Advent Season 2024
Blessings to everyone! We invite you to join us onsite or online as we enjoy the unfolding Season of Advent and Christmas.
Advent Pastoral Letter
The following is a schedule of our Advent ‘happenings’ and our special Christmas dates. Please mark them on your calendars if you need to or put this on your fridge. Join us, as we journey together, to Bethlehem:
November 26 - 5:00 pm
This is the day that we’ve set aside for the last week for the Beautiful Baskets Silent Auction. Monies for these baskets go towards the funding of redoing the roof on the Upper Hall of the church which will be changed from a flat roof to one which will allow water and snow to not pool and to cause leakage. Check the website for office hours to come and place your bids.
Sunday, December 1st: 1st Sunday of Advent - 10:00 am
We will light the candle of HOPE and begin our journey to Bethlehem. This Sunday will also be Communion, which is always an open table for all and will be a great way to begin the month of December. Caroling will also begin so warm up your vocal cords!
Sunday, December 8th: 2nd Sunday of Advent -10:00 am
As the second candle is lit, we bring in the Sunday of PEACE. This is also a Sunday where we will have two baptisms of children from our community.
Wednesday, December 11 - 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Sanctuary Sounds with Cody Obst (Lakeview United Church’s music director). These noontime concerts have been wonderfully attended and folks have brought their lunches beforehand and then sat back with a cup of tea or coffee and listened to the themes of the month in the sanctuary with piano, voice, and sometimes drama. The theme for December is called “A Christmas Celebration” and its pay-what-you-can.
Sunday, December 15th: 3rd Sunday of Advent - 10:00 am
We light our third candle and honour the Sunday of JOY. Christmas carols will be ringing out loud this morning!
Saturday, December 21st – 7:00 pm
This is our Longest Night Service or ‘Blue Christmas’. It’s a quiet service of prayer and reflection and it may be a short service for those who have lost a loved one or who find Christmas to be difficult or painful or possibly stressful.
Sunday, December 22nd: 4th Sunday of Advent -10:00 am
The four candles will now be lit, and we welcome the Sunday of LOVE. Your voices will rise to the rafters as both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day become ever so much closer!
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLE-LIGHT SERVICES – Tuesday, December 24th, 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm
This is your evening to bring the true message of Christmas into your lives. We have slated a 5:00 service which is more geared to children and their families and our traditional Christmas Eve candle-lighting service at 7:00 pm. Come and share in the familiar hymns, the birth story, prayer and candle-lighting (glow sticks for the children at the 5:00 pm service) and hearing the message of what the Bethlehem child means to the world.
Sunday, December 29th -10:00 am
There will be a brief service this morning with which will be followed by Eggs Benedict…a great way to end the year…if you wish to attend, please either put your name(s) on the sign-up sheet in the narthex or phone 403-242-5760 for your place at the table…
May this season always bring you closer to the heart of God and may your family know that all of us need ‘stable’ relationships. Our doors are always open to you and please come and make yourself at home. And, we need to never forget that we are not the only place of worship. There are many choices of differing denominations, different schools of thought but whatever your church affiliation may be, may you seek out that place of worship and bring the Christmas season and the Christmas message of peace into your hearts and into your homes.
Blessings of the Advent season and a Merry Christmas to each and every one!
Rev. Jope Langejans
and the whole congregation of Lakeview United Church, Calgary, AB.
Worship Services
May this season bring you ever closer to the heart of God and may you find some wonderful times in sharing with friends, family, and strangers who come to your door. May you offer them your gift of peace and your gift of welcoming. May you always be mindful that our doors are continually open and that we would truly welcome you and yours anytime. And one must never forget that we are not the only place of worship with open doors in these communities. Whatever your church affiliation may be, may you seek out that place of worship and bring the Christmas season and the Christmas message of peace into your hearts and into your homes. The Christ-child connects us and is born for all and the smile upon his face is the smile of Love; not just for one, but for all of humanity.
Come and be welcomed – come and be nurtured – O come, all ye faithful!
Sunday, December 15th
Third Sunday of Advent
The Sunday of Joy
Worship Service at 10:00 am
READINGS:
Luke 1: 26-38 - The angel Gabriel comes visiting…
Luke 1: 39-45 - Mary and Elizabeth meet…
MESSAGE:
“Receiving Joy Through Anonymous People”
Rev. Jope Langejans
Sunday, December 22nd
Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Sunday of Love
Worship Service at 10:00 am
Saturday, December 21st
The Longest Night Service (Blue Christmas)
Worship Service at 7:00 pm
An intimate service of spoken word, prayer, song, and of hope.
Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Worship Services
Family Christmas Service at 5:00 pm Traditional Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm
This is the evening we gather together to bring the true message of Christmas into our lives. Come and share in the familiar hymns, the birth story, prayer and candle-lighting and hearing the message of what the Bethlehem child means to the world.
Two services are planned to accommodate all of you….to bring in the Spirit of Christmas into your lives. The 5:00 pm service is more children focused in the telling of the Nativity story. The 7:00 pm service is our special candlelight Christmas Eve gathering. All are welcome at either service or both!
Sunday, December 29
Annual ‘Eggs Benedict’ Service
Worship Service at 10:00 am
Please note this service will not be live-streamed.
Giving Opportunities at Lakeview United Church During the Season of Advent
….Thank you to our church Family for your continued generosity during this season of Giving!
Once again there are 3 opportunities for you to choose from.
1. The mitten tree. Waiting in the narthex to be decorated with hats and mittens. Children’s accessories will go to the Children’s Cottage. Adult ones will go to the Drop In Centre.
2. The Santa Sack. Donations of new warm men‘s underwear and socks will also go to the Drop in Centre. Other accessories also welcome.
3. Gift cards for Glamorgan Care Centre. The gift that keeps on giving. Melody at the centre has just used the last of the ones given in 2023. Small amounts for Tim Hortons. Larger amounts for Walmart as many residents need clothing. A new suggestion this year: Kentucky Fried Chicken. Melody is a wonderful individual who cares for the residents. She often takes them on outings. Most have no family or money. Many have been on the street. She uses the gifts selectively and with purpose. And is so grateful for them.