FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BENZONIA, MI December 2017 Hello my fellow Travelers, I was a fortunate young person. I knew two sets of great grandparents, both on my mother s side. My grandmother s parents and my grandfather s parents. I loved spending time with them. Many times, throughout the year we would go to the farm, where Grammie had been raised. The summer I was 13 I lived with Nanna, Grampa s mom. As for my grandparents, Mémé died when I was 36, Grampa when I was 40, and Grammie at 51. I was blessed to have lived in a multi-generational family. Some of my fondest memories come around Christmas. From making bread and fudge with Mémé to setting up the tree with Grammie and Grampa. They would share stories of their youth and of my parents. They would also share stories of their faith, one family Catholic and the other United Methodist. Traditions vary but the love and faith were strong in both houses. I am sure that some of you may have comparable stories. Advent begins December 3rd this year. There are lots of exciting things happening here at The First Congregational between the tree and sanctuary decorating, the Advent workshop and a brunch. With all of this going on worship that day will be different. I invite all of you to come and try something new. The first Sunday of Advent, Sunday the 3rd, we will start the day with the Advent workshop at 9:00 am. This looks to be fun, creative, and exciting with all kinds of different crafts. If crafting is not your forte, then there is tree and sanctuary decorating. And if neither of those sounds appealing to you, please come and sit, relaxing in conversation, sharing stories of your Christmas experiences. At 10:30 we will light the first candle, the candle of Hope. We will then have communion. This invitation is more than inviting you to come to church on a very busy love filled day. This is an invitation to come and share your stories in a multigenerational space. Come sit, stand, craft, work, eat, drink coffee, share, and commune together as we enter the time of anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Come, all are welcome. See you along the Way, Patty
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Keith Brian 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 16 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 Helen Dewey Faith REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS 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 to pray this month for the ongoing mission and ministries of First Congregational Church of Lewiston. FLOWERS If you would like to supply flowers, please sign up on the sign posted on the bulletin board, and indicate who the flowers honor or memorialize. You may then bring in your own flowers or donate $30 to the church to make the arrangements with a local florist. THANK YOU TO OUR DECEMBER VOLUNTEERS COFFEE NURSERY Dec 3 Advent Workshop Char Patterson Dec 10 Cookie Walk Nancy Call Dec 17 Dec 24 Barb Brian Chris Stone Dec 31 Chris Jones Mary Wulke HEAD USHER: Jim Sheets
FROM THE CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE COMMITTEE Special Offering in December The Christmas Fund Our joy at Christmas is a response to God's promise of new life through the birth of Jesus. It is a joy we are called to share widely, through our witness and gifts, both to loved ones and to distant neighbors. "It wasn t easy picking up the telephone to share with you my present situation. In fact, it was one of the most humiliating experiences of my life although it reminded me that grace still happens. Sometimes we as clergy persons lose sight of God s grace when the negative stuff comes into our lives." " thanks so much for sharing your time and ministry with me. Your most gracious gift is appreciated more than words can say as I continue to live in the 'meantime.'" These eloquent words are from a pastor who is the recipient of the caring and concern of those who contribute to the Christmas Fund Offering. You have the opportunity to be a part of this ministry that cares for the active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ through your participation in this year's Christmas Fund Offering. Your gift to the Christmas Fund will not only assist pastors like the one above, but also provide for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants, and Christmas Thank You Gift Checks next December to lowerincome retirees. This offering will be requested during the December 24 th morning service. Please note Christmas Fund on your check, which can be donated any time in December. GIVING TREE TRADITION CONTINUES Our members and friends are making Christmas a little merrier for some Benzie County families. Love, INC is providing us with the Christmas wish lists of several families. On December 3, you will find a Giving Tree in the Fellowship Hall with gifts listed on tags for adults and children. Please select a gift tag, purchase and wrap the gift, attach the tag, and return to the church by Tuesday, December 12. Thank you for being part of this long-standing tradition and for your COOKIE WALK The annual cookie walk will be Sunday, December 10 following the church service. Proceeds will be divided between Angel Gowns, which makes infant burial gowns out of donated wedding dresses, and a new chair storage cart for the barn. If you are baking cookies, please have them at the church by Sunday morning. Label them Cookie Walk and put your name on them. Circle I helpers should be at the church by 9:00am on December 10.
