congregational the messenger · enough to send the greatest gift, your son, so that we might truly...
TRANSCRIPT
First Parish Church
Congregational
United Church of Christ THE MESSENGER
SHARING GOOD NEWS – DECEMBER 2018
2018 LovingGod,wethankyouandpraiseyoutodayforthemiracleof
yourSon'sbirth.Thankyouforbringingsuchjoytothewhole
world!Thankyouforshowingusyourunfailingloveandsolidarity
bycomingtousasahuman.Wethankyou,God,forthemany
reasonswehavebeengivenamerryChristmasseason,andwe
rejoiceforeachblessing.Newlife.Newlove.Homes,jobs,families,
opportunities.Thosewhoencourageuswhenweareclosetogiving
up.Secondchances.Andmore.Weknow,God,thatyoubringthe
sunandthemoonandsetthestarsinmotion.Youtelltheocean
wheretostopandthesnowwhentostart…andwethankyoufor
themightygiftofyourcreation.
Andalthoughwehavemanyreasonstorejoicetoday,Lord,wealso
knowtheChristmasseasoncanbenot-so-merryforawholehostof
reasons.Weprayforthosewhoareexperiencinglossduring
Advent:relational,financial,spiritual,physical.Weprayforthose
whoselovedonesarefarfromthemevennow.Weprayforthose
dealingwithunemploymentandaddictionsandchronicsickness...
andunendingpainandfrustrationsofallkinds.Thankyou,God,for
beingourWonderfulCounselorandPrinceofPeace,evenwhenwe
findourselvesinthemidstofournot-so-merrycircumstances.
Finally,God,weaskyoutograntuspeace.Peaceinourhomes,
peaceinourchurches,andpeaceinourhearts,whentheworldall
aroundusspinsout-of-control.Helpustostayfocusedonyou,this
Adventseasonandalways.Thankyouforlovingthewholeworld
enoughtosendthegreatestgift,yourSon,sothatwemighttruly
haveaverymerryChristmas.InJesus’name,Amen.
God’sgrace,mercy,andpeace,
PastorDanHollis
DECEMBER 2018 SharingGoodNews 1-2
InspirationalWorship
3-5
LifeChangingExperiences
6-7
Community/World 8-13Stewardship 14
Deacons&BehindtheScenes
15-16
Calendar 17
VISIONFollowingtheWayofJesus,weaspiretoauthenticallyinvite,courageouslyinclude,andgenerouslyserveallwithcompassionandgrace.MISSIONFollowingtheWayofJesus,wecelebrateinspirationalworship;createlife-changingexperiencesforchildren,youth,families,andindividuals;andpracticemeaningfulcongregationalcare.Whilerespectingourdiversity,wecourageouslyadvocateforjusticeandmercy,andintentionallyrespondtotheneedsofourcommunityandtheworld.
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MessagefromtheModerator
Idon’tlikehavingtomissSundayworship–especiallywhenitisoneofthosespecialservicessuchasGratitudeSunday.Wewereawayvisitingfamilywhenat9:30Ithoughtofyou!Therewouldbewarmandheartyhandshakes,thealtarwouldbeabeautifuldisplaypraisingthebountyofGod’sgifts,thechoirwouldbeinfinevoicesingingtothegloryofGod.Heartfeltprayerswouldbesharedandlifted,andasermonwouldeducateandenlighten.“SurelyGodisinthisplace.”OnthewayhomeMondayIhadtoretrievesomethingfromtheSanctuary.UnlockingthedoorIwasgreetedbyquiet.Theharvestdisplaywasdismantled,thepewsempty,andtherewerenovoicesinprayerorsong.Oddly,theSanctuarydidnotfeellonely,butfullofGod’spresenceinthewonderandbeautyofsilenceinthishouseofworship.Inallways,“SurelyGodisinthisplace.”AccordingtoourFirstParishBylaws,“TheChurchCouncilwillappointnofewerthannineandnomorethantwelvepersonstonominatetothemembersoftheCongregationacandidateforSeniorPastor.”BymakingacommitmenttobeontheSeniorPastorSearchCommittee,theseindividualshavepledgedtousetheirtime,talentsandwisdomtoprayerfullydiscernthefuturepastoralleadershipatFirstParish.Thecommitteerepresentsadiversityofageandfocusinchurchlife.Theywilllistencarefullyandrespectconfidentiality.GodisatworkinthisprocessasweacknowledgewithgratitudethoseindividualswhowillbepartofthisimportantjourneyseekingaSeniorPastoratFirstParish.MembersoftheSeniorPastorSearchCommitteeare:JohnCovino,PerJonas,JerriLeConte,SherryMcConnell,CherylPinder,WendellPurrington,JonnSchrimper,ScottStevens,andNelsonWalter.TheSeniorPastorSearchCommitteewillbecommissionedonSunday,December2ndduringworship.ThisisatimewhenourchurchfamilyatFirstParishpledgesourtrustinthem,andpromisestogivethesefaithfilledanddedicatedindividualsourfullsupport.
CHURCHCOUNCILMINUTESAVAILABLEONLINEFirstParishChurchhasapasswordprotectedmembersectiononourwebsite,www.firstparishyork.net,whereChurchCouncilmeetingminutesandcorrespondingattachmentsareposted.Togettheusernameandpassword,callthechurchofficeat363-3758between9amand2pm,MondaythroughFriday.Becausethissitestoresonlyapprovedminutes,thereisaonemonthdelayinpostingapprovedminutes.Thankyoufornotsharingpasswordinformationwithinanemailorbeyondmembers.
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WORSHIPANDMUSICDECEMBER2018
Sunday,December2,2018
FirstSundayinAdvent/Communion“SongoftheBaptist”
Thursday,December6,2018ThursdayEveningWorship
Meal5:30pm/Worship6pm-6:50pmHabakkuk3:17-19-Activity:Communion
“Eveninacoldandbarrenland,Godprovidesforus.”DinnercookedbyPhilWoodman
Saturday,December8,2018
HarveyReidandJoyceAndersenChristmasConcert7pm
Sunday,December9,2018SecondSundayinAdvent/9:15ChristmasCarolSing
GuestPreacher-Rev.PatSmithSpecialinstrumentalmusic:
CamdenOberg,clarinet&pianoMeredythGoss,flute
Sunday,December9,2018
CrecheSundayinFellowshipHallduringCoffeeHour
ChristmasintheVillage
4pm
Thursday,December13,2018ThursdayEveningWorship
Meal5:30pm/Worship6pm-6:50pmEsther4:5-16-Activity:“Whynoyou?”DinnercookedbytheWaldropFamily
Saturday,December15,2018
DriveThroughNativity5pm-7pm
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Sunday,December16,2018ThirdSundayinAdvent
GuestPreacher-Rev.PatSmith“WeShallLight1000Candles”
Sunday,December16,2018
AServiceofLessonsandCarols4pm
TrinityChurch
Thursday,December20,2018ThursdayEveningWorshipOfffortheChristmasSeason
ReturninginJanuary-StayTuned
Sunday,December23,2018FourthSundayinAdvent
GuestPreacher-Rev.PatSmith“MyDancingDay”
Monday,December24,2018
ChristmasEve5:30pmFamilyWorship
8pmSanctuaryChoirandCandlelight11pmGinaConnolly,soloistandCandlelight
Sunday,December30,2018FirstSundayAfterChristmas
SpecialMusic
Saturday,January5,2018Reception-InterimSeniorPastorEstelleMargarones
12noon–5pm
Sunday,January6,2019Epiphany
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AViewfromtheBench
IwasgettingreadyformymorningjogtheotherdayandfoundaYouTubelisteningmixforrunning.Itwascalled“Joyfulandupbeatmusictoliftthespirits,toanimate,towork,tostudy,andtobehappy!”Themixhadavarietyofbeautiful,upbeatinstrumentalarrangementsfeaturingstrings,piano,andsynthesizers.IlovedtheideaofthatmusicbeingJOYFUL…especiallyasweentertheseasonofAdvent.Thinkaboutthewordstoafewwell-knownAdventhymnsandChristmascarols: “Joytotheworld!TheLordiscome!” “Rejoice!Rejoice!Emmanuelshallcometothee,OIsrael.” “…deardesireofeverynation,Joyofeverylongingheart.” “Joy!JoyforChristisborn,thebabe,theSonofMary!” “Otidingsofcomfortandjoy!”Thisisanexciting,joy-filledseasonforthemusic-makersatFirstParish.Thechoirsandsoloistswillbepresentingourannual“ChristmasintheVillage”concertonSunday9December.WewillalsobesingingattheServiceofNineLessonsandCarolsonSunday16DecemberatTrinityChurch.ChristmasEvewillbeaspecialnightwithsoloistsatthe5:30service,thesanctuarychoirat8PM,andGinaConnollyatthe11PMservice.OnSunday16DecemberwewilllightthepinkcandleofJOYinourAdventwreath.ThismightbeareminderthatourjobduringthisbusymonthistobehappyandfindJOY—nomatterhowbusyorfrazzledwemightbe.CometochurchoneachofthefourSundaysofAdvent.Relaxinourbeautifully-appointedsanctuary,andfocusonthejoysoftheseasonintheWordandthemusic.Staydry,warmandloving…becauseLOVEalwayswins.WSP
