GREETINGS                                         December 7, 2017
 
HELP FOR A WOUNDED SOUL
 
Life isn't neat. We get dis-spirited. Can you recall a time when you felt a loss of spiritual vitality? Had you been fighting with God? Did someone or some situation puncture your life so deeply you wondered if you would ever heal? Was there something that ripped out some threads of your faith? Circumstances like that raises inner questions, stir up fears, cause doubts to arise within us. We may feel hurt, or apprehension, or anger, or some combination thereof. Our self-worth takes a kick or two. We wonder whether God is even for real or not. Is the universe lacking in wisdom?  
 
What can one do when one's soul goes into hiding, slinking off to bleed or mourn or just ache? Taking the cover off, removing its self-preserving protective layers is risky, even scary. Do it. It's simply too quiet and utterly lonely when in hiding. Emptiness lingers. Wounds deepen. Suffering has no context.   Lift your pain into the light. Take a shaking fist, a trembling heart, a battered soul to God. Raise the blinds or shades and let God see you just the way you are. God can take it. So can you.   Be patient with yourself and with God. Soon enough inner strength will arise and inner peace will settle in. Reassurance, hope, renewed faith will cloak you in their warming, revivifying rain. American playwright August Wilson's counsel holds: 
"Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength."
 
Indeed, may God's peace be with you.
                 

THOUGHTS & PRAYERS
In our thoughts and prayers are  Judy van Duzer, Connie Kuntz,  Ellen Sawesky, Charlotte Stewart and Patricia Bradshaw's grandson, Daniel.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 
Worship Times
December 24 - One Service at 10:30am

Christmas Eve -    7pm Contemporary Family Pageant
                             10pm Lessons and Carols with Communion

December 31 - One Service at 10 am
 
White Gift Sundays
 You are invited to make a special White Gift offering during the Advent season using the White Gift envelopes provided in our "Welcome Centre" in the vestibule outside the sanctuary.   Our Outreach Committee will see that all donations are shared equally in support of the mission and ministry of Wesley Centre and Living Rock Ministries in Hamilton. Gifts will be received on Sunday, December 10th and on Sunday, December 17th.
 
Bass Player

Do you have a member of your family or know of anyone that would like to join the "Allstar Band"at the contemporary service. A bass player is needed along with any other volunteer musicians. Call the church office for information on auditions which will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00.

  
Time out with trees and Jesus
This is an opportunity to experience guided meditation in an outdoor setting, Brockhouse Park (Fiddler's Green Rd. and Wilson St.) Tuesdays at noon (except when Rev. Disher is on vacation or study leave). Bring a lunch along if you like.
 
This is an opportunity to experience guided meditation in an outdoor setting, Brockhouse Park (Fiddler's Green Rd. and Wilson St.) Tuesdays at noon (except when Rev. Disher is on vacation or study leave). Bring a lunch along if you like.
 
From the Marshall Memorial Finance Team
'Tis the Season - the season of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. 
 At this time of year, as we continue our journey "Walking in God's Way; Serving in God's World" we would appreciate your support and gratefully receive your gift.
If you wish to donate, please click on the link, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/marshall-memorial-united-church  where you can donate via credit card, debit card or Paypal through Canada Helps.  We also accept donations by mail and in the offering plate each Sunday.

Living Rock Ministries
Bring groceries THIS Sunday for the Living Rock Ministries.  They are always in need of pasta sauce, canned fruit and canned vegetables.

Outreach Committee is selling bark
The Outreach Committee will again be selling Chocolate bark on Sunday
December 10th . Sales will be available before and after both services. As in the past there will be 3 varieties of chocolate with assorted ingredients. The price will be $6.00 per bag. All proceeds go directly to The Living Rock and Wesley Urban Ministries.  

Doors Open Marshall
There are lots of openings for short-term or longer-term participation in
ministry and mission in our congregation. Feel free to step through and
offer your time and energy and experience. Give the gift of yourself to this
community of faith.
                                                                                
ONE TIME OPPORTUNITIES
-Ushers to receive offerings at our 7 p.m. Christmas Eve service
 (4 people)   Contact Lynda Drennan  
-Ticket Seller for Bistro Night on Saturday, December 16th at 8 p.m.
 Contact Rev. Disher.
                                                                                                                                                              
SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES
-Share in greeting on Sunday mornings for a month and/or helping provide
 snack and refreshments after worship by becoming part of a House Team.
 Call Mary Anne Bulmer to sign up, 905-648-4051;
-Offer to help serve Communion when the sacrament is celebrated
(six times a year); contact Jan Thompson, 905-648-1720
-Offer to help lead in Sunday worship by sharing Words of Welcome,
noting the Announcements, encouraging the Sharing of the Peace of
Christ ... or leading the Opening Prayer or the Prayers of the
People ... reading the Scripture Lesson for the day. Contact Rev. Disher
to become part of that team.
 
LONGER-TERM OPPORTUNITIES
- Participating in our Church Board by becoming part of a ministry or
 mission in action team on any of our present Committees: e.g., Worship,
 Christian Development, Stewardship and Finance, Outreach, Pastoral Care,
 Property, Communications and Planning. Contact Beth Pearson
 905-648-2068                                                 
-Become part of our Audio-Visual crew during Sunday worship. We will
train you to project slides onto the screen, operate the sound system,
and operate the cameras for live-streaming during the 9 a.m. service.
Contact Kerry Radigan, Pat Radigan, David Cairney or Richard Hamilton.
-Become part of our Prayer Team. Contact Patty Cheshire 905-389-6373.

Name Tags
If you would like to order a new name tag there are envelopes available in the Welcom Centre brochure rack.  The next order will be placed December 15th.

Prayer Partners
The Prayer Partners are once again offering  the prayer tree during Advent. Please take a bow and write the name of someone you want prayers for and place it on the tree. This a good way for us to remember all the people both far and wide, who need our prayers.


EVENTS

Christmas Cantata
Marshall Memorial Chancel Choir presents "Little Lion, Little Lamb". The cantata is at 3pm Sunday, December 10th. Appetizers and refreshments will follow. There will be a free will offering.
 
Bistro Nights
Bistro Nights are here. You are invited and feel free to bring along friends and neighbours. We will gather in our church parlour and listen to and reflect on songs from some of our Canadian stars: Bruce Cockburn, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen.   The next gathering will be Saturday, December 16th (Bruce Cockburn) from 8 to 10 p.m. This will be a licensed event, $5.00 gets you in and a free drink to start; $5.00 per drink after that.   Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks provided. Proceeds after expenses will be contributed to the Community Assistance Fund to help persons in need in our community. Our first gathering brought in $80.00 for that purpose.
 

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