Thank you to everyone who braved the snow on Wednesday night and came to help fill stockings and gift baskets for those stuck in the hospital over the Christmas season.

Thank you for generously helping us fill our freezer! We are now equipped with many home cooked meals we can hand out as blessings.

HMC EVENTS

Registration for the second term of the MIDWEEK Meal is open. Space is limited so don’t wait to sign up. We would love you to join us for this great ministry!

Our Annual Christmas Sleigh Ride is happening on Wednesday, December 11. Gather your friends and family and join us for this fun Christmas event at 6:30 p.m. Remember to dress warmly!

Young at Heart will enjoy a special Christmas meal and entertainment by Matt Chittick on Thursday, December 12. $17 tickets are available in the foyer this week.

Take a little time-out this Christmas and spend some time reflecting. We’ll be setting up special reflection stations on Wednesday, December 18 to help you focus on what really matters. Come out anytime between 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

We’re Building Cocoa Connections on Sunday, December 22. Plan to stick around after the service for a special hot chocolate station.

Christmas Eve at HMC will begin with a social hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with warm cider and Christmas cookies. Our service will follow at 6:30 p.m.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Our Condolences to Pastor Kristina and family on the passing for her grandmother, Marilyn Brockwell, on December 1. Please remember the family in your prayers as they grieve.

Please continue to pray for our Warming Centre. Pray for the energy and health of our volunteers and for continuing our aim to build trust and show the love of Jesus with the folks who attend each week. Also, please pray for those who could benefit from the Warming Centre but haven’t come to us yet.

As we enter the Christmas season, be praying that it would be a beautiful time of connection, reflection, and gratitude for families, friends, and individuals throughout our community.

BRANCHING OUT

Our Warming Centre is up and running every Thursday from noon to 2:00, providing a place for those in need of warmth and company to enjoy a hot bowl of soup and friendly conversation. We are accepting donations of non-perishable food items that can be handed out to those who attend. These items can be dropped off outside the main office in the bin labelled HMC Pantry. Also needed are donations of bars of soap and small bottles of shampoo, as well as knitted goods. As the weather is colder these days, we are very low on gloves and mitts. We appreciate your support and selfless giving to this ministry! If you’d like to volunteer for this great ministry opportunity, whether it’s to hang out with our guests, to serve or clean up, or to make soup, please connect with Marcia Burt. There is a soup sign up at the Welcome Centre.

Hanover Heights is looking for donations of small hats, socks, and gloves/mittens that can be distributed to children who don’t have the necessary means to stay warm. These items can be dropped off outside the main office.

The Hanover Salvation Army needs volunteers to stand on their Christmas Kettles within our community for two hour shifts between 8 a.m. to 6 p/m/ between/during December 4 and December 23. If you have a couple of hours and would like to help, please call the main office 519-364-3450 or Jennifer at 226-568-1761.

OPPORTUNITIES

Are you doing some Christmas baking? We want to serve cookies on Christmas Eve. Save us some and drop them off on Sunday, December 22 or Monday, December 23.

We are still looking for volunteers to fill a few gaps. If you’d be willing to serve on the usher team, or if hospitality is something near and dear to your heart, please talk with Pastor Kristina.

Because of all the baking that’s been going on in our kitchen for the MIDWEEK MEALS, we are in need of new mixers. If you have a stand mixer, or even a good hand mixer that you’re no longer using, we would be glad to take it off your hands. Talk to Pastor Kristina if you can help

UPDATES

Akke Stretch set a huge birthday fundraising goal for her 65th birthday. $65,000 was a very big ask for the Guatemala midwifery program under the auspices of International Needs Canada. And although the goal was not reached in her 65th year, is WAS reached two weeks ago! Akke sends her thanks for your prayers and monetary support.

New Daily Bread devotionals are available in the foyer.