November 23, 2024
Hello and happy weekend, Glenbrook!
This Sunday we welcome back our valiant leader, Pastor Ian as he brings this lectionary calendar year to a close, on Reign of Christ Sunday. As such, next Sunday will be the first Sunday of Advent, which is completely wild to think about. Have any of you put up your Christmas decorations yet, or do you wait until December? My mom is someone who puts up decorations over the span of December. Every day leading up to Christmas a new gnome or tree or ornament will be around the house. But you wake up Boxing Day, and BAM she’s magically taken them all down in the span of an hour ha ha.
This weekend, Mike and I will be in Sarnia celebrating the birthdays of all the nieces (and father-in-law, but he’s resigned to giving the attention to the girls!). So I look forward to watching the service from afar with you all.
Christmas Concert
This year, our Christmas Concert will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 2:00pm. You may notice that this is a little bit earlier than previous years. We are hoping that this shift in time will allow those who cannot drive at night to be able to join! Also for those who have Christmas dinner plans will have time to do so after the concert. If you would like a ride to or from the concert, please let us know.
Please note a slight change in time for practice moving forward - this Thursday please come at 7:00pm in the sanctuary. See you there with bells on!
Annual Seniors Christmas Luncheon
Before the above Christmas Concert begins, the seniors of the congregation should keep an eye out in the mail for the invitation to our annual Seniors Christmas Luncheon. Please plan to come for around 11:30/11:45 for a delicious Christmas meal that will begin at 12:00. While the choir goes to the final rehearsal after lunch, we will have a game of bingo before we move into the Sanctuary for the concert.
Missions and Outreach
Canadian Foodgrains Bank/Good Neighbour Project
WE ALL PULLED TOGETHER AND WE DID IT!!!
We express our deep thanks to our Glenbrook family for your amazing, faithful response to our GOOD NEIGHBOUR GROWING PROJECT CAMPAIGN THIS FALL!! Since we decided to partner with our Good Neighbour Growing Project team in Thorndale (near London) we have felt God’s presence and guidance as we developed our plans and initiated a fund-raising campaign. Our campaign ran from Thanksgiving through Nov.17 2024.
Our goal was to raise $5,000 for our Good Neighbour Project. Each week the donations grew amazingly. Within 3 weeks we had already made good progress toward our goal.
Incredibly by the end of the campaign we have raised $9,500 exceeding our goal by almost 100%!!
Our Canadian gov’t through our partner Canadian Foodgrains Bank, provides additional humanitarian funding of up to 4X of the amount donated and grows our $9,500 contribution to $47,500!
We are grateful for this wonderful support that we are able to provide for this growing project. As we continue our friendship and partnership with our Good Neighbour friends, we give thanks to God for calling us to this vital ministry to our world neighbours who are suffering from hunger, food insecurity, war, violence and an inability to sustain themselves.
Poinsettia Sales – ORDERS DUE THIS SUNDAY
Geraldine is heading up the sale once again this year and the plants will come from Sheridan Nurseries in Mississauga. To keep things simple there will be just 3 sizes of plants in 2 colour choices available for pre-order and pre-payment.
Poinsettia - 4.5" - $ 9.00
Poinsettia - 6.5" - $16.00
Poinsettia - 8" - $36.00
CHOICE OF WHITE OR RED ONLY
Pre-Payment via etransfer to the new Events Account using - Glenbrookpcevents@gmail.com
Cash payments can be made on pick up only.
Sign up/Orders can be made at the lobby table starting this Sunday and MUST BE IN BY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24th. Orders can also be emailed to Geraldine at rushtonbreeze@gmail.com
Plant pick up will be Wednesday Dec. 11th or Thursday December 12th (Confirmation of this date to come).
Open Door Gift Card Drive
As the Christmas Season approaches, we put forth the opportunity to participate in the Glenbrook tradition of an Open Door Gift Card Drive.
We once again will be collecting $25 or better still for a whole family, a $50 Walmart gift card.
These cards are mailed out to families to give them the dignity of shopping for gifts or for Christmas Meal items for themselves. The cards are needed as soon as possible and can be dropped in a basket on the offering table in the sanctuary. (If you wish for someone to shop for these cards for you then you can etransfer the amount of your donation via the new etransfer email glenbrookpcevents@gmail
This endeavour has come up fast and at a time so soon after your generosity has been proven, but NEED exists in an ongoing manner all around us.
Thanks in advance for supporting the Open Door.
Open Door Lunch
The next lunch that Glenbrook will be providing for the patrons of the Open Door will be Thursday December 5th. That means we will need to know volunteers and cooks this Sunday so we can plan accordingly. The meal will be Mini Meatloaves, Cold Salads and Fried Rice. See Cynthia if you can lend a hand.
Muffins for Missions
Bakers needed!! Sign up will be on the table this Sunday. Muffin Sunday will be next Sunday December 1st with donations going to Inter-Varsity - Christian Fellowship of Canada.
Harbourtown Sound
Glenbrook folk have enjoyed the concerts of Chris Starkey's barbershop chorus (Harbourtown Sound) in the past so let him know if you are interested in attending this year's "Holiday Spectacular". Featured choruses will include Harbourtown Sound, the reigning international women's chorus champions A Cappella Showcase, and an up-and-coming youth choir "Young Voices". The finale will have over 100 voices onstage and promises to be "spectacular". Please see Chris Starkey for tickets or email him at godlovespresbystoo@gmail.com
A Day with Francis of Assisi – Saturday, November 23rd
There is a great opportunity to learn about Francis of Assisi and prayerfully reflect on his many messages that continue to inspire us today. Based on my book on his life, stories and meditative reflections, our friend Wendy Passmore will be leading a retreat tomorrow at:
St John's Dixie Anglican Church
719 Dundas Street East, Mississauga
to register email wendy.passmore@sympatico.ca
or call the church office 905-277-0462
Note:
- By donation
- Bring bag lunch
- Coffee and tea provided
Upcoming Local Christmas Events
Santa Claus Parade – December 1st
Get right in the holiday spirit with spectacular floats, musical entertainment, local celebrities, and an appearance by Santa himself. The parade route is along Dunwin Drive, Woodchester Drive, Motorway Boulevard and Glen Erin Drive (road closures will be in effect).
Candlelight Service at Christ First – December 8th
Christ First invites us to join them for their Candlelight Service of hymns and carols at 151 Lakeshore Rd. West Port Credit - Christ First. If you are interested, the service will be at 7pm on December 8th
Evening of Carols at St. Andrew’s – December 13th
For those who may not be able to attend Glenbrook’s service on the 14th, or who are looking for more Christmas activities this season, please note that our friends at St. Andrew’s will be having an “Evening of Carols” at 7pm on Friday, December 13th.
November/December Schedule of Volunteers
Please let me know if there are any dates which I need to change or move for you 😊 If you would like to join the volunteer team even once every few months, let me know!
Service for Sunday, November 24th 2024
Please note that all services will be available on the SAME link each time. So click on the link below to watch all services live with us.
Enjoy the service!
https://www.youtube.com/c/GlenbrookPresbyterian/live
Scripture Reading: John 18:28-37
Revelation 1:4-8
Message: "Encounters With Jesus: Pilate’s Dilemma"
Pastor Ian McWhinni
Stay safe and stay connected!
Samantha Black
Administrative Assistant / Pastoral Care
3535 South Common Court
905-820-9860
Office Hours: Tues - Fri 9-12
