News for December 5, 2023

This Sunday, Dec 10: In-person service at 10am

This Sunday, December 10, is the second Sunday of Advent, so the theme is Peace. Rev Polly Moore is preaching on "The Hard Work of Peace".

Instant Choir rehearses at 8:45am.

The Giving Sunday offering for December is for the UCC's Christmas Fund, helping active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ.

Recent sermons

Check out our YouTube page to see recent sermons. Go to our archive of slides to see bulletins and slides used during recent services.

Starting in Sept 2023, recordings of our Taize services are also on the YouTube page.

Sabrina's cybersecurity talk is now posted. This is worth watching even if you heard her give it.

Due to a technical glitch, Polly's sermon on Black Madonnas didn't get recorded. In lieu of the video, you can read the text and see the pictures here.

Taize service this Friday at 7:30pm

The Advent Taize service is always a little special. Quiet carols, ancient chants, a Magnificat or two.... it's music that we only sing at this time of year. Hilary Lewis will be here with her viola, and we'll hear poetry by Madeleine L'Engle. Join us for a lovely respite from the holiday frenzy. The usual Zoom room will be open and the bulletin is online.

Christmas Smorgy this Sat at 6pm

We haven't had a Christmas smorgy since before Covid, but I think we remember how:

Wear your party clothes. Also Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and so forth. Sparkle!
Bring something to share (appetizers, wine, mains, sides, desserts...).
Come at 6, earlier if you're decorating a table.
Tell Marilyn G. if you can contribute to the entertainment. Think songs (we'll have a pianist), skits, recitations, you name it. Also carol singing.
Friends and family are included in the invitation.

Christmas surprise for Jim M.

Sunday is the deadline for assembling the Christmas goody bag for Jim Mathews. Jim is bedridden now, on hospice, but still recognizes visitors and is happy to see people. For years his beautiful tenor voice graced our singing, especially at Christmas. If you'd like to contribute a small item to the surprise, give it to Karen or Jane by Sunday.

Advent activities calendar

Mark your calendars -- all the pre-Covid pre-Christmas traditions are returning this year!

Fri, Dec 8 -- Advent Taize service, 7:30 pm. Christmas-season chants by candlelight, Hilary Lewis on viola.
Sat, Dec 9 -- Christmas Smorgy, 6pm. We all get dressed up in our party clothes, the tables are decorated, the church is decorated (see "Deck the Halls" above), and family and friends are welcome to come too. See Marilyn G. if you want to contribute to the after-dinner talent/no-talent show.
Sun, Dec 10 -- Second Sunday in Advent, Rev. Polly Moore preaching. Instant choir rehearses at 8:45.
Tues, Dec 12 -- Caroling in the neighborhood, 6 pm. We sing for about an hour, then retreat to the church for hot cider and cookies. Friends and family welcome.
Sun, Dec 17 -- Third Sunday in Advent. Pepe Doyle will talk about Joy. Instant Choir rehearses at 8:45.
Sun, Dec 24 -- Fourth Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve. No morning service. Christmas Eve candlelight service of lessons and carols at 8pm. Choir sings.

Upcoming services and events

• Advent Taize service: Nov 10 (7:30 pm), in-person and on Zoom. A contemplative time of chant and prayer.

• Weds discussion group:Jan 10 (7 pm), Zoom

"Basic Bible Stories", meeting the main characters of the Old Testament. After the holidays, we'll move on to the story of Solomon.

• Book Group: Sun, Jan 28 (7 pm), Zoom Al Hasse is still going to lead the Book Group! The next discussion won't be until after their move and the holidays, which will give you plenty of time to prepare your arguments, pro and con, on Sam Harris' "Free Will".

Links and resources

• Baby Zachary is here! Gina and Herbert Lee's baby arrived last Sunday just after church was over. Mom and baby doing fine, sister Zoe super-excited. Pictures here.

• Masterworks Chorale sings two Christmas concerts: Sat, Dec 16 at 4pm for kids and families and Sun, Dec 17 at 4pm for our usual more adult audience. Both concerts are at CCSM (the downtown church) and both are followed by a Cookie Extravaganza.

Quote of the week

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it." -- Helen Keller

Weekly events

• Meditation group: Wednesdays at 7:30 am

In person at the church building.

• Sunday worship: 10 am

In person at the church building.

Image: "Peace Dancer"