december 2013 - First Church of Christ

S
The
pire
VOL. 66 , NO. 4 • DECEMBER 2013
CONGREGATIONAL • GATHERED 1635
Advent and Christmas at First Church
Wednesday Advent Communion Services — Dec. 4, 11* and 18 — 6:30 to 7:10 PM
Michael Card & Phil Keaggy Christmas Concert — Sunday, Dec. 8 — 5:00 and 8:00 PM
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services — Tuesday, Dec. 24 — 6:30, 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 PM
“Happy Birthday, Jesus!” Party (age 5 thru grade 3) — Tuesday, Dec. 24 — 6:30 to 7:30 PM
* Part of a day of healing prayer. The Dec. 11 Advent service will close with prayer and anointing.
Love Above and Beyond
Hopefully, our Advent and Christmas series—
Love Above and Beyond—will shift our thinking
and our love to be more like Jesus.
Jesus’ love to us went above and beyond normal. His example led us to believe that our neighborhood is beyond what we thought. And our
love to our neighbor should be beyond what we
thought.
We are excited to have a few guest speakers
who will teach us more about our neighbors than
we normally might see.
On December 1, Love146 founder Rob Morris
will come and share with us more about human
trafficking and what we might do to love the victims exploited nearby, on the Berlin Turnpike.
Later, on December 15, Hartford City Mission
Executive Director Tom Kubiak will share about
HCM’s ministry to those in their area.
Jesus came down and moved into our neighborhood. I’m excited to see First Church follow His
lead and love our own neighborhood with a Love
— Pastor Deryk
Above and Beyond.
Advent
Sunday Morning Sermon Series
Love
Above and Beyond
DECEMBER 1
DECEMBER 22
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Message by Rob Morris,
Founder of
Message by Pastor Deryk
Love Incarnate
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
DECEMBER 8
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Love:
Above Our Capacity,
Beyond Our Boundaries
CHRISTMAS EVE
6:30, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 PM
Won’t You Be
My Neighbor?
Message by Pastor Deryk
Message by Pastor Tom
DECEMBER 29
DECEMBER 15
FIRST SUNDAY IN
CHRISTMASTIDE
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Message by Tom Kubiak,
Executive Director of
HARTFORD
CITY
MISSION
With Pastor Todd
Three Kings
At the Manger:
That’s Not How It
Happened...
And Why the
Real Story Is Astounding
Message by Pastor Tom
CINDY ZACKOWITZ
JOHN SUMMARIZED
the Christmas message simply when he
wrote in John 1:14:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt
among us.”
I love how The Message translation puts
it: “The Word became
flesh and blood, and
moved into the neighborhood.”
Jesus moved into our neighborhood! His actions and love challenge us to rethink a question
this Advent: Who is our neighbor, and how can we
embody Jesus to our neighborhood?
Women’s Retreat
Several of our women have shared with me that their lives
were changed the year Judith MacNutt spoke at our Women’s
Retreat. That was seven years ago. We are thrilled to announce that Judith is coming back as our guest speaker once
again. We are also incredibly excited to host the talented
Kelanie Gloeckler as our worship leader. Kelanie and Judith
often join forces at conferences, and the results are powerful.
The retreat starts on Friday April 4, with registration open
at 5:30, and ends Saturday evening. But Judith is coming
back on Sunday! She will be preaching at the 10:30 service.
We wanted to make sure that our men also have the opportunity to have a taste of what our women will have experienced
during the weekend.
Because we have noticed a downward trend in women’s,
Together
For quite a few Sundays, a sign at the conference room
behind Reception has read, Additional Worship Space for
Those with Small Children. A TV monitor inside shows the
worship service in progress.
In particular, nursing mothers have expressed gratitude for
the privacy afforded. Priority is given to moms who need to
nurse (and may close the door), but all parents with little ones
are welcome when there is a need and the door is open.
Deacons, Inreach and staff are happy to share that, starting
in January—to meet the needs of our expanding ministries—
the monitor in the Wells Fellowship Area will no longer show
men’s and youth retreat attendance, we want to make this
r etreat as accessible to as many of our women as possible.
To that end, the retreat will be held at the church, which will
reduce the cost drastically. The cost will be $85 for the full
retreat, including a catered dinner Saturday night and snacks
Friday evening. Guests will also have the option of ordering a
boxed lunch from Panera on Saturday for an additional $10.
For those who are traveling or wish to have an away-fromhome experience, we have booked a block of rooms at the
Garden Inn in Glastonbury at a special rate. You can contact
them directly under “First Church of Christ Women’s Retreat.”
Online registration will soon become available for this event.
To reserve your spot, please connect with Marilyn Danielson
with a deposit of half the retreat cost (860.529.1575 x213 or
[email protected]). Retreat registration is limited.
—Tessa Afshar
the services (except for Christmas Eve and Easter). All are
encouraged to worship together in the Meetinghouse or Keith
Jones Hall.
Increasing need has been observed for the Wells Fellowship
Area to be a place where parishioners can have unrestricted
and unlimited fellowship and ministry time, even while a
service is in session. Often the time between services, for
example, is simply not enough.
We believe these enhancements will help to bring us together as a family of faith—and as a community of Jesus followers who love God, love one another, and make disciples.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast Begins 27th Year
The Saturday Morning Men‘s Prayer Breakfast began with a conversation
between founder Bud Reading and Associate Minister Jim Fung back in the
summer of 1987. This past October 3rd was their 26th anniversary.
The men, who always welcome newcomers, gather in the Fireside Room
every Saturday from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. for prayer, warm fellowship, discussion
of (and meditation on) Scripture—and a hearty breakfast widely known for its
legendary bacon and sausages. There are testimonies and sharing, and any
prayer requests are later emailed to the full list of names. A special feature
is the men’s covenant to pray for one another and their families throughout
the week, and Wednesday is a day to fast and pray for children.
The partial group shown are (top photo, standing) Daniel Ramsundar, Bob
Mallory, Don Sukosky, Marc Barrieau, Dennis Dostert, Glen Erdman, Gary Wolfe,
Matthew Wynne, Courtney Morrow, Jim Clark, David Spicer, Herb Symmes, Bud
Reading, Claude Murray, Kevin “TK” O’Sullivan, (seated) Sym Yavener, Thad
Hasbrouck, Al Rousseau, Wayne Plowman, Joseph Herz, Allon Robbins, Jerome Sauer, (right photo, standing) Marty Schweizer, Gary Voerg, Walt Kelly,
John Cassandra, (seated) Sam Rodriguez, Ron Vliet, and Rich Twombley.
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— Barbara Plante
Chairperson, Board of Deacons
Midweek Advent Services
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Every Advent season is enriched by our very special midweek services of prayer and Holy Communion, offered in the
Meetinghouse Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:10.
As described in the Day of Healing Prayer article elsewhere
on this page, the second of the three Advent services—on December 11—will include a special time of prayer and anointing
and is part of a day-long focus on healing prayer.
During the first and third Advent services, a different member
of our family of faith will speak briefly at each service—Heartto-Heart—focusing on inspiring stories from their own lives.
Pastor Mike invites you join us for all three of our 2013 Advent services.
CHRISTMAS
EVE at First
Church is an
unforgettable
ex p e r i e n c e.
We light our
chandeliers,
and the Meetinghouse is
full of the joy
Christ’s Birth
brings! Pastor Deryk will give us an uplifting message—Won’t You Be My
Neighbor?—and the music will be truly glorious!
Plan to be with us for this holy moment of celebration, and
invite family, friends, and guests to be with you in God’s House
that evening—at 6:30, 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00.
Childcare is provided during the 6:30 p.m. service for ages
5 and under, and our 16th annual Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Children’s Party will be held separately during that service
(see below).
The Heart of Advent
On December 4, our Heart-to-Heart
speaker will be Patrick Sullivan, our Director of College-Plus Outreach. Patrick
has always felt an urgency for the spiritual welfare of those in their college years.
After eight years on staff with InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship, he went on to work
with this crucial demographic in the local
church setting, fueled by his passion for
the Great Commission. He is close to
getting his Master of Theology degree
and is also passionate about Christian
history, Gospel studies and apologetics. Patrick is the husband
of Alison and the father of two small children, Maeve and Caden.
6:30, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 PM
Happy Birthday, Jesus! Party
During the 6:30 service, children from age 5 through grade 3
are invited to the Fireside Room for a celebration of the Birthday
of our King—with games, crafts, Christmas carols and birthday
cake! (Those in grade 4 and up are encouraged to attend church
with their families.)
NOTE: Anyone who can attend one of the later services and
help with the party during the 6:30 hour should call Marcia
McCann at 860.529.1575, x206.
Help is also needed for childcare for preschool and younger
during the 6:30 service, for whom age-appropriate activities are
planned. Won’t you lend a hand on this special evening when
so many visitors come to our church?
