FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BENZONIA MI

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1 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BENZONIA MI December 2016 FROM OUR INTERIM MINISTER Near the end of September I heard someone talking about acting. I wrote this down: People rearrange their lives to watch an actor who touches them. That s so, isn t it? I ve done it and so have you. For what else will people rearrange their lives? Work? Family? Do people rearrange their lives for their church? Sure, some do. For others, though: Church?! What church? How about this one? We take it for granted, you know, and that s so dangerous. In this time of nearabandonment of churches and other religious institutions in favor of private and individual spiritual practice, the danger is especially sharp and vivid. No matter you own personal preferences, if you call yourself Christian you need a church. As one writer says, Spiritual maturity means you can endure frustration, negotiate conflict and get to the other side of disillusionment with the capacity to hope. No one does that alone or online. As you celebrated Thanksgiving, was this church on your mind? As you prepare for Christmas will you be here for worship on Sundays, or just Christmas Eve? In the new year will you rearrange your life? For what? Why? Don t be afraid, says the Christmas angel. I bring you good news of great joy! To you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord! Good news: great joy, the joy of salvation! You can change. You can grow. Your spirit, mind, and heart can grow. It s hard, though, awfully hard without the church. Time to rearrange? God is good. We re open every Sunday. See you in church (and bring someone with you!). Open House at the Guerrenos Jane and I want to invite the congregation to a Christmas open house, 738 Eden Hill Road on Sunday, December 11, from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Light munchies, punch, wine and beer - nothing terribly fancy, just a way to say Thank you again for the warm and friendly way you ve welcomed us as interim minister and wife. See you then! Dr. Charles Guerreno

2 Page 2 Annual Advent Workshop Sunday, December 4 at 9:00 a.m. Brunch beginning at 9:45 a.m. Fun for all ages! Christmas Crafts Gingerbread Houses Glittery Pinecones Ornaments and Decorations Decorating Christmas Trees Christmas Pageant The Sunday school class will present The Manger during worship service on Sunday, December 11. Get your singing voice tuned up because the congregation s participation will be required. Annual Cookie Walk Sunday, December 11 Immediately following the worship service One-Stop Cookie Shopping! The AIDS Quilt Display Benzie Area Historical Museum The proceeds will be split between a local mission project and a church project. December 4 at 11:30 a.m. Our coffee hour will be held at the museum where four panels from the AIDS Quilt will be on display. Roxane Miner made a block for her son, Andy, that will be shown with three others from the area. Live Nativity December 10 and 11 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

3 Page 3 Giving Tree Tradition Continues Christmas Eve Worship Our Christmas Eve service will be at 9:00 p.m. The choir will be singing and there will be candles and scripture to help us celebrate the birth of Jesus. Please join us for this wonderful service and welcome the birth of our Savior. A busy time of year, but please remember the reason for the season! There will be punch and cookies served after the Christmas Eve service. There will not be a coffee hour after church on Sunday, Christmas Day. I wish to provide a poinsettia plant in memory of: The Giving Tree in Fellowship Hall has tags with gift suggestions for families in Benzie County. Please select a gift tag, sign your name on the appropriate list, purchase and wrap the gift, attach the tag and return to the church by Tuesday, December 13. Contact Chris Gehring at with any questions. Thank you for being part of this long-standing tradition and for your spirit of giving. Poinsettias We will once again order and arrange poinsettia plants in the sanctuary for the Christmas season. If you wish to donate a poinsettia plant, please submit your order no later than Sunday, December 11th. This form may be dropped off in the church office or put in the offering plate. The cost of a poinsettia plant is only $12.00 this year. Or in honor of: (your name) (as you wish to have printed in the Christmas Eve bulletin)

4 Page 4 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Keith Brian 1 Tom Kennard 3 Donovan Haase 5 Courtney Sauer 6 Anne Young 7 Phoebe Vance 8 Roxane Miner 10 Geri Thornell 13 Hal Bruning 13 Shirley Jones 14 Margie Peacock 14 Elisabeth Case 18 Emmeline Wolowiec 18 Michael Call 19 Johnna Milks 20 Rosemary Abbett 20 Mia Jones 27 Steve Walton 28 Brenda Case 29 Kay Bos 30 John Milks 31 David Call 31 Wayne Strom 31 Edward Shigwadja DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 7 Sonny and Esther Rodriguez 21 Alan and Joanne Appelhof 21 Mike and Carolina Jones 22 Andrew and Christy Case 27 Roger and Helen Dewey 29 Bill and Kay Bos REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS THOSE FACING HEALTH CONCERNS: Brenda Case Tom Kennard Ruth Blacklock Nancy Reynolds Judy Herban THOSE IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES: Pink Rearick who is at the Culver Meadows. Mary Hopkins who is at Frankfort Senior Care. Rosemary Miller who is at The Pines Helen Pickard, Pat Forrester, and Hal Bruning who are in Traverse City. UCC Sister Church of the Month As part of our continuing efforts to work together as a community of faith, in worship we pray for UCC churches in our United Northern Association. You are invited in December to pray for the ongoing mission and ministries of First Congregational UCC, in Gaylord. What s New in the Refuge A camel narrates this story of Mary and Joseph fleeing from Bethlehem to Egypt with the baby Jesus after they learn King Herod will seek to kill the infant. It is a reminder that this was a family of immigrants and refugees, journeying under starlight, through empty streets, while people were sleeping, hoping for the kindness of strangers. Again. A refreshing look at this classic Biblical story that s never been more relevant. As you read it with or to your children consider the modern day implications of being forced to flee your home country. The author, Anne Booth, wrote the book to raise money for children fleeing war and conflict today.

5 Page 5 DECEMBER 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SAT :00 NA :00 Advent Workshop 5:00 Love INC 7:00 AA - 10:00 Yoga- 5:30 WAA - 7:00 AA - 4:00 Deacons 7:00 NA - 8:30am Men s Fellowship at Papa Js, Honor 5-7 Live Nativity Cookie Walk 5-7 Live Nativity 11:00 Commodities Distribution 11:30 Bridge Club Luncheon 5:00 Love INC 7:00 AA - 10:00 Yoga- 5:30 WAA - 7:00 AA - 7:00 NA Christmas Fund Offering 5:00 Trustees 7:00 AA / 10:00 Yoga- 5:30 WAA - 7:00 AA - 7:00 NA - Christmas Eve 9:00 pm Worship Christmas Day 7:00 AA - 10:00 Yoga- 5:30 WAA - 7:00 AA - 7:00 NA -

6 First Congregational Church, UCC 901 Barber Street, P.O. Box 234. Benzonia, MI Phone: (231) F I R S T C O N G R E G AT I O N A L CHUR C H, UCC B E N Z O N I A, M I C H I G A N Dr. Charles Guerreno Interim Minister Chris Stone Treasurer Mary Rodriguez Financial Secretary James Sheets...Church Moderator Elizabeth Sheets...Christian Ed Coordinator Tiana Gould Nursery Attendant Rose Dufrane Custodian Nancy Eggleston Secretary Office phone: Office hours: Monday Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Office secretary@benzoniacongregational.org Our Facebook Page: