November 30, 2025
ADVENT 1
This marks the first Sunday of the Advent season which is a time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus's birth at Christmas. The Advent Wreath is a group of candles that are lit in sequence; a new one is lighted on each week. The Sundays are themed in order of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The colors of the Advent candles are purple for hope, peace, and love; pink for joy; and a central white candle, lit on Christmas Eve, which represents purity and Christ.
Let us be mindful of this season, waiting, anticipating and being ready for this Christmas.
History of the Advent Wreath on Wikipedia
No minister's letter this week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW
CARD RECREATORS TAKING BREAK: Thursday, November 27 was the last meeting of the Card Recreators until January 8, 2026. They will not meet in December, but you can still buy cards!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 - WHISPERING WATERS COMMUNION SERVICE: We will be having our monthly service at Whispering Waters on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:15 PM. The Choir will be performing a few numbers from the Cantata. Cantata choir members are to go directly to Whispering Waters rather than the church. All are welcome – we enjoy visiting with our many friends there!
SUN DECEMBER 7 AT 2 PM AT DEVON UC: Our Cantata Choir will be presenting our Cantata “Glory to the Newborn King!” at Devon United Church on Sunday, December 7 at 2 PM. All are welcome! For those of you who can’t attend the December 14 Dinner and Cantata performance at Stony, here’s your chance to enjoy the concert!
REMINDERS
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 7 - WHITE GIFT SUNDAYS: Stony Plain and Mewassin are having “White Gift Sundays” on the first 2 Sundays of Advent, November 30 and December 7. Stony Plain will be collecting warm weather clothing (Mitts, socks, toques, etc.) and Mewassin is collecting socks (any kind – kids’, women’s, men’s). Donations will go to Parenting for the Future.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30 BREAKFAST: The Men’s Club will be serving breakfast from about 8:45 AM to 9:30 AM. Please come join us!
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3: UCW CHRISTMAS MEETING: On Dec 3 at 12:00 noon we will share Chinese food. All ladies are welcome. If you plan to attend, please let the church office know
ADVENT DINNER AND CHOIR CANTATA SUNDAY, DEC 14: Tickets are now available at the Church Office for this year’s Christmas Cantata and Advent Supper on Sunday, Dec. 14. General admission: $27.00; Children 6 to 11: $13.00 and Children 5 & under: Free. Dinner starts at 5:00 PM
(doors open at 4:30) and will include Ham, Scalloped Potatoes and all the trimmings. The musical portion of the evening starts with Carol Singing and Special Music at 6:30 followed by the Cantata, “Glory to the Newborn King!” by Lloyd Larson.at 7:00 PM. Plan to stay afterward for fellowship, coffee
and dessert. As always, we depend on volunteers to make the dinner a success – later this month, there will be Sign Up sheets in the atrium for donations of grocery items and/or your time.
SUN NOV 30 BREAKFAST: The Men’s Club will be serving breakfast on Sun Nov 30 from about 8:45 AM to 9:30 AM. Please join us!
GIFTS WITH VISION, LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE: There are brochures on the table outside the sanctuary for “Gifts with Vision” (United Church of Canada) and the annual “Light Up Your Life” campaign (supporting local Palliative Care, Hospice, and Continuing Care).
NEWS FROM MEWASSIN:
- Sadly there will be no formal Christmas concert this year due to a lack of kids. The Sunday School will be part of the Christmas Eve service, though, so you will still see us telling the Christmas story in one way or another (we are still planning this).
- November 30, December 7: We will be supporting the Wabamun Christmas Hamper program again this year. Please bring non-perishable food items or gift cards to the church on November 30 and December 7 if you wish to contribute.
- Next Coffee Sunday is December 21.
- Next Communion date is January 11/26.
- Keephills Hall is having a pancake breakfast on November 30 (9 AM - 11:30 AM). Tickets are $10.00 ahead of time or $15.00 at the door. Kids under 12 are $5.00.
- Sunday School will again be doing the Advent candle lightings. Advent starts on November 30, 2025.
- Saturday, December 6, 5:00 PM: Family Christmas Gathering at the church. There will be a pizza supper, carolling, a movie and maybe some games and crafts. We sure hope you can join Sunday School. All are welcome. Please let Sunday School know if you are able to attend. We'd love to have you join us.
- The annual Christmas Brunch will take place on December 7 (2nd Sunday in Advent) immediately following the service. Deborah will be staying with us for the morning. Please contribute by bringing a pot-luck food item.
- White Gift Sundays will be November 30 and December 7. Our clothesline will be hanging up for collection of socks for Parenting for the Future. Socks of any kind are needed – kids, women and men.
- Our Christmas Eve Service is Sunday, December 24 at 4:30 PM.
- There will be no service at Mewassin on December 28. All are welcome to join in Stony’s service at 10:30 AM.
- More Christmas announcements to come.
PASSING ON YOUR CONCERNS: If you know of anyone who would like a visit or needs a card, please contact the Care Committee, Rev. Deborah, or call the Church Office (780 963 4745) or email
WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Ukuleles & Choir: Wednesdays. Ukes at 6:15 PM, Cantata at 7:00, Choir at 8:00
Card Recreators: ON BREAK until Jan 8, 2026
MEETINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS
| Sunday, November 30 | 8:45 AM - Breakfast prepared by the Men's Club |
| Sunday, November 30 & Sunday, December 7 |
Both churches - White Gift Sundays - please donate socks Mewassin - collecting non-perishable food/gift cards for the Wabamun Food Hamper |
| Wednesday, December 3 |
12:00 noon - Stony Plain UCW Christmas Lunch/meeting 7:15 PM - Whispering Waters Communion service. |
| Saturday, December 6 |
5:00 PM - Mewassin Family Christmas Gathering |
| Sunday, December 7 |
Mewassin - Annual Christmas Brunch after church Stony Plain - 2:00 PM: Our Choir will present the Cantata at Devon United Church |
| Sunday, December 14 |
Advent Dinner and Choir Cantata at SPUC. Doors open at 4:30 PM |
| Sunday, December 21 |
Mewassin - Coffee Sunday Stony Plain - Sunday School Christmas Presentation during church - coffee to follow |
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EVENTS AT OTHER NORTHERN SPIRIT CHURCHES |
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| Friday, December 5 & Saturday, December 6 |
Pilgrim United Church (9008 15 Ave. Edmonton): Christmas Market |
| Sat. Dec 6 |
St. Andrew’s United Church (1A Fieldstone Drive, Spruce Grove): Christmas Market 10 AM to 2 PM. 25 vendors on site including holiday baking, second hand books and unique one-of-a-kind gifts. |