Bulletin for December 15, 2024

Bulletin for December 15, 2024

Weekly Update

 

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:11

 

Sunday December 15, 2024

 

10:00am Worship at Valleyview

 

Theme: Advent 3 - Anointing for justice:  Who belongs?

 

Worship Leader: Shelley K
Speaker: Pastor Marv

Song Leader: Heidi W

Musician: Rayne D
Reader: Allison H

Tech Team: Heather P, Dan H

Ushers: Don T, Allison H, Helen D

Counters: Russ S, David H

Coffee Host: Helen D

 

Order of Service

Welcome and announcements

Scripture reading: Luke 4:16-17; Isaiah 61:1-11; Luke 4: 20-21

Hymn: VT217 - Hark! the Glad Sound!

Call to Worship (based on Isaiah 61:1)

Prayer

Hymn: VT268 - Helpless and Hungry (vs. 1,2)

Candle Lighting

Hymn: VT268 - Helpless and Hungry (v. 3)

Children s story

Hymn: VT553 - How Many Times We Start Again

Message Pastor Marv

Hymn: VT215 - Oh, How Shall I Receive Thee

Offering

Congregational sharing and prayer

Sending Blessing

 

 

11:00am Second Hour

Upstairs: Sharing Faith Story Anne K: sharing parts of her faith journey with us today, then will be welcomed into membership during worship on Sunday, December 22.

 

**Lower Level: Youth, Jr Youth & Children s Sunday School Classes

Snack Host: Jess A & Dan H

Children s Sunday School (JK-Gr 4) Teacher: Kristibeth K & Maria P
Junior Youth (Gr 5-7) Teacher:
Lanette FW

Youth Meetup (Gr 8-12) Leader: Jacob M/Sarah D

 

**December 15: Safe Church Policy Audit Observation Day

An appointed Board member acting as Auditor of our Safe Church Policy will observe Sunday School operations. While observing, the Auditor may approach or contact volunteers at random to conduct short interviews regarding their interaction with the Safe Church Policy.

 

This Week at Valleyview

 

CALENDAR:

 

Tuesday, December 17th 7:00pm, Board Meeting

 

SAVE THE DATE:

 

christmas_eve_2024_sign.jpg

 

Please bring a plate of Christmas cookies or treats to share during fellowship time after the service.  Due to allergies, no sesame or peanut products.

 

Next: Sunday December 22, 2024

 

10:00am Worship at Valleyview

 

Theme: Advent 4 - Embodying God's spirit: Who lends a hand?

 

Worship Leader: Rachel C
Speaker: Pastor Marv

Song Leader: Derek M

Musician: Krisanne N
Reader: Gloria J

Tech Team: Heather P, John S

Ushers: Tim F, Brian C, Mary Faye S

Counters: Ben R, Heather P

Coffee Host: Eleanor G

 

 

11:00am Second Hour

Upstairs: Second Hour: Members of Board/Council/Committees will share stories of their work.

 

Lower Level: Youth Meetup, and Children/Junior Youth Sunday School Class

Snack Host: TBD (see Snack Host sign-up sheet on library counter)

Children s Sunday School (JK-Gr 4) Teacher: Kristibeth K & Maria P
Junior Youth (Gr 5-7) Teacher:
Lanette FW

Youth Meetup (Gr 8-12) Leader: Jacob M/Sarah D

 

Worship Preview

 

During this season of Advent and Christmas through Epiphany, we are invited to join together on a journey, travelling toward a deeper understanding of our faith.  Our visuals and children's time will take us along a path of discovery where we will encounter smooth, easy sections as well as parts that are rough and challenging.  As we explore the themes of hope, joy and faithfulness, we will be reminded of the loving God who walks with us on this journey.

 

Dec 22, Advent 4:  Embodying God's spirit: Who lends a hand?

Second Hour: Members of Board/Council/Committees will share stories of their work.

Dec 24, Christmas Eve @ 6:30 pm:  Celebrating Christ's birth

Dec 29:  Keeping promises:  Who sees it?

Jan 5, Epiphany:  Nurturing faith:  From whom do we learn?

 

 

Donations to the Church Budget

 

For ways to donate please visit www.valleyviewmc.ca/Give.

 

Total donations received Year-to-Date: $300,567
2024 Annual donations target: $289,897

 

 

As you consider your end of year donations, please note the following:

1.       Due to the Canada Post strike, we will not be able to accept postage marked donations this year.  As a result, the last in-person offering in 2024 will be on Sunday Dec 29th at the 10am service.   Any cheques or cash received after that service, will be deposited, and receipted in 2025 financial year.

