Local churches are deep in their activities for the Christmas season
All Saints' Anglican

Church

Submitted by Claire

Alexander

All Saints' congregation and Rev. Nicola Skinner welcome you to Holy Eucharist services during Advent, meeting this Sunday (Dec. 9) at 8 a.m. in the Chapel, or with nursery and Sunday school offered during the 10:30 a.m. service in the Sanctuary. Stay and meet new friends during the coffee hour.

Gentlemen! Come Dec. 9 for the monthly men's breakfast at 9:15 a.m., between the services. It's free. All men are welcome.

Wednesday mornings, join community friends, as we meet for prayer from 9 to 9:50 a.m.

The choir and Music Director welcome us to their annual evening of Advent Lessons and Carols next Sunday (Dec. 16) at 7:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the beauty of the choral music and organ.

Dec. 22, join local Christians at 6:30 p.m. for our second annual ecumenical Carol Sing outside King City United Church. Enjoy Heather Holmes and her brass quintet, as we sing our favourite carols, and savour some hot chocolate. Bring the family and dress for the weather! Flashlights are useful.

We encourage families to help to send a "gift in their name" to a developing country this Christmas. Add your name to the church list to help provide a pair of milking goats overseas. Or encourage your children to send a school bag with supplies, a soccer ball, or a package of seeds to another child. Charities such as World Vision have catalogues full of meaningful gifts.

Mark down these December dates: Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) - Family service and pageant at 5:30 p.m., and traditional service at 10:30 p.m. Christmas Day - gather in the Chapel at 10 a.m. We encourage you to find the time to reflect on the meaning of the season and join us this year for a very special Advent and Christmas.

All Saints' Anglican Church, at 12935 Keele St. in King City, is a few doors south of King Road. Office hours are Tuesday to Friday, from 10 to 2. If you know of a need, contact Rev. Skinner at (905) 833-5432, e-mail allsaints@eol.ca or visit www.allsaintskingcity.com

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Submitted by

Kathy Patterson

The beginning of Advent was celebrated with the choir and congregation singing an Advent Medley, about Emmanuel, God with Us, revealed in us.

Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. all are invited to Prayer and Praise in the pastor's study.

The Busy Moms Bible Study and Cookie Exchange is at 10 a.m. this Friday (Dec 7) at the Scheuring's. Call Miriam at (905) 833- 1475 for details.

The Blazing Fiddles" will be featured at the King Township Historical Society's Concert this Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's.

Saturday is filled from morning to night with activities. The DVD Ignite the Light series continues at 10 a.m. in the Pastor's Study. The lounge will be set up for our Church Christmas Potluck. You are invited to gather at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary for carols, and supper will be served at 6 p.m. Santa will visit afterwards. Let elf Miriam know if a little one is coming. The Poinsettias will be at the Church for pickup between 11 a.m. and noon. There will be a few extra plants for sale.

This Sunday will be our White Gift Sunday, the second Advent Sunday. Please bring toys and food bank items. Clothing, bedding, and other items for Evangel Hall, including the Mitten Tree are to be in by the following week.

The Choir will be presenting their Christmas Cantata Christmas! I Love to tell the Story, by R. Maudlin the following Advent Sunday (Dec. 16) at 10:30 a.m. All are most welcome.

Please note: the Christmas Eve Candlelight service is at 7 p.m., not 7:30 p.m. We encourage you and your little ones to join us this special night.

Call the church office at (905) 833-2325 for information, prayer requests, or if a ride is needed.

King City United Church

Submitted by

Shirley Burton

At this time of the year, we become festive in so many ways and reasons.

The first of all is the time of Advent, the period, including the four Sundays just before Christmas, as the coming birth of Jesus Christ is anticipated. It is the Holy period of happiness of the year for His people around the world and it brings each other together, no matter from how far away.

Our doors are wide open to the surrounding community for a warm and welcome Christmas feeling inside God's House. You will be welcomed by Rev. Bob Biggar and parishioners at King City United Church.

If you are new to the community, King City United Church is one block south of King Road and one block east of Keele Street, at 50 Elizabeth Grove. Sunday morning services, including the children, start at 10 a.m. The children participate in the early part of the morning services and then go to Sunday school with their teachers, to learn the Bible in the children's understanding. Fellowship and refreshments follow the morning services for all.

Next week's reflection is to be A Starting Turn of Events, based on Isaiah 11:1-10. All are invited to gather in the parlour after worship to discuss this further.

The Bible Challenge. Please remember that Pastor Bob is inviting everyone to do the reading. If you don't have the syllabus, it is not too late to get one. Additionally, if some of you would prefer a mid-week discussion time this can be arranged. Just ask. Today, we are at Romans, Chapter 7.

People from the community are invited to Lunch with Santa for the Young and Young at Heart this Saturday (Dec. 8) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa is to arrive at 12:30. Children will be able to decorate either a gingerbread man or large cookie. Children will get in for free and the cost for adults will $6.50 and $20 for a family. Tickets are available from the office or any UCW member. Two gingerbread houses are to be auctioned off.

A family fun event is to be held this Saturday too. There is to be a potluck dessert starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by a viewing of The Nativity Movie on the big screen in the gym. Every person in the community is welcome.

The Youth Group is inviting all Seniors to a Christmas Dinner and Carol sing with them Dec. 15, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., at the church. If you know of someone outside our church that would like to join us, please take an invitation for them also. There is no charge for the seniors. Transportation is to be arranged if requested. RSVP by Dec. 10.

This Sunday, Dec. 9, is to be White Gift Sunday. Nonperishable food items may be wrapped in white paper to be collected during the service.

There is to be the annual Afternoon of Handbell/Chime Music Sunday, starting at 2 p.m.

Dec. 22, there is to be Ecumenical Outdoor Carol Singing, outside the King City United Church, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service is to be held Dec. 24, at 7 p.m.

Discover the magic of sharing. It is Christmas Angel time once again. In the past, Christmas Angels have done a terrific job of sharing their abundance. Family wish lists are coming in now. Anyone interested in either sponsoring a family or making a donation is asked to sign up on the sheet at the front door, or contact Margaret Swanson at (905) 737-9887, or e-mail to mswanson@look.ca

Reminder to anyone taking digital pictures of church events, please consider sending them to Wayne Smith, at iwsmith@sympacto.ca, so he can put them on the Web site.

To find information regarding King City United Church, e-mail to kcuc@bellnet.ca; visit the Web site at www,kcuc.ca; or phone (905) 833-5181. The church office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.