Ed and Lisa Majewski will
be speaking on December 18.
They have been blessed with
twins this year and would like
to share with the congregation
their story of what God has
done in their lives, along with
His amazing provision.
Ed and Lisa met at a First
Church singles picnic in August 2006 and were married at
First Church in October 2007.
Together they have six grown children and two grandsons. God
has a sense of humor, as they now also have Jonathan and
Joanna, who are nine months old.
Also, don’t miss the ever-popular caroling on the Broad
Street Green, a community-wide event led by First Church
Pilgrim Fellowship, with brass accompaniment and a brief message by Todd Willard. There will be candles and song books
for everyone! It is a joyous gathering at 5:00 on Christmas Eve!
Day of Healing Prayer
Christmas Silver Tea
On Wednesday, December 11, we will have a day of healing
prayer for David Spicer and anyone else in our congregation
in need of such prayer. The Meetinghouse will be open starting at 6:00 a.m. for prayer, concluding with a special Advent
Communion service at 6:30 p.m., which will close with healing
prayer and anointing with oil, offered by pastors and members
of the prayer team.
Every hour starting at 6:00 a.m., a Prayer Leader will open
with a Scripture reading of their choice, followed by prayer. The
attendees are then welcome to offer their own prayer, vocally or
silently. If you are interested in participating as a Prayer Leader
for one hour on December 11, please look for the sign-up poster
in the Wells Fellowship Area.
Our annual Christmas Silver Tea will be held on Wednesday,
December 11. The Women’s Fellowship extends a warm invitation to women of all ages to share in this lovely tradition at First
Church. The delightful Silver Tea will be held in the Worship and
Fireside Rooms, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with prayer and hors
d’oeuvres, followed by Christmas carols with the children of the
First Church Nursery School.
Following the program, tea, punch and delicious cookies will
be served. Please feel free to bring a friend to share in this most
enjoyable and heartwarming experience! If you plan to attend,
please call Marilyn at 860.529.1575 x208 by December 9. (If you
forget, walk-ins will still be welcome.) And homemade cookies
would be appreciated!
Concluding with Dec. 11 Advent Service
Caroling on the Broad Street Green
Carols with Our Nursery School Children!
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Bylaws Committee Formed
ed—and the Board authorized—a complete and rigorous review
Bylaws are regarded as the basic rules of governance for
of the Bylaws. In providing its recommendations, the Commitself-directed bodies. When issues arise that are not covered
tee was mindful of the communication concerns expressed by
by bylaws or other established policies, those deciding how to
the members of the congregation and is committed to includproceed—especially courts or other outside agencies—might
ing the membership in identifying and
apply secular law in situations where
recommending changes, inclusions
that would not otherwise be required.
and exclusions to the general content
The current Bylaws were developed
of the Bylaws.
beginning in 1969 and adopted in
To that end, the Committee prolate January 1971. Since adoption
posed that this announcement be
they have been revised fifteen times
published in The Spire and that a
but never substantially altered. Durdescription of its proposed scope of
ing this forty-year-plus period, many
work be placed on the Church website
significant changes have occurred,
and be made available in any other
including changes in the congregaappropriate manner to make sure
tion. A major change impacting the
that all interested members have the
Bylaws was the Church’s withdrawal
from affiliation with the United Church Committee (from left): Amber Bird, Steve Soderberg, information they need to assure that
Tina Balmer, John Davis; (not in photo) Anton Hertle. their expressed desire for information
of Christ in 2004.
and open communication is met.
Over the last few years, many in the Church have recognized
The Committee encourages any First Church member to
that the Church Bylaws (last revised in 2011) were not keeping
share with the Committee his or her views regarding revision
pace with the changes in the congregation or appropriately
of the Bylaws. This can be done by mail, e-mail, or notes to
reflecting its operating policies or procedures. Accordingly, at
the Committee delivered to any Committee member, the Board
its initial meeting on September 17, 2013, the Board commissioned a Committee to examine the Bylaws and a report on
Chairperson, the Chairperson of the Research and Long-Range
the Committee’s preliminary review of issues that it believes
Planning (R&LRP) Committee, or the Senior Minister. Notes to
should be addressed to assure conformance of the Bylaws to
the Committee may also be dropped off with the church recepthe current policy, procedures and activities of the Church.
tionist, to be placed in the R&LRP mailbox. The current Bylaws
Members of the Bylaws Committee are Tina Balmer, Amber
are already posted on the Church website and are available
Bird, John Davis, Anton Hertle, and Steve Soderberg, who
in the Church Library for the convenience of the membership.
is chairperson of the Committee and also of the Research and
The Committee recognizes that its sole purpose and authorLong-Range Planning Committee.
ity is to review the Bylaws and make recommendations to the
In forming the Committee, the Board recognized that isBoard and to the Congregation for their respective review and
sues regarding withdrawal from affiliation with the UCC, new
approval. The Committee does not have, nor does it seek, the
affiliations with other religious groups, and the discussion of
authority to approve or implement any proposed work product.
polity within the Church have led to misunderstandings and
To learn more about the preliminary review of the Bylaws,
differences of opinion among members of the congregation,
please see the Bylaws Committee’s proposed scope of work on
and that there has been a perception that the membership
the First Church website at the BYLAWS COMMITTEE tab (under
has not been adequately informed or allowed to participate in
RESOURCES), or directly at firstchurch.org/BylawsCommittee.
considering these issues.
There you will also find each Committee member’s contact
Based on its preliminary review, the Committee recommendinformation and a link to the Church’s current Bylaws.
First Church Supports Syrian Refugees in Jordan
We’re Justin and Ellen Billard, First Church members
currently living in China. We want to share one of the ways
God has been working in our lives during our time overseas.
This summer, we raised $5,000 to support Syrian refugee families living in Jordan. In June, we traveled to northern Jordan,
where we partnered with local NGOs and community leaders
to purchase basic needs supplies for families who have been
displaced by Syria’s nearly three-year war.
First Church played a vital role in supporting the refugees
through this fundraiser, and we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for your generosity. All funds went directly to the
refugees—not toward our personal travel experiences. To find
out how the funds were used, visit www.RoadToMafraq.org.
The almost 3-year war has created what the UN is calling
the greatest humanitarian crisis since the Rwandan genocide
in 1994, leaving over 100,000 dead and another 6 million
displaced. Neighboring countries have hosted refugees by
the hundreds of thousands, but they are not equipped to deal
with a crisis of this magnitude. In Jordan alone, there are over
4
500,000 registered refugees. Lebanon—a country of only 4
million—has nearly 1 million Syrian refugees living within its
borders. The needs are staggering.
We ask you to consider partnering with us in responding
to these growing needs. We are currently working to raise an
additional $10,000 to help refugees living in Jordan, by January 15. At the end of January, we will return to Jordan, where
we will use the money raised to purchase supplies for refugee
families. As always, this money does not go toward our travel
expenses—100% of it goes directly to the refugees.
Specifically, the money will be allocated to two different
areas of need in northern Jordan: Basic Needs Provision and
Community Development. We will partner with several organizations, including a local church committed to responding to
the needs of the growing refugee population in that community.
To learn how you can donate toward this relief effort, please
email Ellen at [email protected].
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Justin and Ellen Billard
Men In Ministry Huddle
Men! Our first Men in Ministry gathering
will be a training event, facilitated by Tom
Walsh, with a focus on being equipped for
reaching First Church’s three-year goal
of making 300 new disciples in our area.
Join us in the Fireside Room from 7:00 to
8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5. We’ll have
light refreshments. Details: Christine at
860.529.1575 x213, or Ken Kittredge at
[email protected].
Tuesday Morning
Advent Bible Fellowship
All adults are invited to a special gathering during Advent, sponsored by our Forever Young Seniors, from 10:00 to 11:30
a.m. on the Tuesdays of December 3,
10 and 17, in the Morgan House Drawing
Room. (This is the normal time slot for our
seniors’ study.) We will start with a simple
celebration of Holy Communion, followed
by coffee, refreshment, and an Advent Bible study exploring the canticles of Mary,
Zechariah and Simeon from Luke’s Gospel, with discussion and prayer. No registration. Details: Christine at 860.529.1575
x223 or Pastor Mike at x201.
Priceless Pancakes!
On Saturday, December 7, from 9:30
to noon in Keith Jones Hall, the Saturday Men’s Prayer Breakfasters will host
a Pancakes with a Purpose breakfast
as a fundraiser for our Haiti mission trips
in December and January, through First
Church and Bethesda Evangelical Mission. Sausages, orange juice, milk, coffee and tea will also be served.
Proceeds will help the teams buy food,
school supplies, medicines and toiletries
for those in need—including children who
otherwise would not have any Christmas
celebration.
