Jim West, Chris Perry, Cary Friberg and Rev. David
are all planning to camp out and are looking for sponsors.
To raise awareness of homelessness in our community
And to raise money for Good Samaritan Haven homeless shelter.
Sign-up sheets can be found in the narthex.
POINSETTIAS AND DECORATIONS
Plans have been made to buy live wreaths for the front doors, and additional permanent decorations for inside the church. Any contribution to this effort would be appreciated. If you would like to buy wreaths, decorations or poinsettias in honor, or in memory of a loved one, please fill out the form below:
I/We would like to order _____# plants @$15 each In memory of / In honor of: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________
Given by: __________________________________________ __________________________________________
$______ for donation of wreaths or decorations
Total Enclosed:____________ Checks payable to BCC
Memo: Christmas decorations
Deadline: December 15
For orders or questions, Contact Kate Duffy (476-5879)
Dear Advent People,
Yesterday, Nancy Fowler got my attention and asked me to read this year's version of the Christmas story or Christmas pageant that will be the focus of our worship at the family Christmas Eve service. (December 24, 6:00 pm) Telling "the story" and having the children assemble around the manger, along with singing Silent Night while holding our candles is an emotional and sentimental moment. For many, Christmas would not be Christmas without these two experences.
A few years ago some of us read The First Christmas by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan. We learned that Matthew and Luke had much more in mind than creating an iconic creche scene when including "birth narratives" in their gospels. These stories were preludes to their gospels and powerful reminders of the world in which those first Christians lived. The stories are full of challenge and hope.
Wednesday, December 21, at 6:30 pm we will gather to read the "birth narratives" as our December faith formation event. With insights from Borg and Crossan we will see if we can listen more deeply to these stories and hear what they say about our world and us.
I chose the words of my opening sentence carefully, "Nancy got my attention." Advent and the days before Christmas can be chaotic and a blur. If someone or something does not get our attention, it is so easy to miss the "reason for the season."
When will you find your moments to reflect on Jesus' birth?
I do hope you will consider coming out December 21. The Christmas stories as Borg and Crossan remind us, "are about light in our darkness, the fulfillment of our deepest yearnings, and the birth of Christ within us. They are about us - our hopes and fears. And they are about a different kind of world. God's dream for us is not simply peace of mind, but peace on earth."
Rev. David
Use your smart phone and or your camera and your eyes to look for images of Advent. Below is the list of words that you can reflect on each day through this season of waiting and maybe find a photo to snap and post on the Instagram, Facebook or send them along to me to add to the church Facebook page. (fowler5vt@gmail.com)
St. Nicholas Party and
Church Decorating Saturday
Feeling like a St. Nicholas?
COUNCIL on AGING PACKAGE DELIVERY
on Christmas Day after Worship
Several children and their parents gathered last Saturday and heard the story of St. Nicholas, who was a third century Bishop from what is now Turkey. The simple message I hope the children went away with was that Christmas is about giving and especially to those in need. One mother shared with me how her daughter had purchased a gift for someone and then walked by the Toys for Tots box and inquired who receives these toys. When the mom answered her, the young girl ran back to the store and dropped the stuffed animal she had bought into the box. She told her mother that the gift she had bought for a friend is needed more in the Toys for Tots box.
I spoke with someone from the Council on Aging and asked if they needed help delivering the boxes on Christmas day. Her response was a clear "yes." The delivery takes place from about 10am to noon. Some of us will be in church this day and may want to help with delivering gift boxes and the hot meals the Council on Aging brings to the recipients of this special gift. (some of these will be at Tilden house) I will have the details of this opportunity for anyone who would like to say yes by next week.
Maggie Sample who will be having surgery next Tuesday.
Matt Safford who is having neck pain and is retiring as our church custodian.
Pam Murphy's friend Laura who is facing more chemo.
Lynn Carpenter (Reid) who is celebrating that she did not have surgery but still requests our prayers.
Susan Osterman who is recovering from surgery.
Rev. Susan McKnight who has retired as pastor from the Warren United Church.
John McHugh who is in Woodridge for rehab.
Phyllis Sawyer who is living with Parkinson's disease.
Cindy Hooker has asked for prayers for her brother-in-law Bruce. We celebrate that he has come home.
