Gaetz United Church Christmas Newsletter 2016Gaetz Memorial United Church

4758 Ross Street, Red Deer, AB T4N 1X2 403-347-2244website: www.gaetzmemorialunitedchurch.ca

Facebook: Gaetz Memorial United Church Facebook Page Twitter: GaetzMemorialUC “Sharing Faith, Serving Community”

Advent & Christmas Services

Sunday Nov. 27 10:30 AM - Advent 1 - HOPE Music with Sanctuary Choir & Gaetz Golden Ringers

Sunday Dec. 4 10:30 AM - Advent 2 - PEACE Communion & White Gift Service Music with Sanctuary Choir

Sunday Dec. 11 10:30 AM - Advent 3 - JOY Music with Sanctuary Choir, Golden Gaetz Ringers and Silverbells

Sunday Dec. 18 10:30 AM - Advent 4 -LOVE Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration following service Music with Sanctuary choir

Saturday Dec. 24 - 7 PM Christmas Eve Family Service - 8:30 PM Sacrament and Song with Communion Christmas Eve music by Carlos Caleon, Golden Gaetz Ringers and Dale Dickau

Sunday Dec. 25- 10:30 AM Christmas Day Telling the Christmas story and lighting the Christ Candle.

Kiwanis Carol Festival Sunday Dec. 11 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Gaetz United Church Sanctuary An afternoon filled with music... Some of the performers will be - The Red Deer Royals Marching Showband, Red Deer Youth Orchestra, Golden Gaetz Ringers and Red Deer Chamber Singers

Freewill Offering

Downtown Sounds@GaetzMonday Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Gaetz United

churchA special concert co-produced with the Red Deer

Symphony Orchestra. A unique blend of story and song, the program resonates with what the Christmas season is all about. Featuring all local talent, including Soliloquy, Gaetz Golden Ringers,children’s choir from Annie L. Gaetz,Jacob Slaunwhite and Dale Dickau on organ.

Tickets $20.00 at the doorIn support of the Red Deer Christmas Bureau

Service of Comfort: Sunday December 18th 4pm.

The holiday season is both festive time, but also the darkest time of the year. Many of us struggle with Christmas for a myriad of reasons; the loss of a loved one, loneliness, seasonal depression, economic uncertainty. If you find yourself struggling this year, we invite you to join us for a reflective service that seeks to bring light in the midst of darkness and remember the true meaning of Christmas; Emmanuel, God with us.

Please note new 8:30 PM time for

late service on Christmas Eve

Gaetz Outreach has committed to serving supper at the Mustard Seed the first Wednesday of each month until June 2017. We invite 8 volunteers to join this team building opportunity

serving your community. Please note there are new changes to their procedures and the daily schedule. Looking ahead on the calendar: Next supper will be December 7 and then in

the new year, January 4, 2017. Mark your calendars! Call Debbie 403-343-3785 for more information or to volunteer .

Meat Pies Turkey and ground beef pies will be for sale at the cost of $4 each

after Nov. 23. The proceeds will be going to Kasota East Camp. Thanks for your

support! Contact Shirley 403-347-3471 to order

It is with great joy that I greet you all, as I am so grateful to be back at Gaetz Memorial. I am so thankful for your prayers, and the many kindnesses shown to me during my treatment and convalescence. We now begin to prepare for Advent and the Christmas season. How can our hearts not be filled with JOY? Too often Christmas can be viewed as a time of too much to do, too much shopping, too many functions to attend, and too much of everything. So this year, I would like to challenge us all to think about how we can simplify the season for ourselves and our

families. This is a season of preparation and celebration, and excess—either materially or socially does not bring us more joy. It is in the quieter moments of rest and contemplation that the true meaning of God’s greatest gift to this world is realized. May this season bring us all Hope, Joy, Peace and Love, as we prepare for and celebrate Christ’s birth. Rev. Lyn Lamers

