Faith TODAY
BULLETIN BOARD SERVICE
The religious community’s bulletin board of activities appears each Saturday in The Herald.
Six O'clock in the Chapel, an evening Vesper service with beautiful music, will be held Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in Buchanan Chapel at Southminster United Church, featuring reflections by Rev. James Grunden and music by Chris Dittmann. This brief, intimate service is open to everyone. Enter at the chapel doors, 1011 4 Ave. S.
• Immanuel Lutheran Church will host the annual German language service of Lessons and Carols Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the church, 20 Rocky Mountain Blvd. W. While there is no admission charge, the church will take a free will offering in support of Interfaith Food Bank. Refreshments will follow the service.
• A traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, 411 11 St. S. Based on the famous service of King's College, Cambridge, the service will feature readings and congregational singing as well as music by Aeris Brass; Monica Baczuk, flute; Sarah Viejou, horn; Wayne Edwards, steel pan; and St Augustine's Handbell Choir. A freewill offering will be taken.
• Christmas Candlelight Service, “Lighting Up the World,” will be held
Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Monarch Reformed Church, southwest of Nobleford on Range Road 23-5. Refreshments to follow. Come and hear the Christmas story. Everyone is welcome.
• Southminster United Church offers monthly Labyrinth events. The next session will take place Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m., led by Veriditas-certified facilitator Nancy Fabro. It is a perfect time to come away from the hustle and bustle of
preparing for Christmas. Take time to walk and receive the gifts that lie within the Labyrinth — peace, strength and love. Open to the public; enter through the west office doors at 1011 4 Ave. S.; by donation. For more information, call the church office 403-327-3404.
• All women are invited to a brunch and program Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Luigi’s Banquet Room in Taber. Featuring entertainment by soloist Suzanne Scott and an inspirational talk by Esther Olfert from Hays. Also featured will be Christmas decorations and gifts from Johnson’s Drug Store. Cost is $15; make reservations by calling Sylvia at 403-416-5075 or Jane at 403-223-1435. Cancellations necessary by noon Dec. Sponsored by Taber Christian Women affiliated with RSVP Ministries Canada. Everyone is welcome.
• Oasis Day will take place Dec. 14 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at Martha Retreat Centre, 1130 Scenic Drive S. Come and enjoy a time to be, to rest and to be with your God as you “prepare a way” (Lk. 3:4) for the great feast of Christmas. Facilitator: Theresa Parker csm. For information or to register, phone 403-328-3422 or email marthare@telusplanet.net.
• The third annual Festival of Nativities will be held Dec. 14-15 from 19 p.m., Dec. 16 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Dec. 17 from 2-8 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2410 28 St. S. in Lethbridge. Featuring hundreds of Christmas nativities on indoor display, interactive children’s room with dress-up nativity, puzzles and more. Also three musical concerts featuring local performers, taking place Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 2 and 7 p.m.
• College Drive Community Church will present “The Story,” a Glee-style musical performance, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at 2710 College Drive S. Free admission; refreshments to follow the performance.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints will present a Live Nativity Dec. 22, 23 and 24 from 6-8 p.m. at 4105 Forestry Ave. S., featuring free outdoor performances running every 20 minutes.
• “Blessings” will be offered four
Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., Jan. 11-Feb. 1, at Martha Retreat Centre, 1130 Scenic Drive S. A DVD with Fr. Rolheiser suggests it is the role of older folk to bless the young. What and how do we do this? Couples and single men and women of all ages are invited to join in these evenings of music, Sunday scriptures, life stories and reflection. For information or to register, phone 403-328-3422 or email marthare@telusplanet.net.
• Book Study: Why Do We Suffer? will be offered at Martha Retreat Centre five Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., Jan. 23 to Feb. 27. In this book study, Daniel Harrington sj, invites us to reflect on and discuss passages in Scripture in which we read about the issue of suffering and how these insights can be related to our own today. Facilitators: Bruce Coates, Theresa Parker csm. For information or to register, phone 403-328-3422 or email marthare@telusplanet.net. Register early so books can be ordered.
• Centering Prayer takes place on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. at Martha Retreat Centre. Facilitator: Pat Boehm.
• Gospel Messengers Choir is looking for singers who want to make an impact, enjoy great fellowship and enjoy singing hymns in local seniors homes, the jail and the hospital. Phone Jake at 403-3810587.
• Celebrate Recovery — a Christcentred recovery program for any hurt, hang-up and habit, meets Friday nights at Park Meadows Baptist Church, 2011 15 Ave. N. 6 p.m. - supper ($3); 7 p.m. - large group; 8 p.m. - open share small groups; 9 p.m. - Solid Rock Cafe. email celebraterecovery@parkmeadows.ca for more information or visit http://celebraterecovery.ca/wp/.
• An interfaith devotional gathering is
held Sundays from 1-3 p.m. at the Baha’i Information Centre, #2, 310 12 St. S. Includes prayers and readings from various faiths followed by discussion. Everyone is welcome. Details: 403-394-8888.
• The Missions Thrift Store, located at 1004 1 Ave. S., is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Profits go toward mission work and Bibles for people in China and other Asian countries. Phone 403-327-3199.
• The MCC Thrift Shop, across the street from Save-On Foods. Proceeds from the store go to support poverty reduction projects around the world through Mennonite Central Committee. The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be 50 per cent off on the last business day and second Saturday of each month. For more information, call 403-329-4808.
• Coaldale United Church operates Ye Old Thrift Shoppe Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2022 18 St., Coaldale. Most clothing at $2 or less and miscellaneous items at reasonable prices (no large furniture). Donations of smaller household items and clothing — clean and in good condition — are appreciated. For more information, call 403-345-3240. Send Faith Today items to Dave Sulz, The Herald, Box 670, Lethbridge, T1J 3Z7; fax 403-328-4536; or email to dsulz@lethbridgeherald.com.