Advent and Christmas are special times for Christians. Advent is a Latin word that means “coming” and refers to the coming of Christ. And then Christmas is when we celebrate his birth.

One of Jesus’ names is “Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23), a Hebrew word meaning God-with-us. So during Advent and Christmas we celebrate God coming to us personally in the person of Jesus Christ on a rescue mission of love and peace.

Here are some special events and services coming up at Westminster:

Saturday, December 1: Christmas Bake Sale Plus, 9am-noon

Come by and pick up some Christmas baking!

Sunday, December 2: First Sunday in Advent, 10:01am

On this Sunday we celebrate Communion and also have a special financial appeal for the Deacon’s Fund, a fund that is designed to help people struggling financially, either inside or outside of the congregation. We will worship, and have the full nursery and Sunday School program. We light the candle of hope.

Thursday, December 6: Shop and Drop, hosted by the Jr Youth Group, 5:30-8:30pm

The Junior Youth group, along with their leaders, are hosting a ‘Shop and Drop’ at the church. It is a pizza party with some games as well. You can drop your children off and go out for some Christmas shopping, or even just to dinner! A free-will offering will be received that will go to a local charity.

Sunday, December 9: Second Sunday in Advent, 10:01am

We light the Advent Candle of Peace, worship, and have our full nursery and Sunday School program. Plus, items are due for the Christmas Sponsorship Program through Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions—the “Giving Tree”. Click here to read more about that important initiative.

Sunday, December 16: Sunday School Pageant, 10:01am

This is our much-anticipated Sunday School Pageant. This year it’s called the Tale of the Three Trees. This is the main component of our worship service. It is also Mitten Tree Sunday. That’s when you can bring in hats, mitts and scarves for the clients of the David Busby Street Centre.

Sunday, December 23: Christmas Cantata

This is also a much-anticipated Sunday. Our expanded Choir presents “The Angels Are Singing”, a tapestry of beautiful songs that will remind us of why the angels sang on that first Christmas night and why we still sing about Jesus today. Featuring modern Christmas songs by Chris Tomlin and Francesca Battistelli, along with familiar carols, this cantata will be sure to start your Christmas week off on a special note. It is also “White Gift Sunday.” This is when we bring in food items for our annual Christmas Drive for the Barrie Food Bank.

Christmas Eve! – Monday, December 24

We will have two evening services. The first is A (Super) Family-Friendly Christmas Eve (5:30-6:05pm), and the second is our Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelit Service (7-8pm). Click on the titles for a full description about what to expect!

Join in for Advent and Christmas at Westminster. Here what it says in Luke 2:10-14: “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Let’s be a part of something bigger together.