Look for the breakfast sign-up sheet
and tickets in the Wells Area—$4 for one
person, $7 per couple, $10 for a family. If
you cannot obtain your ticket in advance,
call Lisa Breglio at 860.563.1659, or
Marla Darius at 860.632.2229, to let us
know you will attend; tickets will be available at the door. For details on both trips,
go to firstchurch.org/pancakes.
DivorceCare to Start
Some of you have expressed a strong
interest in launching a new program for
people experiencing the pain and trauma
of divorce. It is called DivorceCare and
has been widely accepted and used by
many churches nationwide. We are praying about a start date in February. If you
are interested in leading, serving, or facilitating a group, please contact Wayne
Luman at [email protected] or
860.529.1575 x203. If this is a program
that you would like to attend, just call with
your contact information so we can keep
you informed.
Christmas Angels Needed
Would you help deliver plants? Christmas “Angels”
are needed to deliver the lovely memorial plants from the
Meetinghouse to our homebound members and friends after Christmas.
Please look for the signup table/poster in the Connector
or call Sybil Lyon at 860.633.2840, and come to the church
on Thursday, December 26, between 9:00 a.m. and noon,
to pick up your assignment. (Call the church office if you
have signed up but find you are unable to help that day.)
HCM’s Noah Christmas Store
Hartford City Mission would love you to donate gifts
that parents of Noah After School children can buy at a
minimal “suggested donation” and then joyfully give as
Christmas gifts to their children—with those proceeds used
for sending kids to Lakeside Christian Camp next summer!
An online flyer at firstchurch.org/NCS gives important
details about the gifts and describes how beautifully this
innovative plan works—on so many levels!
You can drop off your gift(s) in the Wells Fellowship Area
on December 1 or 8—just look for Lisa Breglio. Or call her
at 860.563.1659 to arrange for her to pick up your gift(s) prior to HCM’s deadline of December 9, when she will deliver
them all. These gifts will bless both children and parents.
Snow Jam Weekend!
January 31 to February 2, all in grades
5-12 may join us for an awesome weekend at Singing Hills in Plainfield, New
Hampshire, with snow sports, skating,
wild games—and time to discover what it
means to be a follower of Jesus! Call Pat
at 860.529.1575 or Todd Willard at x205.
Learn About Becoming a
Stephen Minister
First Church will be training a new class
of Stephen Ministers in January. If you
are interested in being a part of this class,
you can talk with a Stephen Ministry Leader in the Wells Fellowship Area after worship services on December 1, 8 or 15.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn
more about Stephen Ministry as you
prayerfully decide whether this is the right
ministry for you. For more information,
contact Marti Bernardi at 860.205.4693
or visit firstchurch.org/stephen.
Buy a Card, Feed Children
Would you like to give a heartwarming gift this Christmas—one that will feed
starving children? You can buy a card to
give as a gift, which will provide a quantity of nutritious meals for starving children
through Feed My Starving Children. Look
for the table in the Wells Fellowship Area
December 1-22, or call Joyce McNamara
at 860-436-2923.
Christmas Joy!
Our Church is filled with poinsettias during the
week of Christmas, due to the generosity of the
congregation. You may add to the joy by making a
memorial contribution to the memorial Christmas
flowers. Suggested donation is $35.
This completed form and your check (payable to “First Church
of Christ”) should reach the church’s Finance Office by Tuesday, December 10. Either mail them to First Church or place
them in the drop box located just outside the Finance Office.
This information (except phone number) will appear in print:
In loving memory of: _____________________________________
______________________________________________________
Given by: ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Your phone number: _____________________________________
PLEASE PRINT
•
USE ADDITIONAL PAPER IF NECESSARY
5
Pray for Kids
Thank you to all who took one
or more of the 200 colored cards to
pray for students and teachers, for
your faithfulness in praying for them
right through the school year, ending in June. We pray that God would
bless each and every one of you,
along with those being prayed for.
PERIODICAL
TERIAL DATED MA
27, 2013 Mailed Nov.
POSTAGE PAID
at Hartford,
Connecticut
BOOK OF LIFE
BORN
Clara Kyle, daughter of Tim and Katie Kyle,
October 5, 2013
Evan Albert, son of Tim and Nikki Monsonis,
October 21, 2013
BAPTIZED November 17, 2013
Jacob Christopher Dukes, son of Christopher
L. and Christine (Berenbach) Dukes
Elissa Arndt Rader, adult
The Spire (USPS 441-830) is published monthly, except July and August,
by The First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, 250 Main Street, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109.
