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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-12-11, Page 1010 News Record • Wednesday, December 11, 2013 www.clintonnewsrecord.com Varna News Joan Beierling On Tuesday, Dec. 3 the newly amalga- mated Brucefield Community United Church Women held their Christmas Meeting. Several met at Huronview for some Carol Singing and then some visit- ing with the residents before it was back to the Brucefield Community United Church for a catered turkey dinner. Fifty-six ladies took a number on the way in and were matched with a partner, which helped all to get better acquainted. Worship Leader Colin Snyder led with the Blessing. Fol- lowing a very delicious dinner, draws were held for poinsettias. Wmners were Geral- dine Eckel, Brenda Chuter, Connie Townsend, Linda Keys, Audrey McClen- nan, Jean Rathwell, Sandra Turner, Joyce Wilson, Colin Snyder, Shirley Hill, Mary Fotheringham, Nora Keys, Willi Laurie, Anne Clausen, Gayle Pepper and Anna Keys. All ladies then followed into the Sanctuary for a short program. Geraldine Eckel welcomed everyone and talked about New Beginnings. Geral- dine thanked the decorating committee for all the beautiful decorating. Linda Keys read "Christmas Is" followed by "Away in A Manger': Carol Simons read the Christ- mas Story followed by "Joy to the World:' Geraldine Eckel gave a prayer and Barb Norman gave the Meditation about a birthday party for Jesus. President Joyce Hummill thanked the committee and also made mention that all Committees are very busy. Next Meeting will be in Febru- ary with role call being a bake -less bake sale. The Stan Lee Club met Dec. 4 for its Christmas Meeting. Thirty-nine enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner catered by the Brucefield Community United Church. Colin Snyder led in grace. After dinner, several flowers and gifts were drawn for. Winners were Theresa Norman, Ivan McClymont, Anna Keys, Carol Penhale, Betty Graham, Bernice Reid, Jean Horton, Marlene Deichert, Geraldine Eckel and Delford Schade. Carol singing was next, led by Tom Melady and his wife and a skit by the Bayfield ladies. They closed with Charles Reid wishing all a very Merry Christmas. Next Meeting is be Jan. 8, 2014 at 2 p.m. The Second Sunday of Advent was cele- brated at the Brucefield Community United Church. Worship Leader Colin Snyder led in Worship, Sharon Chuter and her grandchildren Samantha and Tyler Chuter lit the Candle of Peace. Special Music by the Choir was "Redeeming Love'Debbie Rathwell read the Scripture Reading and also the Minutes for Mis- sions. Crystal Snyder played the piano during the presentation of the Offering. Thanks Crystal for sharing your gift. CAR LFEST SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2013 AT 2:30 PM at Knox Presbyterian Church 9 Victoria St. North, Boderich Goderieh Laketown Band JVIassed Choir a Pipe Organ Guest Soloist - JVleghan De Jager Guest Speaker - Ben Lobb (MP For Huron -Bruce) .l iee-Wite U(today. to !Benefit the United Wail of .l extPe-, wwsz Happy Birthday Wishes were sung to Evelyn Ven- ner celebrating her 85th Birthday. Following the Serv- ice Muffins and coffee were served and fellowship was enjoyed. The U.C.W. Sunshine and Roses Committee will be accepting donations for Nan Lefaive (daughter of Steve and Ruby) and Ryan Gingerichs upcoming Wedding Dec. 27. Joan VanSligtenhorst, Shirley Har- greaves, Mona Stephenson or various Kippen people will be collecting on or before Sunday Dec. 15. The Odd Fellows in Brucefield will be hosting their Christmas card party held at the Odd Fellows Hall in Brucefield. Cards to begin at 7:30 p.m. Everyone welcome! History of the Christmas tree a sacred sign for many ET CETERA Brenda Radford Andrea [Hulley] Willsie asked that I pass on this note. "To all my friends and neighbours in Londe- sborough, we want to thank all of you for contributing to the com- munity wedding gift, We were able to use the gift cards towards small appliances for our apartment. We look forward to seeing you when we come 'home' for visits." From the cherished teddies book comes another Christmas reflection: "The heart grows fonder at Christmas. It's a wel- come home for family, friends and loved ones whom you may not have seen since the last holiday. It's a welcome sight to see homes all decorated with the season's joy. It's a welcome feeling to know that the spirit that embraces Christmas is the same one that gleams in your heart:' The Christmas tree, or Tannen- baum, is symbolic of peace and eternal life. This tree that has become a staple of our Christmas celebrations has ancient pagan origins. Cultures throughout the ages have revered evergreen trees for their refusal to die when every- thing else in nature does. Pagans believed by decorating an evergreen tree they warded off evil spirits until the spring came again. To the Vikings the ever- green tree was a symbol of hope that the spring would return. The Druids decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honour their gods of harvest and light. To cele- brate the midwinter harvest festi- val of Saturnalia and during the revelry of Mithras, the Persian god of harvest and light, the Romans adorned trees with trinkets and candles. The ancient Egyptians, too, revered the evergreen as a symbol that life would be renewed after harsh, cold winters. To Christians the Christmas tree represents the cross on which PLEASE BRING IN YOU LETTER TO SANTA TO THE CLINTON NEWS RECORD OR Email: clinton.reporter@sunme i ia.ca BY FRIDAY DECEMBER 13 AT 5:OOPM. Jesus died making the bridge between life and death. The lights on a tree represent Christ as the light of the world. The shape of the ever- green points upward to the heavens. In the 1500s Martin Luther was reportedly struck by the sight of snow covered evergreens while out walking. The snow sparkled in the light of the stars. He took a tree home and dec- orated it with candles to replicate the trees he had seen in the forest and to glorify Christ. WHITE GIFT SERVICE The Sunday School presented their annual White Gift Service at Londesborough United Church on Sunday, December 1. All parts of the morning service - the drama, the prayers and the ushering - were handled capably by members of the Sunday School. This was the first Sunday of Advent and the candle of hope, hope for the lives of Christians everywhere and the world as a whole, was lit by Jared Bergsma. Narrators gave insight into what took place on that first Christmas Eve as the various actors quietly took their place completing a live man- ger scene at the front of the sanctuary. The sta- ble owner spoke of his part in offering shelter, food and assistance to the holy family. And he noted how unnaturally quiet the animals were that night as though they knew the significance of the family in their presence. The shepherds were frightened, too, by the unnatural presence of so many angels in the sky. Only the angels' song, directing them to go and worship at the stable, calmed them. Lastly the magi, realizing the star was the sign they had been praying for, came bearing gifts for the King. For all these people it was a strange and unsettling night. The congregation sang specifically chosen hymns to fit with the various parts of the drama, finishing with "Joy to the World': It seems the wife of a minister in a small Methodist church in Ohio held the first white gift service over a century ago in 1904. In the Sunday School of that church she had noticed the inequity of gifts being exchanged amongst the parishioners. This woman felt Christmas was about giving gifts to Jesus, not receiving them. So the focus shifted to bringing gifts the church could share with people around the world. All gifts were, and continue to be, wrapped in white paper so no one would know the value of the gift. Each person could then feel comfortable bringing a gift out of true caring. This idea quickly spread to churches of other denominations. The white gifts brought to the manger at Londesborough United were donated to the Huron County Christmas Bureau. The items collected on the 'mitten tree' were sent along as well. The Christmas concert is fast approaching. Santa will arrive on Thursday, December 19. Since her misstep on December 1, Barb Bos- man is spending a great deal of time off her feet. It's to be expected she will have lots of time to chase acts for the concert. So if you haven't talked to her already she maybe calling you.