Advent at First Church, 2010

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• Parent Category: News
• Published on Saturday, 20 November 2010 16:59

Advent Worship and Programs - December, 2010

November 28:  First Sunday in Advent

8:30 and 10:00 Candle of Peace
Rev. Kendrick Norris preaching
Church School vacation week. Nursery care and optional program Pre-K-Grade 4 available at 10:00.
7:00-9:00 Pilgrim Fellowship

Sat. Dec 4: Breakfast with Santa,

sponsored by Pilgrim Fellowship   9-11:30 - FH (children $3, adults $5, photos $7)

December 5:  Second Sunday in Advent

8:30 and 10:00 - Candle of Hope
Rev. Lisa Horst Clark preaching
Church School and nursery care at 10:00.
11:15     Coffee Hour and Harvest Fair Mini-Fair in Fellowship Hall
5:00-6:30 Advent Family Supper in Fellowship Hall. Our Cherub Choir sings and families are invited to bring their own Advent wreath (and we will have extras here). Pasta, salad, bread, and desserts will be offered. All are welcome.
7:00-9:00 Pilgrim Fellowship

December 12:  Third Sunday in Advent

8:30 and 10:00 - Candle of Joy
Rev. Clare Robert preaching
Church School and nursery care at 10:00.
5:00 Service of Lessons and Carols
A traditional candlelight service featuring the Bible lessons and music of the season.  There will be special anthems from the First Church Senior Choir, Junior Choir, and Handbell Choir, with soloists and instrumentalists.  Childcare will be available.
6:00-7:30 Soup and Bread Supper sponsored by the Pilgrim Fellowship in Fellowship Hall, immediately after the carol service.  Tickets ($7) will be on sale in the narthex on Sunday mornings.

Wed. Dec. 15 Service of Prayer and Healing   7:00 p.m.

This will be a special time of music, scripture, prayer, and reflection.  The service will include the laying on of hands and anointing with oil for those who choose

Sat. Dec. 18 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal   9:30 - 11:00

Children who wish to participate in the Christmas Eve Pageant should plan to attend this rehearsal in the Sanctuary.  Costumes and parts will be given out at this time along with a quick rehearsal. We can also use some older teens and adults who would be willing to help. All are welcome!

December 19:  Fourth Sunday in Advent

8:30 Chapel Service and 10:00 Christmas Festival Service - Candle of Love
Rev. Kendrick Norris preaching
Church School and nursery care at 10:00
P.F. Cookie Walk in Fellowship Hall after the 10 am service.
7:00-9:00 Pilgrim Fellowship

Friday, December 24:  Christmas Eve

5:00 Christmas Eve Pageant    
A retelling of the Christmas Story by the children of our church.
10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service
Rev. Clare Robert preaching

December 25:  Christmas Day

December 26

10:00  Worship Service (No 8:30 Service)- Church School vacation week.
Nursery care will be available.

January 2

8:30 and 10:00 Communion Service
Storyteller Frank Runyeon
Church School vacation week. Nursery Care
PF Holiday Party: See Email for Details

Opportunities for Giving and Sharing

1.  Our Christmas Mitten Tree will be available for your gifts of gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats.  This year we are also collecting new adult-sized socks and underwear (especially XL sizes) for Columbus House.  Place your mittens and gloves on the tree; with the socks and underwear beneath the tree.  Gifts of non-perishable food and other grocery items may also be placed under the tree in the sanctuary starting on Dec. 12th.  Your contributions will be distributed through Christian Community Action, Covenant to Care, Fair Haven Parents Ministry, and Columbus House.

2. The Giving Tree provides Christmas gifts for families in our community. The tree will be in the narthex December 5th and 12th.  You may buy a gift individually, or join with another person or family.  Bring your wrapped gift to church on December 19th with the gift tag firmly attached to the package. The numbered gift tag is the only identification of the recipient.  Questions? - Jeanie Cacopardo, 203-453-6981

3.  It is our custom to decorate the sanctuary during the Christmas season with poinsettias, which are then given to the home-bound, nursing homes, and the infirm.  Last date to order is December 6th.

THE GIVING ALTERNATIVE

With Christmas approaching, it is time to think about celebrating the occasion with The Giving Alternative.  Instead of giving your friends and loved ones something they may not need or even want, why not make gifts in their names to a worthy charitable organization?  Acknowledgement cards can be mailed to you or directly to the recipient. Here is a list of charities that that The Giving Alternative has worked with in the past.  You may also designate any other organization of your choice.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ACTION provides food, advocacy, and temporary shelter for homeless families in New Haven.

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE helps refugees who have fled their homeland, victims of natural disasters, and farmers who need support services.

COLUMBUS HOUSE provides food, referrals, and evening health services for homeless people in New Haven.

THE COVE provides programs for helping children and families work through unresolved grief due to the death of someone significant in their lives.

GUILFORD FOOD BANK provides food for Guilford people in need.

GUILFORD FUEL FUND helps Guilford families in need to heat their homes.

GUILFORD INTERFAITH MINISTRIES offers three separate services:  Meals on Wheels for Guilford Residents who are homebound, Friendly Visiting for those who are homebound or lonely, and Charlie’s Closet, which provides medical equipment for those in need.

HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL provides livestock and agricultural assistance to needy families all over the world.

To participate in THE GIVING ALTERNATIVE, send a check (or checks) made payable to each organization you have selected to:  The Giving Alternative, c/o First Congregational Church, 122 Broad Street, Guilford, CT 06437. A form for your convenience can be found in the December Landmark. Please have your checks arrive at the church at least a week before the holiday so that we can distribute the checks and send out the cards on time.