What s new at. The Olde White Church. Love in Action. For Unto Us a Child Is Born, Unto Us a Son Is Given! - Isaiah 9:6

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2017 What s new at The Olde White Church Love in Action For Unto Us a Child Is Born, Unto Us a Son Is Given! - Isaiah 9:6 Greetings Friends in Christ! It is with profound joy and gratitude that I extend to you my prayers for a most holy and blessed Christmas! During this time of Advent, as we celebrate and anticipate the presence of Christ in our world and in our hearts, I urge us all to find the time in the busiest of seasons to stop and reflect on the gift that is our faith. Our souls are naturally drawn to their Creator and tis the season of praise and adoration to the One who first loved us. It is for this reason that we gather together, now more than ever, to find the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love in this hungry, broken world. Christmas is a time that brings church families together, and here at The Olde White Church, we have many opportunities to celebrate as a family. I extend to all of you an open, grateful heart of welcome to our special Advent and Christmas celebrations. Come and find a renewed sense of unity and joy to carry you into a bright new year of fellowship with your family of faith. Let us come together and raise our hands, hearts, and voices as one family to God who brought us all together. It would fill me with joy to worship with you! May God bless you, your families and loved ones this grace filled season Blessings, The Reverend Doctor Holly Norwick

2 NEWS FROM THE PEWS THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! To Danielle Avery-Desmarais for offering her musical talent in helping to lead worship while Gregg was out of town on November 5. To Shaun Schwarzenbach for his wonderful November Soup Offerings. To Nancy Smalzel, Karen Rebello, Marilyn Marvel, Sara Lundquist and all the helpers who made our Holiday Craft Fair such a success!! It helped to contribute $2,800 to the Church s general budget needs. A huge thank you to Nancy for her co-ordination of the event!! To Cindy & Ed Miranda, Sara Lundquist, Jack Reynolds, and all the volunteers who helped make the 10th Annual Veterans Meat Pie Supper such a success! We were able to give $8,200 in gift cards to Swansea Veterans and their families. To everyone who participated in the Thanksgiving Ecumenical on November 21. A special thank you to Gregg; all who participated in the combined choir, all the clergy who came together and participated in this special community service. To all the Office Volunteers who have helped out with folding, stuffing, and sorting throughout the year. Deb Gray is thankful for all your help and support. A special Thank You to Bev Toppin, John & Joyce Wilson, Sara Lundquist, Karen Rebello, Marie Ray and Cindy Miranda. Dunkin Ministry Our Dunkin Ministry meets each Thursday evening. We invite all of you to come and have coffee with Pastor Holly Norwick each Thursday evening from 5:00 6:00 pm in the brand new lounge area of the Wilbur Avenue, Swansea Dunkin Donuts. All are invited. THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 22 THROUGH JANUARY 1. IN OUR PRAYERS: Nancy Richards, who is back home at 500 Swansea Mall Drive B125, Swansea, and MA John & Charlotte Carlson, who are concerned about their grandson, Aiden. John & Charlotte have moved to 75 Roy Street, Fall River, MA Dorothy Norman is now living at Clifton Assisted Living, 444 Wilbur Avenue, Apt. 320, Somerset, MA and her phone number is still Bob & Jane Eddy. Bob and Jane are home recuperating at 159 Wood Street, Swansea, MA. Pat Hayden, who is currently at The Residence at Cedar Dell, 628 Old Westport Road, Room 164, Dartmouth, MA Her number is Bets and Gerrit Sanford are both at Clifton Assisted Living Community, 444 Wilbur Avenue, Somerset, MA and they are receiving calls, cards, and visits. Ken and Nancy Bosworth and Jen Hurley Dorothy O Neil, who has moved to Buckley Health Care Center, 95 Laurel Street, Greenfield, MA and would appreciate cards and well wishes. Deb Athearn, who has moved to 1837 Robeson Street, Fall River, MA The Family of Madeline James. Our beloved friend and long-time member, Madeline James, would have been 100 years old on November 23, Let s all remember Maddie at this time!! Congratulations to Sara, Wayne and Johnnie Alexander on the birth of Josie Jane Alexander Born on October 30, 2017 weighing 8 lbs, 7 oz. Update on Snowstorms: In case of a major snow storm on a Sunday morning, we have arranged for news of the cancellation of our worship service to be streamed under TV News and Weather programs early in the morning. We will also try to have our phone message and Facebook carry that announcement.

