What a wonderful season it’s been here at HMC! Thank you for embracing our heart for the season and celebrating with us in song and fellowship. A very special thank you to everyone who dropped off Christmas treats for the staff — what a beautiful (and delicious) way to let us know we’re appreciated!

As things quiet down in the office, we hope that quiet will spill also into your lives. As you gather with friends and family, may you also find times of rest and refreshment as you reflect on the tremendous gift of Jesus’ birth.
May you be richly blessed this season and enter the new year with much hope and peace.

Merry Christmas from the HMC staff!

HMC EVENTS

Sunday morning prayer is still happening! Come to the Gathering Room in the east hallway at 9:30 a.m. to pray.

Stick around after the service today for Building “Cocoa” Connections Sunday! We have hot chocolate with lots of yummy toppings to choose from!

Our Senior Youth will be going to the Owen Sound hospital on Christmas Eve morning to deliver gift baskets to families stuck in the paediatric ward over Christmas. Parents, please have your youth at the church for 8:30 tomorrow morning.

Our Christmas Eve Service is going to be a lovely evening of candlelight and singing. Please join us at 6:30 on Monday night as we reflect on the humble birth of the Saviour of the world. Doors open at 6:00. Come early to enjoy carol singers and hot cider in the foyer!

Be sure you’re here for Vision Sunday, on January 6 when Pastor Dave brings a New Year’s message and directs us to look ahead at what God has in store for HMC.

Ladies, are you looking to get connected with a G2G group? Karen Schmalz will begin a new study on Wednesday, January 9 at 1 p.m. in the upper room. If you’re interested in taking a journey through Lysa TerKeurst’s ‘Finding I Am’, set your Wednesday afternoons aside.

We are committed to building up our audio/tech team in the new year. If you’re interested in learning our sound board and volunteering to help some Sunday’s, please plan to come to our sound training seminar on Saturday, January 12 at 10:00 a.m.

Are you new to our congregation in the last six months? Please come to an informal luncheon after church on Sunday, January 13 – we’d love to get to know you better!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for Ron Kaufman who had surgery last Friday. Pray for a healing and a swift recovery

Our Condolences to Ev Howe on the passing of her brother-in-law, George Harris, on Monday, December 17.

Our Condolences to Bill Roseborough on the loss of his brother, Brian, on Wednesday, December 19.

Our Condolences to the family and friends of Jim Hinds, who passed away on Wednesday, December 19.

Please pray for the families who are mourning the loss of a loved one this Christmas season. Pray that they would find peace in the true meaning of Christmas.

REMINDERS

The Church office will be closed from December 25-January 2. If you need to reach a pastor during this time, please use the Pastoral Care Line printed on the back of this bulletin.

Sunday, December 30 will be the final day for 2018 offerings. Anything you want receipted for the 2018 year needs to be submitted by then. The church office will be closed on December 31, so late drop-offs cannot be processed until the new year.

A new phone directory is now out, as well as 2019 offering envelopes. You can find both in the foyer. And if any U18 volunteers haven’t yet picked up their thank you gift, please take that from the table in the foyer on your way out today.

HMC EVENTS

5th Annual Halloween Drop By Party. Stop by our front doors on Halloween night, anytime between 3 and 8 p.m. We are part of the Hanover Trick or Treat Trail and will have games, crafts, candy, and hot chocolate. Bring your friends!

Young at Heart will gather again on Thursday, November 8 at 11:00 a.m. Linda Vallie will be sharing pictures and stories from her hike along the Bruce Trail. Tickets for the hot luncheon will be available in the foyer next Sunday.

Ladies Social. All women are invited to come out on Tuesday, November 13 from 7-9. Sherry Elder will be showing how to make a journal. Invite your friends and enjoy some fellowship together. Please bring along a darning needle, any cards or pictures that are special to you, and if you have pictures from calendars (they make great covers!) bring them too!

Our AGM will take place on Sunday, November 25 . After our morning service we will gather in the gym for a potluck lunch. The meeting will follow. Report booklets should be available next Sunday.

OTHER EVENTS

17th Annual YFC Banquet & Charity Auction, Saturday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Matthews Lutheran Church. Get your ticket ($25/person) from Paul Neuman (519-369-7545) or stop by The Giddy Goblin.

WORDS OF THANKS

The Mission Planning Team would like to thank all the kind people who gave their time and talents top help with the Mission Summit last weekend. They are encouraged by the interest the people of HMC have shown in the mission of sharing God’s word with others. Hebrews 13:6 — “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

OPPORTUNITIES

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are here! Pick one up in the foyer today. Fill it with gifts to show a child that God loves them. Return by November 11. If you’d like to join a group going to the processing centre, please contact Carolyn Austin 519-507-2750.