2.       Digital/online donations by e-transfer, PayPal or the Valleyview website can be made up until Dec 31 at end of day.

3.       If you are expecting the donation to be included in your 2024 tax receipt (issued January 2025), please ensure your donation meets these timelines.

I want to express much gratitude for your stable and consistent giving to our church in 2024.   As you can see from the weekly updates, we have tracked well and will be exceeding our annual donation target as of mid-December.  Thank-you.

As you consider your end of year donations, I would like to highlight the following additional needs:

1.       Refugee Fund:  To support the refugee sponsorship application.  (Designation: Refugee Fund)

2.       Capital Improvement Fund: We anticipate an increase in property repairs and improvements in 2025 and beyond, including projects such as brickwork and repairs, replacing the broken dishwasher, carpet repair or replacement, and addressing the expiration of the AED machine. These projects will be discussed as a congregation in the new year and during our upcoming AGM. However, it is clear that additional funding for capital improvements will be necessary to complete all these essential projects.

3.       Any incremental giving to the General Fund in 2024, will give the congregation flexibility to decide how to allocate those dollars at our upcoming AGM.

Thank-you again for your generous giving to Valleyview s programs.

John Spenler

Treasurer

 

 

Announcements

New and updated announcements are marked with purple font.

 

In and Around Valleyview

 

 

In the Broader Community

 

Hope Starts at Home: An evening with Phyllis Webstad
March 24, 2025 at 6 pm, Bingemans Conference Centre, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
Join us on March 24 along with author and speaker, Phyllis Webstad, the founder and ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society. Phyllis will share her childhood of healing and reconciliation in Canada as we seek to restore justice, foster belonging and address poverty in Ontario. Funds raised at the event will supply MCC Ontario s new meat cannery. To learn more and order your tickets, go to
 mcc.org/evening-with-phyllis-webstad.

 

 

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp 
Winter and Spring Retreats registration now open. Go to 
slmc.ca/retreats for more info. Coming up soon are:

Fathers & Kids Retreat (Jan 17-19) A weekend of snow fort building, snowshoeing through the woods, roasting smores over the campfire, and playing games in the dining hall! Dads enjoy free-time Saturday morning while staff provide programming with kids.

Women s Retreat (Jan 31-Feb 2) Come, experience the beauty of camp in winter. Be nourished by the relaxed pace, good food and meaningful conversation. Play in the snow, breathe deeply in yoga, cross country ski, go on a snowshoe hike through the woods. Reflection time led by Wendy Janzen.

Summer Camp: Registration for overnight camp and day camp opens February 1 at 8am. Outtrip registration opens Jan 7 sign up before Jan 30 to get $100 off! Visit slmc.ca/summer-camp to have a look at the 2025 schedule.

 

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp is seeking a Fundraising & Communications Manager. This is a permanent, half-time, hybrid position in Kitchener. If you would like to inspire and engage SLMC's generous community, read more at slmc.ca/about/board-of-directors and apply soon!

 

 

MCEC:

1.     Support MCEC s Future: Your Help Is Needed! This season, remember MCEC in your giving. We face a financial challenge and need your support by January 31, 2025 to meet the approved budget. Churches are finding renewed purpose and reimagining ministry, and we re privileged to journey with them and we can t do it alone. Your donation fuels MCEC s transformational work. Visit mcec.ca/annual-appeal to give today!

2.     MCEC Intercultural Volleyball Tournament, Feb 1st, 2025, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd., Kitchener. Come on out for a fun day of intercultural, intergenerational volleyball, fellowship and fun with MCEC congregations. This event has been growing since it started with more teams each year! More details soon. 

 

 

For the latest news and volunteer opportunities, visit links below:

 

MCC (Mennonite Central Committee): mcccanada.ca

MCEC (Mennonite Church Eastern Canada): mcec.ca

MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service): mds.mennonite.net

November edition of On the Level:  https://conta.cc/3ANNKy8

MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates): www.meda.org

 

Attendance Practices at Valleyview

 

Scent-Free Zone: Severe Scent Allergy

Valleyview is a scent-free zone as many participants have strong reactions to scented products. Please refrain from using all scented products: cologne, perfume, hairspray, hand and body lotion.

No Peanuts: Allergy Alert

Some members in attendance experience serious peanut allergy. Please refrain from bringing, eating, or serving any food labelled as containing peanuts or with warning May contain peanuts .

Masking Policy at Valleyview

Please wear a facemask if you feel more comfortable and remember to stay home if you are not feeling well.

 


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