11/4/18:18811/11/18:15011/18/18:17411/25/18:138
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CHRISTIANEDUCATIONDECEMBER2018
WehavelotsofnewstoreportofourNovemberactivitiesinSundaySchoolandourplansforDecember
NOVEMBERHEIFERINTERNATIONALThechildrenandyouthofourChurchSchoolvotedtodonatethefollowinganimalsthroughtheHeiferInternationalprogram:onellama,onesheep,twobeehivesandoneflockofchickens.Thetotalforthiswas$350.00.Thankstoallofthemembersandfriendsofourchurchfamilyforyourdonationsandforpurchasingallofthosecupcakes!Becauseofyoursupport,peoplearoundtheworldwilllookforwardtoafuturewithdignityandanescapefrompovertyandhopelessness.Thankyou!GRATITUDEOuremphasisandthemeforNovemberwasGRATITUDE.WeconcentratedonhelpingothersthroughHeiferInternational,diggingintothestoryofCreationandhowwearecalledtobegoodstewardsofwhatGodhasgivenus.SeveralstudentsandtheirfamiliesworkedwiththeStewardshipCommitteetosetupthetablesfortheGratitudeTurkeyDinneronNov.18th.AlloftheSundaySchoolclassesmade“BlessingMix”bagsforthedinner,andAmeliaandCharlotteWaldroppresentedtheChildren’sMomentonthatday.DECEMBEROuremphasisforDecemberisLOVE.WewillexplorethestoriesoftheAdventWreathonthe4SundaysofAdvent,andenjoythestoryofChristmaslovethroughstorytelling,art,musicanddrama.WewillalsocelebratetheloveandjoyofChristmasinourNursery.Whetheryouhavechildrenornotinournursery,comedownandsayhellotoSabrina,BaileyandLinda,andtotheyoungestamongus.
ThankstoourChurchSchoolteachersforsharingtheirfaithwithourpreciouschildrenandyoungpeople.
They,alongwiththemembersoftheChristianEducationCommitteewishallofyouahappyandholyChristmas.
JanetCassidyChurchSchoolCoordinator
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December2018Friday,November305:30–6:30(5th/6thGrades)Hide-and-SeekChallenge(MeetatFellowshipHall)Notyourgrandma’shide-and-seek!Newrules,newplaces;thestakeshaveneverbeenhigher!7:00–8:30(7th/8thGrades)ChaperoneHunt(FoxRunMallinNewington,NH)Teamswillcompeteforprizestoseewhocanfindourdisguisedchaperonesinandaroundthedifferentstoresatthemallbeforetimerunsout!Bringpocketmoneyifyouwanttoshoporperusethefoodcourtwhileyou’relooking.
Sunday,December26:00–8:00(HighSchoolers)QuestfortheTower2–Dread(FellowshipHall,secondfloorclassrooms)WehadagreattimeovercomingthetrapsandpuzzlesofthemysteriousAlistairlastmonth,andthosethatparticipatedaskedforourlastSeniorHigheventof2018tobeanotherhigh-stakesadventure.Soitshallbe,backbypopulardemand!Youdecidehowtoprogressandwhatrisksareworthtaking,andtheonlypeopleyoucancountonarerightbesideyou.
