december 2009 epistle

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THE EPISTLEVolume 14 Issue 11 DECEMBER 17, 2009

SUNDAY WORSHIP DURING

CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANYChristmas begins with the services ofChristmas Eve and concludes on the Feast ofthe Epiphany, January 6. This year there aretwo Sundays following Christmas Day,December 27 and January 3. We will celebratethe Feast of the Epiphany on January 3.

December 24: Christmas Eve5:30 PM: Family Service of carols, candlesand stories11:00 PM: Candlelight Festival Eucharist

Isaiah 9:2-7Psalm 96

Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-20

Fear and Glory

December 27: First Sunday of ChristmasI Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Psalm 148Colossians 3:12-17

Luke 2:41-52No Ordinary Child

January 3: Second Sunday of Christmas;

Epiphany Sunday

The Eucharist

Isaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Ephesians 3:1-12Matthew 2:1-12

A Star! A Star!

January 10: Baptism of our LordRenewal of baptismal vows

Isaiah 43:1-7Psalm 29

Acts 8:14-17Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Who knows your name?

January 17: Second Sunday after

Epiphany

Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm 36:5-10I Corinthians 12:1-11

John 2:1-11Cheers!

January 24: Third Sunday after

Epiphany

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10Psalm 19

I Corinthians 12:12-31aLuke 4:14-21

Hometown Boy

January 31: Fourth Sunday after

Epiphany

Youth Sunday

Our youth will be responsible for leadingworship


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2 THE EPISTLE

Christmas Greetings from the

Cedarleafs

I sing the birth was born tonight,The author both of life and light;

The angels so did sound it.And like the ravished shepherds said,Who saw the light and were afraid,

Yet searched, and true they found it.

The Son of God, the eternal king,That did us all salvation bring,

And freed the soul from danger:He whom the whole world could not take,

The Word, which heaven and earth did make,Was now laid in a manger.

The Fathers wisdom willed it so,The Sons obedience knew no No,

Both wills were in one stature;And as that wisdom had decreed,

The Word was now made flesh indeed,And took on Him our nature.

What comfort by Him do we win,Who made Himself the price of sin,

To make us heirs of glory!To see this babe all innocence,A martyr born in our defence

Can man forget the story?

-A Hymn On The Nativity of My SavioiurBen Johnson(1573-1637)

The English poet, Ben Johnson ends hispoem with a question: Can man forget thestory? Since the birth of the Saviour, thestory has been told each year at this time inthe words of Scripture: A decree went outfrom Caesar Augustus.We sense thefear of the shepherds the brightness of thelight and hear once more the song of theangels and there we are in that stable filledwith the smells and sounds of the farm andwith the crying of the new born king.

Our faith is told in story after story of howthe great God, the creator of all thingscontinually reached out to his people tobring them back into relationship withhimself and how in the fullness of time, hecame as one of us, to share our common lot.Weve heard this story over and over againand yet it needs constant repeating so that itbecomes part of our very being, remindingus that what all the story is about is Godslove and mercy for us and for all creation, inJesus Christ, the Bethlehem babe.

Sometimes it seems hard to hear the story intimes like these. We have been at war forthe past eight years in Afghanistan and Iraq.There has been much pain not only there butalso at home with a financial melt down andthe loss of millions of jobs. Add to thispersonal struggles of health andrelationships and is it no wonder we have ahard time hearing the story.

Yet, hear it we do. The Rev. Herbert Davisconcludes a sermon prepared for ChristmasEve with these words; words which we sendyour way with love and gratitude for yourcare and support over our twenty-five yearsof ministry in this place. May you and your


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3 THE EPISTLEfamily experience in your hearts the goodnews of great joy which will be to all people.

So we leave this manger tonight with vision

of a new creation, dreams of a time whendeath shall be no more. We leave with

schemes and plans for tomorrow. We leave in

the darkness knowing the light shines and can

never be put out. We leave not as mean

spirited people but as a people of grace and

peace. We leave not trusting in the bailout, or

Wall Street, or Main Street, but our trust is in

a back alley in the little town of Bethlehem,

where,

in thy dark streets shineth,The Everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in Thee tonight.

And we sing:

O Holy Child of Bethlehem!

Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in,

Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels,The great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Emmanuel!

I dont know how, but I know you hear theangels song, Be not afraid!

Love and Blessings,

John and Jean

BOARD AND COMMITTEE

NEWS

MISSIONS CORNERIt is at this time of the year that ourcongregation is asked to help out with theHillside Special Santa Program and wethought it appropriate to share Hillsidesmission with you. This monthscontributing writer is Beth Maybee.Hillside Childrens Center

Hillside Family of Agencies is one of thelargest non-profit agencies in New York

State and has been a cornerstone of theRochester, NY community for more than170 years. More than 2,000 staff membersprovide services to over 7,000 families onan annual basis. Crestwood ChildrensCenter, Hillside Childrens Center, HillsideWork-Scholarship Connection, and SnellFarm Childrens Center all provide thesefamily services.

Hillside Childrens Center provides

adoption, customized services, daytreatment education services for youth ages3-21, developmental disabilities services foryouth, home and community based services,non-secure detention services, residentialservices, and therapeutic foster families.

Hillside Special Santas, in which our churchparticipates, addresses the holiday needs ofthe least fortunate children and familiesserved by Hillside Family of agencies.Hillside Special Santas provide gifts to over6,000 children and grocery cards to over4,500 families. Hillsides Director ofCommunity Relations, two full time staff,the marketing department, a volunteercoordinator and over 100 volunteers providethe Special Santa services.


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4 THE EPISTLEIn other related developments the Board ofMissions is still looking for one additionalmember. If you have the time, our Boardmeets the second Thursday of every month(no meetings in July and August). Each

member is expected to become a liaison totwo or three organizations that we support.Please contact Ted Avgerinos Board Chair at388-1355, or Membership co-chairs Pay Mayat 223-3749 or Jim Weidman at 223-8978.

On behalf of the Missions Board, I wish eachand everyone a very joyous holiday.

Ted Avgerinos

RAISE THE ROOFTO STOP

THE LEAKS!

Maybe youve noticed the brown patches onthe ceiling tiles at the back of our church?Thats due to the flat roof, which allows waterto pool instead of running off after a heavyrain or snow melt.

After years of chronic roof leaks, the trustees

are planning to install a standing seam low-pitched metal roof over the rear portion of thechurch. This is the area over UpperFellowship Hall, the nursery, the Snow Roomand Lower Fellowship Hall. This area iscurrently covered by a rubber-seamed flatroof, which needs to be replaced. Rather thanreplacing the rubber roof at a cost ofapproximately $20 thousand dollars andcontinuing to deal with maintenanceproblems, we will install a roof similar to the

roofs that have been installed on the Fairportschools the last two years.

An architect was hired last summer and hasbeen working with the trustees on the roofdesign since then. The congregation can viewconcept drawings of the new roof inFellowship Hall. The architect has now

completed the construction drawings. Wewill send them out for six bids in Januaryand expect to select a contractor by the endof February. Depending on the contractorsschedule, we hope that the project can be

completed by late spring or early summer.

There are four aspects to this project. Thebiggest is the new roof itself. Second, weneed to improve the drainage around thechurch structure to resolve ongoingproblems with seepage around the basementwalls. We will be improving the system ofgutters and will trench out some newdrainage at the rear of the church structure.Third, we will add a new canopy over the

rear entrance, a new rear door, and a canopyover the side entrance by the kitchen.Finally, we will paint the gray cinderblock acolor that will blend in better with theexisting bricks. While we will not know theexact price of this project until thecontractors bids have been received, weestimate that it will cost approximately$110,000 - $120,000.

The congregation will receive monthlyproject updates via the Epistle. If you haveany questions or comments, please see oneof the trustees.

Jim FranzenChair, Board of Trustees


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5 THE EPISTLEWHATS COMING UP IN ADULT

EDUCATION?

Sunday Mornings

December 20

Christmas CustomsFrom Around the World

Join Pastor Cedarleaf as he shares Christmascustoms from around the world on this specialSunday in Advent.

December 27 & January 3 NoChristian Education Classes

January 10, 17, 24 & 31 Not YourUsual Books of the Bible

Pastor Cedarleaf will discuss some of the lessfeatured books of the Bible during this 4-week series.

Wednesday Mornings Bible Study

December 16 -- Need a mid-week pick-me-up? At 11 a.m., well meet to study anddiscuss the upcoming Sundays scheduledBible readings. Following the Bible study,participants are invited to a brief communionservice in the sanctuary. Drop-ins welcome.

NOTE: There will be no Wednesday BibleStudy on Dec. 23 or Dec. 30. Classes willresume on Jan. 6.

MORNING CIRCLE

The Morning Circle will meet on January 12at 10 AM. Our speakers will bew Bill Cala,former Fairport schoool superintendent, and

his wife, Joanne. Their topic will be Missionin Kenya.

FAMILY NEWS

Preschool & Elementary School

Happenings

Rotation Classes Learn About TheReason Behind the Season

The Story of Christmas will be the focusfor Preschoolers and Elementary students inDecember. During the season of Advent,our students will revisit the timeless story ofour saviors birth -- told in a variety of waysin our storytelling, art, and movie rotations.

Spend a Night in Bethlehem onDec. 20!

Bring your family to spend a night inBethlehem on Sunday, Dec. 20 from 6:30 8 p.m. Experience the sights and sounds ofthe Bethlehem marketplace. Help in thecarpentry shop. Taste some bread in thebakery. Make a necklace in the jewelryshop, and visit Baby Jesus in the manger.This is a special night to remember! Sign

up in Fellowship Hall.

NOTE: There are no Christianeducation classes on Dec. 27 or Jan.

3. Classes resume on Jan. 10.

Junior & Senior High Happenings

Junior High Church School To

Travel Through the Old TestamentDuring December, our Junior High classwill finish working its way through themajor stories of the Old Testament. Wellend the year with a Christmas party in ourclassroom on Dec. 20.


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Senior High Christmas Party!The senior high class will be having theirannual Christmas party on Sunday, December20 during Sunday school. The class will

continue with their traditions of welcomingreturning college students and enjoyingbreakfastpizza.Students:please feelfree tobring someChristmascookies ora treat to

pass and Christmas or Reach music.Senior High Sunday Night Bible

Study Continues in JanuaryThe Senior High Sunday Night Bible Studywill take a break for the rest of December, butwill begin again in January. In January,Senior High students are invited to join Mrs.Hamill on Sunday nights from 7 8:30 p.m.for a Bible study on the Book of James.Through this study, well see that faith

without actions is dead! These sessions willbe held in the Senior High classroom. CallMrs. Hamill at 746-9275 prior to each sessionto let her know that youre coming.

Help Present A Night in

Bethlehem!Calling all JYF and SYF students!! Comehelp present A Night in Bethlehem for thefamilies of our church on Sunday, Dec. 20from 6 8:30 p.m. We need shopkeepers,bakers, carpenters and more! Sign up inFellowship Hall.

Bottle and Can Drive January 3The 2010 mission trip students will beconducting a bottle and can drive on Sunday,January 3. An adult will drive each pair of

students to a designated neighborhood tocollect returnable bottles and cans, whichnow includes the newer water bottles.

All interested students should sign up on thebulletin board in Fellowship Hall. The

money collected will be divided anddeposited into the participants individualmission trip funds. Call Mrs. Hamill withquestions.

REGISTER NOW! To Attend the2010 Mission Trip

Our youth will travel to Hurricaine, WV onJuly 17 24 to participate in anotherREACH workcamp experience. At thiscamp, the youth participate in such projectsas painting, roofing, drywall, repair andconstruction of porches, building wheelchairramps and more as they learn to impactour world for Jesus Christ.

The camp is NEARLY FULL. We havereserved a block of 18 spaces. These spacesare reserved for: Amy Hamill, Erin & SarahHoover, Jill & Seth Weidman, ShannonJohansen, Alex & Brianna Sherry, BeckyAllen, Lydia Eastman, Paul Wright, JennaCampolieto, Kurt Rogers and 5 chaperones.

IF YOU WANT THE REMAININGSPACE, CONTACT MRS. HAMILLASAP. We may be able to add additionalspaces, if the camp isnt totally filled yet.

The total cost of the trip is $500. To securea spot, please pay your $50 depositimmediately. (Checks should be sent to the

church and made out to: 1st CongregationalUCC. Please write mission trip in memoarea.) Participation in fundraisersthroughout the year can be used to greatlydefray each individuals cost.

For more information, call Mrs. Hamill at746-9275.


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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

SALEM SOUP KITCHEN

The next Salem Soup Kitchen work day isTuesday, December 22nd. Our volunteers willcarpool, leaving our parking lot at 9:15 AM,and return by mid-afternoon. Come join us in

preparing lunch for those in need.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

IN SYMPATHY..

Our sympathy is extended to Marion Pieramico

and her family on the death of her mother,Elizabeth McAlpine, on November 18, 2009. Amemorial service was held for her at First Churchon Sunday, November 22, 2009. Pastor JohnCedarleaf officiated.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW

ARRIVAL!

WilliamTeague Ruder

was born onNovember 4,2009 inWashington, DC. He is the son of Liz (Hill) andTeague Ruder, and the grandson Leon and ValHill.

OPERATIONS GRATITUDE

Greetings!

I want to thank the Fairport UCC for making adonation for shipping costs and gifts for thetroops. Your kindness is greatly appreciated! Iwish you a wonderful Thanksgiving andChristmas. Thanks again for all of yourdonations!

Sincerely,

Allyson BrownHoneoye Falls UCC

MANY THANKS!

The Perinton Food Shelf is now well stocked asa result of your many contributions! Yourgenerous donations of the requested items andmoney help us to meet the basic needs of thehungry in our community. Thanks, also, to theChurch Office Assistants for publishingthe requests in the weekly bulletins. Indeed, weappreciate the time and care of the volunteerswho bring the bags and boxes to the Food Shelf.Working togetherespecially in these difficulteconomic times--we are able to help others inthe community who are less fortunate.

-The PFS Board


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8 THE EPISTLEGREETINGS FROM ADVENT

HOUSE!

During this Advent Season, we at Advent Housewant to express our deepest gratitude for all that

you have done and continue to do to make ourHouse a Home. Your gifts of self, time, prayers,love, and finances make this ministry possible.Your generosity has touched the lives and heartsof many, leaving them with the enduring memoryof selfless giving. We thank you and wish you avery blessed holiday season.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:

Martha Bowman, St. Johns Home

Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home

Louise Deller, Cherry Ridge

Barbara Eaton, Perinton Park Manor

Dwight Turner, Jewish Home

THE SECRET SANTA

As a young man, Larry Stewart lived hand tomouth. He occasionally had to ask for a free mealor a few dollars until he found a job. To him, thatwas humiliating. Stewart didnt give up. He keptworking and saving, and he eventually ownedcable television and long-distance telephoneservices in Kansas City, Missouri. He mademillions.

Knowing what it was like to have nothing, Stewartstarted anonymously giving money to the needyevery December. He started in 1979 by givingaway $5 and $10 bills. Then, as his own fortune

increased, Stewart handed out $100 bills.

The secret Santa tried to remain anonymous.Finally, as he was dying of cancer, Stewart waswilling to be identified. He gave to the poor, hesaid, as a Christmas gift to himself. Giving tothe needy gave Stewart the greatest joy possible.

december 2009 epistle

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