This Week November 28, 2023

 Dear Folks,

Continued prayers for the healing of our bodies and the healing of the world.

 

This Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  The scripture is Luke 2:1-7.  The sermon is "When?"

 

We will be decorating the church for Christmas after the service.  Any help is welcome and appreciated!

 

Advent starts this Sunday.  If you do not have one, please pick up a Reverse Advent Calendar in the Alcove. A suggestion is given for each day of Advent.  This year, we are giving to benefit the Valley Food Bank at Spooner House and our Blessing Box. You can do all or just a few, whatever works for you. May it remind us of God’s great gift to us in Jesus Christ: in gratitude, we too give!

 

BH Care Under the Tree program: All purchased wrapped gifts (with original tag) need to be returned by Sunday, December 10^th, or you may donate monetarily directly to BHCare. Thank you!   https://www.bhcare.org/giving/donate/

 

There will be an in-person Congregation Meeting for all members of the Huntington Congregational Church UCC immediately following worship service on Sunday, December 10, 2023, for the purpose of presenting the proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year.   

 

The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees. This offering will be taken on December 17. Envelopes will be available December 10. You may also give via our website at: www.huntingtonucc.org.

 

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House – There is a list of needed items in the Alcove.  Please pick up a copy. Please use the box in the Alcove for donations. The Blessing Box also needs to be stocked! Please note that our Spooner House Meal is now the 3^rd Tuesday of each month. Questions—see Holly or Gerry Fassbender.

 

Funds for Clean-up Buckets Needed – Women’s Fellowship is collecting monetary donations for Church World Service Clean up buckets. Checks may be made out to HCC with “Buckets” on the memo line. You can drop your donation in the bucket on Sundays or you can use the on-line option on our website. The need now is urgent.

 

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions.  Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

 

Let us pray.  O God, as we approach the Advent Season, may we consciously prepare ourselves for Christ to be born anew in us.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week November 21, 2023

Dear Folks,

 

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.

 

This coming Sunday, November 26, is The Reign of Christ.  The scriptures are Psalm 95:1-7a and Ephesians 1:15-23.  The sermon is "The Eyes of our Hearts".

 

HCCUCC is participating in the BHCare Under the Tree program to benefit disadvantaged adults and children in the Valley. Thank you to everyone who picked up a gift tag on Sunday.  We have one left!  All purchased wrapped gifts (with original tag) need to be returned by Sunday, December 10^th, or you may donate monetarily to BHCare at:

 https://www.bhcare.org/giving/donate/

 

Advent starts on December 3.  If you don’t have one, get a Reverse Advent Calendar today. A suggestion is given for each day of Advent.  This year, we are giving to benefit the Valley Food Bank at Spooner House and our Blessing Box. You can do all or just a few, whatever works for you. May it remind us of God’s great gift to us in Jesus Christ: in gratitude, we too give!

 

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House – There is a list of needed items in the Alcove.  Please pick up a copy. Please use the box in the Alcove for donations. The Blessing Box also needs to be stocked! Please note that our Spooner House Meal is now the 3^rd Tuesday of each month. Questions—see Holly or Gerry Fassbender.

 

Funds for Clean-up Buckets Needed – Women’s Fellowship is collecting monetary donations for Church World Service Clean up buckets. Checks may be made out to HCC with “Buckets” on the memo line. You can drop your donation in the bucket on Sundays or you can use the on-line option on our website. The need now is urgent.

                                       

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions.  Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

 

Let us pray.  Gracious Creator, thank you!  Thank you for all that we have and all that we are.  Thank you for your constant love and care.  May our lives show our gratitude in words and acts of compassion and generosity.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

 

This Week November 14, 2023

Dear Folks, 

This is the week!  It's the Pumpkin & Holly Fair, which is on Friday, November 17, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Please join us, either as helpers or as shoppers!  The more the merrier!

 

The is coming Sunday, November 19, is the Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost.  We will be celebrating Thanksgiving Sunday.  The scriptures are Psalm 100 and Deuteronomy 8:7-18.  The sermon is "But Remember..."  The choir will be singing.

