Announcements for December 2, 2018

Transcription

1 ELLINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH A Congregation of the United Church of Christ phone: (860) fax: (860) sec-eccucc@sbcglobal.net Web site: Church Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Mon. Fri. Announcements for December 2, 2018 WELCOME Welcome to all our visitors, friends and members. If you are visiting for the first time, please sign our guest book in the Narthex. Please join us downstairs in the Social Room for a time of Fellowship and Coffee after the 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services this morning. Large Print Worship Bulletins and Bibles are available for people with special vision needs. Please speak to an Usher for the use of one of these Bibles and a copy of the Bulletin. Children s Bulletins are available. Children of all ages are invited to remain in church with their parents. If it becomes necessary to leave during the worship service, please use the door at the rear of the sanctuary. And please, as best as you are able, try to step out during hymns or other active times, so as to respect the worship experience of your neighbors. Thank you. Cradle Roll is located in room 102 for infants and toddlers during the 10:30 am service. Subject to change. NEXT SUNDAY: SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT SENIOR CHOIR CANTATA THE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS December 9, 2018 LAST WEEK Last Sunday s Attendance 8:45 A.M :30 A.M. 133 Sunday School 43 Last Sunday s Offering Loose $ Pledge $2, Please do your best to keep your pledge current. Your giving makes such a difference. This morning s floral arrangement is given by Dianne and Bob Durgan in loving memory of Dianne s father, Daniel W. Earle and Bob s father, Alvin Durgan. Thank you!

2 THIS WEEK S CALENDAR FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT COMMUNION SUNDAY 8:45 9:30 Worship TELOS Basket Raffle Ticket Sales 10:30 11:30 Worship & SS TELOS Basket Raffle Ticket Sales 11:45 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:15 Sr. Bells Chime Choir Jr. Choir Jr. Bells TELOS Leaders Meeting 6:30 TELOS Meeting Mon 4:30 WF Executive Mtg. 6:30 Troop 96/SR & 103 Tues 10:00 Prayer Group Wed Thur 1:00 Friendship Class 6:45 Growth & Nurture 7:00 BCE 7:00 Diaconate Church Office Closing at 11:00am 6:00 Cub Scout Pack 96 7:00 Sr. Choir Fri 7:00 AA Sat 8:00 MF Meet for Breakfast Prep 9:00 Santa Breakfast 9:30 Cantata Rehearsal 1:00 TELOS Dinner Set-up Meeting dates and times are subject to change. TODAY S GATEKEEPERS Greeter(s): 10:30 Carolyn Bunick Welcomer: 10:30 Lay 8:45 Reader: 10:30 Deacon(s): 8:45 10:30 Usher(s): 8:45 10:30 Claudia Steele Lyn Allen Sharon Gluhosky Richard Parker Andrew Koehnke John Bellezza Dave Redekas Laurie Hazleton Dottie Marshall Peggy Falcetta Alicia Forst Jol Sprowles CALENDAR (continued) SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT SENIOR CHOIR CANTATA THE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS 8:45 Worship 9:30 TELOS Basket Raffle Ticket Sales 10:30 Worship & SS 11:30 TELOS Basket Raffle Ticket Sales & Turkey Dinner 11:45 3:30 4:00 Sr. Bells Chime Choir Jr. Choir Play Rehearsal Jr. Bells 5:00 At all times the church answering machine provides instructions for urgent call service. Please call the Church at and listen to the directions provided on the answering machine.

3 Stewardship 2019 Reminder Pledge cards were received on Sunday, November 11 th ~ during the Consecration Sunday Worship services. PLEASE return your pledge card by using the envelope provided or by mail as soon as possible if you were not in attendance on the 11 th. You may also leave your pledge envelope in the Church Office. Make your pledge online at CLICK ON Adult Ministry CLICK ON Giving CLICK ON Pledging - complete form CLICK ON Submit. The Church Office will send an acknowledgement. The goal is to submit all 2019 Pledge Cards by TODAY so figures are available to move forward with the Budget/Annual Report. Thank you for your prayerful consideration! The Stewardship Committee. Blank pledge packets are available in the Narthex if you would like to consider a pledge. TELOS Can & Bottle Redemption Drive Year Round! Thank you to everyone that has been supporting this TELOS project over the years we greatly appreciate the cans and bottles. PLEASE NOTE the indoor receptacle boxes have moved to the elevator alcove off the social room you may now sort by plastic, cans and glass. Quicker, easier and more room. TELOS Basket raffle tickets will be available for purchase after and between services this morning and running through December 9 th. Drawings for the basket raffle will take place after dinner on December 9 th. Annual Holiday Turkey Dinner Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 NOON ~ Social Room Sponsored & Cooking by TELOS Adults $7, Children $3 Thank you for supporting our youths Mission work.

4 NAME TAGS: There are many new guests among ECC this Advent/Christmas season with all the special services. Please assist with wearing a name tag. Fall into a pattern by wearing yours. Need a permanent one? Contact the church office by , phone or request form found in the Narthex. Wearing a name tag is greatly appreciated! (Sticky name tags available in the Narthex.) PRAYER CONCERNS - During The Gathering of the Community, please clearly PRINT a Prayer Request Form that can be found in the pew rack. When the Deacon on Duty comes around with the microphone you are encouraged to state your prayer concern aloud. Give the completed form to the Deacon or drop it in one of the Prayer Concerns Baskets at the front or back of the church as you exit and this will be used to provide information to the church secretary for our Prayer List. Admire Respect Enjoy! Let us all help ECC sparkle. If you see something that is in need of repair, cleaning, moved, replaced, painting, etc., please stop by, call or the church office with the information so a Clean/Maintenance Request Form can be completed and submitted to the Board of Trustees for review. Thank you! PLEASE remember when paying your offering by check to write your envelope/giving number on the memo line. This number is located at the top right hand corner of your giving statement, or call the church office if you are unsure. Thank you. Fragrance Sensitivity - For many people being exposed to perfumes, colognes and chemicals can pose a serious health risk. Please be considerate of your neighbor and think before you apply. Thank you! SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, March 23, A Taste of Germany! Remember the wonderful and special event that was An Evening in Vienna? A second event is being planned which will bring the special foods and music of Germany to ECC. Watch for more details and don't miss out on this fabulous array of food and entertainment led by Chef Roland Schneider.

5 Join Us for Friendship Class The Friendship Class meets the first Tuesday of the month at 1pm in Room 201 September thru June. December 4 th at 1:00 PM Mercy & Justice in the Criminal Justice System Pastor Amie will share her experience as a mentor to a person who is incarcerated in the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk as a result of the class she took last year at Andover Newton Theological School on this topic. Amie hopes you will come with an openness to new learning that is perhaps outside of your frame of reference. All are welcome! Should you have any questions about the Friendship Class, please contact Dianne Durgan at Wednesday Evening Faith Formation Forum. one-hour discussion starting at 7pm in room 201 and will conclude with a brief observance of the sacrament of Holy Communion. If you like, please join us at 6pm with a potluck fellowship time. Second date: December 12 th - Topic: What do we do about Mary, Jesus Mother? Some Christians call her the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God, what do we call her? And why? Some people pray to her and through her, why do they do that? And why don t we do that? What does scripture teach about Mary? Does it matter how we think about Mary? We will discuss the various ways the different parts of the church today regard Mary. And any other issues or questions you have about her. We hope that this will be an invigorating discussion, that will inform your growth as a person of faith. Come for the fellowship meal, or come just for the discussion and communion. You are warmly invited to participate! INCLEMENT WEATHER Please be advised for Sunday and Wednesday Faith Formation delays and closings due to inclement weather, visit or watch the WFSB Channel 3 bottom screen streamer. The Church Office follows the Ellington Public School Closings and Delays schedule.

6 ALL CHURCH CHRISTMAS POT-LUCK Now that December is here, Women s Fellowship invites all of the church to the 3 rd Annual Christmas Pot-Luck and Yankee Swap on Tuesday, December 11 th at 5:30 p.m. Once again Last Name Beginning with A M Please bring salads Last Name Beginning with N Z Please bring hot dish / casseroles Beverages and Desserts will be provided And don t forget your wrapped gift for the Yankee Swap. It is always an enjoyable evening, so come!!! 2019 SANCTUARY FLOWER ORDERS The flowers we enjoy in worship each week are donated by church members and friends to celebrate, honor or remember loved ones. The 2019 Flower Chart is available in the Narthex, please consider signing up to provide sanctuary flowers for a week that is meaningful to you. When you do choose a date, it will be required that a YELLOW SANCTUARY FLOWER CARD and PAYMENT be turned in to the Church Office at the time of sign-up. The cost for flowers for 2019 will remain the same as 2018 ~ $35.00, which includes delivery to the church. The person ordering the flowers will have the responsibility of the flowers after the last morning service of the date chosen. Therefore, you are invited to take your flowers home with you or you may deliver them to a sick or shut-in person or someone you wish to have them. No Sanctuary Flowers, Poinsettia or Easter Flower orders will be accepted without payment. Thank you.

7 Complimentary 2019 calendars are located in the Narthex and outside the church office mail box area if you would like one. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sacred Stitches Ministry meets once a month on the second Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join us. Bring your sewing kit and sewing machine and a bag lunch. Patterns for quilts are available. If you have questions, call Judy White, or Peg Doffek, Happy Sewing and see you on December 10 th! Pledge Receipts 2018 From the Financial Secretaries During December there are two special giving occasions, the first being the Christmas Offering going towards the general needs of the church. The second is the Pastor s Discretionary Fund taken only during the Christmas Eve services. Christmas Offering envelopes, regardless of how/when they are received, go to Christmas Appeal/Church General Fund. Only cash/checks marked PDF on Christmas Eve go to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund. If a check comes in on Christmas Eve with a giving number, that check will be credited to that persons pledge account. We cannot read your mind regarding which mission you wish to support, but want to advise you of how we handle the offerings. The last day that donations for the 2018 year will be deposited is 8 AM, December 31, Any donations received after that date, even if postmarked before December 31, will be applied in January 2019 in accordance with church accounting practice. Thank you for your attention and understanding. Jon Allen and John Bird

8 SHOPPING CART REQUEST For the month of DECEMBER Hot or Cold Cereal Canned Soup especially: Cream of Mushroom Cream of Chicken Chicken Noodle Tomato Canned Green Beans Canned Corn Canned Fruit Dessert Mixes 5 th Sunday, December 30 th Cornerstone Collection 13 gallon (size) tall kitchen plastic bags ON-GOING PANTRY STOCK Canned Tuna; Canned Soup; Canned Spam; Boxed Macaroni & Cheese Thank you for your generosity!

