Newsletter of The First Congregational Church, Canton Center, CT December 2018 ADVENT ~ CHRISTMAS 2018

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1 THE CHURCHMOUSE Newsletter of The First Congregational Church, Canton Center, CT December 2018 ADVENT ~ CHRISTMAS 2018 Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Dec. 16 Dec. 23 Advent I We ll begin the new season with a decorated sanctuary, including a new banner for Advent, and with the lighting of the first candle in the Advent wreath, Hope. An all-church Advent workshop will follow see p. 5 Advent II We ll light the second Advent candle, for Peace. Advent III Our service will include Lessons & Carols, with special music by the vocal and bell choirs, and our now-annual tradition of a Living Crèche. The third Advent candle will be lit, for Joy. Advent IV We ll have a simple morning service as we complete the Sundays of Advent, light the fourth candle, for Love, and prepare for the festival of Christmas. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Two similar candlelight services: 5:00 p.m. Family service, with a Message for All Ages, Cherub Choir and Handbell Choir 7:00 p.m. Traditional service, with a homily, Senior Choir Dec. 30 First Sunday after Christmas Lay-led morning service, with a carol sing, to continue our celebration of Christmas and turn our thoughts to the new year.

2 The Churchmouse Page 2 Deacons Bench Karen Needham, Deacon A short history of 'Silent Night', a favorite Christmas Carol WORSHIP MINISTRY On Christmas Eve of 1818 the young priest of St. Nicholas parish church, Father Joseph Morh, in Obendorf, Austria faced disaster. He had been making last minute preparations for the special Christmas Eve service that had been planned for months with the music and messages; everything was in place. But he then discovered that the organ wouldn't play. He struggled for hours trying to make the keys work, the stops, the pedals, but the organ remained silent. There was no chance of fixing the instrument before the evening service. He was not a man to just give up. He thought of a poem he had written several years before called Stille Nacht, while he was out walking on a winter's night from his Grandfather's home to church. Mohr took his poem to the schoolmaster and organist of a nearby town, Franz Gruber. He frantically asked Franz to write a melody to accompany the poem on guitar. In just a couple of hours, Gruber had the music done and the carol was played for the first time that night at the Christmas Eve service. The song was not translated into English for another 50 years. Episcopalian bishop John Freeman Young published the English translation that is most frequently sung today in The writing of the song is unique enough but one other interesting event makes this carol special. In 1914, during the Christmas truce during World War I, the song was sung in French, English and German simultaneously. It was apparently the one song that all the soldiers on both sides knew. THE CHRISTMAS STORIES AND THEIR MEANINGS Small-group conversation: Things we wonder about in the nativity traditions Thurs., Dec. 6, 10:30 a.m. 12:00 noon with Rev. Brenda Two of our four New Testament gospels, Matthew and Luke, give us nativity stories about Jesus. They are two almost completely different stories. As we look at the traditions about the birth of Jesus that have come down to us, what things do we wonder about, want to think more about? History? Mythology? The blend of both? What questions and insights arise?

3 The Churchmouse Page 3 WORSHIP MINISTRY Remembering the Communion of Saints On Nov. 4, All Saints Sunday, we used our beautiful fountain in a ritual of remembrance of the communion of saints -- our personal loved and remembered ones who have departed this life, and all our ancestors in faith. The flowing waters represented the flow of God- given life from one generation to the next. The stones placed at the base of the fountain, by members of our congregation that morning, represented our individually remembered loved ones. For all the saints, who from their labors rest... alleluia, alleluia

4 The Churchmouse Page 4 Music Notes Mary Lou Keefe, Director of Music WORSHIP MINISTRY The Canton Interfaith Celebration of Thanksgiving was held on the afternoon of Nov. 18 th, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and included Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and Muslim participants. Members of our Senior Choir participated in a combined choir of about fifty for the service, which was well received. Thank you to all who sang and to those who contributed food for the reception that followed. UPCOMING EVENTS The Advent season begins on Dec 2nd and the Senior choir will be singing music appropriate to the season. On December 16th, the 3rd annual Ceremony of Lessons and Carols with Living Crèche will be presented. All choirs including Senior, Handbell, and Cherubs have been diligently working on beautiful Christmas music. In addition to several anthems performed by the choirs, there will be carols of the season and Bible readings that tell the story of the birth of the Christ Child with the Living Crèche as the finale. The Senior Choir will be augmented with the voices of four guest singers. On Dec. 23rd there will be an extended Carol Sing when many will be able to choose their favorite Christmas carols. On Christmas Eve, there will be two services. The first starts at 5:00 pm and is geared more to families. The handbell choir will be ringing and the Cherubs, under the direction of Judy Robinson, will be singing "Go Tell It on the Mountain" The second service starts at 7:00 pm with music provided by the Senior Choir and soloists. SPECIAL THANKS TO: All the members of the Senior Choir who have been giving of their time in order to extend the time of rehearsals. Judy Robinson who has been working with a rather large and lively group of Cherubs. They are really singing out this year.

5 The Churchmouse Page 5 Director of Faith Formation Sarah Pradhan FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY Happy Advent Season! As we enter into the season of Advent, I am filled with joy, gratitude, and anticipation. For children the anticipation of Christmas revolves around the magic of Santa, elves, presents and reindeer. As an adult, I've found that the anticipation shifts to a different kind of magic; the magic of Jesus and his gifts to the world. Advent season is full of expectancy as adults...not for presents and Santa, but for family, love, real human connection, and compassion, I look forward to how communities, churches, and individuals work together to serve those in need. I look forward to seeing my family during the holidays. I am eager to celebrate Jesus' birth together with special music and a living crèche. This time is so much more than the gifts, lights, and candy canes that excite our children, but it sure holds a lot of magic still! Upcoming Events ADVENT WORKSHOP ~ DEC. 2 Advent Workshop will be held after church on December 2nd. The Christian Education committee invites all to frost and decorate sugar cookies after worship, and take part in a holiday craft. LIVING CRECHE ~ DEC. 16 December 16th will be our living crèche performance. Children and adults will be in costume and will depict the first Christmas in Bethlehem. FOURTH SUNDAY FOOD COLLECTION ~ DEC. 23 Our Church school kids will be collecting non perishable food items from the congregation, every 4th Sunday during worship. Food donations will be given to the Canton Food Pantry. Thank you... Thanks to all of you who had purchased Butter Braids. We sold $507 worth, with a profit of $117. This will go to the JYF missions, Canton Food Bank and Hands of Grace.

6 The Churchmouse Page 6 Missions & Outreach Carole Fisher COMMUNITY OUTREACH MINISTRY Everywhere I look I see more evidence of how wonderful your response has been to the requests of the Missions Committee. With pleasure I wheeled to my car, our overflowing Wagon of Bounty to transfer its contents to the Canton Food Bank. As Food Bank staff assisted in getting things to the right spots on their shelves not only did they continuously thank you all but also thought back to the fresh offerings we were able to deliver from our own Church Vegetable Garden. Those were also a special treat! Thanks to your generosity, we now have recently made delivery of still more personal hygiene products to Hands of Grace and Fish. Local cleaners are again offering their services to us to clean some of the gently used winter coats and hats prior to sending those to local shelters. What wonderful cooperation the whole community is demonstrating in our efforts to assist those in need. You all should be congratulated! Once again our Church has been asked to bring smiles to those in need. We have been asked to help with clients of Wellmore. (As we are thanking you, we want to make one change in our requests. The group who were able to use pill bottles to distribute medications to the needy in Africa has found a still more economical ways to get medications to those in need. Hence, you no long need to save medicine bottles as you have in the past. Thank you for doing so before.) Our Christmas Tree will be decorated with paper ornaments. Select the gift you wish to give and sign for it, carefully keeping the gift tag to attached to your gift. Special thanks to those who have facilitated or prepared the Green Bean Casseroles and the Gravy for Thursday s Town Wide Dinner! Thanks to all who have donated to our neighbors in need! You have done a wonderful job and it is appreciated by many. Please put the wrapped gift and attached ornament under the tree by December 16th. You may also decorate the tree with hats, mittens or scarves for children or adults. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. If you have questions, please call Carole Fisher at

7 Page 7 Wider Church Linda & Craig McAllister The Churchmouse FELLOWSHIP/INREACH MINISTRY Thanksgiving Potluck Between people gathered for our annual Thanksgiving potluck lunch on November 18. This is always a time of great fellowship. A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Riverton Congregational Church. We have a block of 20 tickets for the December 9 show at 2:00 pm See Kristin Oswald for more information or to purchase tickets. We are always looking for ideas for fellowship. If you have any suggestions, please speak to: Craig or Linda McAllister, Casey Levine or Kristin Oswald.

8 Page 8 The Churchmouse SUPPORT TO OUR MINISTRIES Tis the Season for Scripping! Gift cards have become one of the most popular choices for gift giving occasions, especially Christmas. Whether you are looking for a present for that hard to shop for relative, a hostess gift for those holiday parties, a little something for a teacher or co -worker or even a small stocking stuffer or grab bag gift the scrip table is a great place to find just what you need! Cards are offered in various denominations and some start as low as $5 or $10. There are over 750 retailers and restaurants to choose from many local stores, national chains and online shops as well. When you purchase a gift card from our church s scrip program, a percent of the face value of every card goes to our general fund. You are supporting our church every time you buy a gift card! Shopping with gift cards is also a great way to stick to a Christmas budget. Put away your credit cards and use Scrip gift cards to shop instead. You can buy gift cards for individual stores or even purchase a Visa gift card to use anywhere. Stop by the scrip table during coffee hour to see all the participating retailers. We are there every week. You can even set up an online account and place your order from the convenience of your house any time of day or night! You ll be amazed at how quickly the funds raised add up and how YOU are making a difference. The months of November and December are the most profitable for our program. Join in the fun and do some double giving this Christmas. Gifts for your loved ones and easy fundraising for our church! See Casey Levine or Karen Needham for more information or visit PLEDGES & 2019 BOXED ENVELOPES We ask all our members to make every effort to complete your current-year pledges by the end of the calendar year. If you would like your 2018 contributions included on your 2018 year-end statement, they must be received by Dec. 31, If you have not yet pledged, we ask you to please consider doing so. If you need a pledge form, you may contact the church office. OUR ONA PROCESS CONTINUES Following a lively Second Hour discussion on November 4, on the subject of our church s consideration of adopting Open and Affirming (ONA) status and the draft language of a specific ONA statement, the ONA Committee invites any additional input that members of the congregation would like to share. You may the church office or provide written comment (see literature table in the church vestibule). Deadline for additional input is December 5. If you were not at the Nov. 4 Second Hour and would like to hear the recorded conversation, please contact Jerry Alonzy (webmaster@cantoncenterchurch.org) for access to an online link. After reviewing any additional input that comes in, the ONA Committee will update the Church Council in December and prospectively move that a formal ONA proposal be brought to our congregation in January.