3 MUSIC NEWS Hello Everyone, Here we are December has arrived; everyone is busy running around putting up decorations, preparing for special moments, and holiday festivities. In the midst of all of this preparation let us not forget that we prepare to remember the moment that Jesus stepped down into the midst of this hustle and bustle to bring the good news of God. Here is a reminder that there are many great things going on this December in The Olde White Church. Please see announcements and bulletins. I am reminded at this time of the year just how truly blessed I am to be a part of this wonderful family of faith. I look forward to seeing you all at the Christmas Music Night on December 12th at 6:30 pm followed by a wonderful pot luck afterwards; and remember we are always still looking for choir members. The choir members each want to share a testimonial of what choir has done for them. So I will be featuring a different testimonial each month. This Christmas may the hope, joy, love, and peace of the Christ child be with you all! Merry Christmas, Gregg LeMay Director of Music Ministries A letter from Joyce Buxton I started singing at the age of three. By the time I was nine I was taking piano lessons. Several years ago Pastor Holly asked several of us to speak on where we saw God, for me it wasn't where I see God, but where I hear God. Music has always been a major part of my life. I sang in church, was in the high school chorus, and part of a 100 voice choir in college. As I approached adulthood I decided I wanted to be a teacher, and of course to teach music. Most of my career was spent in Elementary Schools, children age 5 through 12. I have long been retired and I miss the times and challenges I had with my students, but I can still find the joy and love of music in the church choir setting. Thus I have become a member of the F.C.C. church choir. I can give my voice on Sunday mornings and special holiday programs. Not only do I have the joy of singing, but also the pleasure of building new friendships. Our choir has so much fun at rehearsals that we do get carried away at times. But Gregg manages to have patience with us and bring us back to why we are here on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings. We are learning different types of music, note reading, breath control and most of all to keep our eyes on Gregg at all times!!!. You don't have to be a musician to be part of our group, but just have a genuine love of singing and giving joy to the congregation during the service. In August I had my eyes operated on and I couldn't drive for a while. I had so many offers of rides for rehearsals that I couldn't use them all. Bob Smith offered to take me home on the back of his motorcycle. Just picture... Bob Smith and me flying down Maple Ave. at 8:30-9:00 pm. In closing there is a small gold cross above the organ that I often find myself looking at during rehearsals, and I think we are here enjoying one another s company and raising our voices to the Glory of God. Come Join us and experience this wonderful fellowship and ministry through the giving of Glory to God through music. Merry Christmas, Joyce Buxton

4 DEDICATION OF CHRISTMAS PLANTS Anyone wishing to dedicate a poinsettia or peace plant, please fill out this form and send to the Church Office at 1113 G.A.R. Highway, Swansea, MA 02777, Attention: Plants, or place in the mailbox on the door of the Church Office. The deadline to have your orders in to the Church Office is Tuesday, December 5. Please make checks payable to First Christian Congregational Church with Flower Fund in the memo. Thank you! Your Name Phone Number In memory of Or, in honor of By whom Number of Poinsettias at $10.00 each Will you be taking your flower(s) after the Christmas? Or donating to a shut-in? The names of in memory of/in honor of and by whom will be listed in the Worship bulletins for our Christmas Worship s and dedication cards will be placed on the flowers as they are received each week. Any profits from the sale of the poinsettias will be given to the Church to support the ministries of the church. If you have any questions, please call or text Karen Rebello at Thank you for your purchase of the poinsettias and peace plants to decorate the Church, and for honoring our brothers and sisters in Christ! We must order poinsettias by December 7. Any dedications made after that date will be at a cost of $12.00 per plant. Welcome Our New Faces Steve LaBossiere Elizabeth Rudis Mary Murphy Joanne Noyes-Carey Karen Riendeau-Pacheco Gina Weyland Amanda Santos Linda Santos Hayden Santos Skylar Santos

