Service Time: 10:00 A.M.
To watch via Twitch
https://twitch.tv/crescentfortrougelive
To watch on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY_yu6hzsG1yoisFBHvGm5A?view_as=subscriber
To watch on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/cfruc/
If you would like to join our pre-service Zoom conversation at 10:00 am go to link below. Contact Marc for a passcode please. [email protected]
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82191407687?pwd=TXpuQmI4Z2JLNGVEUnprVVNxL0xoZz09
“THE FIRST CHRISTMAS” A Three Session Exploration of What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’ Birth, based on the book of the same name by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. For more information or to register, contact Marc at [email protected]. Sessions will be held via zoom beginning at 7 pm on Thursday, November 21, December 5, and December 12.
As part of the lead up to the 100th Anniversary of the creation of the United Church of Canada, Harrow United is invited us to join them in their project to collect 100 items each month to benefit various outreach and community programs. . For the November outreach project, we are collecting hygiene items for Pimicikamak Wellness Centre. Most needed items include soap, shampoo, menstrual products, toothpaste, toothbrushes.
Messy Church at Harrow. Sunday, December 1st 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Theme: Advent. Potluck meal at 5:00 p.m.
A Word about Advent / Christmas 2024
Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year rushes in. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving—and yet, we feel the weight of many things coming to an end.
The world as we know it spins madly on. What are the reminders we will need in order to move faithfully through this time of change? This year’s Advent series is filled with blessings, with the words we need to hear again and again as we
begin a new season. As we move through new personal and political chapters, may these words for the beginning renew us and remind us of the ways we are called to live out our faith. No matter what you are facing, no matter what this new day brings, let love be your beginning.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 YOU ARE A BLESSING! Advent One-Dec. 1, 2024. Luke 1:26-38 | Isaiah 43:1-7 Mary is described as “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28). Morning communion service. 10 am at Crescent Fort Rouge, 525 Wardlaw Ave.; 11 am at The Parkway, 90 Paget Street •
Messy Church—4:30 pm at Harrow United Church, 855 Mulvey Sunday,
December 8, 2024 WE CAN’T GO ALONE! Advent 2—Dec. 8, 2024 Ruth 1 | Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 • 10 am at Crescent Fort Rouge, 525 Wardlaw Ave.; 11 am at Harrow United Church, 855 Mulvey
Sunday, December 15. 2024 DO THE GOOD THAT IS YOURS TO DO Advent 3–Dec 15, 2024. Luke 3:7-16 | Isaiah 58:9b-12 • 10 am at Crescent Fort Rouge, 525 Wardlaw Ave.; 11 am at Harrow United Church, 855 Mulvey
Sunday, December 22. 2024 HOPE IS WORTH THE RISK! Advent 4—Dec. 22. 2024. Matthew 1:18-25 | Luke 1:46-55 • 10 am at Crescent Fort Rouge, 525 Wardlaw Ave.; 11 am at Harrow United Church, 855 Mulvey Tuesday,
December 24. 2024 LOVE KNOWS YOUR NAME Christmas Eve—Dec. 24 Luke 2:1-20 | Isaiah 9:6 • A Family Christmas Eve–4 pm at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, 525 Wardlaw Avenue; Interactive, family friendly Christmas Eve service featuring familiar Christmas carols and a re-telling of the Christmas story;
• The Stories and Songs of Christmas—7pm at Harrow United Church, 855 Mulvey Avenue. An all ages service of lessons and carols, ending with a candle-lighting ritual.
• A Festival of Lessons and Carols—8pm at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. A traditional service of lessons and carols featuring the CFRUC choir, ending with a candle lighting ritual.
Sunday, December 29, 2024 DON’T FORGET TO LAUGH 1st After Christmas. Dec. 29. 2024. • Cookies and Carols—11 am at Harrow United Church, 855 Mulvey Ave. An informal gathering around tables in the upper hall where we sing carols, eat cookies, and join in activities suitable for people of all ages. • (please note: there will be no service at Crescent Fort Rouge)
Sunday, January 5, 2025 THE ROAD ISN’T STRAIGHT Epiphany Sunday—Jan. 5, 2025. Matthew 2:1-12 | Isaiah 43:16-21 • Epiphany Sunday—10 am at Crescent Fort Rouge, 525 Wardlaw Ave.; 11 am at Harrow United Church, 855 Mulvey
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK— “Finding Hope” Rev. Cameron Trimble
Week of December 1, 2024
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5, echoes the Jewish concept of ner tamid)
In every synagogue, above the ark that holds the Torah, there burns a light—the ner tamid, the eternal flame. This light symbolizes God’s eternal presence with the people of Israel. No matter the circumstances, no matter the challenges, the light burns continuously as a reminder that Love is always near, even in times of darkness.
This flame has burned through generations of struggle, exile, and suffering. From the destruction of the Temple to the long centuries of diaspora, to the horrors of the Holocaust, the Jewish people have held fast to this symbol of God’s enduring presence. The ner tamid is a beacon of hope that even when the world around us seems chaotic or hopeless, God’s light is never extinguished.