Do you love hockey? Our men’s church league hockey team is looking for more players. Connect with Ben Boogerman at 519-379-8886 if you feel like lacing up your skates.

We have still been having trouble with our phone system. Please bear with us as we work to get it sorted. If you need to reach a pastor and can’t get through on our main line, please use the Pastoral Care Line (519-379-1752), send an email, or send a message through our Facebook page.

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HMC EVENTS

Our second summer bonfire is happening  tonight at the Toman’s. (113636 Grey Road 3.) Bring along your lawn chairs, blankets, roasting sticks, snacks & drinks.

You’re invited to a BBQ lunch following the service on Sunday, July 29. Hamburgers, hotdogs, and drinks will be provided. Please bring along a salad or dessert to share. We are looking for some volunteers and organizers for this event. Please talk to Pastor Dave or to the office if you’re willing and available.

Summer Slam brings kids together for a whole week to learn, grow, and play. Mark the mornings of August 13-17 on your calendar and plan to sign up your children/grandchildren/neighbours (ages 5-12). Grab a form outside the admin centre or fill it out online. Check out the Summer Slam Table in the foyer.

Party in the Park Mark Sunday, September 16 on your calendars. We will be gathering at the Hanover Park for a service, baptisms, BBQ, and fun! If you would like to be baptized in the river on this day, please connect with a pastor.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please continue to pray for those members of our congregation who are facing various health concerns. Pray for the doctors that are overseeing their care, and the family members that are offering support during this time.

OPPORTUNITIES

Andrew and Amberlynne Claussen are HMC sponsored missionaries in Indonesia. The MPT received information recently that they are in need of help. Their ministry funds are running low because of some unfortunate circumstances involving a lightning storm that hit their phone, printer, and water pump. If you would like to help by giving toward the cost of these replacements, please find them online at World Team Canada, Give Now. Write ‘Andrew and Amberlynne Claussen’ under worker. They thank you for being part of the Banokit ministry.

Camp Mishewah is still in need of counsellors for Scamps & Champs (August 5-11) and Jr Teen (August 12-18). Are you 15 or older? Consider the opportunity to impact the lives of kids. Contact Jeanette Balzer for more details (jeanette@ecmcamps.ca).

MEET US ONLINE

We are working on beefing up our social media presence. Be sure to [LIKE] our Facebook page, and then join the groups connected to our page that represent the ministries you’re involved in.

HMC EVENTS

Missions Event Last Sunday, Alan & Sue McDougall shared a little bit about their mission trip to Peru. Come out to the upper room on Thursday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m. to hear more from their friend and team-members, Rodolfo.

The Tuesday Ladies G2G is breaking over the summer, but will gather every other Tuesday morning at Cravings for coffee at 9:30, beginning on June 5.

Young at Heart will be a week earlier in June. Tickets for the June 7 Variety Show & Luncheon are available in the foyer this week.

HMC Family Meeting & Potluck On June 10 we will enjoy a potluck lunch together in the gym followed by a budget meeting. We’ll vote on our proposed budget for the coming year and hear some updates from Pastor Dave and Ministry Council. Grab a booklet in the foyer today. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Let’s spark some conversation and add s’more fun to our calendar by bringing back our summer bonfires! Beginning in June, we will be inviting you to sign up as a host for a Sunday evening in July or August.

DISCOVERY: Find Your Gifts Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Discovery class scheduled for this past Friday and Saturday has been rescheduled. Set aside the last weekend in September to learn about the gifts God has blessed you with.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for Ab Boogerman as he recovers from surgery.

Please continue to pray for Marilyn Spencer who remains in hospital.

Please pray for Anna Ewald as she is in rehab in Owen Sound recovering from a stroke.

Our Condolences to John and Heather Bender on the passing of John’s brother, Peter, on Wednesday. Please remember the family in your prayers as they grieve.

SAVE THE DATE

Summer Slam brings kids together for a whole week to learn, grow, and play. Mark the mornings of August 13-17 on your calendar and plan to sign up your children/grandchildren/neighbours (ages 5-12).

PLEASE NOTE

Pastor Dave will be away taking a course all this week and will be unavailable during the day. For all pastoral needs, please utilize the pastoral care line (519-379-1752).

Our office will be closed on Friday, June 1. There will be no ‘Coffee with Pastor Dave’ (aka bulletin folding) on this day.