amazon simple storage service (s3) - december …...sunday school throughout advent, we will learn...
TRANSCRIPT
Dec 1 - 10:00 am Worship Svc
with Communion
Dec 8 - 10:00 am Worship Svc*
Dec 14 - 5 pm Travelers’
Christmas
Dec 15 - 10:00 am Worship Svc*
Dec 20 - 7:30 pm - Service of
Comfort & Peace
Dec 22 - 10:00 am Worship Svc*
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve!
5 pm-Lessons & Carols for all ages
11:15 pm - Candlelight
Lessons & Carols
Dec 29 - 10:00 am Hymn Sing
December 2019 SUPPLEMENT
The First Congregational Church, UCC , An Open and Affirming Congregation of the UCC
The Judea JournalThe Judea JournalThe Judea JournalThe Judea Journal
Continued, page 2
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord all
the earth; break forth into joyous
song and sing praises!” –Psalm 98:4
Three hundred years ago, Isaac
Watts wrote the hymn “Joy to the
World,” a song that has become the
most-published Christmas hymn.
We somehow expect to sing it at
least once during the Christmas
season. This Advent, we’ll be using
the line “Repeat the Sounding Joy”
as our theme for the season. Where
do we find hopeful joy, or loving joy,
or peaceful joy, or unabashed joy. If
we’re struggling with loss or grief,
we might be feeling that joy is
elusive for us right now.
Where do you find joy in your
life, not just at this time of year, but
in general? Not just a feeling of
happiness, but that in-your-bones
feeling of true joy? Is it spending
time with family or friends? Is it
reading a good book or telling a
favorite story? Is it in creating art?
Is it in hearing the laughter of a
loved one, or making a loved one
laugh? Is it conquering a fear, or
finishing a task you’ve been putting
off for a long time? Is it hearing a
song that takes you back to a special
time?
When we feel joyful, do we share
that joy with others? How do we
“repeat the sounding joy” with those
around us? Malcolm Gladwell, in
his book The Tipping Point, states
that emotions are contagious. If
anger or fear can sweep through a
room in an instant, why not joy? On
By the Rev. Robyn Gray, PHd, Pastor
Administrative/Governance 3
Birthdays 5
Calendar 5
Christian Education 2
From the Pastor 1
Memorials—Steeple 7
Memorials—Christmas 6
Missions & Outreach 2
Sunday Morning Support 7
Upcoming Events 4
Installation Service Photos 8
Repeat the Sounding Joy!
In this issue:
Sunday School
Throughout Advent, we will learn more about the Christmas story and
discover the meaning of some of our favorite Christmas time hymns
through projects, stories, crafts, and music. It will be a lively and fun
morning each week! More info? Please contact Carrie Loyd at [email protected].
Page 2 The Judea Journal
(Continued from page 1) From the Pastor (continued from page 1)
some levels this seems like an
impossible task. How do we
“repeat the sounding joy” when it
feels like everything around us is
going south? Writer Toni
Morrison has a very simple and
powerful solution. She asks us
“when a child walks into a room,
does your face light up?” One
easy way to “repeat the sounding
joy” is to expand Professor
Morrison’s idea to everyone we
see. When someone walks into a
room, does our face light up? Do
we acknowledge the image of God
in them? Whether we know them
or not, it’s simple to repeat that
small nugget of joy by smiling and
simply seeing someone. If you
like to experience new spiritual
practices, for our time in Advent,
see if you can let your face light
up, or at least register the
awareness of another child of God
in your presence every time you
see someone. See if it changes
your sense of Spirit as you do it
more often.
And then join us for our
Sunday services in Advent, where
we will have bell ringers and
Cantors and track the journey of
the Holy Family to Bethlehem.
Join us for Traveler’s Christmas
December 14th at 5 pm if you
won’t be in town Christmas Eve.
Join us for one of our Christmas
Eve services December 24th at 5
pm or 11:15 pm. And if joy is just
not working for you this year, join
us for a service of Comfort and
Peace on one of the longest nights
of the year, December 20 at 7:30
pm. Ghandi said “Be the
change you want to see in the
world.” Let us be the joy we want
to see in the world.
Repeat the sounding joy,
Children and Youth
On Saturday, December 7th from 10am- 12 noon, we will host a morning of marshmallow
decorating and snow globe making! Join us for a fun and festive morning together as the holiday
season begins. Spread the JOY! As always, you are invited to bring friends, family, and neighbors.
The more the merrier!
Missions - The Angel Tree is BACK!
The Angel Tree is back! This year, we will be supporting F.I.S.H of Tor-
rington. We have supported Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH) with
funds or food for their shelter and food bank programs. They also serve
low income families in Torrington, providing gifts for children would other-
wise not receive any gifts at Christmas. Tags are available on the tree in the
back of the sanctuary. You will also have an opportunity during coffee hour
to take a tag. It is very important to record your tag number on the sign up
sheet to ensure we know all tags are accounted for. Unwrapped gifts are due
back no later than December 15.
We have several mission opportunities at our church so do not hesitate
ask me about them! You may contact Jim Esslinger for more information or
questions. [email protected]
Page 3 Www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org December 2019
Rev. Robyn Gray, Pastor 860-868-0569, x 11
Sat&Mon, 10 am – 1 pm at Marty’s CoffeeShop
In the office: Mon afternoons – 2 – 6 pm
Tue – 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesdays by appointment
Carrie Loyd, Christian Ed Superintendent
Email: [email protected]
Jesse Ofgang, Organist/Principal Musician
Kathleen Sauvageau, Bookkeeper
By appointment as needed;
always available by email.
Karen Esslinger, Admin. Assistant
[email protected] ext10
Mon and Wed, 1 pm—5:30 pm (remote)
Tues and Thurs, 9 am—1:30 pm (office)
Al Trowbridge, Sexton (860) 868-0230
Call to Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 5 @ 11:00 AM,
in Wersebe Hall,
Immediately following the Worship Service
Agenda:
• Approval of minutes from October 6th
Quarterly Meeting
• Council Reports from all Chairs
• Safe Church Policy—presentation and
discussion (tentative)
• New Business
See you there!
Trish Grinnell, Moderator
The office will be closed Dec 25, 26 and 30
and will re-open on Tuesday, Dec 31.
Karen will be working remotely on Dec 26 and 30 and will be available by phone or email.
Pastor Robyn will be away from Dec 25 - Jan 1. Urgent pastoral care coverage will be arranged, if needed.
Council Members
Rev. Robyn Gray, PhD Pastor, 860-868-0569, X 11
Trish Grinnell, Moderator, 860-318-6047
Tony Vengrove, Vice-Moderator/ Stewardship,
860-799-0054
Michelle Gorra, Treasurer, 860-868-7852
OPEN, Clerk
Millie Johnson, Christian Ed. (860)354-0569
Ellen Willert, Deacons, 860-605-7902
Steve Wadelton, Finance, 860-868-9822
Jim Esslinger, Missions, (860) 919-5207
Alecia Evans, Music & Drama, 860-868-2864
John Lintner, Personnel, 860-868-0019
Lee Parsons, Trustee, 860-946-7798
All official church emails ending with an @ are followed
by our church domain: firstchurchwashingtonct.org
“It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
David Steindl-Rast (born 1926) Catholic Theologian
For the celebration of
Peter Armstrong’s life:
Page 4 The Judea Journal
A Travelers’ Christmas
Service
Sunday, Dec 14 at 5 pm
If you travel at Christmas to be
with family somewhere else, and never get to
celebrate Christmas Eve here in our beautiful part of
the world in a classic New England Meeting House;
come to the First Congregational Church of
Washington on Sunday, December 14th at 5:00 pm for
our early Christmas Eve with Christmas readings
and carols, the lighting of candles and the traditional
gift of oranges for all the children. An hors d’oeuvres
reception will follow in the Parish House.
Please join us to make merry a little early and
add your voice to “Silent Night” and “Joy to the
World!”
Comfort and Peace Christmas
Service
Dec 20 at 7:30 pm
If the holidays are difficult
for you this year, please
come to the Meeting House
of the First Congregational
Church in Washington for a
very special “Service of
Comfort and Peace.” This
service is especially helpful for those who, for
various reasons, are struggling to get into the
expected festive spirit of joy this season. The
service will be held Friday evening December
20 at 7:30 PM. Please join us for this very special
evening.
Look for your opportunity to pre-order a 2020 Youth Group
Calendar in December to be sure you get one! They are a fun and
friendly way to usher in each new month throughout the year.
Sunday, December 29 - Hymn Sing!
Continue the JOY by singing your favorite Christmas
hymns and carols. Come as you are to this relaxed
celebration of music and fellowship.
Page 5 Www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org December 2019
December 2019 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 ADVENT 1
10 am Worship w/
Communion
2 3
9:30 am - AA
6:30 pm– NB
Divorce Support
4 5
6-8 pm - SingOut
Rehearsal (MH)
6
10 am - AA Meeting
6 pm - NB
Pot Luck Supper
7
10 am —Noon
Ornament–
Marshmallows
& Snowglobes!
8 ADVENT 2
10 am Worship /
Chancel Choir
11 am Teen Talk
9
9:30 am -
Gunnery Monday
Meeting
10
9:30 am - AA
12:15 pm - Rotary
6:30 pm– NB
Divorce Support
11
6-8 pm - SingOut
Rehearsal
(MH)
12
13
10 am - AA Meeting
6 pm - NB
Pot Luck Supper
14
5 pm Travelers’
Christmas
Service
15 ADVENT 3
10 am Worship
11:00 am -
Worship Planning
5:30 pm
SingOut!CT
Holiday Show
16
17
9:30 am - AA
12:15 pm - Rotary
6:30 pm– NB
Divorce Support
7:00 pm– Gunnery
Concert
18
Gunnery MH
Cleaning
19
6:30 pm Council
Meeting
20
10 am - AA Meeting
6 pm - NB
Pot Luck Supper
7:30 pm - Service of
Comfort & Peace
21
3 - 5 pm
Grand Opening
and Open House
at Washington
Geriatrics
Consulting
(in Woodruff
House)
22 ADVENT 4 10 am Worship
with Baptism of
Theodore Haines
Brower
23
24
9:30 am - AA
Christmas Eve!
5 pm Lessons &
Carols for all Ages
11:15 pm Candlelight
Lessons & Carols
25
26
27
10 am - AA Meeting
6 pm - NB
Pot Luck Supper
28
29 10 am Worship /
Hymn Sing!
30
31
9:30 am - AA
December Birthdays
7 ....... Sue Elliott, Ferris Gorra
8 ....... Iaslyn Lewis,
Alyssa and Caroline Parsons
9 ....... Annie Baur
24...... Ann Tibbatts
29...... Beth Lovallo
31...... Colin Loyd
Gunnery Concert Setup (MH)
Please let
us know if
we missed
anyone so
that we
may
update our database!!
Contact Karen at
(860) 868-0569.
Office
closed but
Karen
available
by phone
Page 6 The Judea Journal
Honor Your Loved Ones or Special Intentions
with a Christmas Memorial
During November and early Advent, as we prepare for Christmas, you have an opportunity to make
memorial contributions - not only to decorate the Meeting House for this special season and to fill it with
the Christian spirit by helping those who are struggling to feed their families or find themselves without
a place to stay. (Food and shelter)
Your donations can provide food to our neighbors in need in Washington or to sponsor a room at a
local shelter for one night. You can add this in any increment you like – providing a day, a few days, or a
week or more of safe, clean transitional housing.
The contributions given for food will be combined with donations from others in town to help fill
many of the holiday baskets assembled by community volunteers in Washington. The gifts of shelter are
symbolic of the shelter given for the birth of the Christ child and will be donated to the Winsted YMCA
homeless shelter. In order to meet the Town Hall’s deadline for donations to be included in Christmas
baskets, and also to be listed in the Christmas bulletins, all contributions must be received in
the office by December 9. Donations received later will be directed to another food charity and gotten
into the Christmas bulletins, if possible.