FROM THE DEACONS We are still accepting gifts of shampoo, conditioner, and soap for the Benzie Senior Resources gift bags. There is a basket in Fellowship Hall to put your donations in. Thank you all for bringing a little cheer to our seniors in Benzie County. The deadline is December 11 th. We will be celebrating communion on the first Sunday in Advent, December 3 rd. This is going to be done a little different this year and we are really excited to try something new. In an effort to interact the adults with our children we are inviting everyone to join in the Advent Workshop. We are going to serve communion in the Fellowship Hall during the workshop! We hope this will be a very meaningful experience for everyone, please join us! Once again the Deacons will be ordering poinsettias for those that wish to purchase them to remember or honor a loved one. There are order forms in the bulletin or you can call the church office. The deadline for this is on December 11th. Our 7 th Annual Live Nativity will be held on December 9 th and 10 th from 5 to 7pm. We need lots of volunteers to help make this a success. We meet at the church around 4:30 and put on the costumes before we head out to the barn. We have a fire which helps us keep warm. Please come on out and join us for a very moving way to show the community the true meaning of Christmas. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board. Sonny Rodriguez is heading up a group of hearty people on Saturday, December 2 nd at 10am to set up the barn.all help would be greatly appreciated. PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE ADVENT WORKSHOP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, AT 9:00 AM FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC, BENZONIA FUN FOR ALL AGES! CHRISTMAS CRAFTS GINGERBREAD HOUSES ORNAMENTS AND DECORATIONS DECORATING CHRISTMAS TREES HANGING GREENS WORSHIP FOLLOWING
FROM CHRISTIAN EDUCATION On Sunday, December 10th, the Sunday Christmas Program will return to its traditional roots. Our students will be responsible for the entire service. You are in for an amazing experience...one might even say it s out of this world. Sock Tree for the Festival of Trees Wicked Trip FROM THE SOUL SISTERS The Soul Sisters would like to thank the congregation for supporting Undies for Everyone and the Baby Pantry Baby Shower. During the month of November, we collected new, packaged underwear for men, women, and children. Because of you, our congregation, we were able to donate 23 packages to BACN. We also held our annual Soup Sunday Baby Shower to benefit The Benzie County Baby Pantry. Three tubs of diapers, clothing, wipes, etc and several large boxes of diapers were donated. In addition, because of your overwhelming monetary generosity, we were able to purchase sensitive formula, regular formula, lotion, shampoo, diaper rash cream, baby body wash, etc. Your continued support is deeply appreciated. CIRCLE I Circle I has no meeting in December. The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 17 at 1:00 at the church. Chris Jones is hostess.
December 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 10:00 Live Nativity Setup 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9:00 Advent Workshop & Worship 8:30 Men s Breakfast @ Papa J s 5-7 Live Nativity 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Cookie Walk 5-7 Live Nativity 4:00 Deacons 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
First Congregational Church, UCC 901 Barber Street, P.O. Box 234 Benzonia, MI 49616 Phone: (231) 882-4922 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 Patty Higgins........Pastor Chris Stone...........Treasurer Mary Rodriguez..............Financial Secretary Mary Ellen Wagner..Organist Andy Wagner...Sound Technician Rose DuFrane..........Custodian Samantha Mullet..Secretary Melanie Bredbanner..Nursery Staff Jerry Slater...Church Moderator Carolina Jones...Christian Ed Coordinator Office Phone: 231-882-4922 Office Hours: M F 9am 12noon Office Email: secretary@benzoniacongregational.org Our Website: http://www.benzoniacongregational.org Our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/benzoniacongregational