Elgin Portland United Church Council
Announcements
Happy Birthday to Carl Leggett, may he have an enjoyable, special day.
Why was the shopper crying uncontrollably? They missed the Elgin United Church online auction. Don’t you do the same. The EUC online auction starts on Facebook November 26th and runs to December 3rd. Items will be posted on Elgin United Church Facebook page on opening day. Check in and bid often.
An Elgin United Church congregational meeting is called for immediately after church November 30th to address replacement of the tile flooring.
Elgin Build a Mountain of Food will take place on Saturday, November 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. So many are struggling to put food on the table this year, and this annual event is essential for collecting supplies for the Christmas hampers and filling the shelves at the Foodbank. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!! If you can help out for a shift, please contact Sue Crump at church@bethelelgin.com
Saturday, December 6 – Portland Build a Mountain 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at Portland LCBO and RBC. Our village of Portland and surrounding area has been amazing over the years, in answering the needs of our community. Your continued support will put food on the tables of so many, who might otherwise go without. Thank you in advance. See you then.
Bible Discussion Groups Monday evening at Portland UC at 6:30 – 7:45 and Tuesday mornings at Guthrie House in Elgin (10 Perth St.) at 10:00-11:30. All are welcome to join in the friendly discussions and fellowship. For more information, contact Jim Barton at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-329-4089.
Mill Bay Court crafters are having a Craft & Bake Sale on Saturday, November 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Portland Community Hall, 24 Water Street
Free Art Classes in the Portland Village – 6-12 yrs. Monday 4:30-6:15 at the Portland Restaurant & Pizzeria.
Visual Art Teacher – Darlene, call to book your spot 905-801-5060.
| YOU ARE INVITED |
Devotional Reflection
November 22, 2025
Great Expectations. That is all I can think about right now. Everywhere I turn – I see it – in the faces of adults, in the smiles of children, in the store employees – every one getting ready for the expected big day that is looming in front of us.
Great Expectations – in myself – to get better, to be more prepared, to do more visitation, to write better devotionals, always pushing the boundaries of potential versus the reality of ability.
Great Expectations – running a craft show, selling the product given at the best price, making the best profit for a very good cause.
Great Expectations – a world, in pain and suffering, crying out for a Messiah, never really taking note that He is in their midst, never realizing He had come and was born to give us, all of
us, a new life!
Great Expectations – What has happened? Where did it all go wrong? How could we have moved so far from the reality of the season?
Great Expectations – Children do not know, they have not even heard, that everything they have is at their fingertips! It is not the expensive gifts that make Christmas, it is not the latest version of the newest gaming console, it is not AI knowledge to do your homework for you.
Great Expectations – Parents, do not know, or they have forgotten, that supplying all this glitter and gold, will not give lasting happiness – but just a fleeting few minutes on a Christmas morning, and a year of trying to pay for it!
Great Expectations – the book most have heard of, written by Charles Dickens, mostly about his own life. It is from there that I give you this quote: “In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.”
Great Expectations – is that quote really me? Too cowardly to do what is right? And too cowardly to avoid doing what I know to be wrong?
When will the madness stop? Who will stop it? Can you live with the consequences of stopping it? Of not stopping it?
Great Expectations – Of course I want my grandchildren to be happy on Christmas morning! But what about every day, that brings us closer to life – eternal life!
Is my reason not of far more value than these earthly desires? Is the eternal life of my family not of more importance? Over many years I have wrestled with this reality.
Great Expectations – I will try again! I will make this Christmas magical again! I will tell more people “Christ the Saviour is Born”, “ Christ gives happiness”, “ And Eternal Life is the gift that keeps on giving!”
You are blessed and loved!
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge