The Tower. December 11, 2016 Vol. LXXII No. 50 HOPE SHIMMERS!

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The Tower December 11, 2016 Vol. LXXII No. 50 HOPE SHIMMERS! On November 27th a new Liturgical Art piece was installed for Advent at First Congregational.

This project started back in July, using a process taught to us by Nancy Chinn, a well-known liturgical artist in California.

1 The Tower December 11, 2016 Vol. LXXII No. 50 HOPE SHIMMERS! On November 27th a new Liturgical Art piece was installed for Advent at First Congregational. The art floats above the seats in the Sanctuary calling us to look UP and open ourselves to a new Advent season. This project started back in July, using a process taught to us by Nancy Chinn, a well-known liturgical artist in California. The process began with a text chosen by the staff for the 2016 Advent season. The text chosen this year was Isaiah 9:2-7, and is read every week in worship by a member of the committee. In our meetings, the text was read over and over in different ways from different translations by the committee of eight members of the church. The culmination of the project into a form that can be presented in the large space at First Congregational takes many twists and turns and is a task that can be quite daunting. Members of the Liturgical Art committee include: Ann Beaty, Sean Hadfield, Marsha Hall, Linda Hancock, Kristin Kanitz, Spencer Noth-Hazen, and Jessica Taft. The process was facilitated by Eldonna Hazen. Thanks to the members of the committee who spent hours reading and listening to the text, who let the Spirit move in creative ways, so we might experience the sacred words in a new and powerful way. The installation has been titled HOPE SHIMMERS! Wait for the art to experience one more addition as we move closer to Christmas. I hope you will listen carefully to the text each week as it is read, and then look up at the installation, letting the art lead you to a new understanding of how the words may be speaking to you. Please join the committee after worship on December 18th to hear about the process and how the installation evolved. ~ Eldonna Hazen Advent Vespers Wednesdays December 7 and 14, 7:00pm in the Chapel. A time of evening worship including prayer, scripture, music and reflection in the Celtic tradition. Prayer Practice Group The Prayer Practice check-in group will NOT meet in December. We encourage you to join the Conversation on Peace following worship this Sunday. Way of Blessedness Class: December 11 "Light of Christ, lead us to the heart of God." This prayer is the opening line of our next

prayer practice series called "The Way of Blessedness." This small group study will explore what it means to live the deeply blessed life Jesus describes in the Beatitudes.

earth. The material has 9 sessions and we will complete the first 3 this fall. Future classes will be held in the winter and spring and you are welcome to attend any of the sessions.

2 prayer practice series called "The Way of Blessedness." This small group study will explore what it means to live the deeply blessed life Jesus describes in the Beatitudes. Through scripture, prayer, devotional reading, and discussion, we will examine the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 5 and discover together how we might glimpse more of the Kingdom of God here on earth. The material has 9 sessions and we will complete the first 3 this fall. Future classes will be held in the winter and spring and you are welcome to attend any of the sessions. Please register through the church office or in the back of the Sanctuary. The participant book is available in the church office,for $ The church's policy is that our programming is accessible by all. Scholarships are always available. Contact Ann Beaty or Julie Kramer for more information. Scrip Cards for Christmas Scrip gift cards make wonderful Christmas presents, and for the next two weeks, the Stewardship Board will provide you with an elegant gift card holder for each Scrip card you purchase. Remember, too: we can order for you from the vast selection of Scrip cards, so you can find something for everyone on your list. Christmas Poinsettias It's time to order poinsettias to decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas. Please pick up a form in the church office, at the back of the Sanctuary, or print one off the website to dedicate a poinsettia to a loved one. The deadline is December 12. "Be the Church" Holiday Gifts! You have seen the posters and banners around church, now the timeless message of "Be the Church" is available at First Cong. A limited supply of mugs and bumper stickers are available for purchase in the church office. The mugs are $12 ea. and the bumper stickers, $2 ea. Perfect stocking stuffers for your favorite person. Share the message of "Be the Church" year round! Advent Art Exhibition First Cong's own Linda Hancock has two pieces of art included in Do you See What I See?, an invitational Advent exhibition with the theme "Light in the Darkness" at Christ Presyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham St., November 21, 2016 through mid-january, Food Coupons We are in need of Subway or McDonald's coupons to hand out to people stopping in for assistance. You can pick up gift cards at the restaurants or send a monetary donation with a notation and we can purchase the gift cards for you. Thank you. Reverend Jerry Hancock Receives Award

3 On Tuesday, November 23, at the annual Give Thanks Community Dinner, Rev. Jerry Hancock, the Director of The Prison Ministry Project was honored by Boys and Girls Club of Dane County as a "Pillar of the Community" for his contributions to social justice.

God's Love Colors Everything Christmas Fund Offering - December 18 For 115 years, the Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a tangible expression of God's love.

assistance to those who have faithfully served our Church and who now find themselves facing unexpected financial needs.

4 God's Love Colors Everything Christmas Fund Offering - December 18 For 115 years, the Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a tangible expression of God's love. One of the four Special Mission Offerings of the United Church of Christ, the Christmas Fund provides UCC congregations and members an opportunity to reach out in loving compassion, providing assistance to those who have faithfully served our Church and who now find themselves facing unexpected financial needs. This offering enables the Pension Board's Ministerial Assistance program to provide, on behalf of the whole church, Pension Supplementation, Health Premium Supplementation, Emergency Grants and Christmas "Thank You" gift checks to retired pastors. Watch for bulletin inserts that you can color and then read the inspirational message on the back about how the Christmas Fund offering provides assistance to individuals and their families who have served or are currently serving congregations. Offering envelopes will be provided on December 18th. ~ Jeanne Marshall The Season of Advent is Here Remembering the theme of Peace, we invite you to watch this beautiful video created by First Congregational member, Chris Schoenwetter. Peace begins within; when we place God at the center of our lives and allow God to guide us on the journey. We encourage you to share this video widely, amongst family and friends, neighbors and co-workers. The message is simple - it is the season "to continue to work toward peace in the midst of obstacles." FCC Advent Peace Video Message We're SO Close We're SO close to reaching our goal in our STEPPING UP Stewardship campaign! Take a look at the chart below to see our exciting progress. If you've already pledged for 2017, thank you for supporting the great work of our church. If you're thinking of pledging, please know that you could be the one to put us over the top of our goal.

2016 Contributions IRS regulations state that in order to be deductible for 2016, contributions to the church must be postmarked by December 31, or hand-delivered to the church office in 2016.

5 2016 Contributions IRS regulations state that in order to be deductible for 2016, contributions to the church must be postmarked by December 31, or hand-delivered to the church office in The office will be open Tues.-Thurs. December 27-29, 7:30-3:30. All contributions received after December 31 will be recorded as a 2017 contribution. Music News Remember, we will sing Christmas carols before worship beginning at 9:45am. Make sure to arrive in time to sing your favorites...and a few new carols as well! Christmas Concert The second annual First Congregational Christmas Concert will be held on Thursday, December 15 at 7:00pm in the sanctuary. The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir, plus our bell choir will all be heard. There will also be carol singing involving the audience and the lighting of candles. For more information, contact Don DeBruin at ddebruin@firstcongmadison.org. Children, Family and Youth News Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Children & Youth Service Day Grades 1-12 Monday, January 16 9:00am - 2:00 pm (drop off 8:30-8:50am) First Congregational UCC 1609 University Ave, Madison First Congregational UCC, in conjunction with Beth Israel Center, Madison Christian Community, and Middleton Community UCC, invites Children and Youth (grades 1-12) from the greater Madison area to gather as a faith community in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event runs from 9:00am to 2:00pm at First Congregational Church. CHILDREN will spend the day at the First Congregational rotating through various stations designed to help better understand the importance of the day, and the life and work of Dr. King. Participants will explore subjects such as: Dr. King: His Mission, His Words, His Faith Taking a Stand, Then & Now, What Can I Do? The Music of the Movement Interfaith Worker Justice Hands-on Service and Art Projects YOUTH will have the opportunity to work at service projects around the community. REGISTER for this event by going to the First Cong website: The deadline is December 16. ADULT volunteers are needed to: chaperone groups of children and youth, help with

