This Week at KNOX

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE,

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Office hours 

Appointments are required to meet with our Minster, and we ask that you call ahead to schedule a meeting in advance.

Please call our office (902) 865-9216 or emai: admin@knoxsackville.ca

For pastoral emergencies after hours, please leave a message at 902.865.9216 or email. admin@knoxsackville.ca

A GENTLE REMINDER: SUNDAY IS A DAY OF REST
Our church staff and our volunteers work diligently to serve our church and our community throughout the week. We ask that you please respect that Sundays are days of worship for those individuals. 

Our office hours are Mon - Fri 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Freedom Kitchen is open on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and further information is available at freedomkitchensackville.ca

We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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Happy Ha Ha Holiday Concert
The Ha Ha Holiday show that promises to deliver great music and la-la laughter. Featuring Heather Rankin, Jenn Sheppard and friends!

Sing along to some of your favourite Christmas music and laugh away your cares with some quirky characters. The Holidaze crew is set to deliver a unique seasonal celebration full of good feelings and Christmas spirit.
Saturday December 9th at 2.00 pm 
THIS DATE IS THE ONLY PERFORMANCE IN HRM.
$45/person (plus applicable fees)
 
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH EVENTBRITE.CA
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WHITE GIFTS SUNDAY 
 Advent is fast approaching and with it our annual tradition of presenting White Gifts. Since Advent starts later than usual this year we have decided to celebrate White Gift Sunday on the first Sunday of Advent, Dec 3rd. Your gifts of toys and clothing for children 12 years and under will be forwarded to the Christmas Cheer Program to distribute to families in Sackville and surrounding communities for Christmas. 
We prefer gifts to be left unwrapped. Please note that we will not be collecting pink gifts this year as we have done for a number of years. If you have gifts of personal care items for women these can be donated to the Christmas Shoe Box Project instead. 

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ADVENT SERVICE SCHEDULE
Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! Celebrate Christmas with us as we tell the ages old story of the birth of Jesus.

Advent III: Cantata & Advent Worship
Sunday, Dec 17, 2023       10:30 a.m.
Our Knox Choir performs this year's Canata
"Our Wondrous Story" by Joseph M. Martin.
A choral presentation of the story of Christ's birth.

Longest Night: 
Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023       7 p.m.
This service is offered especially for those hurting during the holidays.  Some come because they are mourning the death of a loved one. Some are away from loved ones, Some are dealing with illness, addiction or estrangement. Some are lonely, struggling financially, or in conflict with another. The reasons for coming are varied and many.

We gather in the midst of suffering to remember God is good. God is strong. God is near.

We are not alone, and we have every reason to hold on to hope.

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BREAKFAST WITH THE CLAUSES! 
Families with children under 12 are invited to come enjoy a FREE breakfast of pancakes and sausages with Santa & Mrs. Claus. The breakfast will be in the church hall. 

Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023
9 - 10:30 am

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CHRISTMAS EVE: SUNDAY, DEC 24, 2023
Family & Children's Service:
Sunday, Dec 24, 2023       10:30 a.m.
Our Sunday School will be featured in the story-telling of Mary & Joseph's travels and the birth of Jesus.

Traditional Christmas Eve & Communion:
Sunday, Dec 24, 2023       7 p.m.
Our traditional candlelight service with communion. 

(In case of a weather event resulting in cancellation of any of our worship services, details will be reported on the church office phone line, our website and FaceBook.)

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CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS STORE
We are bringing back a very popular Christmas tradition at Knox - the Children's Christmas Store! 

On December 10th and 17th our children at Knox will have the opportunity to purchase Christmas presents for their loved ones. 

The cost will be minimal, everything will be priced under one dollar.  The store will be set up in the Sunday School room and the children will have the opportunity to purchase their gifts before the service. 

During their Sunday School time they will wrap their gifts.  We ask that an adult accompany them to help with their purchases.

At this time, we are not accepting donations of gift items.  

However, if you have any gift-wrapping materials, they would certainly be welcome.

Thank you for your support.

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MEN'S BREAKFAST
Join in a morning of food, friendship and fellowship with other men from Knox! 

Date: December 14, 2023
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Futures Cafe - 61 Glendale Drive, Lower Sackville 

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SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Children attend the first service of every month with their parents/guardians until after the children’s time, on the other weeks they go directly to the Sunday School classroom located upstairs.

SUNDAY SCHOOL - BOTTLE CAP COLLECTION 
The Sunday School is collecting plastic bottle tops all year. Please save any bottle cap you have and place it in the basket in the Narthex.

SUNDAY SCHOOL - FOUR DRAWER FILING CABINET REQUEST
We continue to look for a four drawer, preferably letter size, used filing cabinet. If you (or someone you know) has one donate, we would truly appreciate it!

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THANK YOU FROM BEACON HOUSE! 
On behalf of Beacon House - a huge THANK-YOU to all who donated cans of cranberry. We have already reached our goal of 100 cans donated!

