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Text Box: "Preparing Room:" An Advent Retreat

Text Box: Food for Thought

Text Box: The Advent season is upon us, beginning on Sunday, December 3rd, and continuing for four weeks until Christmas. The readings and teachings of the season assist us in commemorating the coming of Christ to Earth at Christmas while helping us to prepare for the second coming. Our upcoming schedule of services and events is highlighted in the next few paragraphs, however, if you wish to reflect further on the meaning of Advent, look to one of the links which our webmaster, Jake Douglas, has thoughtfully provided, namely the online version of the Upper Room Devotional. In addition to the daily online devotional there is an Advent Study Guide for 2006 by Laura Hileman. This resource is to be used in conjunction with the Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide. This material can be adapted for either group or individual reflection and prayer. If this sounds like something you might like to insert into your schedule, go to the link at: http://www.centenaryunited.com/Devotional.htm The Centenary United Church schedule of services and other events for the Advent 2006 season: December 3: Advent 1 with Wayne Irwin preaching. Remember to bring your gifts for the Wesley No Charge Christmas Store. December 9: The Advent Retreat “Preparing Room” in the Martha Cartmell Room from 9:30 am. to 3:00 pm. For more information please read the article below. December 10: Advent 2 with Wayne Irwin preaching. Please join us at 3:00 pm for the second concert in

Text Box: the Centenary Concert Series, “The Mystery of Christmas.” Performing will be a Massed Choir, the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and you! You will be invited to participate in the Audience Carols. December 17: Advent 3 with Readings and Carols. Our Centenary Choir will be performing several pieces in this service. December 20: The Blue Christmas Service at 7:00 pm. with Lynn Godfrey preaching. This is a gentle and reflective worship service especially meaningful for those who find Christmas a difficult time when they remember losses. December 24: Advent 4, the 11:00 am. service will feature "The Shepherd, The InnKeeper, The Wise Man... and me," three monologues by Frederick Buechner. At 8:00 pm., join us at a gathering around the tree. "If it happened here and now, as it happened there and then..." will highlight the paintings and reflections of Canadian Artist, William Kurelek.

Text Box: In the busy-ness of this season, we extend an invitation to pause for a few hours and reflect on how we might prepare for Christ being born in us anew this year. Join us on Saturday, December 9, 2006 from 9:30 am. to 3:00 pm. in the Martha Cartmell Room of Centenary United Church for an Advent Retreat.

Text Box: The suggested cost of this retreat is $10 and a lunch will be included (Comfortable Pew brunch menu). Rev. Lynn Godfrey will be the Facilitator for this event. We ask that you pre-register for this event at 905-522-6843. Child care is available on request.

Text Box: Wish I’d Said That! I get my sense of humor from the gospels. Those of us who read the gospels live in a state of suspended wonderment. Garrison Keillor via Muriel Stackley
The overarching theme of God's Word is restoration, redemption, mercy, forgiveness - exiles brought home. not because they suddenly obeyed the rules, but because God saw their desolation. Tom Ehrich via Mary from the Middle East
Fanatics are people who won't change their minds and won't change the subject. Winston Churchill

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