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

 

This Week November 19, 2019

Dear Folks,

The Pumpkin & Holly Fair is almost here:  Friday, 5:30 P.M. to 8 P.M., Saturday, 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Hope to see you all there!

This Sunday, November 24 is the Reign of Christ.  The scripture is Colossians 1:11-20.  The sermon is "Everything".  Please think about for whom and for what you are grateful.

The Shelton Clergy Thanksgiving Interfaith Service will be held on Tuesday, November 26^th, 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 183 Howe Ave. Following the service will be a time of refreshment. Contributions of any Pumpkin/Fall desserts for all to enjoy would be appreciated.  Donations 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.

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!

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.

Let us pray. O God of all goodness, in the depths of our dispair, in the midst of our stressors, in the season of our hard heartenedness, open our eyes to your blessings and our hearts to your love.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week November 13, 2019

Dear Folks,

 

Hope you are all keep warm on this cold day in November!

 

Tomorrow, Thursday, November 14 is my prayer day.  If you have any joys or concerns you would like me to lift up, please let me know.

 

This Sunday, November 17, is the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost.  The scripture is Isaiah 65:17-25.  The sermon is "Something New".

 

Following Sunday worship, we will need all hands on deck for the Pumpkin & Holly Fair set-up. If you can, please help!

 

Pumpkin & Holly Fair signup sheets are posted in the alcove. Please see what is of interest to you & sign up today! 

 

The Shelton Clergy Thanksgiving Interfaith Service will be held on Tuesday, November 26^th, 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 183 Howe Ave. 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.

 

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. Copies of the By-Law revisions will be available in the Alcove and will be sent electronically.

 

Let us pray.  O Holy God of love and light, may you clear our vision of anything that blocks us from seeing your compassion and glory.  Amen.

 

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucill

This Week November 6, 2019

Dear Folks,

On this Wednesday after All Saint's Day and before Veteran's Day, let us remember and give thanks for the many kinds of saints and heroes in our lives.

This Sunday, November 10, is the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost. The scripture is Luke 20:27-38. The sermon is "Imagine".

The Pumpkin & Holly Fair will be here before we know it, November 22^nd & 23^rd. Much help is needed!  Sign-up sheets are in the alcove for you to pick your job. For more information co-chairs: Terri Johnston, Jaqui Olivo, Judy Tucker, or Eve Washenko.

The Shelton Clergy Thanksgiving Interfaith Service will be held on Tuesday, November 26^th, 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 183 Howe Ave. 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 "Shelton Clergy Association" in the memo line. 

Let us pray. O Holy One, whose will for us all is fullness of life and love, may we trust in your strength and guidance as we seek to be an example of that fullness in the world. Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille