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.

Our Father’s Deliverance – Sermon Video

2 Corinthians 1:8-12 New International Version (NIV)

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Paul’s Change of Plans

12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity[b] and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:8 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 8:1; 13:11.
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Many manuscripts holiness
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.

Bulletin – November 26, 2017

HMC EVENTS

Plan to Protect is a mandatory training session for all volunteers in U18 ministries and those working with vulnerable people. There are still two dates left for the training. If you haven’t already attended one, please sign up for Monday, November 27 (7:00 p.m.), or Thursday, November 30 (7:00 p.m.). Volunteers need only attend one session. Please sign up for the date that best suits you at the table in the foyer.

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 prepare for their move to Hanover at the beginning of December. 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 Marg Camm on the passing of her husband, Jim. Please pray for Marg and family as they mourn their loss.

Please pray for Keith McDougall as he faces some health concerns.

Please pray for Judy Dietz who is recovering from a hip replacement.

Please remember Dianne Dippel in your prayers as she continues to face some health concerns.

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

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. See the sheets in the foyer and sign up to bring crackers, nuts, clementines, or Babybel cheese, and stay tuned for more ways you can get involved during December.

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.

Help feed Rohingya Refugees! Give someone life by providing food for Rohingya refugees who have fled from Myanmar for their lives. Donations made to this cause by November 28th will be matched on a 1:1 basis by the Government of Canada. EMCC relief and development is working with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank on this appeal. Donations designated to this crisis are also eligible to be matched on a 4:1 basis through CFGB’s regular ongoing agreement with the Government of Canada. Donate today through the EMCC website (Relief and Development) or watch for invitations on Facebook and Twitter to give on Giving Tuesday.

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; or from our HOME page, EVENTS page, or BLOG.

OTHER EVENTS

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN CANADA? Today, November 26, has been set apart by the EFC and the Canadian Council of Christian Charities to pray for the successful resolution of the Trinity Western University (TWU) case, which will be heard in the Supreme Court of Canada on November 30 and December 1. Because of the broad potential implications of this case, it is also a day to pray for the future of religious freedom in Canada. Visit our BLOG page to download a one-page PDF that summarizes the fact and explains why this is important. Print copies are also available in the foyer.

WORDS OF THANKS

Thank you to the L.I.T. crew who helped layout and organize the food in the gym for last week’s Building Connections Potluck.