Daily Prayer Request – Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Pray for the people of Saugeen First Nation in South Hampton. Tonight we will gather in the gym as a church community and put together Christmas Baskets that will be delivered to the reserve as a Christmas gift for the families there. Pray that the love of Jesus would be evident through these gifts, and that they might be an encouragement and a blessing.

Be sure to join us tonight at 6:30 to help the U18 and Missions Planning Team put these baskets together. It’s a great opportunity to serve alongside one another and we’d love to see everyone there!

Daily Prayer Request – Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Pray for our Ministry Council. Ask God to give them wisdom as they make decisions for HMC. Pray that they be Spirit-led and filled with the knowledge of God. Pray that they be careful and prayerful listeners. Pray that they live lives of integrity among the church body and also among the wider community. Pray for opportunities to encourage and bless them and their families. Pray for frequent times of refreshment and renewal for them.

Kindling – Sermon Video

Isaiah 9:1-7 New International Version (NIV)

9 [a]Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

2 The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Footnotes:

  1. Isaiah 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1 is numbered 8:23, and 9:2-21 is numbered 9:1-20.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Daily Prayer Request – Monday, December 4, 2017

Pray for our Pastors, that they be Godly leaders. Pray that their leadership hold fast to the Bible as the source of truth. Pray that they be Spirit-led. Ask for protection for each one of them and their families. Pray for their physical well being and that their financial needs would be met. Pray that they will hold onto their joy in spite of everything they have to deal with in ministry. Pray that they will have the wisdom for the various situations they face. Pray that our pastors will find the time and space to stay refreshed, restored, recharged, rested, renewed, and rejuvenated.

Advent 2017 – Week One

Today we light the first candle known as the “Prophet’s candle.” Imagine the eager waiting and longing for the appearance of God’s chosen one. 700 years before the coming of the Promised Christ, the Messianic King, God gave these prophetic words through the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 9:2-7 says: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

Give us our fill of expectation. Renew in us the eager longing of those who waited for the Messiah’s First Coming. Give us that same hope as we await the Second Coming of Jesus. Amen.

Bulletin – December 3, 2017

HMC EVENTS

Build a Christmas Basket! Come out on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. to help the U18 and Missions Planning Team put together baskets, hampers, and stockings that will be handed out at hospitals and the Saugeen First Nation Reserve over the season. A great chance to serve together!

Everyone is invited to a Sleigh Ride & Carol Sing on Wednesday, December 13 at 6:30. There will be hot chocolate, crafts, and treats. Invite your friends and neighbours!

Instead of a separate event, the Ladies Social will take place in conjunction with the sleigh ride and caroling on December 13. The group will help with hot chocolate, crafts, and treats. It’s a great opportunity to get better acquainted with our HMC family.

The Young at Heart are getting into the Christmas spirit on Thursday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m. with a special performance by pianist and singer, Tim Harden, followed by a delicious Christmas dinner. See Nelles in the foyer today to purchase a ticket for $16.

Visit the CHRISTMAS AT HMC link from the main menu on our website to get a sneak peek at what we have going on throughout December.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for Pastor Dave and Shannon Hildebrandt and their three boys, Josh, Andrew, & Caleb as they settle into their new home in Hanover. Pray that their transition would be smooth and that the boys settle well into their new school. Pray for Dave as he prepares to take over the leadership of HMC, and for Shannon, that God would make clear what his plans are for her.

Our Condolences to Shirley Meagher on the passing of her husband, Al, on November 27. Please pray for Shirley and family as they mourn their loss.

There is a list of prayer requests specific to the needs of HMC available on our website, or by speaking with Karen Schmalz or Brian Austin. Alternatively, if you’d like to receive daily prayer reminders delivered to your email, you can sign up at eepurl.com/cM9ZVj

OPPORTUNITIES

Last Chance! The U18 Crew and the Missions Planning Team are inviting the whole congregation to participate in their Christmas Basket Extravaganza! Consider donating some items for gift baskets that will be delivered to the people of Saugeen First Nation Reserve near Southampton, where our missionaries, Stan & Sally Bragg, are running an important ministry. Only a few more things are needed! See the sheets in the foyer and sign up to bring nuts, clementines, or Babybel cheese.

We want to bless Pastor Dave and his family as they settle into their new life in Hanover. There is a collection box in the foyer where you can drop off local gift cards and certificates to bless the family. Considers things like restaurants, grocery stores, gas cards, etc. The box will remain available until December 17.

Do you have a heart for youth and hockey? Bruce Martin runs an after-church floor hockey ministry and needs a helper. If this is something you might be interested in volunteering for, please speak with Bruce or Pastor Amos.

CO-CREATING THE FUTURE OF THE EMCC: EMCC President, Rev. Kervin Raugust is inviting all members and adherents of EMCC Churches across Canada to join in an exercise to co-discover, co-dream, and co-design the future God has in mind for our denomination. A survey has been developed as a convenient way for you to provide insight into where we as a family of churches and where God is calling us to go. Please consider taking a few minutes to complete the survey. There are paper copies available in the foyer on the information table, or you can access it online at emccsurvey.ca. The deadline for this survey is December 5.

The Hanover Salvation Army needs volunteers to stand with their Christmas Kettles. They’re looking for people to take a two hour shift between 8 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. until December 23. If you have a couple of hours and would like to help, please call: Main Office – 519-364-3450; or Katrina – 519-506-9451.

WORDS OF THANKS

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend the important Plan to Protect training over the last two weeks. And a special thank you to Scott Smith who applied his experience and expertise to presenting the content in an accessible and meaningful way.

Daily Prayer Request – Thursday, November 30, 2017

Today is moving day for Pastor Dave and his family! Pray that their transition would be smooth and that the boys settle well into their new school. Pray for Dave as he prepares to take over the leadership of HMC, and for Shannon, that God would make clear what his plans are for her.

We want to bless the Hildebrandt’s as they settle into their new life in Hanover. There is a collection box in the foyer where you can drop off local gift cards and certificates to bless the family. Considers things like restaurants, grocery stores, gas cards, etc. The box will remain available until December 17.