5 The Heart of Christianity In the month of January Rev. Dr. John Wilson will be leading a four week study on basic Christian Beliefs. We will meet on Sundays from 11:30 to 12:30 in Fellowship Hall at the church. We will start with a light lunch, which will include soup created by our own Shaun Schwarzenbach. We will be using the book, The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg, published by Harper- SanFrancisco. You will need to get a copy of the book if you plan to attend this study. Borg writes: "What is the heart of Christianity? What does it mean to be a Christian today? In this book, I describe two quite different answers to this question. The first is an earlier vision of Christianity; the second, an emerging vision. Both are present in the churches of North America today, deeply dividing Christians. "I write with both conviction and passion. The conviction: Christianity makes sense. In my own life, this conviction took time to develop. For about twenty years, from my mid-teens to mid-thirties, Christianity did not make much sense to me. Largely for intellectual reasons, form of Christianity that I learned in my childhood ceased to be persuasive. "For some time now I have been convinced that there are no serious intellectual obstacles to being Christian. There is a way of seeing Christianity that makes persuasive and compelling sense of life in the broadest sense - a way of seeing reality and our lives in relationship to what is real; a way of seeing God, our relationship to God, and the path of transformation. "My passion: to communicate this way of seeing those for whom an earlier understanding of Christianity makes little or no sense. They number in the millions. Some have left the church, becoming part of what Bishop John Spong aptly calls the "Church Alumni/ae Association." Others remain within the church but struggle with the beliefs they learned in childhood - they either think they should believe them, or they reject them without having anything to put in their place. And some, especially many under 40, have never been very involved in the church and find little in Christianity that attracts them, but often are hungry for a source of meaning and values." Using Borg's book, our 4 week study will cover such topics as: Jesus, the Christian life, God, faith, the Bible, biblical authority, atonement, resurrection, the creeds, prayer, ethics, Christianity and other religions, and so forth. For more information or questions please speak to Dr. Wilson. Journey in Ministry Greetings Friends in Christ! My journey in ministry here at The Olde White Church is so exciting and rich that I want to share it all with you! You already know that I am in the office Tuesday - Thursday, and of course, on Sunday mornings; but some of the most powerful moments of ministry can happen outside of the office. I would like to share with you the amazing opportunities of ministry that I have with our family, our friends, our community, our denomination and beyond! Come along and enjoy my journey of ministry with me This month was full of amazing moments of ministry. Though I was away on vacation for a part of the time, there were still opportunities to engage in ministry! In addition to my office hours, management of our four social media sites, preparation/writing time, and worship this month I had the honor of. *visiting with more than 15 people *providing the Dunkin Ministry *providing an Advent Bible Study each week of Advent *participating in the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Worship *helping at the Veteran s Supper *helping at the Holiday Fair *participating in the Swansea Community Veteran s program *attending 3 church committee meetings *leading the Greater Fall River Council of Churches meeting *leading the Committee on Ministry meeting for Old Colony Association *attending the South East Area Fall Meeting in Duxbury *helping deliver for soup ministry *enjoying meetings with local colleagues *attending a training in Framingham My church family is a part of my ministry everywhere that I go. I hope to be able to bring some of that joy back to all of you! Blessings, Rev. Dr. Holly Norwick

6 Your Church Needs Your Help!! The Finance Committee would like to thank everyone who has submitted their Commitment to Giving Cards. Last year we received Giving Cards from 59 households. This year we have only heard from 47 households thus far, or about one-third of the number of families at The Olde White Church. After your prayerful consideration, we look forward to receiving a Giving Card from each household in our growing family to help The Olde White Church in determining the best way to financially support God s many ministries, and to plan for next year s budget. Thank you, John Chace, Treasurer Fellowship News. November has been a very busy month in the kitchen! Food seems to make any social event that much sweeter and we all have outdone ourselves this month. What with Sunday morning fellowship, the Veterans Supper, the Holiday Fair and the Potluck Lunch at the Advent Wreath Event, we all have spent a lot of time preparing food. Personally, I thought it was great. A heartfelt thank you to the many loyal contributors to the Sunday fellowship time Renee Nunes, Chris Roy, Mary Finnin, The Wilson s, The Colbert s, Donna Wood, Simone Neilan, Elizabeth Rudis, Deb Lotz, and Louise Slowe. Thanks to all, Sara CARE TEAM UPDATE The next Care Team Meeting will be on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Chris Roy s home, 77 Edwards Avenue, Swansea, MA. The Care Team would like to thank Deb Allard for her service to our Team. TIYC SDAW During worship on November 11, we played a little game. Up front was an acronym TIYC SDAW. At the beginning of worship, I gave you the meaning of TIYC which was This Is Your Church, and I asked that you listened through the service to see if you could come up with what the other half could mean. As we learned through our conversation together, SDAW meant Seven Days A Week. This is your church, seven days a week! This church is a gift, a powerful, living breathing gift entrusted to us by God to love and care for. It is not just our church on Sunday. This is our church SEVEN DAYS A WEEK and we have been entrusted with its care. Many of you came up with some pretty awesome (and hilarious) guesses and I wanted to share them with you... This is your church... So Does Almighty Work Share Divide And Worship Start Day And Worship Sleeping Doesn't Advance Worship Six Days A Week Stewardship Deeds Are Wonderful Still Doing Awesome Work Stewards Do All Work Support Doing All Welcome Some Deacons Always Work Support Deed And Welcome Share Deeds And Word Stewardship Disciples Always Win Christmas Caroling On Sunday, December 10, we will be caroling to those in our congregation who cannot make it to service, who are shut-in, or recovering. We will meet at church at 12:00 pm to bring Christmas to those who cannot come out to us! All are invited!!!

7 2017 Special Advent and Christmas s You are cordially invited to our special Advent and Christmas services here at The Olde White Church! December 3 at 3 pm: of Comfort Many of us find the holidays difficult. We have a candle in your loved one s name that we would like you to light. Step away from the holiday busy activity and allow yourself to truly experience the comfort that comes with the Christmas promise. In a time that seems to expect us to be joyful, come and rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing. December 6: Advent Dinner and Devotion Bible Study; 6 7:30 pm December 10 at 10 am: Second Sunday of Advent December 12 at 6:30 pm: Christmas Concert! Come and take a musical journey with us through Christmas! This year s concert will feature different instruments, performers and a hymn sing, as well as your favorite Christmas memories that you would like to share. Afterwards, retire downstairs for a potluck reception and fellowship! December 13 Advent Dinner and Devotion Bible Study; 6 7:30 pm December 17 at 10 am: Kid s Christmas! The children have been practicing long and hard to bring us a joyful celebration of the birth of Christ. Come and join the shepherds and angels, Mary and Joseph in singing our familiar Christmas songs and allow children to tell us the beloved story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus, the Christ child. December 20: Advent Dinner and Devotion Bible Study; 6 7:30 pm December 24 at 10am: Lively Interactive Family Christmas Come and see as the beloved stories of the birth of the baby Jesus comes alive in ways you and your children have never experienced before! Hear the angels sing, share the shepherd s excitement, come experience the joy that has come into the world! December 24 at 7 pm: Christmas Eve Candle Light Come and light a candle as the songs of old and words of love fill our hearts and warm our lives. Let us listen to the familiar sounds of the angel s carol and the gentle coos of the baby. We will listen to the soft call of Mary to gather round and on this most holy of nights and the warmth of joy in this cold, expecting world. December 31 at 10am: New Year s Day Worship Behold, I will do a new thing! God has so much in store for us this year at The Olde White Church. Come and welcome the new year one full of vision, possibility and faith! Advent Dinner and Devotion Bible Study Come join us for our Advent Dinner and Devotion Bible Study, Wednesdays thru December 20 from 6:00 7:30 pm. At 6 pm we will have dinner together and then begin our exploration into Advent. Let s take open the gifts of Advent, one by one, together as we slowly approach the side of the manger. In the hustle and bustle of what the world calls the Christmas season, let us remember that we are in the Advent of our Lord and enjoy the hope, peace, joy and love that it brings. All Welcome!!

8 Church School News: Hello Friends in Christ, The vibrancy of The Olde White Church continues to enfold the Holy Spirit through the Gratitude and Love each of you brings to our beloved community of Christ. Again, thanks to your efforts Godly Play continues to be spoken here enriching the lives of our kiddos as God s Love is revealed to them through the many stories and art with which they engage. The Fall Program of sacred stories from the Old Testament has drawn to a close for now and we begin our Winter Program with the Holy Family and Advent preparation of Christ s birth. In January we begin our journey through the mystery of Parables. In January, I will offer a Godly Play information evening for parents and those interested in our new curriculum. PLEASE NOTE THE DECEMBER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE BELOW: December 3 Finish Advent Lessons and Banner to use at home with Advent Wreath and Prayer Devotions December 10 Preparation/rehearsal for Christmas Pageant (WE NEED A COUPLE EXTRA ADULTS TO HELP DOWNSTAIRS DURING THIS TIME) December 16 SATURDAY at NOON -- PAGEANT DRESS/REHEARSAL --Pizza and drinks provided following rehearsal December 17 Children s Christmas including Children s Bell Choir and Pageant Remember to join us after service for dessert, coffee and a special guest!! I m continually grateful for all those who volunteer with Godly Play on a regular basis and those who continue to help on Sundays with our youth and nursery attendance growing. Thank you again: Jill Buxton, Kerry Moreau, Rebecca Chase, Jenn and Alyssa Hurley, Melissa Francis, Gramma Botelho, Kaitlyn Mendes, Jill and Allyson Tavares. I apologize to anyone I ve omitted. I d like to share an offering that came across my musings today which I find fitting as we begin our journey through Advent. HOPE is always with us even when we lose HOPE. In Continuous Gratitude for all you do. In Christ, Deb Allard Director of Children & Youth Ministry Thank you to all who helped make the Veterans Supper a Wonderful Event once again!! Thank you to Seth and all the other volunteers who helped with preparations, decorating, buying food, cooking, serving and cleaning up!!

9 DECEMBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 Jr. Handbells 9:30 am Worship 10:00 am 11:30 Choir of Comfort at 3 pm 10 Jr. Handbells 9:30 am Worship 10:00 am Property Committee Meeting 11:15 am 11:30 Choir Deacons 6:00 pm at Church Choir 7 8:30 pm 12 Choir 7 8:30 pm 6 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 4 Quilt Club 1 3 pm Advent Dinner & Devotion Bible Study 6 7:30 pm Chimes 7-8pm 13 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 4 Quilt Club 1 3 pm Advent Dinner & Devotion Bible Study 6 7:30 pm Chimes 7-8 pm 7 Dunkin Ministry with Pastor Holly at DD on Wilbur Ave. 5 6 pm 14 Dunkin Ministry with Pastor Holly at DD on Wilbur Ave. 5 6 pm E-Council at 6:30 pm at Church 8 AA 7 8:15 pm 15 AA 7 8:15 pm 9 Thrifty Shoppe 9: Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 1 Kids Pageant at Noon with lunch provided Christmas Caroling at noon (meet at church) 17 Jr. Handbells 9:30 am Kid s Christmas 10:00 am With dessert & coffee to follow Choir 7 8:30 pm 20 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 4 Quilt Club 1 3 pm Advent Dinner & Devotion Bible Study 6 7:30 pm 21 Dunkin Ministry with Pastor Holly at DD on Wilbur Ave. 5 6 pm 22 AA 7 8:15 pm 23 11:30 Choir 24 Lively Family Christmas 10:00 am 25 Christmas Day Chimes 7-8 pm NO DUNKIN MINISTRY 29 AA 7 8:15 pm 30 Christmas Eve Candle Light 7 pm 31 New Year s Day Worship 10:00 am Church office closed from December 22 January 1 **Church Office Hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 2:00 pm** **Pastor Holly s Office Hours are Tuesday thru Thursday from 9:00 am 2:00 pm*

10 First Christian Congregational Church The Olde White Church 1113 GAR Highway Swansea, MA DECEMBER 2017 First Christian Congregational Church The Olde White Church A Church Where Faith is Active in Love 1113 GAR Highway Swansea, MA swanseawhitechurch@meganet.net Website: Facebook:FirstChristianCongregationalChurch ofswansea The ReverendDoctor Holly Norwick, Pastor Worship and Sunday School at 10:00 am Coffee and fellowship following worship Church Office Hours Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 2 pm Pastor s Office Hours: Tuesday thru Thursday 9-2 pm Dunkin Ministry at Dunkin Donuts on Wilbur Avenue Choir Tone Chimes Jr. Handbell of Comfort Advent Dinner and Devotion Bible Study Property Committee Meeting Christmas Caroling Deacons Meeting Christmas Music Concert! Executive Council Meeting Kids Pageant Kids Christmas Lively Interactive Family Christmas Christmas Eve Candle Light New Year s Day Worship UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS All are Welcome!! Every Thursday from 5 6 pm Every Tuesday from 7 8:30 pm Every Wednesday from 7 8 pm Every Sunday at 9:30 am Sunday, December 3 at 3:00 pm Wednesday, December 6, 13 & 20 6:00 7:30 pm Sunday, December 10 following worship Sunday, December 10 at noon Monday, December 11 at 6:00 pm Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 pm Thursday, December 14 at 6:30 pm at Church Saturday, December 16 at noon Sunday, December 17 at 10 am Sunday, December 24 at 10 am Sunday, December 24 at 7 pm Sunday, December 31 at 10 am