Tuesday, December 3, 2019

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 13th, 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 15th
 
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 21st 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

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