In our own lives, we sometimes feel surrounded by darkness. There are seasons of uncertainty, fear, and loss when it
seems like the light has gone out. But the ner tamid reminds us that there is always a spark of hope, even if we cannot always see it. God’s presence, like the eternal flame, is not dependent on our ability to perceive it—it simply is.
We are invited to trust in that light, to hold fast to the belief that even in the darkest moments, God’s presence burns brightly. And just as the eternal light requires care and attention, so too must we tend to the light within us. Through prayer, reflection, and acts of kindness, we keep the flame alive in our hearts and in our communities.
What else happens weekly?
Our virtual prayer and spirituality group, “Explorations” occurs on Wednesdays by Zoom. Contact Marc for the link. [email protected].
Choir Rehearsal — is every Friday at 10 am. New members are welcome. If you are interested in singing with our choir, even occasionally, and Friday morning rehearsals present a barrier, other arrangements are possible. Contact Michael Cutler at [email protected] for more information.
What is Spirituality?
“Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than [one]self, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.
“Spirituality means knowing that our lives have significance in a context beyond a mundane everyday existence at the level of biological needs that drive selfishness and aggression. It means knowing that we are a significant part of a purposeful unfolding of Life in our universe.
“Spirituality involves exploring certain universal themes – love, compassion, altruism, life after death, wisdom and truth, with the knowledge that some people such as saints or enlightened individuals have achieved and manifested higher levels of development than the ordinary person. Aspiring to manifest the attributes of such inspirational examples often becomes an important part of the journey through life for spiritually inclined people.”
What happens at Sunday morning Worship? Lots!
Sunday morning worship at Crescent Fort Rouge generally follows a predictable pattern of gathering in God’s name; hearing and reflecting on the intersection between the ancient faith story and the story of our own lives and time; responding to what has been heard; and going out with a commission to be actively engaged in the world.
Our worship respects the rich heritage and traditions of the Christian faith, while holding up a progressive and contemporary theology. Our worship is designed to actively engage all of the senses, and welcome the participation of all. We come together around the Lord’s Table through the sacrament of communion six or seven times a year.
Music is an integral part of our worship life, and we offer music in a wide range of styles and genres. Worship allows us to enact through ritual, story-telling, music and prayer our core belief in a God of peace, justice, compassion, healing and hope who invites us to practice the same things.
Why Worship? Worship reminds us of who we are and whose we are. Worship helps reinforce a rhythm for our lives. Worship offers a chance to connect with others and to feel that connection and engagement. Friendships are formed!
Occasional Services
In addition to regular Sunday morning worship, we also offer worship experiences at other times to mark special days or occasions. These include such things as Pet Blessings, Blue Christmas services, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Services for Life Transitions
CFRUC provides opportunities to recognize significant life passages with ritual and celebration such as Baptism, Confirmation, Weddings and Funerals.
Services to Recognize Other Life Transitions
We also work with individuals to create meaningful rituals to mark significant life passages such as moving to a new home, divorce, miscarriage, adopting a child, or seeking healing after trauma or violence.
Please contact our minister if you would like to explore some of the possibilities. [email protected]
Daily Prayer Resources
In many faith traditions, it is customary to pray at specific times of day. The discipline of morning prayer allows one to start a day grounded in God, and the intention to be mindful of God’s presence in all that unfolds.
Prayer of Examen
The prayer of examen, is a traditional form of “end of day prayer” which invites reflection on the day that is past, an expression of gratitude for what has been experienced, and an opportunity to explore in greater depth God’s presence in our lives. Our friends at The Work of The People https://www.theworkofthepeople.com/ have created a contemporary expression of this ancient form of prayer. For a version of the Examen, please click here.
Frederick Buechner
www.frederickbuechner.com
The Center for Contemplation and Action
cac.org
Sacredise
Sacredise.com
One time tested way of nurturing the spirit is to maintain the disciple of keeping a journal. During this time of self-isolation we invite you to join others in a 28 day journaling challenge. Click here for a list of daily prompts. Self-Isolation Challenge
Looking for more intentional study?
A variety of online programs and webinars are available through:
The Abbey of the Arts
https://abbeyofthearts.com/
The United Church of Canada
https://www.united-church.ca/
We encourage you to contact Crescent Fort Rouge and receive our weekly newsletter which offers many opportunities. [email protected]
Looking for an experience on Sunday for children (ages 3 to 12)?
Children are encouraged to begin their Sunday morning church experience with the gathered community in worship. This time with adults includes a theme conversation with one of the ministers and introduces children to the concept of worship.
Following this time, the children participate in age appropriate activities designed to introduce them to faithful living. We make use of a variety of teaching activities: drama, music, cooking, art, science, games and more. Parents and guardians of very young children are welcome to attend this program with their young ones until the children feel comfortable enough to attend the class on their own.
Looking for a few resources for children?
25 Easy Sunday School Crafts
https://www.signupgenius.com/church/sunday-school-crafts.cfm
49 Outstanding Christian Craft Ideas for Kids
https://wehavekids.com/education/all-christian-crafts