Midweek Message – Nov 22

How Does a Weary World Rejoice? That’s the theme we will be exploring through advent and Christmas. Sarah Speed, one of the creators of the series from A Sanctified Art writes this, “The theme is inspired by the stories in Luke 1-3 and the question: How does a weary world rejoice? In each week of our series, we respond to this question with a statement inspired by our scriptures. These texts bring us into a space of possibility; in them, we find rhythms for rejoicing, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Each weekly sub-theme is a “we” statement because joy is deeply relational and rooted in the fact that we belong to God. As we move through our series, we hope to create space for acknowledging the weariness of our world while celebrating God’s closeness with great joy.“

There are a number of ways that the theme will unfold:

• In worship, including new ways to pray.
• Weekly Study Group on Wednesday mornings @ 10:30 at Port Wallis United Church on Waverley Road
• If you’d like to print off an Advent Calendar, click HERE; there are also calendars on the the table at the entrance of the church.
• If you’d like a print Devotional Book, let Cathy McLeod know, she can print one off; if you’d like an electronic copy, let me know; the creators have asked us not to post the link on our websites.
• Daily Facebook posts
• Photo a Day practice

When you come to church, you will notice some changes… and there are touches of blue in various places. Most United Churches stopped using purple during Advent quite a few years ago as purple is associated with Lent, a penitential season. Whereas Advent is a season of anticipation, of waiting, the blue is taken from various depictions of Mary and her blue shawl. Many thanks to Bonnie Hudson, Wilf Laybolt and my sister Shelley MacDonald for the gifts of the time and talent.