First Congregational Church of Southampton

First Congregational Church of Southampton
United Church of Christ
212 College Highway, P.O. Box 145
Southampton, MA 01073
Phone: (413) 527-1173

Weekly Update

12/14/2008

www.shcong.org

Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org

Church Office E-Mail: churchoffice@shcong.org

Church Office: 527-1173

http://www.shcong.org

SCHEDULE

Sun. 14 3rd Sunday of Advent/Christmas Pageant

Mon. 15 Christmas caroling, 6 to 8 p.m. hot chocolate to follow

Tues. 16 No Heart Walk

Wed. 17 Prayer Group, 9:15 a.m.

Thurs. 18 Brown Bag Study: “Forgiveness” 12 noon

Sun. 21 Living the Questions: 9 a.m.

Blessing of Christmas baskets

LOOKING AHEAD

Sat. 20 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m.

Diaconate assembles baskets and decorates

Benefit Carol Sing/Dessert, for new piano, 6-8 p.m.

Wed. 24 Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m. (Bring an ornament to

exchange with church family)

Sat. Jan. 25, Annual Meeting

Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 - Annual reports due from committee chairpersons (folder in church office)

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of December 14th:

Monday, 9-12 Tuesday, 9-12 Wednesday, 10:15 a.m.-1 p.m.

Office Administrator’s Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Prayers for Healing: Marion D., Wally R. Maryanne D., Norma, Linda C., Gene D., Frank, Priscilla, Rebecca, Diane, Claudia, Celeste, Ed, Barbara C., Darlene’s Mom, Evie, Karl, Ellen, Donna O., Pam, Ruth, Dan, Jim, Myrna, Debra, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Marilynn, Kathleen, and Anne

Prayers for Presence: The Rice Family, the Family of Alexis Southworth, Marian and Len Cawrse, Inez, for our church school, all teachers, for our country’s new leaders, and for those leaving office, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, for those in our own lives who face new challenges, for the people and leaders of Mumbai, and for those who are experiencing financial hardship and loss this Christmas season.

Prayers for those in the Military: Michael Alderman, Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals Rachel Lacroix Keefe, and Matthew Keefe.

THANK YOU

. . .you for gracing us with your presence

. . .to Ushers/Greeters, Dorothy Forster and Tina Pirog

. . .to Nursery Coordinator, Flannery Wiemer

. . .to Church Council for arranging Coffee Hour

. . .Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at (413) 203-1742 or at

foghollowfarm@charter.net

Flowers are given by Kate Miller Carl “in loving memory of my mother, Jean Miller.”

Also, the Christmas arrangement in the vestry is given by Carolyn Tauscher in memory of loved ones.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THANK YOU to all who assisted in any way in helping with our annual Christmas pageant which was a wonderful gift to all who saw it! Special thanks to Amy Guyette, who coordinated the pageant and to all of our special music participants for their singing, and to the children and parents who made the pageant possible!

THANK YOU to Bill Bray, Linda Cooper, Donna Cotton, and Carolyn Goepfert who assisted Rev. Dee with worship and communion at the Loomis House on Wednesday!

FROM THE DEACONS’ BENCH: Last call! There are still gift tags for two families on the Christmas tree in the Old Sunday School room. They have suggestions for gifts for either a girl or a boy of a designated age. There are also ideas for the parents. Gift cards to Big Y and assistance through WMECO are always most welcome. It is not too late to participate. Please take a tag, and bring your wrapped gift with the tag attached to the church no later than December 17^th. Let’s create some Christmas magic for two families!

“OVER 80’S BASKETS”: The Diaconate requests donations of items such as fruit, cookies, holiday breads, crackers, cocoa, pkts. of tea or coffee, jellies/jams, etc. Monetary contributions will help to purchase items. Please drop off your contributions at the church by next Saturday, December 20^th , 10 a.m. so that the baskets may be assembled on that day.

YOUTH: The junior and senior Youth will gather immediately after church on Sunday, Dec. 21, to assemble countless luminaria (OK, about 150) to light up the church for Christmas Eve service. We will have pizza and show a movie as we work. We hope you can come!

ADVENT MATERIALS: Please help yourself to free Advent devotional material on the table downstairs in the Old Sunday School room.

CHRISTMAS CANDLES: If anyone is interested in “sponsoring” the lighted candles in the church windows, please make your donation to the church, and designate it “for Candles”.

CHRISTMAS TREE SALE: John and Betty Vogel have again generously offered to sell their Christmas trees for the benefit of our church. Tree may be cut Saturday mornings during December, at the Vogels’ Farm, 57 Coleman Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A minimum donation of $10.00 if requested. Sample trees are available to purchase this morning, December 14^th, in the church parking lot. Get your tree-shopping done early and reasonably!

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS: Let’s continue the traditions of exchanging Christmas tree ornaments on Christmas Eve. Bring a non-breakable ornament for the tree and take home an ornament as a memento of your church family this Christmas.

DEACONS’ EMERGENCY FUND: Envelopes are placed in the pews on Communion Sunday, usually the first Sunday of the month. This fund is administered according to the discretion of Rev. Dee and the Diaconate and is used to purchase vouchers to assist those who need emergency assistance. Please consider making a donation.

LIVING THE QUESTIONS: The DVD-based Christian Education meets Sunday mornings in the Old Sunday School Room at 9 a.m. The format of each session includes a video, guided discussion, spiritual exercises and Bible study. The topic on December 14^th will be “A Passion for Christ: Paul”. A complete schedule of classes is posted on the hallway bulletin board. Hope to see you at these very interesting and informative sessions!

THE BROWN BAGGERS: The next meeting of “Brown Baggers” will be Thursday, Dec. 11^th. The topic will be “Shaping Communities.” It is not too late to join in. The complete schedule of classes is on the hallway bulletin board.

TREASURER’S REPORT for November, 2008:

Total Revenues $21,588 **Includes Church Fair Proceeds of $6,169

Total Expenses $15,132

Income for November $6,456

11/30/08 Church Operating Balance: $5,325.61

NURSERY: Please welcome Adam Federman who will be assisting in the Nursery during the coming year. If there are any adult (18+) volunteers who would like to assist Adam, please contact Flannery Wiemer at flannery@knfwiemer.net or at (413) 222-3660

THANK YOU: Thank you to all who joyfully and faithfully gave pledges to our church on Sunday. If you have not pledged, it is not too late to do so! Please prayerfully consider the gift of God’s blessings in your life, your walk with Jesus Christ, and your financial gift to Christ’s church for 2009. Your pledge of support helps our church to carry out and expand upon its various ministries for the coming year. Don’t know about pledges, or why they are important? Don’t know what a pledge card is? Please see Ken Gaspar, any member of our Finance and Operations Committee, or Rev. Dee. We’ll be happy to explain!

ANNUAL REPORTS: Now is the time for committee chairpersons to begin thinking about their annual reports. The typed reports need to be in the church office by January 2, 2009, in order to be compiled and ready for distribution a week ahead of the Annual Meeting which is scheduled for January 25^th, 2009.

BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Beverly Ruszala is the person to see if you need Big Y gift cards. She will receive your orders and distribute the cards during coffee hour, at a designated table. Order forms (available on the table in the Old Sunday School Room or online) may also be placed in the “Green Box” which Beverly checks each week.

PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: There are children’s bulletins and Bible activities available on the table in the narthex area (outside the sanctuary) for your children to participate in the weekly Bible lesson during worship. Please be sure to pick one up! Also, a take home family devotion book called, “This Season at Home” is available for our families on the tables both downstairs and upstairs. This guidebook has activities for families to enrich their spiritual lives. Please take a copy. ADVENT MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE DOWNSTAIRS—PLEASE TAKE A COPY FOR YOUR CHILD(REN) AND FAMILY.

FROM THE MUSIC COMMITTEE: Grand piano update: Middle

“C” bidding has begun. The highest current bid is posted on the hallway bulletin board. Give your bid to any music committee member. Bids will be held anonymous during this process. The bids will be taken until Jan. 1^st.

YOUTH CHOIR: Calling all singers over 8 years of age! Come, sing a new song! No experience necessary. Directed by Kathy Marks, Bill Bray, Nancy Hughes, and Audrey Pierce.

Youth Choir Schedule (All practices meet at church from 5:00-5:30 pm)

Rehearsal on January 8^th Sing on January 11^th

Rehearsals on January 22^nd and 29^th Sing on February lst

Rehearsals on March 5^th and 12^thSing on March 15^th

Rehearsals on March 26^th and April 2^nd Sing on April 5^th

Rehearse on April 9^th Sing on April 12^th

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: Please make sure that coffee hour refreshments do not contain any form of peanuts or peanut products! Any contact (even when not consumed) can trigger serious health danger for some in our congregation.

FLOWERS: Terry Vogel is our Sunday flower coordinator. She may be reached at (413) 203-1742, and at foghollowfarm@charter.net Please let Terry know if you would like to donate your flowers to those who may be shut in, hospitalized, or in need of a cheerful pick-me-up. The Flower Sign-Up clip board is hanging on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

If you no longer wish to receive this weekly update or other church news, please e-mail Rev. Dee at revdee@shcong.org and we will remove your e-mail address from the list. Also, if you change your e-mail address, please let us know if you wish to continue receiving church e-mail.

We hope you all have a pleasant and peaceful week.

		First Congregational Church of Southampton United Church of Christ 212 College Highway, P.O. Box 145 Southampton, MA 01073 Phone: (413) 527-1173
	Home Information: Our Beliefs Worship Service Christian Education Pastor Staff Youth Group Directions History Committees: Trustees Church Council Diaconate Finance and Stewardship Hospitality Missions Nominating Publications: Weekly Newsletters(Email) Cornerstone Forms(Rental,Big Y) Special Programs: Big Y Gift Cards Links: United Church of Christ(Nat'l) United Church of Christ(MA) God is Still Speaking * Opens new window	Weekly Update 12/14/2008 www.shcong.org Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org Church Office E-Mail: churchoffice@shcong.org Church Office: 527-1173 http://www.shcong.org SCHEDULE Sun. 14 3rd Sunday of Advent/Christmas Pageant Mon. 15 Christmas caroling, 6 to 8 p.m. hot chocolate to follow Tues. 16 No Heart Walk Wed. 17 Prayer Group, 9:15 a.m. Thurs. 18 Brown Bag Study: “Forgiveness” 12 noon Sun. 21 Living the Questions: 9 a.m. Blessing of Christmas baskets LOOKING AHEAD Sat. 20 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m. Diaconate assembles baskets and decorates Benefit Carol Sing/Dessert, for new piano, 6-8 p.m. Wed. 24 Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m. (Bring an ornament to exchange with church family) Sat. Jan. 25, Annual Meeting *Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 - Annual reports due from committee chairpersons (folder in church office)* Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of December 14th: Monday, 9-12 Tuesday, 9-12 Wednesday, 10:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Office Administrator’s Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Prayers for Healing: Marion D., Wally R. Maryanne D., Norma, Linda C., Gene D., Frank, Priscilla, Rebecca, Diane, Claudia, Celeste, Ed, Barbara C., Darlene’s Mom, Evie, Karl, Ellen, Donna O., Pam, Ruth, Dan, Jim, Myrna, Debra, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Marilynn, Kathleen, and Anne Prayers for Presence: The Rice Family, the Family of Alexis Southworth, Marian and Len Cawrse, Inez, for our church school, all teachers, for our country’s new leaders, and for those leaving office, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, for those in our own lives who face new challenges, for the people and leaders of Mumbai, and for those who are experiencing financial hardship and loss this Christmas season. Prayers for those in the Military: Michael Alderman, Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals Rachel Lacroix Keefe, and Matthew Keefe. THANK YOU . . .you for gracing us with your presence . . .to Ushers/Greeters, Dorothy Forster and Tina Pirog . . .to Nursery Coordinator, Flannery Wiemer . . .to Church Council for arranging Coffee Hour . . .Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at (413) 203-1742 or at foghollowfarm@charter.net Flowers are given by Kate Miller Carl “in loving memory of my mother, Jean Miller.” Also, the Christmas arrangement in the vestry is given by Carolyn Tauscher in memory of loved ones. ANNOUNCEMENTS THANK YOU to all who assisted in any way in helping with our annual Christmas pageant which was a wonderful gift to all who saw it! Special thanks to Amy Guyette, who coordinated the pageant and to all of our special music participants for their singing, and to the children and parents who made the pageant possible! THANK YOU to Bill Bray, Linda Cooper, Donna Cotton, and Carolyn Goepfert who assisted Rev. Dee with worship and communion at the Loomis House on Wednesday! FROM THE DEACONS’ BENCH: Last call! There are still gift tags for two families on the Christmas tree in the Old Sunday School room. They have suggestions for gifts for either a girl or a boy of a designated age. There are also ideas for the parents. Gift cards to Big Y and assistance through WMECO are always most welcome. It is not too late to participate. Please take a tag, and bring your wrapped gift with the tag attached to the church no later than December 17^th. Let’s create some Christmas magic for two families! “OVER 80’S BASKETS”: The Diaconate requests donations of items such as fruit, cookies, holiday breads, crackers, cocoa, pkts. of tea or coffee, jellies/jams, etc. Monetary contributions will help to purchase items. Please drop off your contributions at the church by next Saturday, December 20^th , 10 a.m. so that the baskets may be assembled on that day. YOUTH: The junior and senior Youth will gather immediately after church on Sunday, Dec. 21, to assemble countless luminaria (OK, about 150) to light up the church for Christmas Eve service. We will have pizza and show a movie as we work. We hope you can come! ADVENT MATERIALS: Please help yourself to free Advent devotional material on the table downstairs in the Old Sunday School room. CHRISTMAS CANDLES: If anyone is interested in “sponsoring” the lighted candles in the church windows, please make your donation to the church, and designate it “for Candles”. CHRISTMAS TREE SALE: John and Betty Vogel have again generously offered to sell their Christmas trees for the benefit of our church. Tree may be cut Saturday mornings during December, at the Vogels’ Farm, 57 Coleman Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A minimum donation of $10.00 if requested. Sample trees are available to purchase this morning, December 14^th, in the church parking lot. Get your tree-shopping done early and reasonably! CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS: Let’s continue the traditions of exchanging Christmas tree ornaments on Christmas Eve. Bring a non-breakable ornament for the tree and take home an ornament as a memento of your church family this Christmas. DEACONS’ EMERGENCY FUND: Envelopes are placed in the pews on Communion Sunday, usually the first Sunday of the month. This fund is administered according to the discretion of Rev. Dee and the Diaconate and is used to purchase vouchers to assist those who need emergency assistance. Please consider making a donation. LIVING THE QUESTIONS: The DVD-based Christian Education meets Sunday mornings in the Old Sunday School Room at 9 a.m. The format of each session includes a video, guided discussion, spiritual exercises and Bible study. The topic on December 14^th will be “A Passion for Christ: Paul”. A complete schedule of classes is posted on the hallway bulletin board. Hope to see you at these very interesting and informative sessions! THE BROWN BAGGERS: The next meeting of “Brown Baggers” will be Thursday, Dec. 11^th. The topic will be “Shaping Communities.” It is not too late to join in. The complete schedule of classes is on the hallway bulletin board. TREASURER’S REPORT for November, 2008: Total Revenues $21,588 **Includes Church Fair Proceeds of $6,169 Total Expenses $15,132 Income for November $6,456 11/30/08 Church Operating Balance: $5,325.61 NURSERY: Please welcome Adam Federman who will be assisting in the Nursery during the coming year. If there are any adult (18+) volunteers who would like to assist Adam, please contact Flannery Wiemer at flannery@knfwiemer.net or at (413) 222-3660 THANK YOU: Thank you to all who joyfully and faithfully gave pledges to our church on Sunday. If you have not pledged, it is not too late to do so! Please prayerfully consider the gift of God’s blessings in your life, your walk with Jesus Christ, and your financial gift to Christ’s church for 2009. Your pledge of support helps our church to carry out and expand upon its various ministries for the coming year. Don’t know about pledges, or why they are important? Don’t know what a pledge card is? Please see Ken Gaspar, any member of our Finance and Operations Committee, or Rev. Dee. We’ll be happy to explain! ANNUAL REPORTS: Now is the time for committee chairpersons to begin thinking about their annual reports. The typed reports need to be in the church office by January 2, 2009, in order to be compiled and ready for distribution a week ahead of the Annual Meeting which is scheduled for January 25^th, 2009. BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Beverly Ruszala is the person to see if you need Big Y gift cards. She will receive your orders and distribute the cards during coffee hour, at a designated table. Order forms (available on the table in the Old Sunday School Room or online) may also be placed in the “Green Box” which Beverly checks each week. PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: There are children’s bulletins and Bible activities available on the table in the narthex area (outside the sanctuary) for your children to participate in the weekly Bible lesson during worship. Please be sure to pick one up! Also, a take home family devotion book called, “This Season at Home” is available for our families on the tables both downstairs and upstairs. This guidebook has activities for families to enrich their spiritual lives. Please take a copy. *ADVENT MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE DOWNSTAIRS—PLEASE TAKE A COPY FOR YOUR CHILD(REN) AND FAMILY.* FROM THE MUSIC COMMITTEE: Grand piano update: Middle “C” bidding has begun. The highest current bid is posted on the hallway bulletin board. Give your bid to any music committee member. Bids will be held anonymous during this process. The bids will be taken until Jan. 1^st. YOUTH CHOIR: Calling all singers over 8 years of age! Come, sing a new song! No experience necessary. Directed by Kathy Marks, Bill Bray, Nancy Hughes, and Audrey Pierce. Youth Choir Schedule (All practices meet at church from 5:00-5:30 pm) Rehearsal on January 8^th Sing on January 11^th Rehearsals on January 22^nd and 29^th Sing on February lst Rehearsals on March 5^th and 12^thSing on March 15^th Rehearsals on March 26^th and April 2^nd Sing on April 5^th Rehearse on April 9^th Sing on April 12^th IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: Please make sure that coffee hour refreshments *do not contain any form of peanuts or peanut products!* Any contact (even when not consumed) can trigger serious health danger for some in our congregation. FLOWERS: Terry Vogel is our Sunday flower coordinator. She may be reached at (413) 203-1742, and at foghollowfarm@charter.net Please let Terry know if you would like to donate your flowers to those who may be shut in, hospitalized, or in need of a cheerful pick-me-up. The Flower Sign-Up clip board is hanging on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. If you no longer wish to receive this weekly update or other church news, please e-mail Rev. Dee at revdee@shcong.org and we will remove your e-mail address from the list. Also, if you change your e-mail address, please let us know if you wish to continue receiving church e-mail. We hope you all have a pleasant and peaceful week.