Wednesday, December 20, 2017

This Week December 20, 2017

Dear Folks,

I hope your holiday preparation is coming along.  Just remember to keep breathing!!

Speaking of breathing, our Longest Night Service will be tomorrow, Thursday, December 21 at 6:30 P.M.  This is will be a quiet time to breathe, to acknowledge the darkness that surrounds us, but also to rest in God's loving light.

Sunday, December 24, we will have two services of Christmas celebration: 

11 A.M. is a inter-generational service, starting with the Fourth Sunday of Advent, then moving into a more Christmas Eve vibe.

11 P.M. is our traditional candlelight Lessons and Carols. (My favorite service of the year.)

The choir, bell choir, and sacred dancers will be featured at both.  Come to one service or both!!

December 31, we are back at 9:30 A.M., but we will be in Fellowship Hall for an informal "Aloha" service:  Aloha to 2017 and aloha to 2018!  Wear a Hawaiian shirt or something tropical, if you have it!

If you have not already given to the Christmas Fund, envelopes are available in the Alcove.  THE CHRISTMAS FUND for the Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund is the primary source of annual income used to support and honor those who have served and are serving the United Church of Christ. Your gift to the Christmas Fund helps provide a lifeline of hope to many lower-income active and retired clergy and lay employees of UCC. Please remember that your generous contribution can and will make a difference in the lives of many.

Just a reminder to please have your 2017 pledge up-to-date by December 31, 2017. The church 2017 financial books for accepting pledge contributions will close on January 1, 2018 – all checks must be dated December 31, 2017. PLEASE NOTE 2017 in the memo. Any contributions received after this date will be credited to the year 2018. Also, if you have not returned your 2018 Faith Promise/Pledge Card, please do so as soon as possible.  Your generosity is vital to our continued ministry here at HCCUCC.

On a personal note, I want to thank each of you for the gifts, cards, and well-wishes I have received this Christmas time, also for your love, support, and care that you show me all year long. You are very special people; I feel truly blessed to be your pastor.  I love you all.

Let us pray.  O Holy One, may this Christmas time reignite in all of us the love and the compassion that will help our world be a better place for all people.  Amen.

In Christ's love,
Rev. Lucille

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