 

Wednesday Evening Devotions begin on November 29 through December 20 at 7 p.m. via ZOOM. Link will be in the “This Week” email. The booklet we will be using, “God Bless Us, Everyone! Encountering Christ in Charles Dickens’ “The Christmas Carol” is available in the Alcove.  A donation of $3 is requested.  All are welcome.

 

Advent starts on December 3.  If you don’t have one, get a Reverse Advent Calendar today. A suggestion is given for each day of Advent.  This year, we are giving to benefit the Valley Food Bank at Spooner House and our Blessing Box. You can do all or just a few, whatever works for you. May it remind us of God’s great gift to us in Jesus Christ: in gratitude, we too give!

 

HCCUCC is participating in the BH Care Under the Tree program to benefit disadvantaged adults and children in the Valley. Watch for tags listing gift requests in the alcove and select a gift request to help make Christmas a little brighter for someone in need. Please note that you can share the cost of a gift with one or more people. All purchased wrapped gifts (with original tag) need to be returned by Sunday, December 10^th, or you may donate monetarily directly to

BHCare at https://www.bhcare.org/giving/donate/

 

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House – There is a list of needed items in the Alcove.  Please pick up a copy. Please use the box in the Alcove for donations. The Blessing Box also needs to be stocked! Please note that our Spooner House Meal is now the 3^rd Tuesday of each month. Questions—see Holly or Gerry Fassbender.

 

Funds for Clean-up Buckets Needed – Women’s Fellowship is collecting monetary donations for Church World Service Clean up buckets. Checks may be made out to HCC with “Buckets” on the memo line. You can drop your donation in the bucket on Sundays or you can use the on-line option on our website. The need now is urgent.

                        

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions.  Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

 

Let us pray.  O God, our world is so full of hate.  Please remind us that we all are one.  Please remind us that we are all created in your image.  Please remind us that we are to love one another as you first loved us.  Please remind us!  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week November 7, 2023

Dear Folks,

Remember to vote today and use your faith!

My prayer day is this Thursday, November 9.  Please let me know if you have any joys or concerns you would like me to lift up.  Be assured, I am praying for you all!!

This coming Sunday, November 12, is the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.  The scripture is Matthew 25:1-13.  The sermon is "Keep Awake".  We will be honoring our veterans.

The Pumpkin & Holly Fair will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 18, 2023, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Help is needed!  Also, come and enjoy the crafts and the food.  It's always a great time!

 

Advent starts on December 3.  If you don’t already have it, please be sure to pick up your Reverse Advent Calendar in the Alcove. Remember Advent Calendars? Each day of Advent, you open a door and find a little gift. Like last year, we are doing the reverse! Instead of getting, we are giving!  A suggestion is given for each day of Advent. This year, we are giving to benefit the Valley Food Bank at Spooner House and our Blessing Box. You can do all or just a few, whatever works for you. May it remind us of God’s great gift to us in Jesus Christ, that in gratitude we too give!

 

The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House – There is a list of needed items in the Alcove.  Please pick up a copy. Please use the box in the Alcove for donations. The Blessing Box also needs to be stocked! Please note that our Spooner House Meal is now the 3^rd Tuesday of each month. Questions—see Holly or Gerry Fassbender.

 

Funds for Clean-up Buckets Needed – Women’s Fellowship is collecting monetary donations for Church World Service Clean up buckets. Checks may be made out to HCC with “Buckets” on the memo line. You can drop your donation in the bucket on Sundays or you can use the on-line option on our website. The need now is urgent.

Thank you to everyone who has returned their Faith Promise/Pledge cards. If you have not, please do so as soon as possible. Thank you for your faithfulness! Because of you, our church changes lives!!

 

Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions.  Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org. Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.

 

Let us pray.  Holy God of power, strength, and vision, may we feel your power when we are feeling powerless. May we feel your strength when we are feeling weak.  May we find your vision when we are confused.  May you pour into us your breath and life.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille