10:00am Worship & Livestream at Valleyview

 

Advent 4:
God s restoration is at hand.

Come, walk in the way of God s heart.

 

Worship Leader: Maggie P

Speaker: Pastor Marv

Song Leader: Maggie P

Reader: Lynne W

Pianist: Krisanne N

Tech Team: Heather P, Tom P

Ushers: Paul A, Innocent M, Mike F

Counters: Terry Z, Heather p

Coffee Host: Maria F

 

Order of Service

Announcements

Welcome

Offering: VT#211 - Hope is a Candle

Call To Worship

Lighting Advent Candle: VT#271 - Christe, lux mundi

Scripture Reading: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Confessing/Reconciling

Words of Assurance

Singing: VT#225 - We Come

Children s Time

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Message: Restoration, Reconciliation, Redemption Pastor Marv

Singing: VT#210 - O Come, O Come, Immanuel (vs 1,3,4,5,7)

Prayers of the People

Benediction

Singing: VT #218 - Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

11:00am Second Hour

 

Upstairs: Coffee Hour

Informal gathering in loving memory of Mateo

This Sunday during Second Hour, you are all invited to stay for this informal time. We will light a candle in memory of Mateo and those who wish to share some personal memories will be welcome to do so. Those who wish to share questions or express how they are feeling will be welcome to do so. Those who simply wish to sit in silence will be welcome to do so. This will be a time of remembering, of mutual support, and gratitude for a beautiful, young life who touched us in so many ways.

 

Lower Level: Sunday School classes

Snack Host: Marcie V & Zach H

JK-Gr 3 Teacher: Rachel C/Ben R
Gr 4-7 Jr Y Teacher: Lanette FW

Gr 8-12 Youth Leader: Youth joining Second Hour upstairs today

 

 

7:00pm Worship & Livestream at Valleyview

 

Christ is Born!

 

 Please bring a plate of Christmas cookies or treats to share during fellowship time after the service.  Due to allergies, no sesame or peanut products.

 

Worship Leader: Tom P

Pianist: Elenor T

Tech Team: Heather P, Dan H

Ushers: Don T, Allison H, Helen D, Paul A, Mike F

Counters: Russ S, David H

 

 

Holiday Office Hours:
9am to 1pm - Dec 23, 24, 30, and 31

Closed: Dec 25 - 29, Jan 1 - 3

 

 

 

10:00am Worship & Livestream at Valleyview

 

Jesus is born! Come, walk in the way of God s heart.

 

Worship Leader: David J

Speaker: Andrea Streufert

Song Leader: Heidi W

Reader: Mary Faye S

Pianist: Elenor T

Tech Team: Shelley K, John S

Ushers: Tim F, Brian C, Mary Faye S

Counters: Ben R, Evan B

11:00am No Second Hour. Sunday School will return January 11.

 

 

Advent through Epiphany

Our worship services for Advent through Epiphany will focus on Walking in the Way of God s Heart. Using the gospel texts from Matthew, we will anticipate the birth of Christ while exploring what it means to embrace God s heart. We will reflect on how God s love works amidst all of the brokenness in the world today. Join the Valleyview community in worship as we breathe in the love and grace of God and share it with others throughout this Christmas holiday season. Come and be amazed as we watch and wait for the star light to appear.

 

 

For ways to donate please visit www.valleyviewmc.ca/Give.

 

Donations received in December: $22,107

 

Treasurer s Message

 

Thank you for your financial support of Valleyview s programs.    

 

I would like to draw your attention to your giving statements for 2025 

https://www.valleyviewmc.ca/givingstatement.   

 

I am happy to report we have met our General Fund Donation Target for 2025.  Any surplus we have in the General Fund will be helpful to our 2026 budget discussion.

 

As you consider your year-end donations, I would like to highlight the following additional funds that require donations:

 

The Benevolent Fund (current balance of $1200) and Capital Improvement Fund are in need of increasing their balances.  Please consider designating your donations to these funds.

 

Incremental donations to the General Fund are also much appreciated.  Those General Fund donations above our target will allow the Board of Directors to allocate to areas of the highest need. 

 

The final Sunday offering for 2025 donations will be Sunday Dec 29th.   Electronic donations and donations sent by Canada Post must be received by midnight on Dec 31, 2025 in order to be included on your 2025 tax receipt.  

