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Please click here for this week’s service of worship or join us in person, masked, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Message from Valerie
Dear Friends,
This last Sunday of the Christian year is called “Christ the King Sunday.” We get to ask the ultimate question: Who is Christ for me? We consider the final hours of Jesus’ life, from John 18: 33-37:
Then Pilate … asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?
… Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’
Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.’
What does it mean to say Christ is king? Jesus invites us into “the kingdom,” or in more inclusive parlance, into the “kindom,” where we recognize our kinship with one another and all living things. He invites us into the realm of love.
I believe this “kingdom life” is our true home – a way of being that is eternal, rooted in something beyond this finite world yet fully moving through this world. But what matters is what do you believe? Who is he for you?
Join us on Sunday as we ask this ultimate question together. And I hope you enjoy our land freshly blanketed in magical winter softness!
Valerie
Announcements
Christmas Outreach
The Outreach Committee at Riverbend United Church is assisting people living in or staying at “Our Place” and “Buffalo Den” in celebrating Christmas. Because of pandemic restrictions, the committee will purchase gifts and is looking for your financial contributions, preferably by December 15th. Please mail or leave a cheque at Church or send an e-transfer with “Outreach Christmas project” in the subject line to contactus@riverbendunited.org. Donations can also be picked up if necessary.
A second Outreach initiative is the collection of new socks for adults or children, men’s underwear, ladies’ panties and feminine hygiene products. Please put them in the playpen in the Narthex and they will be delivered after Christmas. More detailed information on these Outreach projects can be found here.
Transitions – a Group for Fellowship & Connection
All are welcome to this NEW fellowship group designed for anyone going through any kind of transition. Held each Tuesday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon via Zoom. Contact Valerie to learn more.
Grocery Gift Cards
Do your Christmas shopping without going to the store! Gift cards from multiple stores are available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds returning to RUC. Available stores include: Superstore/No Frills, Winners, Home Sense, Amazon, Walmart, and many more. For a listing of retailers and to order gift cards contact Doug Michalko at 587.982.3703. Order deadline is December 5th with delivery expected by December 16th.
The Front Pew – Winter edition
Please click here for the winter edition of The Front Pew, Riverbend United Church’s quarterly newsletter.
Christmas Cookies!
The RUC Turkey Team has chosen a two-part celebration of our traditions of sharing food and creating community in these COVID times. On November 28th, the first Sunday of Advent, a box of Christmas cookies will be distributed to every household in the congregation, purchased or made by the Turkey Team. On December 18th Christmas cookies, mandarin oranges and grocery gift cards will be distributed to our Brander Gardens neighbours. Help us bake or purchase 110 dozen cookies! Please contact the office at contactus@riverbendunited.org and drop off your cookies on or by Friday December 17th, between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., including the baker’s name and phone number (COVID Protocol). More details are available here. Get some cookies (with love) and give some cookies (with love). Thank you!
Advent & Christmas Eve Worship services
- Christmas Carol Service Sunday, December 19th at 10:30 a.m.
- Blue Christmas Service Sunday, December 19th at 3:00 p.m. Please note this is a quiet service for those seeking hope in a difficult time.
- On Friday, December 24th, Riverbend United will offer three in-person (masked) worship services at 5:00, 6:30 and 8:00 p.m. in addition to live-streaming. If you wish to attend in person, please be sure to pre-register here. Capacity limits will apply due to COVID restrictions.
Donation Envelopes – 2022
Households who used donation envelopes in 2021 have been emailed to ask if they would like a set for 2022. If you have not received an email but would like to use donation envelopes in 2022 please contact the Church office.
Northern Spirit Region churches
Attention all photographers. The Northern Spirit Regional Council could use your help. They are looking for pictures of Churches in the Region, and ask that your submission be in JPG or PNG formats (phones take JPGs), 1 MB or larger. The minimum preferred dimensions are 600×400 or 400×600. Images can be emailed to the Regional Council Office: NorthernSpirit@united-church.ca and submissions must include wording as to how to credit the photo, and permission for its use in all media.