6 registration, set up, clean up, and crowd control. If interested in helping with this exciting event, please sign up in the back of the Sanctuary or contact Jeff Rabe at the Church office. Holiday Nursery Care Nursery Care will be provided during worship on Christmas Day. No Nursery will be provide on New Year's Day. High School Youth Christmas Shopping First Cong High School Youth are invited to be a part of Christmas Shopping on Sunday, December 11 from 1-3 pm at West Towne Mall. A youth mission project, Christmas gifts are purchased for young people of families needing financial assistance. Funds that youth raise through football parking and the Newlywed Game support this project. Youth interested in being a part of the shopping should sign up in the Youth Room by December 7. Drop off and Pick up at the West Towne Mall food court. Sunday Scripture:Isaiah 9:2-7 (Adent text), Hebrews 12:14-15, 13:103, 6 While Hebrews is considered a letter, it is written more in the style of a sermon. The Preacher is addressing a pastoral problem that seems amazingly contemporary. This congregation is worn out. They have been working hard to build a community around the principles of Jesus and they are tired of serving. The Preacher's response is to address their weariness by reminding them of the meaning of being in relationship with Jesus Christ - a relationship where they can count on the gifts of love, wonder, and gratitude to sustain them. In our specific verses, the Preacher wants them to know that the race of the Christian life is more like the back end of a marathon than like the beginning. It's a time in the race when one is weary and has to pay special attention not to hurt the runners around them. In the race of life, opportunities will open up to give compassion and faithful encouragement to others. Hospitality is the main call for Christian individuals and community. Showing peace and love to others includes making a place at the table for the stranger and being open to see the presence of God in everyone. This is not easy work. This third Sunday in Advent, our preaching series continues with Peace: The Value of Otherness. How do we define "otherness"? Who, or what, is the "other" to us? How do we offer hospitality and not grow weary in our Christian discipleship? What does peace look like when we engage with those we consider "other"? ~ Ann Beaty Member News If you have member news you would like to share, contact the office at office@firstcongmadison.org. Upcoming Events Wednesday, December 7 9:00am Staff meeting ~ SL 11:15am 55 Alive! ~ DR 4:00pm Children's Drama Class Performance ~ DR 6:00pm Madison Choral Project Rehearsal ~ S 7:00pm Advent Vespers ~ C Thursday, December 8

7 6:30pm Coventry Ringers ~ Room 303 7:00pm Madison Area Jugglers ~ DR 7:30pm Cantata Choir ~ Chapel 8:15pm Chancel Choir ~ Chapel 8:00pm AA ~ Room 302 Friday, December 9 4:00pm Madison Bach Musicians Rehearsal ~ S 5:00pm UW Wildlife Club Banquet ~ DR, K Saturday, December 10 2:00pm Madison Youth Choir Rehearsal ~ S 7:30pm Madison Bach Musicians Concert ~ S Sunday, December 11 8:45am Men's Fellowship ~LRC 8:45am The Way of Blessedness ~ FR 9:45am Carol Sing ~ S 10:00am Sunday Worship ~ Sanctuary 10:15am Sunday School 11:00am Conversation on Peace ~ FR 1:00pm Madison Youth Choir Concerts ~ Sanctuary 2:00pm Girl Scouts ~ 302 5:00pm Zen Meditation Study Group ~ Rm 302 Monday, December 12 5:00pm Madison Choral Project Rehearsal ~ S Tuesday, December 13 12noon Bible Conversations ~ SL 5:15pm NA Women's ~ Room 303 6:00pm Madison Choral Project Rehearsal ~ S 5:00pm Mental Health forum ~ Chapel 7:00pm NA ~ Room 303 Worship Attendance on Sunday, December 4, 2016 was 208.

The Tower. November 27, 2016 Vol. LXXII No. 48

The Tower. November 27, 2016 Vol. LXXII No. 48 The Tower November 27, 2016 Vol. LXXII No. 48 Peace When the heart is supple, it can be "broken open" into a greater capacity to hold our own and the world's pain: it happens every day. When we hold our