9 The Churchmouse Page 9 SUPPORT TO OUR MINISTRIES Jim Potter and his Family for sanctuary interior and the outside wreaths and for poinsettia coordination and delivery. The Burbank Family for donation of the sanctuary Christmas tree. The Deacons for set-up and decorating of the Christmas tree. Polly Rice for seasonal arrangements on the front steps CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA ORDER FORM * Please fill out this form if you are interested in providing Poinsettias for our December 16-24th services and give it to Jim Potter during coffee hour or the church office before December 12th. * Additional forms will be available on the table near the bulletin board by the kitchen. * Please leave your poinsettia until after the December 24th services. Name: # of poinsettia plants ordered x $ 8.00 = In Memory of: In Honor of: In Celebration of: (Please attached cash or check for the full amount payable to: First Congregational Church, Canton.)

10 The Churchmouse Page 10 OUR MISSION STATEMENT We gather as a welcoming community in worship, learning, service and fellowship to embody Christ s message of love, compassion and justice. Joining faith with action, both within and beyond our church, we strive to build a community that serves all. Prime Timers Annual Christmas Luncheon ~ December 21 PRIME TIMERS annual Christmas Potluck Luncheon will be held on FRIDAY, December 21 at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall. The Canton High School Chamber Singers will join us for lunch and present a concert following lunch. If school is canceled, the luncheon will be canceled. Note- change of day to FRIDAY to accommodate the schedule of the chorus. Please note that due to the early arrival of the Chamber Singers, we are requesting that Prime Timers arrive at 11:00 am with a casserole of your choice. You do not have to belong to Prime Timers to attend. All are welcome. If you re not a member and wish to attend or have questions, please contact Donna Hammond at IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER CANTON CENTER CHURCH WEEKLY REMINDERS If you would like to receive weekly s about our upcoming Sunday Worship and reminders of events and happenings for the week ahead, please the church office at Office@cantoncenterchurch.org or call Please tune to: WFSB Channel 3 or NBC CT or check the church web site at: God is still speaking!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Visit our website at Listen to recorded Sermons and Music from worship services! Follow us on

11 The Churchmouse Page 11 DECEMBER 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 AA 11:00 p.m. 2 CE Meeting 8:30 am Missions Meeting 9 am Small Group Conversation 10:30-noon 7 8 Worship/Communion 10:00 am Advent Workshop Cherubs 11:15 am Choir 6:45 pm ACA 7:00 pm AA 7:00 pm Scouts 6:30 pm Handbell Choir 7:00 pm AA 11:00 p.m. 9 Worship 10:00 am Music Meeting 11:15 am Cherubs 11:15 am 10 Prayer Shawl 10:00 am Trustee s 7:00 pm Choir 6:45 pm ACA 7:00 pm 11 AA 7:00 pm 12 Council Meeting 7:00 pm 13 Handbell Choir 7:00 pm AA 11:00 p.m. 16 Living Crèche Worship 10:00 am 17 Choir 6:45 pm ACA 7:00 pm 18 AA 7:00 pm Handbell Choir 7:00 pm 21 Prime Timer s Christmas Luncheon Parish Hall 11:30 am 22 AA 11:00 p.m Worship 10:00 am (Food Collection Sunday) Christmas Eve Services 5:00 & 7:00 pm ACA 7:00 pm AA 7:00 pm Handbell Choir 7:00 pm AA 11:00 p.m. 30 Worship 10:00 am 31 ACA 7:00 pm

12 The First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) 184 Cherry Brook Road P O Box 133 Canton Center, CT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID AVON CT PERMIT NO 426 **Change Service Requested** Worship every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The First Congregational Church 184 Cherry Brook Road PO Box 133 Canton Center, CT Office (860) Kristen DiMattia, Office Manager office@cantoncenterchurch.org M-F 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Pastor (860) Rev. Dr. Brenda Pelc-Faszcza pastor@cantoncenterchurch.org Organist/Director of Music: Mary Lou Keefe music@cantoncenterchurch.org Director of Faith Formation: (860) Sarah Pradhan ce@cantoncenterchurch.org We re on the Web! Visit us at: