Hello Glenbrook,

We are well into Advent season and the weather is certainly backing that up. I hope you’ve all put your winter tires on already, because I’ve seen a lot of slipping and sliding while driving around out there. Even though it’s getting really cold, Mike and I braved the elements last weekend for the Brantford Santa Claus parade! There were 97 floats built by local businesses and people, and it was SO fun. Mike’s company GEM brought a float that Mike created from things around their shop. He put his elves (apprentices) to work! He also told me I could sit on the float and wave like a princess…..but his boss promised those spots to children which means I walked next to the float instead, like a peasant. Before we started the lights went out on the float, and they had to grab a backup generator. I think it would have been really funny if the only float that didn’t have lights was the electrician company. It was a LOT of fun to see thousands of people waving and yelling Merry Christmas to one another. There was such a sense of community, camaraderie, and Christmas.

This coming Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent - Peace. You likely already know the Hebrew word for peace: shalom. The word shalom occurs over 250 times in the Old Testament and over the centuries religious scholars have spilled plenty of ink reflecting on its complex meaning and use. Today, the term shalom has become so commonplace that people often use it interchangeably with the English word peace: on protest signs, in sitcom banter, or even on kitschy home decor (e.g., “Shalom y’all!”).

However, in English, the word peace tends to mean something like “the lack of war or conflict.” And while the biblical concept of shalom encompasses this sort of peace, it is only a part of what God promised his people in the days before the first advent of Jesus Christ. As noted in the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, shalom includes peace, but also “wholeness, and well-being.” Shalom is the ideal—for our individual lives and for that of God’s creation at large; it’s a return to God’s original creation, before it was marred by humanity’s sin.

Today, we take refuge in Jesus Christ’s words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Through God’s Holy Spirit we experience this peace, which transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). But God does not mean for us to just sit back and indulge in this peace. He calls us to work along with the Spirit to restore God’s shalom here on Earth (Matthew 5:9).

https://todaydevotional.com/blog/advent-peace 

On the Edge of Peace
Advent is a time of waiting.
Waiting in the dark, on the edge of the Light that is coming.
Waiting on the edge of Peace.
As we wait for the presence of Christ,
what Peace are we waiting for Christ’s Light to bring?
What Peace are we longing for?
When we look around in this darkness…
We see unrest on our borders
And we see persecution of people in the land where Jesus came from.
We see people fighting to suppress others
And people desperate to be seen.
We see powers at war
And the powerless with no escape.
We long for the Light in this Darkness.
Restore us, O God.
We wait for you to shine your Light over here
Where we stand
On the edge of Peace.
- Jennifer Melton

Communion Sunday
Just a reminder that this Sunday we have the Holy Sacrament of Communion. If you are watching from home, please have some wine or grape juice and a cracker or bread to participate with us.

Christmas Concert
This year, our Christmas Concert will be held next 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. 

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 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.

Cookies and Squares Requested - Desserts for the Seniors Christmas Lunch on December 14th

You are invited to help spread Christmas Cheer amongst friends and church family with Christmas goodies to go along with warm apple cider. There is a signup sheet on the lobby table this Sunday looking for bakers to lend a hand/share a treat. To keep things simple we request one flavour/type pre-cut in small sizes and placed on a plate to be offered at the Lunch. Any leftovers will be served after the Cantata.

Missions and Outreach
Raw Carrot
This Sunday Soup Orders can be handed in/made. 

This coming week Raw Carrot soup will be picked up in Paris and brought back to our Glenbrook freezer. This is just in time to stuff a stocking/warmly satisfy an appetite for Christmas. 

Give orders to Cynthia at themtroom@yahoo.com or in person. PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE NOW OR AT PICKUP IN CASH OR ETRANSFER TO glenbrookpcevents@gmail.com 

You can pick up the soup Sunday, December 15th.

Muffins for Missions - Thank You!
A huge thank you to everyone who made and ate muffins last Sunday! We are on a roll! Thanks to Glenbrook's generosity, we've raised $296.85 for InterVarsity. 

The Poinsettia Order from Sheridan Nurseries has been Placed
Poinsettia PICK - UP will be this Wednesday December 11th OR Thursday the 12th from 3pm to 7pm at the church. 

Open Door Lunch
A HUGE Thank you to all who helped with the Open Door Lunch this past Thursday. Once again the food was plentiful and so enjoyed. We appreciate our Glenbrook family for the generosity and faithfulness.

The Christmas Open Door Gift Card Drive
Walmart Gift Cards of any amount can still be dropped off this Sunday. (They of course are welcome at any time of the year but for the Christmas Hand-out they are really needed by this Sunday). 

Upcoming Local Christmas Events
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 the Second Sunday of Advent December 8th 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. 

https://www.youtube.com/c/GlenbrookPresbyterian/live

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:68-79
                              Luke 3:1-6

Message: "Advent: A Time of Promise and Preparation"
Pastor Ian McWhinnie

Stay safe and stay connected!

Samantha Black
Administrative Assistant / Pastoral Care
3535 South Common Court
905-820-9860
Office Hours: Tues - Fri 9-12