Friday,December75:30–6:30(5th/6thGrades)GamesandGroupChallenges(FellowshipHall)6:45–8:45(7th/8thGrades)QuestfortheTower2–Dread(FellowshipHall,secondfloorclassrooms)WehadagreattimeovercomingthetrapsandpuzzlesofthemysteriousAlistairlastmonth,andthosethatparticipatedaskedforourlast7th/8thGradeeventof2018tobeanotherhigh-stakesadventure.Soitshallbe,backbypopulardemand!Youdecidehowtoprogressandwhatrisksareworthtaking,andtheonlypeopleyoucancountonarerightbesideyou.Friday,December14ALLAGES,pleasehelpifyoucanThomKearns,theheadofFirstParish'sDriveThruNativity,islookingforsomeextrahandstohelpgetthingssetuponthechurchgroundsforthedifferentsceneswepreparefortheDTN.HecouldusesomefolksafterschoolonDecember14thtohelpputthefinishingtouchestogether.Agreatcommunityserviceopportunity!Parents,[email protected].
IndividualYouthServedinNovemberbytheFirstParishYouthGroups:21
8
WehopeeveryoneenjoyedourmealofThanksgivingandGratitudeonSunday,November18th.Wehadafullhousewith120peoplesharingdeliciousfood,loveandfellowship.Wealsopacked26mealstogo.Therearesomanypeopletothankforhelpingtomakethiseventpossible:Allthemenandwomenwhomade20pies,theSundayChurchSchoolchildrenandfamilieswhomadethefavorsandsetupthetablesanddecorations,SweetSpiritwhosangabeautifulblessing,theDeaconswhodidcleanup(andtookthetableclothshometowash),theChurchSchoolfamilieswhotookdownthetables,theextrapeoplewhopitchedintohelpwithcuttingpiesandhelpedwithcleanup(youknowwhoyouare),andlastbutnotleastthegroupofmenwhowerethechiefcooksandchefsworkingonSaturdayandSundaytoprepareourwonderfulmeal!Weareindeedblessed.TheStewardshipTeam-JohnPendleton,JalmarDijkstra,SandyNelson
MARKYOURCALENDARSaturday,December15th,2018
Our annual gift to the community If you would like to be a part of this sacred ministry of our church please stop by the Opportunity Table. There are many people needed to make this happen. The production is seven still scenes with live actors, no speaking parts and costumes are supplied. For more information contact Thom Kearns at [email protected] Coordinators: Judy Schriefer, George Parton and Chris Briley
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MISSIONBOARDDISBURSES2018FUNDS
TheMissionBoardishappytoannouncetheyhavedisbursed$15,860tothefollowingmissionoutreachprograms:
• CongregationalLibrary&Archives,CommonCathedral• ChildSponsorshipUCC• BTSCenterinPortland• Daisy’sChildren• MaineSeacoastMission• ChildSponsorshipCommonHope• YorkCommunityServicesAssociation• BostonProjectMinistries• FairTide• CommonHopeMissionTrip• FirstParishYouthMissionTrip
Inageneralsense,fundsweredistributedLocally$9,000,Regionally$4000andInternationally$3000.TheMissionBoardisalwaysopentosuggestionsofoutreachministriesyoumightwanttosupport.MissionBoard:JimDupre,PollyStanwood,LindaDrew,MartyMarshall,PhilDrew,MarthaFennKing,andDonSchriefer.
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ComeOneComeAll!FirstParishChurch
Wreaths&GreensandMoreSaleBakeSale,Crafts,ChristmasHomeDécorandNubbleArt
FirstParishMembersSaleFriday,November30th
2pm-4pm
PublicSaleSaturday,December1st
9am–12noon
THANKYOU!TOEVERYONEFORTHEIRHELPANDHARDWORKONTHISYEAR’S
WREATH&GREENSANDMORESALE.
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DECEMBER9,2018
inFellowshipHallduringCoffeeHour
Yes,we’redoingitagain,becauseitwassuchasuccesslastyear!
Ifyouhaveafamilycrècheyou’dliketoshare,pleaseemailme,GailBerneikebyThursday,12/[email protected]:
• Thesizeofyourcrèche(s)(yes,youmaybringmorethanone!).Pleasebeasspecificas
possible,soweknowhowmanytablestosetup.• Whenyouwilldeliveryourcrèche(s).ThetwodeliverytimesareSaturday,12/8,between
8:30and10am,orSunday,12/9between8and9am.Ifneithertimeworksforyou,youmaydropitoffatthechurchofficeFriday,12/7between9amand2pm.
• Astoryorfamilytraditionthatsurroundsyourcrèche.
