This Week December 24, 3019

Dear Folks,

On this eve of the celebration of the birth of our Savior, may our hearts be open to the Christ Child's gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love.

Later today, I hope to see you at either the 4 P.M. Family Christmas Eve Service or the 11 P.M. Lessons and Carols Service. Come, hear the story again that changed history!

This coming Sunday, December 29, the Deacons, Laura Salvio, and Sue Lindley will be leading worship. The scriptures are Luke 2:21-32, and Luke 2:33-39.

Thank you all for your gifts, cards, and well-wishes during this Christmas time. And the close of another year, I want to express my deepest appreciation for all of you at HCCUCC. It is because of your commitment, faith, and hard work that we continue to be the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond. May we continue to grow together in love and closer to God in faith.

Blessings to all of you at this Christmas season and always. Merry Christmas and a wish for wonderful 2020!

Let us pray. Holy God, may your Spirit come upon us this Christmas to strengthen us in all the gift the Christ child brings. May we be your light, strong and bright! Amen.

In Christ's love,
Rev. Lucille

This Week December 18, 2019

Dear Folks,

Hope you are all thawed out!  

Our Longest Night service will be held this Saturday, December 21 at 6:30 P.M.  This is a time when we can admit not is all merry and bright, but then look to the Christ Child for our hope, peace, joy, and love.

This Sunday, December 22, is the Fourth Sunday in Advent.  The scripture is Luke 2:1-20.  The sermon monologue is "The Head Choir Angel". 

The Christmas Fund offering will be taken this Sunday.  For all the sacrifices that clergy and lay church workers have made in our congregations, over 100 years ago the Pension Boards of the United Church of Christ created the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund, to help support them in retirement and during times of emergent need. Join with others in the United Church of Christ to make “the light shine in the darkness” for those who have given so much to our church.  Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Following Sunday worship, the Deacons will be putting up the pew candles and getting the candles ready for Christmas Eve.  Any help is appreciated.  Also, there will be practice for all those wishing to sing in the choir at the 11 P.M. Christmas Eve service.  It's not to late to join in!

I need one more reader to help me out with the dialogue message at the 4 P.M. Christmas Eve service.  Please let me know if you are able and willing!

Speaking of Christmas Eve:  4 P.M. is our Family Service.  11 P.M. is our Service of Lessons and Carols.  Both services will have candle light.  Come, worship the newborn Savior!

If you have not done so, please be sure to return your Faith Promise (Pledge) Cards to HCCUCC as soon as possible.

Your faithful generosity makes our ministry in the name  of Jesus to our community and our world possible!

Let us pray.  O God, as the day of celebration of the birth of you Son draws neigh, may we take the time to truly make a space for him in our lives, not just now, not just at Christmas, but for always.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week December 10, 2019

Dear Folks,

As we continue our journey through Advent, may we keep our eyes open for the signs of "God With Us" everywhere we go.

Thursday, December 12 is my prayer day.  If you have any joys or concerns for me to lift up, please let me know.

This Sunday, December 15, is the Third Sunday in Advent. The scripture is Luke 1:26-37.  We will be having our Intergenerational Christmas Program. Following the service, everyone is invited to our "Happy Birthday, Jesus" fellowship time.

BH Care’s Under the Tree program to benefit needy adults and children gifts are due this Sunday.

Poinettia orders for Christmas Eve are also due this Sunday.

"Keep Christ in Christmas" magnets are for sale for $4 in the Alcove.

If anyone is interested in singing in the choir at the 11 P.M. Christmas Eve Service, there will be a brief practice following worship on December 15 and December 22.  Rev. Lucille will be leading with guitar.

Saturday, 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 at 6:30 p.m. 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.  O come, Emmanuel, into our hearts.  May you fill us with the hope, peace, joy, and love that we so need.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week December 3, 2019

Dear Folks,

 

I hope you all had a lovely, thanks-filled Thanksgiving!!

 

This Sunday, December 8, is the Second Sunday in Advent.  The scripture is Luke 1:5-24a.  The sermon monologue is "Zechariah".  

 

Following the Sunday service, there will be a meeting for all members of the Huntington Congregational Church UCC for the purpose of presenting a draft budget for 2020 and to vote on By-Law revisions.  Attached is a copy of the by-law revisions as well as the original text. If you are able, please bring your own copy.  Limited copies will be available on Sunday. Please make every effort to attend this important meeting.

 

Friday, December 13^th, we will once again be providing Spooner House with a Christmas meal and providing gifts for the children. If you would like to donate, there are clearly marked envelopes in the pews which say "Spooner House Meal". These envelopes can be put in the offering plate with your regular offering. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

 

The Mission Committee is sponsoring the BH Care "Under the Tree" program to benefit needy adults and children. All the tags have been taken!  Thank you for your generosity! All purchased gifts need to be returned by Sunday, December 15^th. 

 

If anyone is interested in singing in the choir at the 11 P.M. Christmas Eve Service, please sign the sheet in the Alcove. There will be a brief practice following worship on December 15 and December 22.  Rev. Lucille will be leading with guitar.

 

Readers are needed for the 4 P.M. and 11 P.M. Christmas Eve services.  If you would like to read, please sign up in the Alcove.

 

Saturday, 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 joyful. The Longest Night Service at 6:30 p.m. 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.

 

Please take note of the poster in the Alcove with suggested items for the Valley Food Bank bin in Fellowship Hall. Of course, all items are gratefully accepted, but the Missions Committee put together a list that attempts to target items that may be needed more during certain seasons or months. The need is great, so please be generous!

 

Let us pray.  O God, in this Advent time, may your Spirit work in us to make room in our hearts for the Babe of Bethlehem.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week November 26, 2019

Dear Folks,

 

May you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day.  I give thanks for all you good folks of HCCUCC. I am so grateful to you for you generosity and faithfulness!

 

This evening, 7 P.M., at Trinity Lutheran Church will be the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service sponsored by the Shelton Clergy Association. Following the service will be a time of refreshment. Contributions of any Pumpkin/Fall desserts for all to enjoy would be appreciated. Donation of non-perishable goods will be collected for the Valley Food Bank. Monetary donations will benefit Spooner House. Please make checks payable to HUMC with Spooner House in the memo.

 

This Sunday, December 1, is the First Sunday in Advent.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  The scripture is Micah 5:2-5a.  The sermon will be a monologue. "Micah".  Following worship, please stay to help the Diaconate decorate for the Christmas season.

 

There will be a meeting for all members of the Huntington Congregational Church UCC immediately following the worship service Sunday, December 8, 2019 for the purpose of presenting a draft budget for 2020 and to vote on By-Law revisions.

 

Friday, December 13^th, Holly Fassbender will be preparing a Christmas meal for the residents of Spooner House Homeless Shelter. A collection will take place in the alcove or Fellowship Hall after services on December 1^st & 8^th to make a donation to help cover the cost of both the meal and gifts for the children. Please be generous.

 

The Mission Committee is holding the BH Care sponsored "Under the Tree" program to benefit needy adults and children in the Valley. All the tags have already be picked up!  Thank you for your generosity!  You are helping to help make Christmas a little brighter for someone in need. All purchased gifts need to be returned by Sunday, December 15^th.

 

Sign-up sheets are available in the Alcove for Christmas Eve readers and singers.  Please take a look and sign up! 

 

Please take note of the poster in the Alcove with suggested items for the Valley Food Bank bin in Fellowship Hall. Of course, all items are gratefully accepted, but the Missions Committee put together a list that attempts to target items that may be needed more during certain seasons or months. The need is great, so please be generous!

 

Let us pray.  Thank you God, for everything...everything we have, everything we are...past, present, and future.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille