'I heard the bells on Christmas Day...'

Bells of Christmas Silver bells, jingle bells, sleigh bells...it's hard to imagine Christmas without some sort of chiming or ringing.But bells were not initially part of the holiday celebration.

The first large bell for a Christian church was installed in Italy, about the 5th century A.D., and the custom of Christmas bellringing really didn't become firmly established until the Middle Ages, in England.

In that era, Christmas chimes began at vespers on the first Sunday of Advent and were repeated on successive Sundays. Then, on each of the last three mornings before Christmas, the bells announced the approach of the big day.

From sunset on December 24 to sunset on December 25 bells could be heard every hour. Occasional peals rang out in between hours for no particular reason.

But the most important part of the tolling occurred during the hour before midnight on Christmas Eve, when the bells were rung as if someone were dying. At midnight the death knell changed to a joyous peal, announcing the death of Satan and the birth of the Christ Child.

To the people of the Middle Ages, the sound of the Christmas bells recalled the song of the angels on that first holy night......

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

  1. I heard the bells on Christmas day
    Their old familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet the words repeat
    Of peace on earth good will to men.


  2. I thought how, as the day had come,
    The belfries of all Christendom
    Had roll'd along th'un broken song
    Of peace on earth good will to men.


  3. And in despair I bow'd my head:
    "There is no peace on earth," O said,
    "For hate is strong and mocks the song
    Of peace on earth good will to men.


  4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
    "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
    The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
    With peace on earth good will to men.


    5. Christmas Greetings from the Senior Choir.
    All the best for 2006. To experience the true meaning of Christmas Celebrations join us each Sunday in Advent and on Christmas Eve Services, Saturday, December 24/05 at 6:00pm and 7:30pm for our special Christmas Eve Services.

Wheel Chair Accessible Washroom

We're going to have a little FUN with this special FUN-D-Raiser. Womens' Fellowship has taken on the task of raising funds for the Wheel Chair Accessible Washroom that will be installed in the South East Corner of the Upper Hall, better known as 'The "Old" Secretary's Office,' and I don't mean figuratively either, I mean, it's where the Secretary's office use to be. HA HA!! Our small group of fun loving members have opened a Real Estate Office here at the church.

We have called it "CPC Real Estate" and we're selling 'out houses' so to speak. They can be purchased outright or if you wish go into partnership with others, it can become a 'Time Share'. Every time we reach the predetermined amount we will put a SOLD sign on one of the pieces of Real Estate that is posted on the Bulletin Board at the far end of the Upper Hall near where this prime piece of Real Estate will be installed.

To date we have raised $445.00, $350.00 from the Holly Jolly Craft Show & Sale and $95.00 from the coffee hour held by Diane McEachern a few weeks ago. The proceeds from the Silent Auction and various coffee hours and other FUN-d-raising ventures will go towards this project until we have reached our goal. We haven't got a target figure as yet because there are a few other renovations that we would like to see done that coincide with the washroom renovations. Regular updates will be posted in the regular Sunday bulletins for your information.

Please lend us your support as we take on this project and let's put the FUN back into Fundraising. We would also like to take this time to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas.

SPECIAL NOTATION: The money that was given to the Board of Managers for the washroom by the Womens Club, Special Events and personal donation, will not be included in this FUN-D-Raising Project. The money raised by Women's Fellowship will be given to the Board of Managers when our Goal is reached. Thank you.

* * * *

The Sacrament of Baptism 2005

Sun. Jan. 16/05:
Grace Madelyn Jane Johnson
Daughter of Glenn & Jean Sun.

Mar. 20/05:
Zachary Douglas Ebert
Son of Aaron & Dawna Beth Sun.

Apr. 10/05:
Tristan Lee Walkinshaw
Son of Jason & Angela
Sun. June 26/05:
Christopher Allen Laush (A)
Logan Christopher James Laush
Son of Chris & Kim Sun.

July 3/05:
William Roy Palmer
Son of Kory & Melanie Sun.

July 10/05:
Brandon Andre Slezak
Son of Frank & Kim
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