Weekly Update

Dear St. James Community,  December 3 is the First Sunday of Advent. We will have Service of the Word beginning at 10:15am, following a short time for quiet meditation and prelude music. Calendar

Sunday, December 3rdBible Study, 9:00 amWorship Service, 10:15 am Short Children's Christmas Practice, 11:15 amConfirmation Class, 11:30amChristmas Luncheon

Monday, December 4Boy Scouts, 7:00 pm

Tuesday, December 5Missions, 7:00 pmDayBreak, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, December 6Prayer Shawl, 6:30pm

Thursday, December 7COP, 12:00 pmChoir, 7:00 pm

Sunday, December 10Bible Study, 9:00 amWorship Service, 10:15 am Short Children's Christmas Practice, 11:15 am

Announcements

Pastor Anne's office hours for the week of December 3 will be Monday 10:00 to 2:00 pm, Thursday 2:00 to 4:00 pm and by appointment.

Sandy's office hours for the week of December 3 will be Monday 10:00 to 1:00 pm and Thursday 1:00 to 4:00pm.

DayBreak - Please remember that DayBreak will be using our facilities on Sunday morning at 9:30, please remember not use the entrance by fellowship hall.  Advent Decorating for the church will be Saturday December 2nd from 10 to 1pm. If you have any questions please contact Ed or Sue at (610) 754-6200.

Christmas Luncheon - Our Christmas luncheon will be on December 3rd after church, please join us for the meal, and to get in the Christmas spirit as we celebrate the birth of Christ.  If you

would like to bring a dessert or cookies, we will be glad for your donations. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. Our friends from Bethany Ministries will be joining us on December 3rd to share a mission moment and join in our Christmas luncheon. We will be collecting a special offering for them on Sunday, December 3rd.  Veterans and Bethany Children's Home Christmas gift tree -This year along with the veteran's gifts we also will be including gifts for the children at Bethany.  The veteran's names will be on angels and the children gifts will be on stars. Veteran's gifts must be returned to the church by Dec. 10, so they can be delivered that week. The children's gifts must be at the church by Dec. 17, so they can be delivered that day.The stars will list several items for you to choose from. All the information will be on both sides of the star.  If anyone has any questions, please let Charlotte Fiedler know.

Great Strides Fundraiser - Remember to shop at Capt'n Chucky's on Monday, December 11th through Saturday, December 16th.  Just say “Great Strides” at the checkout and 15% of your total purchase (including gift cards) will go to the American Cancer Society. 

Poinsettias - order forms can be found in the narthex and are due on December 17th. Children’s Christmas Presentation - will be on December 17th. Christmas Caroling and Prayer Walk - Come out and join in the fun Dec. 17th - the more the merrier! Following worship and a light lunch of soup (provided) and sandwich (bring your own), we will be going to a local development to Christmas Carol and pray for the neighborhoods and community. We will return to the church for hot coco and cookies. Christmas Tea -Woman’s Fellowship will be hosting a Christmas Tea on Tuesday night December 19th at 6:30pm. Each guest is asked to bring a $10 wrapped gift to exchange, and at least 1 dozen  cookies or dessert items to share with the group. A light dinner will be served.  A sign up sheet  will be in the Narthex, hope to see you there.  Longest Night Service of Healing -Will be held Thursday, December 21st at 7 pm. In a time of holiday preparations and celebrations there are those among us who may not be feeling so festive and jolly, but are struggling with grief, loneliness, challenges of the season and the need to keep Christ central to all we are doing and being. We will gather together for worship on the Winter Solstice to acknowledge our pain and struggles, and to proclaim and hold fast to the light of Christ that is coming, and indeed has come into the world – a light that cannot be overcome. All are welcomed and encouraged to bring a friend. Christmas Eve Communion Candle Light Service will be on Sunday December 24th at 7:00 pm. Mark Pinto will be sharing his gift of voice and song with us. Blood Drive - Our annual Christmas-season blood drive is scheduled with Miller-Keystone for Thursday, December 28 from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. Save time by completing your Donor History Questionnaire online. For more details visit www.GIVEaPINT.ORG 

Holiday Choir We are calling for extra singers for Christmas again this year to supplement the choir.  Please contact Donna at (610) 792-1679 or email at music@stjames-ucc.org if you'd like to participate.

The Prayer Team will be sending out greeting cards to individuals that are in need of prayer.  If you would like a card sent out to someone, please provide their full name and address to Charlotte Fiedler or Sandy Koenig.  This includes any names that are put on the prayer tree. Agape Fund "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." John 13:34bWe are establishing a pastor’s discretionary fund, called the Agape Fund, to assist those in need. Agape Fund envelopes will be available on the table in the narthex to the left of the main sanctuary doors. Donations to this fund can be placed in the collection plate. The Agape Fund will also be supported through sponsoring the weekly bulletin. If you are sponsoring the bulletin and want to contribute the optional $5.00 donation, please place it in the Agape Fund envelope.

Conference and Local Events

2017 Dates: Dec 5 Quiet Days are held at New Goshenhoppen UCC, 1070 Church Road in East Greenville, PA 18041. They are designed to open new avenues of communing with God, and to provide an opportunity for sharing faith journeys and stories. They allow for Sabbath time and renewal in the midst of our busy world. There is no formal registration, but a minimum donation of $5 is requested on Quiet Day. Each participant is asked to bring a Bible, journal, pen and a bag lunch. Come and see what God has in store for you!  December 2 – Roast “Beast” Dinner @ Schwarzwald UCC, Reading

December 2 – Roast “Beast” Dinner at Schwarzwald UCC, 75 Church Lane Road, Reading PA from 4-7 p.m. Menu is all you can eat Roast Beef, potato filling, vegetables, condiments and dessert. Cost is $12.00 adults, $8 ages 6-12, 5 and under Free.Our famous sand tarts will be available at $9/lb.For  questions please contact the church office during am hours at 610-779-0850. Messiah ConcertThe Ursinus College Choirs will be presenting the 80th annual Handel’s Messiah (complete).Ursinus College, Bomberger Hall601 E Main St, Collegeville, PA 19426Sat. Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.Sun. Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m.

Buy tickets ($10) online at:https://ursinus.tix.com/schedule.aspx?orgnum=5279&framed=true

Holiday Classics at St. John’sCapital Ringers, December 3, 4:00 PM

 St. John’s Lutheran Church, 355 St. John’s Circle, Phoenixville, PA welcomes the Capital Ringers in concert,  4:00 pm, Sunday, December 3.  The ensemble combines music on handbells, percussion instruments, movement, audience interaction, humor, visual technology, and an actor to create a “Holiday Classic” show that will appeal to all ages.  This creative holiday performance will entertain and educate audiences with the timeless holiday songs you love.  Selections include “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “White Christmas,” Sleigh Ride,” and many more timeless songs of the season. Capital Ringers, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) community English handbell ensemble that entertains and educates concert audiences with an extensive repertoire of rock n’ roll, patriotic, sacred,  and current top 40 tunes, performing on the largest set of handbells on the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) Peninsula. The ensemble performs on 6 octaves (73 bells) of handbells, 5 octaves (61 bells) of Whitechapel Handbells (made in London, England), and 5-1/2 octaves (67 chimes) of handchimes Founded in 2004 by Artistic Director, Linda Simms, Capital Ringers’ mission is to provide performances that demonstrate the artistic diversity of English handbells.  There is no ticket charge however a free-will offering will be received.  Plan now to “ring in” the holiday season by attending the performance.  A reception follows the concert.

St. Helena's would like to invite you to their Christmas Concert “Christmas Dreams” on Sunday, December 17th at 4 p.m.  Mark and Donna Pinto will be singing with the choir, accompanied by an orchestra.  The concert is free, but a free will offering will be graciously accepted.  Any questions, please call Theresa Smith at 215-646-7636 or email theresacsmith@verizon.net.St. Helena Church1489 DeKalb PikeBlue Bell, PA 19422

Homeless Outreach – Saturdays, November through April @ Trinity Reformed UCC, Pottstown

Join members of the Trinity UCC Pottstown Area Homeless Outreach onSaturday’s from 8 am– 4:30 pm.Providing a warm place for the homeless, job search activities, lunch, movies, games and fellowship.For more information and to register visit sign up by clicking here.

Tuesday Afternoons – Sewing for a Cause @ Trinity Reformed UCC, Pottstown

Trinity Reformed UCC, 60 N. Hanover Street in Pottstown 19464 teaches low-income and homeless people how to sew on Tuesday afternoons from 2:00 – 3:00pm . If you are a sewer, and would like to share your gifts with others, please contact Barbara Cooper through the church: 610-326-2243.