Lowell Sanders, Sherry Singer's father, who has been diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
Dawn Borne who continues to live with cancer.
Chuck Cecchini who is living with cancer.
We give thanks: The students from SHS, Nancy Fowler, Jean Brown and Carol Martell for serving the Tuesday breakfast. We also give thanks for Faith Formation who set up for our coffee hour and for Nancy Pope and Nancy Comolli for preparing the Good Samaritan Haven meal.
THANK All OF YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR MISSION AND OUTREACH MINISTRY!
Please let us know if you have prayer requests or celebrations
for this section of the E-Window.
Our last Inquirer's Class will be this December 11th. We will meet in the Conference Room which is to the left of the chancel.
Inquirers classes are opportunities for building community and learning about our church. The classes will review the history of our local church and The United Church of Christ, explain the polity (church governance) of our local church and denomination and the theology shaping our church in matters of faith and practice. While these classes are designed with prospective new members in mind, long standing church members are invited as well. This mix of old and new creates a wonderful learning environment.
Be assured you are welcome even if you have not yet attended a class.
Youth Group this Sunday (7th-12th Graders)
4:00 pm BCC
Christmas Eve Pageant Notice to Parents
Children will be singing in worship on Sunday, December 18 and again on Christmas Eve. The children will be part of the Christmas Eve Pageant and will decide which part they want to be. The choices include angels, shepherds, cows, sheep and donkeys. We will have their costumes ready on December 18 and go over their part in the pageant. If you are unable to be in worship on this Sunday, do not worry as there will also be a brief pageant run though on the morning of Christmas Eve at 10:00 am.
The article below is a great article about why children need to come to church on Christmas Eve.
Why Children Need to Get to Church on Christmas Eve
worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com by Carolyn C. Brown
In most families Christmas Eve and Day are busy, chaotic times. It is not easy to get a family that includes overly-excited children to church. But, it is worth the effort. Children (and their parents) actually need it. The church helps when it articulates for parents clear reasons to make the effort. Here is my starter list of reasons.
To hear the story read or told in an important way on the “night it happened” – Children like hearing the story of their birth on their birthday and celebrating other big events on “the very day it happened.” So, the story which may have been acted out in a pageant and discussed in church school and read at home, feels more “real” when read on Christmas Eve or Day in the sanctuary.
To go to church at night – These days children are at church most often during the day. To go at night to a decorated, even candle-lit church is almost magical. When the family makes this an important part of Christmas – even in the middle of the chaos – just being there reminds children what is most important about Christmas.
To be with a crowd telling the story – Joining church friends in a packed sanctuary reminds children that this story is something bigger than just their family traditions. They are part of a huge family of families who celebrate Jesus’ birth.
To sing the carols at least one more time – Not many families sing together at home and not many children’s groups sing religious carols any more. That means we need to be intentional about singing with the carols with the children. And, who would want to miss singing “Silent Night” in the Christmas Eve sanctuary while hugging your child!
To create a context in which to discover the truth about Santa – If Santa is all there is to Christmas Eve once children learn “the truth,” Christmas is just a greedy gift grab. But, if Christmas Eve has always circled around the story of Jesus told in the sanctuary, the truth about Santa can be fit into that context and the Christmas celebration gets richer.
To create memories - Worshiping on Christmas Eve or Day as a family creates over the years a treasure trove of memories. Some of them shine with wonder. Others make for eye-rolling stories that are retold every Christmas. These memories are precious for both the children as they mature and the parents as they age.
Community Christmas Dinner
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Noon to 2 pm
Hedding United Methodist Church
A traditional Christmas dinner that is open to everyone. Please join us!
If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, please contact Sonya Spaulding at 802.476.5569 or sonya@milessupply.com.
Homeless Prayer
Dear God,
an open door,
a roof above,
safe homes for all,
in the power of love.
Amen
You can also find Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) stations on a ROKU under free channels and view any PEG station across the country (including our local CVTV).
Your pledge dollars and contributions to the Barre Congregational Church, UCC make the ministries of our church possible.
Have you considered remembering the Barre Congregational Church, UCC in your will? You would leave a lasting legacy which would support the good works of our church.
The per capita contribution for each active member to the Vermont Conference and Washington Association of the United Church of Christ, for 2016 is $12.99. It is very much appreciated when members