The Gaetz Memorial United Church’s AOTS has enjoyed an excellent fall session with wonderful pot luck suppers, singing, devotional messages, and guest speakers. Our attendance is usually between 30 and 50 people. For the September meeting Ray Yaworski spoke on “Strange Twins – Ford & Beetle. Then in October the speakers were Sandra Smyth and Vernie Munroe telling us how seniors can avoid fraud. Our November speakers were Renee Tiffin and Teri Mitchell from Parkland Community Living who enlightened us about the success of the Group Homes and Parkland School. For the December 5th meeting we will have a travelog presented by John and Linda Dickin showing us their recent trip to Scotland. We always have an interesting and rewarding evening together . Please feel welcome to attend any of the meetings or just come to hear the speaker. The Red Deer AOTS club was the first co-ed AOTS Club in Canada.

Muffins & More Christmas Coffee Party Nov. 26 9:30-11:30

Freewill offering for coffee & muffins White Elephant, baked goods, crafts, jewelry and home

preserves for sale . For more information please contact Gloria Wright

403-342-6482 or Shirley Gehman 403-347-3471

The Mitten Tree has appeared in the Narthex(lobby) of the church & all are encouraged to place articles, such as mitts, toques, scarves, socks, sweaters, etc on it. They will be distributed prior to Christmas. Articles are donated to The Salvation Army, The Women's Shelter, Central Alberta Aids Network, & The Clothing Bank. What a wonderful way to help out someone in need in the Season of Giving.

Seasons greetings to you and yours! As I write this letter, snow is softly falling outside the church, a far cry from the warm weather of Spain and South East Asia. After a three month sabbatical and trip around the world, I'm not only adjusting to the change in weather, but also to being back in the saddle here at the church. And, I must say, it continues to be an honour and a pleasure to be in ministry with you, the people of Gaetz Memorial United Church and it feels great to be home. A huge thank you to each of you, for the support and well wishes on this time away. A special thank you to our unfailing Board Chairs Brenda and Lorna, and to the Ministry &

Personnel Committee and other committees of the church for their hard work in this time. Also a huge thank you to Sarah Fanning and Amy Mueller for their incredible ministry in your midst that allowed me to trust the process sabbatical offers and to Dale and Christa for being the steadfast presence through changes. I feel as though the sabbatical did exactly what it was intended to and I feel a renewed sense of call and enthusiasm for worship and ministry in this place.

As the seasons of Advent and Christmas fall upon us, like the snow falling outside; our hearts, our minds, our very spirits turn their attention to Jesus and the stories of his birth. The holiday season is about Emmanuel which means, "God with us". Our Creator became like you, and I in the person of Jesus, God EMBODIED, the word made flesh.

Sabbatical has been a time of embodiment for me, a time of renewal of ordination vows and remembering the Spirit's calling. We are all seeking to embody and live out our faith, for God is working through each and every one of us, through our hands, through our mouths, through our actions. May you embody the Spirit of Christmas this holiday season in all you do, and may the Christ child be born anew in you.

~Rev. Jeff Rock

New Yearʼs Eve Dec. 31stJoin us....to ring in the New Year at 11:30 pm New Year’s Eve. Come and ring the big church bell..invite a friend to come along...bring your family....make this part of your New Year’s celebration this year.

Please meet in the Narthex/ Lobby.

United Through Books Coming in 2017! Read the book then share conversation with others who love to read. We will meet at 7pm at Gaetz United Church on the following dates to discuss:Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes on Monday, January 9th When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi on Monday February 13thA Measure of Light by Beth Powning on Monday March 13th

All are welcome ! For further information contact Brenda Reid at 403 346-6838 or brenda-reid@shaw.ca

For more information or to volunteer contact Roxanne at gaetzkidz01@gmail.com

+ Happy Birthday Jesus Cake at coffee after Church!

+ Reverse Collection to inform our White Gift shopping!

+ Communion and White Gift please bring children early to help carry gifts into the Church!