**Lettingusknowthesizeandyourdeliverytimeishugelyhelpful**WeaskthatyoutakeyourcrèchehomerightafterCoffeeHour.Letmeknowinadvanceifthisisn’tpossible,sowecanmakeotherarrangements.
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MISSIONOPPORTUNITYTABLEOFPLENTY
TUESDAY,DECECEMBER184pm-6pm
EveryTuesdayeveninginourtown,atourchurch,awonderfulthinghappens.Acommunitymeal,
freetoall,isservedtoabout65people.It’scalledTableofPlenty,andwasbegunover20years
ago.Themealsareservedby8differentteamsofpeoplethroughoutourtown;churches,friends,
andbusinesses.TheyincludeSt.George’sChurch,YorkHospital,Rotary,UnionCongregational,
StonewallKitchen,YorkMethodistChurch,Nancy’sTeam(friendsandfamilyofourdearfriend
NancyErgmann)andourownteamhereatFirstParish.Theteamstaketurnsservingthemeal
eachweek,whichisheldhereatourchurchinFellowshipHall.Eachteamservesthemealonce
every8weeks.Wemakethemeal,servethemeal,andcleanup.
TheFirstParishTeamwillservethemealnextonTUESDAY,DECECEMBER18from4pm-6pm.
Weneednewteammembers,soifyouareinterestedinthismissionopportunity.pleasecontactJanetCassidy
Thankyou,JanetCassidy
SeacoastGuitarSocietypresents…11th Annual Christmas Concert
Harvey Reid & Joyce Andersen Saturday,December8,2018
FirstParishChurch7pm
Generaladmission$15advance
$20dayofshow$10students
8yearsoldandunderfreeCall207-363-1886forinfo
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WomenontheMoveFellowshipOutings
15thANNUALPIESONPARADE
January25–27,2019
WomenOnTheMoveisgoingtoRocklandtoenjoythefestivitiesJoinUs!
BeautifulRocklandMaineakaPieTownUSAaccordingtotheFoodNetwork
hasfoundanamazingwaytocelebratetheendofJanuaryandfundraisefortheirlocalFoodPantries!
ThisEventissponsoredbytheHistoricInnsofRocklandandindoingsooffersanumberofgreatdealstobravethewinterweatherandcomevisitthem.“Ticketsselloutquickly,andthebestwaytogetyoursisthroughPiesonParadelodgingpackagesofferedbythethreeHistoricInnsofRocklandBerryManorInn,LimeRockInnandGraniteInnandparticipatingCamdeninnsincludingtheHawthornInnandTowneMotel.Packagesincludeguaranteedtickets,specialextraslikewineandpiepairings,otherspecialSaturdayevents,admittancetoaSilentAuctionandpiecelebrationonSaturdayeveningandtwopersonalpiesawaitingyourarrival.Dayticketsare$30foradultsand$15forchildrentenandunderandallfundsfromticketssalesgodirectlytothelocalfoodpantry.”Ourplanistohavethosethatareinterestedmaketheirreservationsindividually,we’llthenjointogetherfortheevents.SaturdayhasagreatScavengerHuntaroundCamdenandSundayhaswhatsoundslikeanamazingfoodfestivalthroughoutRockland.Notonlyaretheyfeaturingtraditionalfavorites(blueberry,apple,raspberry)butlookforeggpies,quiches,andhealthycreativepiestoo.Wow–whatagreatwaytogetyourstepsANDeatyourwaythroughourbeautifulseacoast!Pleasecontactmeifyou’reinterested.IwillalsobeinFellowshipHallafterChurchwith
brochuresandtoanswerquestionsaboutourplans.Hopetoseeyou!KimClauson207-361-7073
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EachFall,yourStewardshipCommitteeisresponsibletoorganizeandimplementacampaigntoencouragetheChurch’smembersandfriendstomakepledgecommitments(estimatesofgiving)fortheensuingcalendaryear.Normally,thecampaignitselfoccursinthefourweekperiodpriortotheChurch’sGratitude(Thanksgiving)Sundaydinner.However,thecampaigntakesmorethanfourweeks.First,thereisconsiderableplanning,selectionofathemeandgeneralapproachtothetaskahead.Then,thereisaneedforfollow-upcontactstoremindthosewhomayhaveforgotten.Thisyear’scampaignactuallybeganearly,inSeptember,withanintroductoryandthankyouletterfromPastorAnnabeforeherdepartureSeptember24andwillcarryonwellintoDecember.Numberscanbehelpful.LastFall’scampaignyielded121pledgestowardchurchexpensesforatotalof$267,832forcalendar2018.Thepreviousyear,forcalendar2017,140membersandfriendsofFirstChurchpledged$267,188.Ourgoalforthisyearistorepeatthesuccessesofthepasttwoyears.Obviously,churchexpensesincludethecostofmaintainingthebuildingsandpersonnelnecessarytooperatetheChurch.ButmoresignificantaretheamountscontributedtotheChurch’smissionto“shareGod’sloveinwordanddeed,withinourcommunityandthroughouttheworld.”TheChurchsupportsmorethan30local,regionalandinternationalprogramsthatprovideinfrastructureanddirectserviceforfood,housingandemergencyneeds.Quiteapartfromtheannualcampaign,theCommitteecollects“loosechange”bymaintainingcoinboxesattheentrancetotheChurch.TheproceedssupportspecificcausesoftheChurch,suchas68HoursofHunger,theVacationBibleSchool,theSeniorHighMissionTrip,thePastor’sDiscretionaryFund,andthe“TableofPlenty”heldatFristParishChurch.TheCommitteeisalsochargedwith“educatingandencouragingMemberplannedgiving(willsandtrusts)andprovidingdonorguidance.”MoreonthatinJanuary’snewsletter.Whileweoftenthinkof“stewardship”asacallforfinancialsupport,stewardshipmorebroadlyinvolvesthegivingofourtimeandtalentstomanyotherareasofbothchurchandcommunity.Overall,stewardshipisjustcaring.YourStewardshipCommittee:SandyNelson,JohnPendleton,andJalmarDijkstra
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TheDeaconsaredelightedtowelcomeourinterimpastorRev.EstelleMargaronestoFirstParishandYork.PastorEstellemovedinonNovember30.YouwillprobablyseeheraroundinvariousplacesalthoughshedoesnotactuallybeginherworkwithusuntilJanuary1,2019.WealsowelcomeRev.PatSmithwhopreachedtwoSundaysinNovemberandwillbewithusforthreeSundaysinDecember.ManyofyouknowRev.SmithwhowasatUnionCongregationalChurch,YorkBeach,untilherretirementin2012.WithChristmasEveservicesupcoming,theDeaconswillonceagainwillbecollectingnewandgentlyuseditemsatthe5:30service.Children’sandteens’hats,scarves,socks,andmittenscanbeplacedonthetwotreesatthefrontofthesanctuary.Thisyeartherewillalsobeboxesforcoats,snowpants,andboots.Anyonewishingtooffermonetarydonationsmayalsodoso.Deaconswillbeatthetreestohelpoutandacceptthosedonations.ItemscollectedwillbegiventotheYorkschoolsandYCSA.InDecembertheDeaconswilldecideonbookscholarshiprecipients(deadlineisDecember14).Andfinally,theDeaconsareabitshort-handedthisyearforavarietyofreasonsandcouldreallyusethehelpofpastDeaconsonChristmasEve.PleaseemailHarrietSanclemente,ourscheduler,ifyoucanhelp.OnbehalfoftheDeacons,IwishyoualltheblessingsofChristmas,SusanMancinelli,SeniorDeacon
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FromyourFinancialSecretary
YearendFinancialComingsandGoings
DuringthemonthofJanuaryandunlessspecificallystatedotherwise,anychecksreceivedthataredatedin2018oranydonationsthatarereceivedinpledgeenvelopesfrom2018areassumedtobedonations
towardsyour2018pledge(foraccountingpurposesonly).Alsonotethatinorderforanydonationtobeacknowledgedin2018fortaxpurposes,thedonationmustbeinthechurch’spossessionby12/31/2018orifmailed,musthaveapostmarkin2018.Likewise,eGivingdonationsmusthaveatransactiondateof12/31/2018orearlier.Ifyouwishtoprepayyour2019pledgein2018sothatyoucanclaimthedonationin2018fortaxpurposes,pleasebesuretoclearlyindicateonthecheckthatthedonationistobeappliedtoyour2019pledge.Statementsdetailingallyourdonationstothechurchthatwerereceivedin2018willbemailedoutsometimeinmidJanuary.PleasecontactPerJonasviaemailatfinsec@firstparishyork.netorbyphone(207-363-3180)ifyouhaveanyquestions.Thankyou.
