What if joy is already growing?

Hey there SCC Family !

Welcome to The Bridge Weekly Vol 2. Issue 51! 
Christmas is one week away, which somehow makes everything feel louder and faster all at once. Sunday’s reflection offered a gentle interruption. Slow the pace. Pay attention. As Tracy shared, joy does not arrive fully formed. It grows quietly as faith deepens and as we make room for God’s work in everyday life. Advent invites us to pause long enough to notice what is already taking shape beneath the surface.

Pre-Service Prayer
Our prayer team is available from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. before the service each Sunday. If you have a prayer need or would like someone to pray with you, you’re invited to meet the team near the Prayer Room in the Great Room. It’s a simple way to quiet your heart, settle your thoughts, and open yourself to God’s presence before the morning begins.

This Sunday is the fourth week of Advent, and the focus is Love. Joel will be speaking as we reflect on the love of God revealed through Jesus. It is a love that does not shift with circumstances or depend on our response. Advent invites us to slow down and notice how God’s love meets us right where we are, steady and faithful, even when we struggle to trust it. As Christmas approaches, we’ll take time to consider how receiving God’s love reshapes the way we see Him, ourselves, and one another.

Jesus did not begin at Bethlehem. He stepped into our world from eternity to redeem and reign forever. We invite you to join us on Christmas Eve at 4 pm as we celebrate the One who has always been with us. Please note that this service will be an in-person gathering only and will not be streamed.

As the year draws to a close, we want to say thank you for the generosity that continues to support the life and ministry of SCC. Your giving has been a steady encouragement and a tangible expression of trust in what God is doing among us. If you are planning end-of-year giving and would like it included on your 2025 tax receipt, gifts need to be received or postmarked by December 31. Thank you for partnering with us in caring for our church family, serving our city, and investing in the work God has entrusted to us.

Colby’s Next Step | How We Can Help

Kathy Mainse from World Embrace, the ministry base where Colby will be moving to serve in January, reached out to him with a few practical needs for their base and the Lookout Café. The café is one of the self-sustaining businesses they operate, offering a welcoming space for the local community, as well as expats and missionaries. By helping cover many of the base’s operating costs, it allows most donations to go directly toward ministry projects. This is a meaningful way for our church family to support the work Colby will soon be part of. If you have any of the items below at home or happen to spot them while out and about, bringing them in would be a real gift. White linens are preferred so they can be easily bleached. Items can be dropped off at SCC during office hours. Items needed:

Nativity: Night of Music returns to the Harbourfront Theatre on December 22 at 6:30 p.m. There are still tickets available! This community production brings the Christmas story to life through music, movement, and a cast of children. There will also be a special performance at St. Paul’s Parish this Sunday night, December 21 at 4:00 p.m., and no tickets are required for that performance.

We are grateful to the Summerside Christian Council, the Harbourfront Theatre, and St. Dunstan’s University for partnering with us to share this story with our wider community.

For details or to reserve seats, visit harbourfronttheatre.com or call the box office at 902-888-2500.

Hearing God Course
God still speaks, and learning to recognize His voice is part of following Jesus. Beginning Sunday, January 18, this five-week course creates space to grow in clarity, confidence, and discernment as we explore how God speaks through Scripture, prayer, community, and everyday life. Each week includes a different teacher, simple practices, and time to listen together in a relaxed, supportive setting. Drawing from trusted voices, the course offers practical tools you can carry into daily life. Registration is open, and you’re invited to come curious, attentive, and ready to listen.

Money Matters | A Practical Conversation About Finances
Money Matters is a casual, conversation-style workshop designed for anyone wanting a clearer, steadier approach to finances. It takes place on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. and features short, approachable talks followed by open Q and A. Topics include budgeting, debt, savings, and tithing, shared in a low-pressure, non-judgmental environment. The evening will be hosted by Darren Stretch, with contributions from Temba Ngwenya, Scott Nash, Ron Goddard, and Don DesRoches. Light refreshments will be provided to keep the atmosphere relaxed and welcoming.

Advent love is unhurried. It meets us without demanding attention and stays present without needing to prove itself. This week, consider where you might soften your pace enough to notice God’s love already at work. Rest can be as simple as staying with that awareness for a few quiet moments and letting it shape how you move through the day.

Looking to get more involved? Joining a team is a great way to build community, discover your strengths, and help others experience Jesus along the way. From making coffee to running slides, greeting at the door to helping with kids—there’s a place for you. Let’s find it together.

There’s always something taking shape at SCC—and we’d love for you to be part of it. From upcoming events to ways to serve and grow, our website is the best place to explore what’s happening. Take a look and find your next step.

Thanks for being part of what God is building here. We love walking this out with you—and we’ll see you Sunday.

P.S. Joy often forms beneath the surface. A small pause this Advent can help us notice God’s love at work.