Worship this Sunday

This is Christmas Pageant Sunday!
The third Sunday in Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, which is translated as "joy."
If your Advent wreath is mostly purple it's the Gaudete candle that's pink.
Gaudete means BIG joy! It means REJOICE!!!
And we will.
We will see families with young people that have grown since last Christmas, and we hope to welcome families and folk not yet met, as well.
We will remember the story of Jesus' birth - the surprise, the journey, the obstacles, the....rejoicing!
There is also room in an impromptu Christmas tableaux for anyone who wants to be part of the story.
As everyone arrives on Sunday morning, there will be a table set up where you're invited to choose to identify with one type of character when we create the Nativity scene during worship. There are 4 kinds: sheep, shepherds, angels or wise magi.
These "insignia" will be simple, a fabric strip that can be tied like a headband or scarf or sash or....well, you get the idea. We'll build our nativity tableaux step by step - and celebrate Jesus' birth.

There will be a flute duet, piano solos, and...
The Once in a Blue Moon Christmas Orchestra/Band will accompany the service. It is a wonderful collection of musicians who will lead us all as we make a joyful noise.

Oh yes, and to place a bright red cherry on top of it all -
Santa has promised to visit just after worship with treats for the youngest among us.

Hope to see you for rejoicing on Gaudete Sunday!
Pastor Chris

Sunday, December 22 is our Lessons & Carols worship service.
This contemplative celebration is a progression of song and scripture
accompanied by organ and piano and led by the PPUMC choir.
We hope you will be there to enter into this step by step encounter with the Event of Incarnation: the birth of the Christ as a baby boy: Jesus, Emmanuel, God With Us.

And on Christmas Eve we CELEBRATE!
Candle light and bubbles and cupcakes for the Birthday Boy!
This family style, highly participational service begins at 7:00 in the evening, Tuesday, December 24th.

The month of January is a Renewal Leave for your pastor.
The nuts and bolts of that are that this kind of leave is required of pastors in long appointments, and it's time and past time that I complied.

What will that mean?
I will not be here. I won't be available in church, via email, by text, etc.
The purpose of renewal leave is to be intentionally apart.

How will things work?
1) Administrative duties will be shared. If you have a concern during January, you could bring it to Ann DeGroot as Lay Leader (for general concerns), to Steve Ozanne as SPPR Chair (if it's about staff), to Liz Pierce as Head Trustee (if it's about the physical building), to Anna Rieth as Administrative Assistant (if it's about church use, office use or general connection). Anna can help you find your way to others.

2) Worship will be prepared by a team centered in the Church and Justice committee within the church. You will have several speakers and leaders.
The entire music staff remains in place.
The choir will sing. Ushers will usher. All will continue as per usual.

3) There will be a chaplain on call for pastoral care and/or emergencies. Rev. Anne Supplee has agreed to serve in this capacity, and you can contact her through the office or find her phone number in the announcements circulated internally each week of January.

4) AND the SPPR/hiring committee will make strides toward hiring our new staff position, a part-time Outreach Coordinator. PPUMC is growing!

I can't quite imagine the month ahead.
To that I say, "Let's go! There are wild blessings just around the corner."
Pastor Chris

The sounds of the holiday will be front-and-center as the Tower Hill Brass Sextet joins PPUMC for the December Community Concert Series performance. This audience favorite always has a delightful array of surprises in store! In addition, we understand there may be on-location updates of a wondrous celebration taking place in Bethlehem - you won’t want to miss it!

There is no admission fee, with donations accepted to support the work of Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light (MNIPL) as they join in partnership with faith communities across the state to build transformative power and bring the lights of people’s unique gifts to addressing the climate crisis. It’s sure to be a fun evening for the entire family!

Come for the music, the cause, the camaraderie and the dessert buffet in this 10th season of the PPUMC Community Concert Series.

The Prospect Park Community Choir presents its 2019 Winter concert,
"Let's Go to the Movies," this Sunday, December 15, 2 pm in the PPUMC sanctuary. Prepare to enjoy your favorite movie tunes and themes like you've never heard them before!  

The Church & Society Team met in November
and one of the results is a new Facebook group!
This will be a place for parishioners of the church who are interested in social justice issues to share news, start conversations, and generally keep in touch about things we care about. Topics include, but are not limited to: climate justice, racial reconciliation, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

To join, please make sure you are logged into your Facebook account, click this link, and click "Join Group" under the photo.
Don't have a Facebook? Come to our meetings! Contact Cathy Velasquez Eberhart for more information on how to get involved.