Okay Everyone, let’s do this month of December together!

Advent begins this Sunday, December 3rd, well known to many as the Sunday of HOPE. We will be lighting the Advent Wreath for the 1st time this year. Following the worship service, we are making angel candles and signing Christmas Cards for those who are less able to get out and about. We will leave the angels when we visit with them, reminding our friends that on Christmas Eve or anytime they are feeling lonely, just turn on the candle, so the angel can shine in the darkness, and remind each one that we love them and pray for them. Every Monday you are invited to come and join us for Chair Yoga. It is only $5! Then let's meet over at the Rise Café for Coffee and Conversation. We usually gather about 11 AM and we stay for as long as we are comfortable. Usually, I (your Pastor) try to make a visit or meeting following coffee. Each Wednesday we gather for Grief Support from 11- 12:30. This program will run through January 10, 2024. Thursdays, at 11 AM, we will be discussing the Seasonal Lectionary of Advent, but we will also be looking into ways we can grow to be more Christlike each day. Sunday, December 10th we receive the gifts for the “White Gifts Program” during worship. It got the name as all the gifts came back wrapped in white tissue paper. We will hold the Standing Meeting following and work to close things out as we move toward the end of a challenging fiscal year. Let each of us pray that God’s blessing of generosity overflows and we can meet all our financial goals. Saturday, December 16th Wreaths Across America will be held at noon at Slade’s Ferry Park, (Across from Rockland Trust). Once again, your pastor will be blessed to offer prayers at this event. At 1 PM our church will offer a Service of Remembrance, in the Sanctuary, with a time for coffee and conversation to follow. Sunday, December 17th, we will be receiving New Members during our worship time together! Immediately following worship, we will gather out in the backyard of the church, in the Memorial Garden, where we will have a Prayer Service as we lay down wreaths on our Veteran’s graves. But do not leave! Join in the Potluck Ugly Sweater Party in Fellowship Hall. We do hope you can join us because there is nothing quite like Christmas Bingo! If you want to go Caroling with Pastor Cheryl this year, she will be going out two times, Sunday, December 17th and Sunday, December 24th following fellowship until about 3 PM. Here we go caroling.... We shall be going to Clifton Assisted Living and Clifton Rehab on the 17th. We would like to visit a few other people in song this Christmas, but scheduling, the timing, and voices are needed! Pastor will go sing both Sunday afternoons. Please remember that Sunday, December 24th at 10 AM is the service of Advent Four, the Sunday of LOVE. It is at 4 PM this year that we shall gather and worship the birth of our Lord Jesus. Yes, this is correct! Sunday, December 24th 10 AM Advent Four Worship Service 4 PM Christmas Worship Service 5:15 PM Christmas Luminary Service of Remembrance and the reading of the names. (Hopefully, outside) we shall gather for the prayer and reading of the Luminary Names around the Church Green and maybe sing a Christmas carol? Read Luke 2: 1 – 20. Christmas Blessing to all. Now let us not leave out Sunday, December 31st! We will worship and give thanks for all we have and pray for the future of God’s will be done. Following we will have another potluck to enjoy the end of 2023 together as a family. As we also, prayerfully celebrate and welcome 2024 together, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May your December overflow with hope, peace, joy, love, and most of all, Christ the King! Peace and love to you all, Pastor Cheryl Rieder