Upcoming Sunday Morning Activities: Nov.27: Advent 1 (World AIDS Day)

Theme: The Whole World Waits Making an Advent Wreath Banner

Dec. 4: Advent 2 (Human Rights Sunday) Theme: Dream On To Cele Making a Peace Banner

Dec. 11: Advent 3 Theme: Sing of Hope and Healing (To Celebrate Our Part in Making a Christmas Bell Ornament

Dec: 18: Advent 4 Theme: Child of Promise (To Celebrate a Story of courage and Compassion) Making a Collage of what reminds us of the Christmas season

Dec. 25: Merry Christmas! No Sunday School classes, nor supervision provided in the Playroom;; however, the space is available for parents to use.

Jan 1, 2017: No Sunday School classes, nor supervision provided in the Playroom;; however, the space is available for parents to use.

Gaetz Kidz / Family Events: Christmas Decorating Party Sunday, November 27th 2:00p.m. 5:00p.m.in Pioneer Hall (Coffee/community area on lower level of church) An afternoon of Christmas crafts for all the youth of our congregation. Many tables will be set up with crafts of all ages and abilities. Each person will be able to make crafts to take home and add

thing, you will be able to assist in decorating the Christmas tree in the Sunday school room. We will have something for everyone.

Christmas Caroling Friday, December 9th 6:30p.m. 9:00p.m. Meet at the church no later than 6:30 p.m. We organize into vehicles and go caroling for seniors in our congregation. Dress warm. No meal provided, however after caroling we will gather back at the Church for hot chocolate and goodies!

Winter Walking United 2016/17Join us for Walking United. We meet at 9:15a.m. on Monday’s at various trails in the city. See the schedule below for dates & locations. Our walks are usually no more than 1 hour. Come when you can, no experience necessary! For more information call Brenda Reid @ 403 346-6838 or Kathy Spelman @ 403 347-2611.

Dec. 5 Barrett Park Trail – Meet at Rotary Park(43 Street & 48 Avenue)Dec. 12 Michael O’Brien WetlandDec. 19 North Riverbank TrailDec. 26 Cronquist House

Jan. 2 Bower Mall Jan. 9 South Riverbank Trail Jan. 16 Three Mile Bend Jan. 23 Barrett Park Trail- Meet at Rotary Park Jan. 30 Michael O’Brien Wetland

Feb. 6 North Riverbank Trail Feb. 13 Cronquist House Feb. 20 Bower Mall Feb. 27 South Riverbank Trail

Parking & Location InformationNorth and South Riverbank Trails – park in the parking lot at 5002- 55 street – Elements @ Rivers Edge – most will know this as the building where the DynaLife Dx lab for blood work is located Three Mile Bend – Located off Riverside Drive on 76 Street – Park at far end of the park by the shelterMichael O”Brien Wetland - 55 St &Cardinal Ave. Cronquist House - Bower Ponds

Downtown Sounds @Gaetz... Upcoming concerts

Feb. 5 Pianist Alison Kilganon - An afternoon of music by Red Deer’s newest concert pianist.

April 2 Josephburg Choral Society - Men's Choir & English Handbell Choir.

A Special Thanks to our Live Nativity Participants and organizers! What an amazing way to celebrate our faith, the Christmas season and our city!

Gaetz Memorial Church StaffRev. Jeffrey Rock 403-307-3546 jeffrey.t.rock@gmail.com

Rev. Lyn Lamers 403-347-2244 rev2.gaetz@gmail.com

Christa Langille (Office) 403-347-2244 gaetzuc@telusplanet.net

Dale Dickau (Music Minister) 403-392-4290 ded851@gmail.com

Roxanne Williams (Youth Leader) gaetzkidz01@gmail.com

CHURCH OFFICE HOURSMonday – Thursday 9-12, 1-4 Friday 9-12

www.gaetzmemorialunitedchurch.ca

Gaetz United Church is always grateful for your support. Have you considered donating through PAR or E-Transfer? Both are easy and convenient ways to contribute.

Call the office for more info 403-347-2244