We acknowledge that Knox Waterloo is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Neutral Peoples. Read the full Territorial Acknowledgement.

Third Sunday of Advent, Sunday, December 12th at 10am
Theme: A Home for All (JOY)
Featuring the music of the Knox Chancel Choir
This Sunday we wonder about how to build a home for all. John the Baptist’s good news sounds harsh, but he preaches a home for all—where inequities are banished, valleys are lifted up, and all have the resources they need for collective flourishing. Ultimately, John’s message is one of joy. We are called to collectively build and repair the structures of our society; we are called to be kin-dom builders. Wherever we build, God is there. What we build should be a place with a large table and room for all.
The service will include several Advent & Christmas themed special music pieces by the Knox Chancel Choir and some worship arts presentations from our LOGOS Grades 1-3 and Junior High Groups.
Focus Scripture passage for this week: Luke 3: 1-18
Download this week’s bulletin.
Listen on 98.5 CKWR FM radio.

COVID Health & Safety Requirements & Masking Reminders

Knox Waterloo requires proof of full vaccination for those wishing to attend worship and programs at Knox. Individuals who cannot be fully vaccinated or are not able to provide proof of full vaccination may be admitted access to Sunday worship only provided a negative result of an on-site rapid test which will be administered by a volunteer. Tests require 15 minutes to complete.

Other important information:

    • Masks will be required to be worn at all times by congregants.
    • Social distancing in the building will be maintained.
    • Seating reservation procedures will continue.
A reminder and encouragement about proper masking:
A reminder that masks are required to be worn for the duration of your attendance in worship and participation in Knox programs. Proper masking means that your mask be worn covering your nose, mouth and chin. As COVID cases in Ontario rise, we encourage you to wear triple layer masks, medical masks, KN95 or N95 masks. Masks help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
These measures will permit congregational singing during services.
The Session of Knox Waterloo believes these measures reflect our call to be both a safe and inclusive community.
Knox Community News
The flowers in the sanctuary are provided by Janis Randall Simpson in loving memory of:

(Richard) Bruce Simpson
(May 26, 1940 – December 11, 2020)
 
We were saddened to learn of the death of Edi Stevens on December 3rd. A private funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 11th at 11:00 am. You are welcome to join the family for Edi’s service via live stream. Please remember Bill and their families in your prayers as they experience this deep loss.

Advent Conversations through zoom; 2 options weekly throughout Advent: Tuesdays at 10:30 am OR Wednesdays at 7:30 pm 

Join us throughout Advent for our conversations using the art and poetry of Sanctified Art paired with the scriptures of each week of the Advent season. Hugh and Courtney will offer an opportunity to engage in study, reflection, and conversation about the weekly themes of Advent. You can join in each week or a week at a time. The accompanying Advent devotional, with the artwork and poetry, will be emailed out next week; contact the office if you need a printed copy. Choose one of the two time options that works best with your availability.
Click HERE to download the daily devotional.
Click HERE to register for the online Advent Conversations.

Longest Night Worship Service – Tuesday, December 21st at 7 pm

For those who have experienced loss, the holidays can be a particularly painful time, stirring up grief in acute ways. The Longest Night service provides a candle-lit space for prayer, reflection, and remembrance amidst the holiday hustle and bustle for all of us. In the midst of these pandemic days there is a collective grief too and gathering together for this focused time of worship brings hope and healing for us all.
Together we will hear personal stories of grief, journeys toward healing, and finding hope, from members of our community: Sharon Feldmann, Heather Purdy & Jarvis and Susan Sheridan, about the loss of a loved one, the loss of employment, struggles related to health. Together, may we find home in God’s healing presence.
Lighting of Candles
Candles will be lit and placed on the communion table during the Longest Night service. If you would like to have a candle lit on your behalf during the service, drop Charlene an email. There is no need to explain what your candle symbolizes, and names will not be said publicly during the lighting. May it bring you some comfort and peace simply to know that one of the candles will be yours.
Registration to join us in person is now open HERE or watch on livestream or listen on 98.5 CKWR radio.
CARING KITCHEN – A NEW Knox Initiative

Homelessness in Waterloo Region has skyrocketed in recent years. A regional report states that 1,085 people are experiencing homelessness in Waterloo region, up from 333 people in 2018.

Last Sunday, The Working Centre, in partnership with the Region of Waterloo and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kitchener, launched an overnight shelter at St. Andrew’s which can accommodate up to 50 people, 7 nights a week. Here is an article on the initiative.

Hot meals are being provided by The Working Centre on weekdays, which leaves a need for local congregations and supporters to provide dinner on weekends.

The minister of St. Andrew’s, the Rev. Marty Molengraaf, reached out to Knox Waterloo asking for help with this ministry. On Tuesday, December 7, the Session of Knox Waterloo expressed support for this initiative. Knox has committed to provide hot food, one day per weekend, for the duration of the project. Enthusiastic Knox volunteers got to work and provided the first meal last Sunday evening, on the opening night of the centre.

How can you help?
    • Volunteer to be a part of the Caring Kitchen at Knox by shopping for, preparing, or delivering meals. Email Vaughn if you are interested.
    • Volunteer to work on-site at St. Andrew’s for the 6-9 AM or 6-9 PM shifts. Contact shelter@standrewskw.com for more information.
    • Sponsor a meal! Donate $100 to Knox, marking your donation Caring Kitchen. But any donation amount will be accepted gratefully.

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” ― Teresa of Avila (16th cent.)

In-Person Gr. 7-12 Youth Sunday School @ 10 am

RSVP to Carole and come straight up to the Knox Room when you arrive
Pre-school to grade 6 will remain online until further notice.

Cookies-in-a-Jar? 

Good news! We have a few extra jars available for sale at $10/jar. Contact  Vaughn, the Knox office, or call (519) 886-4150 to place an order. Vaughn, Kathy, Jeff and the LOGO’s Junior High youth thank you for supporting this initiative!

Advent Gifts

This year we are supporting The Healing of the Seven Generations. To provide financial donations, call 519-570-9118 or send an e-transfer to: donnadubie@healingofthesevengenerations.ca (be sure to specify in your e-transfer that it is a donation). Alternatively, donations can be dropped off at Knox in the Advent Gifts Box until December 19th. Donations accepted are limited to the following:

    • Toiletry products
    • Non-perishable food items
    • Household toiletries and cleaning supplies
    • Personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, shields, sanitizer)
    • Snacks, treats, and small activity packs for kids
    • Sanitary products for menstruation

Advent and Christmas books are available for borrowing in the Knox Library.  Follow the links for a list of suggested titles.

Alternative Gifts

This year, give gifts with meaning. By making a donation in honour of a friend, teacher, or loved one, you can help to make a difference in the world through the PWS&D Gifts of Change catalogue. Giving a gift through these options is a unique way to carry out life-changing programs that are responding to needs both here at home and worlds away. Complete your online donation and fill out the ‘In Tribute’ section and a card will be sent on your behalf.
Gifts of Change

This Week @ Knox – Deadline for Announcements
We do our best to ensure that TW@K goes out on Thursday.
If you would like to make an announcement, please send your submissions to Charlene.
Deadline for announcements: Wednesday @ 11:00 am.
We reserve the right to edit!

Knox In-Person Worship

Knox is open for in-person worship! You will need to reserve your seat online and follow health and safety protocols. Once again, if you have difficulties with the online registration system, give the office a call.

FINAL THOUGHT…

“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou

Make a Gift to Knox

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