General

Christmas Eve Worship – Friday December 24, 2021 at 8pm

January 9, 2022

This Christmas Eve, our worship service will be at 8pm on Zoom and YouTube. We planned a musical service, filled with anthems as well as some carols, and it is wonderful to have Matt joined by eight distanced singers to enrich our musical experience.

We will have a time when candles are lit for our prayers for the world this Christmas Eve. If you wish, you might bring one or more candles to your screens with you, and light them along with either the Advent and Christ candles, or the candles during the prayers, so that our screens are lit by the glow of candlelight.

However you share in worship this evening or in the week ahead: Merry Christmas! May the light and love of Christ shine in your lives this day and every day.

Leaside United on YouTube

Christmas Eve for All Ages

Here are two short videos telling the Christmas Story. Advent Unwrapped (by the United Church of Canada) has shared a 3 1/2 minute Colouring Storybook retelling, plus here is last year’s 9 1/2 minute Christmas Eve for the Littlest Ones:

Looking Ahead:


Join us this Sunday, December 26 on Zoom for a time of conversation and a “highlights” Christmas service.

Then, on January 2nd, we welcome guest preacher Rev. Sarah Yoon for the service “What is our resolution?” along with a few more favourite Christmas carols.

Fourth Sunday of Advent – Love

December 20, 2021

This Sunday is the final Sunday of Advent, and we will be lighting the candle of Love.

As you might know, we have been having some livestream challenges, so this Sunday we will have a second service viewing time at 1:30pm on Zoom and YouTube, should our livestream not be up to the task on Sunday morning. We will update you on Zoom and add a note in the YouTube description should this be the case.

Our In the Wild service at 3pm Sunday will happen with carols led by Matt on guitar. Please pay particular attention to dressing for the weather, wearing masks properly, and maintaining a good distance if you are planning on attending.

Then, on Christmas Eve join us online at 8pm for a beautiful musical celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Stories and Makers Nest:

Watch the Stories and Makers Nest at 9:55am on Zoom, or any time on YouTube.

Updated COVID Safe Guidelines

December 7, 2021

Pre-registration to attend Sunday in-person worship service is not required. The only exception where pre-registration will be required is our upcoming Christmas Eve 8:00 p.m. service (more information to follow).

While we do not yet have an in-person children’s program, children 11-years-old and younger are welcome to attend and stay with their family during the service. Children may borrow books or colouring materials to use during the service from the children’s area, and one family may choose to use the children’s area rather than being seated in the pews.

Please follow these guidelines for in-person worship in order to keep the experience as COVID safe as possible:

  • If you are attending in-person worship and 12-years-old or older, you must show proof of vaccination at the door every time or have a medical exemption (you must speak to Emily Gordon in advance about a medical exemption).
  • If you have any COVID symptoms, have had contact with a known COVID case, or are waiting for the results of a COVID test you must stay and worship at home.
  • Wear a mask at all times while in the church.
  • Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the service to show proof of vaccination, complete Sign-in/Wellness form and find your seat. 
  • Use provided hand sanitizer.
  • If needed, pick up a headset at the Sign-in table.
  • Maintain social distancing from those not in your bubble, whenever possible.
  • Seating is available in every second pew.
    • One household – maximum of 6 people per pew;
    • Two households – spaced with a maximum 3/4 people per pew (dependent on comfort level of individuals);
    • Choir Leads must be at least 2 metres from attendees, please do not sit in front row seats.
  • To provide one-way directional movement everyone:
    • Use Main Millwood Rd ramp/entrance to enter;
    • Take coat/jacket/boots to your pew as windows are open;
    • Remain seated until service ends;
    • Exit pew by pew via the McRae Dr doors (unless an elevator is required located at the Millwood Rd Entrance).
  • During in-person worship, please remain seated during hymns and do not sing but if you would like please hum.
  • If you wish to speak to other attendees, you are invited to exit the building first, and do so on the lawn.

Please speak to Anne Raby or Emily Gordon(emily@leasideuc.com or 647-303-6709) if you have any questions about the in-person worship option.

December 7, 2021