

Soup Kitchen Sunday – Today is our tenth annual “Soup Kitchen Sunday”. On this day, we affirm and celebrate the ministry of the First Presbyterian Soup Kitchen, and express our thanks for the many volunteers and donors who support and participate in this ministry, including churches, Hutterite colonies, organizations, businesses, and suppliers.

Special thanks to Shelly Burton (coordinator), Gloria Nichols (assistant coordinator) and Henry Riendeau (treasurer)! Thanks also to the other members of the Soup Kitchen Committee

Full announcements here

Announcements November 6

THE 22ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

6 November 2022

Welcome! We extend a warm welcome to our guests, and invite you to sign the guest book at the back of the sanctuary. Everyone is invited to remain for coffee and fellowship, downstairs in the Church Hall, following the service.

The Preacher today is Keith Kelly, and we thank him for taking part in leading the service. The rest of the service will be led by John.

This Week in First Church:

– Today, 5:00 p.m. – Fall Supper

– Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. – Exit Visit (with the minister)

– Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. – Exit Visit (with members of the Session) – Church Hall

– Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. – F&M Committee meeting, by Zoom

– Thursday, 7:00 p.m. – Worship Committee meeting

Coming Up:

– Sunday, 13 November – Soup Kitchen Sunday

– Sunday, 27 November – First Sunday of Advent

– Sunday, 27 November – Deadline for submissions for the December Newsletter

Full announcements here