Any additional cans will now be given to Freedom Kitchen for inclusion in our food hampers during the month of December.

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HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST:

Mission and Service partners are currently responding to those who are impacted by the conflict in West Bank and East Jerusalem. Partners are prepared to expand their activity into Gaza when a humanitarian corridor is opened, allowing for safe access to provide relief. Currently, there is an urgent need for food, as well as non-food items such as medicines, psychosocial support, and shelter.

We are working with Mission and Service partners ACT Alliance and Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR). As a member of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, we are also working with the Humanitarian Coalition to provide tangible support for the people of the Middle East.

Help is urgently needed. You can find out more and support the ACT Alliance and Mission and Service partners in Palestine and Israel HERE.

 

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TOONIE TUESDAY
Have you heard about Toonie Tuesdays? This is a fund-raiser that is easy to do but could have a great impact for Knox!

Pick up your Toonie Tuesday sticker in the Narthex and put a toonie in a jar every week. You'll be surprised how fast it adds up!

Bring your donations in on the last Sunday of December marked in an envelope "Toonie Tuesday". For further information, please see Fred Gallop.
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PRAYER CHAIN

The Knox Prayer Chain has been reactivated and prayer requests may be sent to prayers@knoxsackville.ca

Requests are passed on as received, to prayer chain members who will pray as requested for the individual, family, or situation.

Each prayer request is handled confidentially, and the name and email of the individual requesting the prayer is never shared.

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Ministerial Update

COME MEET OUR NEW MINISTER!
Rev. Tom Woods joined Knox as our Minister, on Sunday, July 2, 2023. Rev. Woods brings more than 34 years experience as a United Church Minister and is innovative, enthusiastic and action-oriented. Tom is looking forward to working at Knox and getting to know our congregation.

Come worship with us and enjoy a time of fellowship after the service and get to know Rev. Woods 

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PASTORAL CARE

Home Visits From Pastoral Care Team

Our Knox Pastoral Care Team is thrilled to offer home visits again and are looking forward to spending time with members of our church family.

What is Pastoral Care? It's a form of emotional, social, and spiritual support that can be found in all cultures, traditions and religions. From offering a listening ear, a comforting hand, to praying together, our Pastoral Care Team share God's love in action, word and deed.

If you would like to have a visit, or know someone else who might like a visit, please call the church office to make a request and it will be passed on to the team.

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KNOX FUTURES
PROPERTY UPDATE
On Sunday, Oct. 16, the Knox congregation voted to carry the motion to sign the letter of intent. The former Knox Futures Redevelopment Team now transitions to be the Knox Futures Development Team. The next update from this team is expected within 3 - 6 months.

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BIBLE FELLOWSHIP TIME
The Bible Fellowship Time group meets Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8 pm in the parlour.
Everyone is welcome!  This is a lay-lead Bible fellowship time.
For more information please contact Donna Ashton-Ward or Judy Hayes.
 

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SCRIPTURE READERS NEEDED
WE NEED VOLUNTEER SCRIPTURE READERS!
We'd love to have different voices of Knox help us with our Sunday worship. If you would like to read scripture. Please give your name and contact information to Florence Carman .

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OUTREACH
Outreach is collecting empty pharmacy plastic pill bottles (Please remove labels). These are being collected by the 1st Sackville Cub Scouts to send with medical supplies to low income countries where they will be used many times. A tote basket will be in the narthex for donations (next to Beacon House box).

Thanks to all who can support!

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PRAYER SHAWLS
Prayer Shawls Needed
 
The Pastoral Care Team gives prayer shawls to bring warmth, comfort, love, and hope to those who are ill, grieving. or facing a difficult situation. If you love to knit or crochet, you can use your talent to help us with this special ministry. As you make your shawl simply pray that the person receiving it will find peace. Shawls will be received with thanks at the church during office hours.
For more information please contact the church office 902 865 9216.

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SECURITY
We are looking for people to help with security at Knox.
If you are interested and for more information please contact the church office at 902 865 9216 

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Fader's Bottle Exchange:
Help support Knox by taking your recyclable cans and bottles to Fader's Bottle Exchange on Old Sackville Crossroad. Simply tell the employees that they are for Knox and they will apply your bottles to our account! 

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PAST KNOX COUNCIL MINUTES
NOW POSTED TO WEBSITE
In accordance with our governance document, past minutes from Knox Council meetings are to be posted as general information for the congregation.
We are pleased to announce that this feature has now been added to our Church Reports section of the website and can be viewed HERE.
The March 23, 2021 minutes are the first to be posted and we will keep the site updated as minutes as approved.

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Lower Sackville Nursery School

Did you know that LSNS has now expanded to a full-time daycare?

Spaces are still available and we look forward to meeting your family and taking care of your little ones.

Our daycare is a safe and inclusive place offering a dedicated, loving and educational environment.
 
Click here to register your littles