SERVICES AND GATHERINGS THIS WEEK
SUNDAY, December 3, 2023 – 10:00 a.m. – 1st Sunday of Advent
If you are unable to attend, the service is live streamed. For links to the service and
the order of service please visit St. James at: stjamesdundas.ca or the St. James
Facebook page.
WEDNESDAY – COMPLINE – 9.30 p.m. Note: the time change for the next weekCompline is a short service of night prayer. The heart of Compline is the recitation of several psalms. There is a short reading from scripture, intercession, and time for reflection. It is a beautiful way to close out an active day. Compline is offered by St. James’ through Facebook to bring the community together. If you cannot join live, the service is available afterwards on St. James’ Facebook channel.
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OFFICE HOURS
10am – 2pm Tuesday through Friday
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Tuesday Evening Prayer 6:15 p.m.
All are welcome to pray in the sanctuary on Tuesday evenings from 6:15 to 7:00 pm. The gathering is informal, starting with a short scripture reading then silent or spoken prayers by all. Bring what's on your heart that needs prayer.
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COMMUNITY DINNERS
Indoor meals at St. James will take place every 4th and 5th Monday.
Doors open at 5:30. Dinner is served at 6pm.
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MONDAY AFTERNOON GAMES – First and third Monday of the month from 1.30-4pm, in the Parlour. Next game day December 4th. Everyone is invited to participate, ladies or gentlemen.
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NEW Message from the St. James' Holiday House Tour Committee
Thursday November 30th
Assistance is required at 1:00 pm in the church moving furniture to accommodate the artisans for the House Tour. It can be completed quickly with good help. We also need help putting the furniture back on Saturday at 5:00 pm after the event. This is an important task requiring able and strong individuals. Please let Terese Herron (905-630-3017) know if you can help.
Friday December 1st
Cookie bakers are to bring their cookies to the Narthex by 11:00 am so they can be packaged.
Artisans, vendors and committee members will be setting up in various parts of the building.
Saturday December 2nd – THE BIG DAY!
Artisans and committee members will be setting up in the hall, in the kitchen, in the narthex, and in the church.Dickens Lane Artisan Showcase will open at 11 am. We will be selling pies (frozen, unbaked), fancy Christmas cookies, jams and preserves, raffle tickets, and caramel popcorn.
The House Tour begins at 12:00 noon.
Whether you are a greeter at one of the homes, working at the church, or a guest at the House Tour - Enjoy the day!
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Special! Special! Read All About It!
The Dundas Room Roof Replacement has been fully funded thanks to a very generous donor and all of your contributions. Thank you!
There is still a special art sale, featuring pieces by Wayne Allan! Wayne‘s art collages can be viewed in the attachment or during office hours: Tues – Fri 10am - 2pm.
All pieces are $100.00, mounted and ready for framing.
All sales will support the accessible door project.
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ORDER YOUR GIFT CARDS FROM ST. JAMES for all those everyday purchases. Everyone benefits!
Last Order date of the year: Sunday December 10th
Gift Card pick up on Sunday December 17th
Order forms are on homepage – Drop off or email to the church office
St. James has earned $2100.00 from Fundscrip this year!
Imagine if everyone ordered cards through the church!
This year, all profits will support the accessible-door project.
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The Chosen – Season 2 (a dramatic series)
Continuing Wednesday at 10am. There will be weekly viewings of this Series. We will watch an episode, (each is approx. one hour) and discuss our thoughts and feelings for about 1/2 an hour after each episode. This story is based on the life and times of Jesus through words from the gospels and through the eyes and lives of the disciples and those who were close to Jesus.
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St. James’ Gallery
December Artist
Dave Archbell
Gallery times: 10am-2pm Tues – Thurs.
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13th Annual Community Winter Coat and Boot Drive
Expanded to include blankets and sleeping bags OCTOBER 16TH to MARCH 2024.
Please place clothing in the containers by the parking lot door of the church.
Items go to churches and agencies in Hamilton where they can be easily accessed by people who need them.
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Annual Collection of Stamps for The Leprosy Mission Canada
St. James for many years has provided annual financial support to this international charity which raises funds in support of medical treatment, education and rehabilitation for those suffering from the debilitating, painful disease of Leprosy which continues to plague people in the developing world. Church members have been faithfully contributing their used stamps. The collection is mailed every December to the Markham office of Leprosy Canada. The stamps are sold to stamp dealers who pay $10 per pound. In recent years, it has cost almost twice as much in postage as would have been raised by selling our stamps, thus this effort has not been cost-effective. Consequently, our stamp collection program will end on December 31, 2023 and everyone is encouraged to bring in any final donations by then for our final submission early in the new year. Your ongoing support and efforts in collecting your stamps over so many years has been very much appreciated. St. James is committed to continuing to provide some annual funding to The Leprosy Mission Canada and the Corporation will be discussing more effective, alternative ways of raising funds for them. We are advised that it costs just $100 to cure someone suffering from Leprosy!
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Holiday Hope
(Formerly Adopt a Family)
We have the opportunity to bring joy, excitement, and the real meaning of Christmas to children in need. More than ever, children in our community need to know people care about them.
St. James, again, is joining St. Matthews House’s Christmas Holiday Hope Program (formerly Adopt a Family). Each family we “adopt” as a congregation will receive two gifts for each child (a gift of clothing and a toy) and a $200.00 grocery gift card.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate material or volunteer to sew some Christmas bags.
Donate money. Please put your money in the Adopt a Family envelopes available at the church OR send a cheque or e transfer to St. James and indicate on the memo line that it is for the Holiday Hope Program.
Take a star or card from the tree and buy a present or stocking stuffer. Attach the card to the present, do not wrap, and deliver to the church on or before Dec. 3rd. Ask one of the team members if you attend church virtually and they will help you choose a child to adopt and can assist with delivering the gift.
Volunteer to sort presents Dec. 10th. You will work as a team. Instructions and light food will be provided.
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VESTRY REPORTS
Before life becomes too hectic, keep in mind that Vestry reports are due January 2nd, 2024.
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COMING EVENTS
December 2 House Tour
December 5 Advent Organ Recital 12:15pm
December 10 Arabic bake sale & ADC Advent Walk in the Park at 6pm
December 12 Advent Organ Recital 12:15pm
December 16 Advent Labyrinth Walk (Dundas Room) 10am -12pm
December 17 Accessible Door Bake Sale & Lessons & Carols 4:00pm
December 19 Advent Organ Recital 12:15pm
December 24 Advent 4 - 10am
Christmas Eve Children’s service with pageant – 4pm
Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist – 9pm
December 25 Christmas Day Eucharist – 10am
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