By Betty Guest
Close to 100 people attended the annual Christmas Eve service held in the Yellow Grass United Lutheran Partnership Church.
Judy Beck led a meaningful candelight service, aided by over 30 volunteers who helped to coordinate the event, printed scripts, greeted visitors, printing and handing out of announcement sheets, lighting altar candles, and Advent candles, ringing the bell, reading and taking up the offering, which benefitted the Carmichael Outreach.
There were people who dressed up for the Nativity scene, and a number of people helped them dress and assigned their parts, prepared and presented the power point, lit candles during the service, and handed out candy canes.
Margaret Carmichael sang a beautiful version of the “Christmas Alleluia”, accompanied by Gail Murray. The service ended with the singing of “Silent Night” while the entire congregation held their individual candles.
Gail Murray played piano and Myrna Steer played organ for the service music.
There was a good response to the YGULP mission and outreach projects for Christmas, as six very full bags of non-perishable food items were collected at the church and then delivered to the Salvation Army food bank in Weyburn.
The Mitten Tree project was also successful, with the items delivered to the Carmichael Outreach. The items included one pair of slippers, one pair of leg warmers, one pair of tights, two pair of wrist warmers, three pairs of mitts, five pairs of gloves, 11 toques, 17 scarves and 28 pairs of socks. Many items were hand-knitted. Everything is sure to be appreciated.
Tying of quilts for the Canadian Lutheran World Relief resumed on Jan. 16. Everyone was welcome to come and tie knots, or to just visit. The completed blankets will be packed and taken to Home Hardware in Weyburn. From there they will be taken, free of charge, on a Home Hardware truck to the CLWR warehouse in Winnipeg.
Volunteers will then pack and distribute blankets and other goods to disaster areas in North America and around the world, including to shelters and refugee camps.
The crafts and coffee mornings will continue on Thursday mornings at the Drop-in Centre for the next few months. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Classes at Yellow Grass School resumed on Jan. 6 following the Christmas break. A mentorship activity was held on Jan. 10. The SCC with parents help hosted a hot lunch on Jan. 16. The SCC plans to host a family movie night on Friday, Jan. 24.
The Grades 10-12 students will be writing mid-term exams on Jan. 28-30. There will be no school on Jan. 31, and the first day of the second semester will be on Monday, Feb. 3.
Leading the Sunday morning worship services at YGULP church have been Pastor Martin Olson on Jan. 5, Sharon Elliot on Jan. 12, and Judy Beck led on Jan. 19. Harley Porter will lead the services on Sunday, Jan. 26.
