Sunday School Communion: Eleanor will celebrate Holy Communion next Sunday, November 22nd, in Sunday school grades 1-5. Please let Sue Ransom know if you do NOT want your child to participate.
Geezers’ Klub Delayed: We will not meet this month due to some pre-Thanksgiving conflicts with the EOC’s Extra Helpings program.
Thanks to all who contributed their effort to the Fall Cleanup yesterday. We couldn’t have done it without you! Taking care of the church property is another example of good stewardship. A special thanks to the Trustees who take on this task.
Thanks to all who donated to, bought from or helped with last week’s Youth Group Rummage Sale. We raised $3,140 for the youth groups, which will use that money to buy Christmas gifts for children registered with the Empty Stocking Project as well as supplies and materials for future work camps.
The YAHAs meet for their monthly luncheon on Tuesday, November 17th, at 1pm at Longfellows Restaurant. Rev. Tom Davis, retired Skidmore Chaplain and Professor of Religion, will be our guest. He will provide us some interesting thoughts on the subject of “the Christian and the outsider,” particularly appropriate to our celebration of the Thanksgiving season. If you have any questions regarding attending a YAHA luncheon, please call Joe Elliot, Don Richards or Joe Zanchelli.
Just Who IS Jesus After All? In preparation for Advent, Eleanor is hosting a 5-week discussion group today to explore the person, mission and message of Jesus of Nazareth. The group will meet from 12:15 to 1:15pm (right after church) in the Nolan House Chapel, watch segments from the “Living the Questions” DVD – which includes a variety of top-level theologians and biblical historians – before discussing how what we know, learn and believe about Jesus affects our experience as Christians. No RSVP necessary. You can jump into the discussion at any week.
Our Annual Advent Breakfast and Wreath Making will be held on Sunday, November 29th at 9:15am in the Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited. The Johnsons and the Meehans have volunteered to make breakfast. Scrambled eggs, French toast, sausage, juice, regular and decaf coffee, hot chocolate and milk will be available for the bargain donation of $3 for adults, $2 for Sr. Citizens and teens, $1 for children 4-12 years or a family maximum of $8. After breakfast each family can make an Advent wreath and then light the first candle during the worship service. After the worship service, you can bring the wreath home to use as part of your own Advent celebration. A booklet with services to use when lighting the candles at home will be available.
To make the wreath you will need to bring an advent wreath form, four candles and decorations. The advent wreath form is available at AC Moore. Be sure to specify an ADVENT wreath form, which comes with four candleholders built in. If you cannot find an advent wreath form, you can bring four candleholders, clay or playdoh. Don’t forget to bring a tray to hold your wreath. The candles can be any color, but the traditional colors are 3 purple and 1 pink.
The wreath is surrounded by evergreens. If you have access to evergreens of any kind please bring some. You can trim your shrubs, bring the extra cut from your Christmas tree, or gather some from nearby woods. We will put them all together and share. You will need clippers to cut the greens.
The Christian Education Committee is looking for people to help with the breakfast. At 8am, we need to set up the tables, chairs, buffet line and make coffee. (Energetic young people are always appreciated!) Clean up begins at 10am. The Fellowship Hall needs to be swept, tables removed and chairs set up ready for the worship service. If you can help, call Sue in the church office.
Tree Trimming Party: The traditional sanctuary tree-trimming party will be held on Sunday, December 6th from 6:30 - 8pm. We begin in the Fellowship Hall with a potluck dessert. Please bring your favorite dessert to share; beverages will be provided. After sampling the delicious desserts, we will make ornaments and decorate the sanctuary tree. Once the tree is trimmed it’s time to sing! We begin with secular favorites and end with sacred carols. This is an evening of food, fun and fellowship for all ages. Hope you can join us as we ring in the Christmas season.
Poinsettia Sale: The Deacons will be taking orders for Christmas Poinsettias on November 22nd, November 29th and December 8th. The cost is $10 each. The flowers will decorate our church and will be available for pick up after church on Sunday, December 20th. The profit from the sales allows us to provide a plant to our “shut-ins.” Any additional money will be benefit Rural Food Delivery. Thank you for your support.
Heifer Project: our annual Heifer International project is now accepting your donations. Gifts to Heifer make wonderful holiday gifts for everyone, especially when you've run out of ideas for someone who doesn't need another necktie or bottle of cologne, plus you'll be enabling someone around the world to begin a better life. A Heifer table will be in the church foyer every Sunday through December 20th or you may contact the church office during the week. We look forward to completing our church's 12th ark!
Church Phone Book: Help yourself an updated “mini” church phone directory in the rear of the church. All church families are welcome to take one.
Donate Used Cell Phones: Please bring your old cell phones to church to be recycled! Donating your phone to a local SADD chapter not only helps protect the environment, it also aids victims of domestic violence while raising funds to support Students Against Destructive Decisions. Jim Doern and Miriam Davis-Doern will be collecting the phones during coffee hour until May 1st.