 

With Thanks,

John Spenler

Treasurer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New and updated announcements are marked with purple font.

 

 

None this week.

 

 

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp (slmc.ca)  

Summer Camp: Outtrip registration begins on January 6 at 9am. All other camps open on February 2 at 7am. Mark your calendars and visit our camp webpages for full summer schedule and program descriptions  slmc.ca/summer-camp

Retreat Registrations: 2026 Retreat registration is now open! For more information and full list, visit slmc.ca/retreats . Here are a few retreats coming up this winter:

Women s Retreat (Jan 30-Feb 1): Wendy Janzen is returning to lead this incredible weekend of rest, relaxation and connection.

Winter Wanders (Feb 24-26): Three days of adventuring in the Bruce Peninsula while staying at camp! Skiing, snowshoeing or hiking planned at different trails. Food and accommodations included.

Winter Camp for Grown-Ups (Feb 27-Mar 1): This weekend is for 20 & 30 somethings who want to get away on a low-key, relaxing retreat. A collaborative project between PiE (Pastors in Exile) and SLMC.

Staff Applications: Know someone who is interested in joining the SLMC summer staff team? We are now accepting applications for both overnight and day camp programs. Applications are due Dec 30 (slmc.ca/staff).

 

Registration for Ontario Mennonite Music Camp (OMMC) is now open! 
Running from August 16 28, 2026, OMMC is a place where youth develop and enrich relationships, faith, musicality, and leadership in a fun and supportive summer camp environment. Based in Waterloo, ON. Register by April 15 for the early-bird discount.  More information at grebel.ca/ommc

 

MCEC Announcements:

1.     Youth Choir Retreat 2026, January 30 February 1, 2026, Toronto United Mennonite Church. A weekend retreat of singing, playing instruments and making music together. For youth in Grades 9 12. Grades 7 8 must bring a leader. More information and to register.

2.     MCEC Event - Churches Caring for Creation - Idea Exchange, March 7, 2026, 800 King St. E., Kitchener, ON Join A Rocha Ontario and MCEC for our joint event to explore how Christian communities can make creation care part of the way they serve God and neighbour. A morning of stories and insights from experienced panelists. More information and to register.

 

MCC:

Give gifts of comfort and joy this Christmas
This Christmas season, choose a gift that will honour your loved ones and change lives across the globe. MCC's Christmas Giving Guide lets you celebrate what you hold dear about your loved ones, from the art lover to the gardener. By helping people build skills, grow food or meet basic needs, the impact of your generosity is a cause for celebration long after the lights and tree are taken down. Pick up a gift catalogue at church, a local MCC Thrift Shop or give online at mcc.org/Christmas.

(Valleyview: Gift catalogues are available in our upper Lobby, and matching ornaments to gift are available on our Christmas tree in the Sanctuary.)

 

Men Listening, Men Talking: A One-day Retreat
Saturday, February 21, 2026, Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church; 1038 Woodbine Ave.Toronto
The story of the Good Samaritan is one of trauma and rescue. It invites men to explore their own journeys and encounters with enemies and apathy, as well as compassion and community. At this one-day retreat, we will reflect on this and more in a context of worship, prayer, conversation and listening to the Spirit. Register here: mcc.org/men-listening.

 

For the latest news and volunteer opportunities, visit links below:

 

MCC (Mennonite Central Committee): mcccanada.ca

MCEC (Mennonite Church Eastern Canada): mcec.ca

MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service): mds.mennonite.net

DECEMBER edition of On the Level:  https://conta.cc/4rYv4RW

MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates): www.meda.org

 

Attendance Practices at Valleyview

 

Scent-Free Zone: Severe Scent Allergy

Valleyview is a scent-free zone as many participants have strong reactions to scented products. Please refrain from using all scented products: cologne, perfume, hairspray, hand and body lotion.

No Peanuts: Allergy Alert

Some members in attendance experience serious peanut allergy. Please refrain from bringing, eating, or serving any food labelled as containing peanuts or with warning May contain peanuts .

Masking Policy at Valleyview

Please wear a facemask if you feel more comfortable and remember to stay home if you are not feeling well.