To remember your loved ones, please indicate the item you wish as a memorial and the text in the
space provided. Return, with payment, to the church office.
The form is also available as online version
with Link from the related announcement on the home page.
______ Pointsettia $ 25 ______ Full Food Gift Box $ 50
______ Lg Wreath $ 35 ______ 1/2 Food Gift Box $ 25
______ Sm Wreath $ 20 ______ Grocery Gift Bag $ 15
______ Night(s) of Shelter $ 10 each
Please print my information as follows:
o In Memory of OR… o In Honor of
_________________________________________________________________
Given by: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Qty Item Amount Qty Item Amount
Return, with check payable to (FCC):
First Congregational Church, PO Box 1285, Washington, CT 06795
Steeple Lighting Memorials in December
Steeple Lighting—Week of...
Dec 1 In loving memory of Estelle, Howard and Margery Bronson, Clarence and Marie Bronson,
Margaret Bronson Taylor, Ruth Bronson Crockett, and Helen Bronson Brooks, given by the
Bronson Family.
Dec 8 OPEN
Dec 15 In honor of my children, Lucie St. George, Paul Swigart, Ted Swigart, and Karen McCall
Dec 22 Given by Ed and Beth Collum Kosco in loving memory of her father, Rex E. Collum
Given by James, David, Susan and Stephen McMaster in loving memory of Jean and Claude
(Mac) McMaster, Marian Hickox Fowler, and Emelyn Colton Hickox.
Dec 29 Toppy, Reese & Greer in loving memory of Walter M. (Jed) Pickett, Jr.
Given by Ed and Beth Collum Kosco in loving memory of her father, Rex E. Collum
Page 7 Www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org December 2019
DEACONS OF THE MONTH: CARA MICHALSKI AND SHEILA ANSON (DECEMBER)
DATE USHERS &
GREETERS
WORSHIP
ASSISTANT
WELCOME
ANNOUNC’M’TS NURSERY
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
COFFEE
HOUR
DEC 1 COMMUNION
Sheila Anson,
Sue Elliott,
John Lintner and
Al Trowbridge
Emelie Burl Cara Michalski TBD Carrie
Loyd
Mike and
Emelie Burl
DEC 8 Millie Johnson and
Pam Osborne
Carol
Glintenkamp Dan Lovallo TBD
Carrie
Loyd
John and
Susan Turner
DEC 14 (5 PM) TRAVELERS’ CHRISTMAS
TBD
Volunteers Needed TBD TBD TBD N/A
Wayne
Hileman
DEC 15 (10 AM) Sheila Anson and
Liddy Adams John Lintner Wayne Hileman N/A
Carrie
Loyd
The Grinnells
and
Deb Swigart
DEC 20 (7:30 PM) COMFORT & PEACE
Al Trowbridge and
TBD N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
DEC 22 (10 AM) Lee, Alyssa and
Caroline Parsons Abigail Gorra Wayne Hileman TBD
Carrie
Loyd OPEN
DEC 24 (5 PM) CHRISTMAS EVE
Sheila Anson, Liddy
Adams, Andrew
and Ben Grinnell
Youth TBD N/A N/A N/A N/A
DEC 24 (11:15 PM) CHRISTMAS EVE
TBD TBD N/A N/A N/A N/A
DEC 29 Ben and Andrew
Grinnell
Katie
Grinnell Judie Gorra TBD
Carrie
Loyd OPEN
Flowers and other decorative memorials in the sanctuary for Advent will be listed in the Christmas Eve service bulletins.
6 Kirby Road P.O. Box 1285 Washington, CT 06793
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome.
Phone: 860-868-0569 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org
Prayers for self and others: www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org/prayer.php
POSTMASTER: ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE DELIVERY
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The First Congregational Church of Washington, Connecticut
In Celebration of Pastor Robyn’s Installation on Nov 10, 2019