9 The 2018 Christmas Wish Tree Is for Our Local Food Banks BIG Y or Stop & Shop $25.00 GIFT CARD The CHRISTMAS WISH TREE may be found in the Narthex Now thru December 9 th. Tags displayed on the tree ask for $25 BIG Y or STOP & SHOP GIFT CARDS. THIS IS IMPORTANT: Please attach the Activation receipt to the gift card. If you are able, please take a tag or two to help provide for those in need this Holiday Season. Please drop-off your purchase each Sunday in the bag provided at the Christmas Wish Tree. Your generosity will benefit the clients who greatly depend on the Crystal Lake Community Food Pantry, the Ellington Food Bank and the Cornerstone Food Cupboard. This is a Vital Holiday Supplement to our on-going SHOPPING CART MINISTRY. We Wish You and Your Family a Blessed Christmas Season. -The Board of Missions

10 Breakfast with Santa Presented by the Ellington Congregational Church Men s Fellowship Saturday, Dec. 8 th 9AM Enjoy a delicious pancake & sausage breakfast with all the fixings ~ Bring your camera & capture the moment of your child s special visit with Santa. ~ Story Time with Santa's Elves ~ Sign up on the poster at the back entrance of the church on the bulletin board ~ Donations accepted and appreciated! Men s Fellowship Meeting: December 8 th Meet early for Pancake Breakfast Prep

11 Celebrate Advent and Christmas with Family, Friends and Ellington Congregational Church! All Are Always Welcome Sunday, December 9 th ~ Second Sunday of Advent 8:45 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Worship ~ Senior Choir presents The Glory of Christmas A Christmas Musical composed by Lloyd Larson Sunday, December 16 th ~ Third Sunday of Advent 8:45 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Christmas Pageant, All Church Family Worship The Christmas Express Presented by the Junior Choir Friday, December 21 st ~ 7:00 p.m. Blue Christmas Service Holidays are not always a merry or happy time for everyone. Come join us for a service of comfort, healing and hope. Blue Christmas or the Longest Night Service Christmas is a wonderful time of year! It can also be lonely, exhausting, frustrating, depressing. Our lives have been touched by losses that create pain in the midst of the celebrating. Of course, what makes it worse is that those feelings and thoughts are antithetical to what is being portrayed all around us: joy to the world and have yourself a merry little Christmas. So your pastors invite you to a quiet prayerful evening of reflection and worship. Friday, December 21 st at 7pm your pastors invite you to participate in a worship service that acknowledges the painful aspects of the holiday season. We will acknowledge the difficult emotions, as well as, find ways toward God s joy deep within us. Sunday, December 23 rd ~ Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:30 a.m. (only one service), Bell Sunday, All Church Family Worship Monday, December 24 th ~ Christmas Eve Worship Services 5:00 p.m. A Family Service Featuring the Cherub Choir, Junior Choir, Junior Bell Choir and the Chime Choir

12 7:00 p.m. A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with the Sacrament of Holy Communion Featuring the Senior Choir and the Senior Bell Choir 11:00 p.m. A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with the Sacrament of Holy Communion Sunday, December 30 th ~ First Sunday after Christmas 10:30 a.m. (only one service) All Church Family Worship Sunday, January 6, 2019 ~ Epiphany ~ All Church Family Worship 8:45 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. ~ Communion Sunday Offering envelopes for 2019 will be available in the Narthex soon. If you are not currently using offering envelopes or a giving number, and would like to, please or call the Church Office at to make arrangements. Thank you! Somers Congregational Church hosting the Shoreline Ringers Christmas concert Saturday, December 8 at 7:00 PM Admission is free; a suggested donation is $10 reception following the concert Directed by Jane Nolan, the Shoreline Ringers are a top-level community handbell choir, ringing five octaves of Malmark handbells, and seven octaves of Malmark hand chimes. They have played at Carnegie Hall with the U. S. Coast Guard Band for their Christmas program and for the WFSB Joy for the Kids. They create remarkably subtle and dynamic textures and moods and can make popular, classical and jazzy works all come to life. Advanced techniques and rhythms are presented with ease and assurance. The concert has something for everyone from 7 to 97, and is perfect for setting the holiday atmosphere of joy and good will. Thank you and have a joyful Christmas! Bill Kirkpatrick Music and Arts Committee