A new year on our Lutheran church calendar has begun with the season of Advent. Advent is the time for reflection, preparation, and anticipation. We reflect on our spiritual lives and prepare with anticipation for Christmas. During these four weeks leading us to Christmas, each Sunday the glow of another candle is added until all four candles are lit. As Christmas draws nearer, each candle brings a little more light into the darkness. Each of the candles has a designation preparing us for the season. The most common Advent themes of the candles lit are hope, peace, joy, and love.

ADVENT - CHRISTMAS AT ZION

Saturday, December 6: Finnish Carol Sing at 3 p.m.

At the Ontario Finnish Rest Home complex, 730 block of North St.

Tuesday, December 9: 'LCW Christmas Lunch at Giovanni's at 12:30 p.m.

All women if Zion welcome.

Friday, December 12: The Sewing Room @Zion will have its last session of 2025.

Start up is planned for Friday, January 16, 2026. Contact co-ordinator, Pat Mathews 705 945 8741 to receive latest news of projects and possible weather cancellations during this winter.

Friday, December 12: First of the December Services at Retirement and Care Home

List of dates and times at each location follows this calendar of events.

Sunday, December 14: Advent 3 Worship & Tree Decorating

Soup will be on for lunch.

Wednesday, December 17 - Christmas Cheer: Zion will once again be a neighbourhood distribution centre. Each year, 50-70 families come to 189 Upton Rd. to pick-up their Christmas cheer. Volunteers are needed to receive and arrange boxes as they arrive then, distribute to recipients as they arrive. Generally, the time span for this is approximately from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

Thursday, December 18: Holden Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m.

- a service of candlelight and music

Wednesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship

At 8 p.m.

Sunday, December 28: Christmas Carol Sing with Emmaus & Christ Church

At 10 a.m.

WORSHIP IN CARE & RETIREMENT HOMES

December 12 + Collegiate Heights at 10:30

December 17 + OFRA bilingual at 2 p.m.

December 18 + Mapleview at 10:30 a.m.

December 23 + OFRA Anglican at 2 p.m.

December 31 + Davey Home at 10 a.m.

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REGULAR HAPPENINGS

LUTHERAN CHURCH WOMEN: Consider joining the LCW for a time of fellowship, devotions, and sharing in the accessible narthex. Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1:30. Contact Gloria Lang at 705 254-1247 for more information and especially about December meeting as they are going out for lunch.

THE SEWING ROOM@ ZION: Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon the basement room welcomes community participants. The menu page "what we do" that highlight the sewing and its endeavours. Contact co-ordinator, Pat Mathews 705 945 8741 to receive latest news of projects and possible weather cancellations during winter months.

CHOIR REHEARSALS: The Choir practices Thursday at 7p.m. to lead music at 10 a.m. worship. More voices welcome! A call to the office or Pastor Brad will connect you to our Ministry of Music Director, Karen Kettles for details. Karen welcomes those that would like to make a shorter commitment for anthems that will enhance worship on special Sundays.

PRAYER: Prayer support is available from prayer chains, and from the congregation during worship services. Requests for prayers may be made by calling the office at 705 253-8703 or Pastor Brad at 705 987 5041.

Our Manna Basket in the narthex accepts donations of food and household supplies to be delivered about every 6 weeks to Pauline's Place Shelter. NEXT DELIVERY WILL after October 13, Thanksgiving.

Harvest Algoma Support: After Worship Fellowship celebrates birthdays of month on the second last Sunday of each month after 11 a.m. worship. Please consider staying to get to know us. As a way of thank you for refreshments, a donation is appreciated for Harvest Algoma. Place gift in the colourful mission projects’ box.

Algoma Angels: Zion contributes to the hot meal program at St. Vincent Place. The Angels is a ministry of the Anglican churches in the deanery of Algoma. Additional Angels from Zion contribution to the meal is the dessert: cookies, squares, cupcakes. We normally need around 150 to 200 individually wrapped dessert items. Please speak to Pastor Brad if you would like to contribute when it is our turn again.