Calendar and Announcements for the Week of Dec. 12

WEEKLY CALENDAR
TODAY
1:30 p.m. Neighborhood group using downstairs for meeting
5:00 p.m. Hospice Tree of Life Ceremony
MONDAY Community Kitchen
7:30 p.m. AA Group
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells
TUESDAY
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
7:30 p.m. Council
WEDNESDAY
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
THURSDAY
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir
FRIDAY
2:30 - 6 Pageant Rehearsal
NEXT SUNDAY
9:15 a.m. Sr. Bells warm-up
10:00 a.m.. Christmas Pageant
11:15 a.m. Bethlehem event
5:00 pm “The Longest Night” service (“Blue Christmas”)

THIS MORNING’S CHURCH SCHOOL: Pre-K/Kinder –– Advent activities in the end classroom with Kat Bottieri and Kassi Miller.
Grades 1-8 –– No classes today –– worship with families.

JUNIOR CHOIR SUNDAY MORNING REHEARSALS will recess for the remainder of December. We will resume on January 2nd.

A JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM - Next Sunday, here in this sanctuary amongst a community of friends and family, will be the perfect place to begin the week of Christmas! The church school children will take you on a journey to ancient Bethlehem the night Jesus came to earth as a baby. Meet Mary and Joseph, the wandering Magi, King Herod (Tom Chase), Caesar Augustus (Rick Cloutier), the astounded shepherds, the joyful angels and little baby Jesus (Blake Goodhall). The journey will continue in the Harrison Hall where a potluck buffet of Mediterranean foods such roasted lamb, lentils, stews, olives, figs, pomegranates, cheeses, flatbreads, teas and desserts will be offered. (Please see Jennifer John to find out what potluck food item to bring). Grind some barley on the millstones. Explore ancient herbs and spices, such as spikenard, myrrh, frankincense, hyssop and sandalwood. Partake in miniature clay doll making. Make butter in the goat shed. Spread the Christmas joy by inviting family, friends and neighbors to come experience Bethlehem with you!

CHURCH SCHOOL BETHLEHEM PLAY REHEARSAL –– FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17th. Church school children in grades one through eight, should meet here at the church right after school this Friday. Pre-K & Kinder can easily join in the fun on performance day without coming to rehearsal. We will have older youth leading our youngest ones on the day of our event. We will rehearse, prepare costumes, enjoy a slice of pizza and be finished at 6:00 p.m. Friends are invited to join the cast!

HEIFER CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING - A sweater or shoes, an electronic game or gadget…….these are nice-to-haves for many of us. But the gift of a pig, cow, flock of chicks or a bunch of bees –– these are life-saving gifts for so many families in so many places. The gift of a Heifer animal provides a warm and wonderful feeling to the person being honored by knowing that he or she is an important part of the solution to hunger and poverty. The church school has collected OVER SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS so far for Heifer International since September! Our goal of 3 pigs has become a reality of 6 pigs! Thank you for your generosity! More gift cards have been ordered and will be on sale today.

Calling all epicures...
It's time once again to turn back the clock and allow ourselves to be immersed in the sights and sounds of an open market as we journey back to Bethlehem on the day of our Savior's birth. Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Cuisine will be made available in the market place following a reenactment of the story of our Lord's birth. We need your delicious offerings and tantalizing dishes which we have come to look forward to each year. With that in mind, please consider what you might like to contribute to the market place food table. I have a comprehensive list of food items and recipes for your perusal and will be available after church today with a sign up sheet. You may also contact me at home any time this week @974-3489 or email me @ rj3j@charter.net. ~Jennifer John

2010 HOSPICE TREE OF LIFE CEREMONY: Share the heartwarming experience of a Hospice Tree of Life Ceremony. Friends, families, and neighbors are invited to attend any of the tree lightings being held today at 5:00 p.m. These lightings honor loved ones and the work of Hospice and Palliative Care of NE CT. Song, prayer, reflection, and refreshments will be offered. Brooklyn - Creamery Brook Retirement Village; Danielson - Davis Park; Pomfret - across from the Vanilla Bean; Putnam - St. Mary’s Church; Thompson - St. Joseph’s Church; Woodstock - Roseland Cottage
Pastor Mike will be offering a prayer at the Roseland Cottage ceremony.


FREE: One of our members would like to give away a 7' artificial Christmas tree with stand and several boxes of ornaments to a family who could use it. If interested, please call the church office.