The Beautiful Truth of Christmas

This Week December 21

Dear Folks,

Some sad news to share today: Rodman Kneen, Robin Hartel's father, passed away this morning.  His Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, December 24, 10 A.M. here at HCCUCC.  Love and prayers for Robin, Boo, and their family

This evening is our Longest Night Service at 7 P.M.  Come, light a candle, and just breathe.

This Sunday, the worship service will be lead by our Deacons and will feature a Christmas Carol sing, lead by our Minister of Music, James Bruni.

I would like to thank you all from the core of my being for your very generous Christmas gift.  I am so grateful for your support, encouragement, and love.

May you all have a holy Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Let us pray.  O Birthing God, breath new life into us today as we open ourselves to the coming of Christ in our lives.  Fill us again with your hope, peace, joy, and love. Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week December 15

Dear Folks,

Well, this weather is weird.  Feels more like Easter instead of Christmas!

This coming Sunday, December 20, will be our final Advent Bag Message.  Josh Crawford has the bag.  The scripture will be Luke 1:39-45.

Our Longest Night Service will be held on Monday, December 21 at 7 P.M.  Come for this time of reflection, quiet, and calm.

The Christmas Eve Family Service will be on Thursday, December 24 at 4 P.M.  The Candlelight Lessons and Carols Service will be held at 11 P.M.  Come and experience again the birth of our Savior!

Let us pray.  O Holy One, may your Holy Spirit inspire us to be Christmas people, not only at this time, but for all time.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

Want to Keep Christ in Christmas?

A Christmas Message from the United Church of Christ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQILvCQsJIQ&feature=share&list=PLFMuUw1_mPUBiIJh2JpkdPSFjL8cJ5lEq

In This Season Of Waiting Breathe in Life – An Advent Prayer

This Week December 8

Dear Folks,

I do hope that during this Advent Season, we are finding a time to breath and appreciate the wonder of God's creation around us.

My  prayer day is this Thursday, December 10.  Please let me know if you have any joys or concerns you would like me to lift up.

This coming Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, our worship service at HCCUCC will feature "The Great Mixed Up Christmas Pageant".  Come for the fun and hear again the story of our Savior's birth!

Following the service, please come to our "Happy Birthday, Jesus" reception in Fellowship Hall.

After the reception, we will have our Open and Affirming event in the Sanctuary with Donna Shubrook from PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). This session is geared for parents and children, but everyone is encouraged to attend.

Our  Longest Night Service service will be held on Monday, December 21^st, at 7 p.m. December 21^st is the longest night of the year. For many people, dark is symbolic of the harsh things of life. And, those harsh things become more evident in the light of the "shoulds" of Christmas time: we should be happy, we should be glad, we should be joyful. Well, sometimes our life is not conducive to the shoulds: we have lost a loved one, or a relationship, or a job, or whatever. We don't feel happy and glad. The Longest Night Service is a time to realize that for some, all is not goodness and light. We can come, acknowledge the darkness, but also look to the Nativity for our hope and our Light.  All are welcome.

Let us pray.  Keep us looking at the stars, O God, to revel in the wonder of your creation.  It is all around us.  May you open our eyes and our hearts to its beauty.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

Longest Night Service December 21, 7 P.M.

The Longest Night Service

December 21, 2015 at 7 P.M.

Huntington Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

19 Church Street, Shelton, CT

December 21^st is the longest night of the year. For many people, dark is symbolic of the harsh things of life. And, those harsh things become more evident in the light of the "shoulds" of Christmas time: we should be happy, we should be glad, we should be joyful. Well, sometimes our life is not conducive to the shoulds: we have lost a loved one, or a relationship, or a job, or whatever. We don't feel happy and glad. The Longest Night Service is a time to realize that for some, all is not goodness and light. We can come, acknowledge the darkness, but also look to the Nativity for our hope and our Light.  All are welcome.

A time for healing and hope.