BEHINDthe
SCENES
BookStipendfor1styear,2ndSemesterCollegeStudentsMembersofFirstParishChurchwhoare1styearcollegestudents
intheir2ndsemesterofstudyareeligiblefora“onetime”bookstipendfromtheDiaconate.
TheamountallottedwillbedeterminedbytheDeaconsafterreviewingtheapplications.
ApplicationsavailableintheParishOfficeandOpportunityTableoremailoffice@firstparishyork.netDeadlineDecember14,2018
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CHRISTMASMEMORIALPOINSETTIA
ORDERFORMDECEMBER2018
IfyouwouldliketoorderaMemorialPoinsettiaPlantforChristmasSunday,pleasefillintheorderformbelowandreturnitwithyourpaymentof$9foreachplant,nolaterthanDecember20th.PLEASEMAKECHECKSPAYABLETOFIRSTPARISHCHURCHIwouldliketoorder________PoinsettiaPlant(s)TotalEnclosed$__________Inmemory/honorof:________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________Givenby:_____________________________________________________________________________________Iwouldliketopickupmyplant(s)()Pleasedonatemyplant(s)toourhome-basedmembers.()Pleasebespecificaboutyourplantoeithertakeordonateyourplant(s).PlantscanbetakenaftertheDecember23rdserviceandwillbedeliveredtohome-basedmembersafterChristmasEve.Weneedtoknowexactlyhowmanyplantswewillhaveavailableforhome-basedmembers.SorrybutnoorderscanbeacceptedafterDecember20th.YourName&Phone:_________________________________________________________________________PleaseSign:___________________________________________________________________________________
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SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday 1
8:30am Christian Education Board Meeting 9am-12pm Wreaths & Greens Fair
2AdventI9:30amWorship/Communion11amMen’sEnsembleRehearsal5pmSanctuaryChoir6pmYouthGroupHighSchool
38:30am Zumba
48:30am Yoga 5pm Table of Plenty 7:30pm Pastoral Relations Committee Meeting
58:30am Zumba 9am Women’s Bible Study 5pm Adult Bible Study
68:30am Aerobics 2pm YCSA Volunteer 5:30pm Thursday Evening Worship 6pm Handbells Rehearsal 7pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
78:30am Aerobics 5:30pm Youth Group 5/6 grade 7pm Youth Group 7/8 grade
87pm Reid & Andersen Christmas Concert
9AdventII9:15amHymnSing9:30am Worship 4pm Christmas in the Village Concert
108:30am Zumba 4:30pm Mission Committee Meeting 6:30pm Women on the Move-Judy Schriefer’s Residence
118:30am Yoga 5pm Table of Plenty 6:30pm Assessors Meeting
128:30am Zumba 9am Women’s Bible Study 5pm Adult Bible Study
138:30am Aerobics 3:30pm Stewardship Committee Meeting 5:30pm Thursday Evening Worship 6pm Handbells Rehearsal 7pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
148:30am Aerobics
155pm-7pm Drive through Nativity
16AdventIII9:30amWorship4pmAServiceofLessons&Carols
178:30amZumba
188:30am Yoga 5pm Table of Plenty 7pm Deacons Meeting
198:30am Zumba 9am Women’s Bible Study 5pm Adult Bible Study
208:30am Aerobics 6pm Handbells Rehearsal 7pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
218:30am Aerobics
22
23AdventIV9:30amWorship5pmSanctuaryChoirRehearsal
248:30amZumba5:30pmFamilyWorship8pmWorship11pmWorship
25PARISHOFFICECLOSED
26PARISHOFFICECLOSED
278:30am Aerobics 6pm Handbells Rehearsal 7pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
288:30am Aerobics
29
309:30amWorship5pmSanctuaryChoirRehearsal
318:30amZumba
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MinistersAlltheMembersoftheCongregation
Rev.DanHollis,[email protected]
Staff
WendellS.Purrington,DirectorofMusicMinistriesTerrieIlaria,MusicAssociate
JanetCassidy,ChurchSchoolCoordinatorBettyRoker,OfficeManager
StaceyCrowell,BuildingsandGroundsSupervisorToddFrederick,CemeterySuperintendent
FirstParishChurchLayLeadersJanJonas,Moderator
ThomKearns,ViceModeratorRayHamlin,TreasurerSusanMancinelli,Clerk
207-363-3758