Christmas blessings at local churches

December 23, 2014 · 0 Comments

Churches of the Shelburne Ministerial are steeped in the blessings that surround the Christmas season; observing and celebrating the traditions of their faith. Several have shared their Christmas events, and those yet to come, with our readers.
Abiding Place Fellowship held their annual Christmas café, December 21, in the auditorium in the Mel Lloyd Center where Abiding Place meets every Sunday. The event included Christmas carols, solo performances, poems and readings, and skits were performed as well as a puppet play. On December 23rd, Abiding Place was part of The Dufferin Oaks Christmas service and on December 24 @ 7pm they will hold a candle light service @ 213 Homestead Drive in Shelburne. Pastor Gord Horsley and all the folks at Abiding Place Fellowship, “wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a very blessed new year!”
At Crossroads Church, the Christmas season started on Sunday November 30th as they lit their first Advent candle. Pastor Don Hume says, “As we followed through the lighting of these candles, we were constantly reminded that Jesus is truly the “Reason for the whole Season.” Crossroads held a carol sing on December 21st and participated in the Operation Christmas Child shoe box program which sends millions of shoe boxes filled with essentials such as hygienic products and school supplies to third world countries. Pastor Hume wishes everyone “a very merry and truly blessed Christmas and 2015 as you allow Jesus to be the light of your world – blessings from all of us at Crossroads Community Church.”
“Christmas at St. Paul’s, Shelburne begins with the season of Advent which consists of the four Sundays before Christmas Day,” says Rev. Stephanie Pellow. “We kick off the celebration with a Christmas lunch and bake sale. On the first Sunday of Advent, a tree is set up in the church. It is usually lit but not decorated. On each Sunday, parishioners are encouraged to bring in various gifts that will be donated. On the first Sunday, the Gifts of Joy consist of toys to be distributed through our local Fire Hall program. On the second Sunday Gifts of Warmth – hats, mittens, socks, even children’s coats and new clothing are collected. Sunday three is for Gifts of Beauty such as shampoo, soap, and other toiletries. The Gifts of Warmth and Beauty are donated to Family Transition Place, the Caledon/Dufferin shelter for women and children located in Orangeville. On the final Sunday, we collect non-perishable food for the Shepherd’s Cupboard food bank in Shelburne.”
On Sunday, December 21st, the children of St. Paul’s Sunday school presented a pageant to tell the story of the first Christmas. Christmas Eve Services will include a child and family friendly service of carols and Holy Communion at 4 p.m. and a later Candlelight Communion service at 9 p.m. – anyone is welcome to attend at either time. On the Sunday following Christmas, St. Paul’s will gather at the regular time of 9:30 a.m. at 312 Owen Sound St., to sing more carols and learn about Christmas traditions. “All this helps to make the season a time of good companionship and joy,” says Rev. Pellow.
Primrose United held a Christmas Carol Service in their lovely, historic church on the evening of Sunday, December 21st. Trinity United Church at 200 Owen Sound Street will hold their annual Christmas Eve Service led by Rev. David Howes and gifted organist/pianist Jen Smele leading inspirational music with the Trinity Church choir. Service begins at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

By Marni Walsh