Newsletter of the Main Street Congregational Church, UCC Amesbury, Massachusetts Newsletter: suzispof@comcast.net No Matter Where You Are on Life s Journey, Come, experience God s love, Go, Serve God s World From Rev. Joan s Desk Dear Friends - Waiting. How does waiting work for you? Curious? Anxious? Unsettled? Excited? Some or all of that at once? This week we enter into Advent, the Christian season of waiting. We know at the end of Advent comes a birth but births are not predictable are they? We anticipate a baby even as we know this baby (as all babies do) will change the world and what we had known and been will become something different. Different? How does different work for you? Curious? Anxious? Unsettled? Excited? Some or all of that at once? This is a season of anticipating change. A time for preparing for something new. Lots of emotions surface. The darkness comes early and stays late. There are a host of ways that we can respond to the dark and the unknown. The practice of the church, in this time of unknowns, is to light candles. We light candles that remind us of the light of Jesus that shines in and through the darkness. Candles that help us find our way. Candles that spread light that others can see. Candle flames are bright in contrast to the dark. They don t expedite waiting. They don t prevent change. They are a visible sign of hope in the midst of the waiting and the change. There is plenty of need for hope and so we will light candles and keep the flame burning. Light to shine on the unknown that will arrive on its own time and will change everything. Light to make a way into new life. And when we, on our own, for whatever reason, can t light a candle, the community of hope called Main Street Church will light one and keep it burning to provide the hope, love, compassion of Jesus. May that light help you wait and embrace different with hope. in peace - December 2018
The Prophet December 2018 Page 2 NEW ADULT FAITH STUDY GETS UNDER WAY COOKBOOKS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS GIVING This is your last chance to get the MSCC Amesbury Cooks! cookbook for holiday gift-giving! They will be for sale at every coffee hour in December. This would not only be great for sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, etc. but for your good mailman; for the nice neighbor who raked your leaves last month; the good friend that brought dinner over when you were down; or the serviceman who went above and beyond in his service to you. The monies collected ($15 ea.) will go directly to our Missions budget and will help so many this upcoming year as we go out into the community to help our neighbors. If you can t get to church, call the office (978/388-0982) and we ll get a copy to you. Thanks! PRAYER SHAWL KNITTERS TO MEET Hope to see all you Knitters and Crocheters on Monday, December 10 th at 12:30. We ll also be making preemie hats and blankets for Beth Israel Hospital, and any other church related items. Any questions or need a ride call Betsy @ 603-770-7910. Pocket Prayer Shawls We have pocket prayer shawls available on the table as you come into church. If you or someone you know might want one, please help yourself. It will make a nice gift for a shut-in over the holidays. We will be pondering the different members of nativity scenes and considering how the information speaks and comes to us. No preparation or books required. Just come and if you want, bring a/some magi from your nativity sets for the first week. In this small group study we take a closer look at the figures and how their presence in the story connects with the human spiritual journey. We explore incarnation in the bigger picture of Love and as a practice of cooperation. We see how each figure can infuse the ordinary, and we ask who is always in the story and never in the crèche. Come and be part of digging deeper into the mystery of incarnation and the Divine Longing at the heart of the hopes and fears of all the years. Love is fully here, and it isn t jet. Questions? Speak with Rev. Joan. SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SCHEDULED December 9 th following worship there will be a special congregational meeting held at MSCC. Mailings have been sent to all the congregation. If you haven t received the information, there are copies in the back of the church.
The Prophet December 2018 Page 3 WE PRAY FOR EACH OTHER..ON OUR PRAYER LIST IN NOVEMBER Abby and Her Mom Liz and Avery Mr. Barnaby Judy Baxter Victims of the California wildfires Judy Chamberlain Stella Chase Loren and Fred Cook Michelle Costa Betty Currier Family and Friends of Charlotte Drew (Kay Weiner's and Sandy Northrop's sister) Lannie Foster Family and Friends of Harry Hanson Tyler Imperioso Clark Imperioso COVENANTING IN MEMBERSHIP NEWS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY Families of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover Striking Marriott workers Tommy McLean Roberta, Paul Liz Morris' Mom and Norm Morris' parents Jim and Nancy Paradis Leon Smith Tree of Life congregants and all our Jewish sisters and brothers Les Weiner Jim Zampiaro What a gift to our community of hope that these people have felt called and led to join our community of hope, each with a unique spiritual journey and path that has shaped them. We are blessed and changed by their presence in our midst. Welcome Paul Cullity, Kristin Davis, Carlos and Katie Hernandez. Left to right: Deacon Lee Ford, Carlos Hernandez, Katie Hernandez, Deacon Evelyn Olson, Paul Cullity, Deacon Dee Morse, Kristin Davis, Betty Vitale Neal, Rev. Joan
The Prophet December 2018 Page 4 PRAYERFUL PREPARATION FOR CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Monday December 3 rd, 7-8:30 P.M. In keeping with the practice of our spiritual forebears, we are setting aside time for prayerful preparation for our upcoming special meeting. The sanctuary will be open from 7-8:30 on Monday evening, December 3, providing space/place to prayerfully sit with God and consider the question of providing hospitality as a sanctuary church. It is not a structured worship service; it is a time for silent listening and talking with God, because, as we know, "God is still speaking." IT S COLD OUTSIDE! Whether you've spent many a winter in New England or you've just arrived, the cold can take your breath away and chill you to the bone, especially little ones. But warming and waterproofing kindergarteners is expensive. Nicole Rodriguez is coordinating Operation: Bundle Up! to address these needs. Last year Main Street Church warmly and literally wrapped their love around kids, providing dozens of jackets and pairs of boots and many more with hats, scarves, mittens and gloves. The need for warm clothing continues this year, since every year we have new arrivals from Central America and the Caribbean. Donations are being sought to support the kindergarten students in Nicole s Haverhill School. You can take a tag from the tree on 12/2 and return it with unwrapped items by 12/9. The sizes are mostly 5T but some 4T and 6T are needed. Boots are size 12 kids' and up. Please e-mail Nicole at nicolesgotthebeat@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you in advance for your generosity. MISSION NEWS! The Salisbury build with Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity (MVHH) is officially ready to begin!! Starting in January there will be many opportunities to help every Thursday and Saturday. Specific dates for our church build dates will be announced after Christmas. (No worries - we re certainly not planning to go every week!) Of course anyone may go on their own at any time. There are several different ways MVHH is looking for help: 1. pray for volunteers and homeowners 2. volunteer to build/work on site 3. greeters- we need folks to greet volunteers, have them sign in and be sure they have their waivers 4. make lunches: feed groups of volunteers on the build site (perhaps youth groups) 5. Spread the word! Let the community know about MVHH AMESBURY MENORAH LIGHTING BEGINS SUNDAY DEC. 2 ND 6 PM December 2 nd is the first day of Chanukah, a Jewish celebration of the struggle for freedom. Chanukah marks the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after a revolt against a ruler who proclaimed himself god. During that revolt a small cruz of oil in the Menorah (candelabra) lasted for 8 nights. That is why 8 nights and days are celebrated. A menorah is in the gazebo in front to the Amesbury Library and will be lit at 6 pm each night December 2-9. Our Jewish sisters and brothers invite and encourage us to join in the celebration of freedom and festival of light.
The Annual Meeting of Main Street Church, to be held on February 3 rd.
The Prophet December 2018 Page 6 CHRISTMAS AT MAIN STREET CHURCH CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA DONATIONS Each year, our sanctuary is decorated with lovely Christmas wreaths and poinsettias donated in memory and/or honor of loved ones. The wreaths have been purchased; an order form for poinsettias is printed here. You may fill it out and put it in the offering plate or mail to the church. Poinsettia Order Form Poinsettias are $12 each and can be ordered & dedicated "in Loving Memory" or "In Honor of" someone of your choice. Please make all checks payable to Main Street Congregational Church. Also, please put "Poinsettias" on the memo line of your check. Orders must be received by December 9 th. Please put your name or the names of the people purchasing the Poinsettias below Please Circle One: In Loving Memory of" OR In Honor of and fill in below Please Circle One: Take home" OR Donate _
The Prophet December 2018 Page 7 WHAT IS THAT TREE AT THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH? That is The Giving Tree, a holiday tradition of five years. This is the time we feel thankful for all our blessings and some are looking for ways to share what they have. The Giving Tree provides that opportunity. The tree is covered with envelopes listing all the areas needed to run our church and programs along with the cost to fund them. Even if you are not in a position to give more than you do already, check out the envelopes; it s eye-opening to read what it takes to keep us going and it illustrates where our pledges go. If you are moved to share, just take an envelope with an amount you are comfortable and when it s filled, just drop it in the offering plate. Merry Christmas from the staff of Main Street Church! Joan, Danny, Stacy, Lori,, Jennifer, and your Prophet editor, Sue CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERINGS TO BE DONATED The offerings from the two Christmas Eve Services (7:00 pm and 11:00 pm) will be evenly divided between the fund for Lawrence/Andover/No. Andover fire and explosion victims and California fire relief through the UCC.
The Prophet December 2018 Page 8 SERVING THE CHURCH IN DECEMBER DATE DEACON GREETERS COFFEE HOUR 2 Louise McRae Irene Finnegan Elaine Goodwin Marie & Bryan Roy Al & Bonnie Wilson 9 Lee Ford Connie & Arlyn Weieneth Pat and Jim Smith Kylie Watman 16 Evelyn Olson Anne Bourbeau Deb Rider Nancy and David Frick DJ Emery 21 Blue Christmas Dee Morse Sandy Jennings Pat and Jim Smith 23 Linda Horhota Irene Finnegan Elaine Goodwin 24 7:00 pm Dee Morse 11:00 pm Linda Horhota 30 Sharlene Price Lee Ford Louise McRae Nancy Noseworthy
The Prophet December 2018 HOLIDAY FAIR 2018 Page 9
THE PROPHET December 2018 Published 10 times per year by Main Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ 145 Main St. Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913 Phone: 978-388-0982 Website: main-street-church.org e-mail: Office@main-streetchurch.org Sunday Services 10:00 a.m. Church School 10:00 a.m. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED DECK THE HALLS AND JINGLE BELLS! Do you remember singing the old familiar Christmas Carols and songs years ago? Do you lament the fact that they re not taught in schools anymore? Are you sorry that we have only five Sundays to sing two or three a week in church? Join us for an hour of singing lots of old favorites at our next event, this time Carols and Hops. See you at Flatbread on the 9 th at 7! Come early if you plan to have dinner. The Deadline for the January Prophet will be on Friday, December 22 nd. Please send all articles to suzispof@comcast.net.