Dec 20 2020 – Service and forth Advent Room posted

Good Morning

My hope is that you are having a good week!  And that the anticipation of Christmas is filling you with Joy! … not anxiety – as we try to figure out how to celebrate Christmas in the midst of this pandemic!

Sunday Worship: Please use this link for today’s worship.

Fourth Advent Room opened (click here)!

Today’s Worship

Usually, todays service would involve a Christmas pageant with the children. In this spirit, we will have two young readers:  Elizabeth Scott and Alex Best.  We will also have Liam Best play two pieces on the piano – one mid way through the service, and another at the end!  Each, in their own way, have added to the telling of the Christmas Story.

And … because I needed to add video pieces from a variety of different sources — you will need to adjust the volume on your computer a couple of times during the service.

Music for Worship

Today I will leave the selection of music to listen to as you engage worship up to you.  Choose a hymn or two that represents for you the core meaning of the Christmas Story.  Perhaps, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger or What Child is This? … will help you reflect upon the Christmas story this year.

I have also selected Dominick the Donkey: Lou Monte –  (This will make sense after the reflection (or not!) My hope is that it will bring a smile to you as it does for me.

And … I have attached the story of the Littlest Christmas Tree by Red Skelton.  This is one of the earliest Christmas stories that I remember hearing.  And like the Christmas Story form the Bible and The Night Before Christmas it continues to resonate with me today.

Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D)

I have attached a link to PWS&D, the mission agency of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.  The advent liturgies that we use during worship have been prepared by this agency – and provide for us a way to reflect on the needs of our world as well as a way to respond. https://presbyterian.ca/pwsd/

Please consider a donation to PWS&D by indicating for missions as part of your offering.

Christmas Eve Service

Knox 16 will host 3 services of worship on Christmas Eve:  4:00, 7:00, 10:00.  Attendance at worship will be by invitation only – to ensure that people are kept as safe as possible and that we are following strict Covid-19 protocols.  If you wish to make a reservation, prior to the spaces being open to the wider public, please respond by Monday, December 14th (the congregation has been given the past three weeks to respond – and many have done so).  Please contact Rev. Gushue or Brenda if you have questions or require additional information.

Other Worship Service

• December 27, 2020:There will be no service of worship (neither on-line or at the church)
• January 3, 2021: Worship will be available on-line only (there will not be public worship at the church)
• January 10, 2021:Worship will be on-line and will resume at the church

With Blessings

Patrick