POSTMASTER — Send address changes to: The Spire, 250 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1893
Timeless Christmas
MICHAEL CARD AND PHIL KEAGGY
Sunday, December 8 | 5 and 8 PM
CONGREGATIONAL
860.529.1575 | Fax: 860.721.7861
250 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Website: www.firstchurch.org
Email: [email protected]
Sunday Worship Times
Traditional Services in the Meetinghouse:
8:45 and 10:30 a.m.
Contemporary Services in Keith Jones Hall:
10:30 a.m. (Wind) and 6:30 p.m.
Dial-A-Message: 860.529.1785
Uplifting Messages from Caring Ministries
What will you leave behind?
Please remember First Church in your will.
giving — For info about e-giving—contributing via a monthly automatic withdrawal from
your bank account—call the Finance Office,
860.529.1575 x218. You can also give online,
at firstchurch.org (the ONLINE GIVING tab).
Tessa Afshar............................ Associate Minister
Jey Deifell..................................Minister Emeritus
David Luce........................... Church Administrator
Wayne Luman........... Director of Caring Ministries
Marcia McCann........... Dir. of Children’s Ministries
Michael McDowell.................... Associate Minister
Donald Morgan...........................Minister Emeritus
Deryk Richenburg.......................... Senior Minister
David Spicer............... Minister of Music & the Arts
Patrick Sullivan....... Dir. of College-Plus Outreach
Tom Walsh............................... Associate Minister
Todd Willard............................. Associate Minister
OUR MISSION
We are a community of Jesus
followers who love God, love one
another, and make disciples.
SPIRE DEADLINE
Material for the January issue of The Spire,
which will be mailed/emailed on 1/8/13,
must be submitted to Dave Gilbert by noon
on Fri.,Dec. 20, at [email protected]
or 860.529.1575, x225.
Many of us grew up hearing the beautiful
and haunting song El Shaddai. When our
choir learned it, I didn’t pay much attention
to who wrote it.
Now I see the name Michael Card as composer (with John Thompson). From Michael’s
1981 debut album, Legacy, El Shaddai won
Song of the Year (GMA Dove Awards)—and
was also named one of the Songs of the
Century (RIAA, 2001). That was just the beginning of Michael Card’s many legendary
compositions inspired by Scripture.
Phil Keaggy is a seven-time winner of the
GMA Dove Award for Instrumental Album of
the Year and is listed among the top three
“finger-style” guitarists in the world. He has
released more than 50 albums.
Our choirs will be providing the back-up
for these artists on Sunday, December 8,
at our two Christmas concerts. Come early
(we expect capacity attendance) and you will
hear our choirs singing all traditional Christmas music—yes, including O Holy Night,
Carol of the Bells, and other favorites. This
portion will precede the 5:00 and 8:00 p.m.
concerts at 4:30 and 7:30 respectively.
It was “something different” when we had
Dave Brubeck with us at Christmas time, and
this concert promises to be just as great an
opportunity as well.
Why not invite a friend or neighbor, give
them dinner and buy them tickets? And then
come and be blessed. Also, all are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to be
given to our local food bank for those in need.
Shalom, David Spicer
Browse the Updated Outreach Gift Shop During Advent!
It’s beginning
to look a lot
like Christmas
in the Outreach
Gift Shop! Stop
by and see how
we’ve “decked
the halls” with
new merchandise and Christmas items—and check out our big SALE!
Your purchases bring hope and new possibilities to artisans and their communities
around the world. The income they earn empowers them to build better lives—whether
that means adding a roof to their home, putting food on their table, obtaining healthcare
or sending their children to school.
Every handcrafted product makes a remarkable journey—from the skillful hands
of fairly paid artisans to our homes and into
our hearts.
Also, we are looking for volunteers to work
throughout the year (minimal time commitment). Please call Pat Burns (860.563.8069)
or Lisa Breglio (860.563.1659) if interested.
EXTRA ADVENT HOURS
The shop is the first door on the left as you
enter the Marsh Building from the Connector. We are open year-round, following the
Sunday worship services. Additionally, the
shop will be open on Wednesday evenings
during the Advent season, before and after
the two Christmas Concerts on December 8,
and, upon request, during any special event
being held in Advent.
We hope you will visit the Outreach Gift
Shop during Advent, Christmastide, and the
new year. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect
gift for that special someone in your life.