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TRANSCRIPT
The TRUMPET
December 2016
Making space for Advent
Get ready! That’s the message of Advent, which
begins on Sunday, November 29th. This short – just 4
weeks! – and sweet – filled with messages of hope
– season offers us time to prepare to celebrate
Christmas. It’s easy for Advent to get squeezed out of our
consciousness – we all know what December can be
like! It’s a busy month filled with shopping, gatherings,
list-making, parties, concerts, family (and all the good and
bad, joys and stresses that comes with that).
Who has time to think or reflect? Yet that is what
Advent invites us to do. Advent is a gift – think of it as an
early Christmas present. Advent offers us time – even if
it’s just a moment every day – to think about the
celebration to come.
Advent wants to remind us that it is not yet
Christmas. This is our chance to prepare so when the 12
days of Christmas are finally here, we’ll be ready. It is the
exact opposite of what society wants us to do. Society (and
all the stores) wants us to start celebrating Christmas in
October. They try to convince that Christmas is a single-
day holiday, after which it will be time to pack the whole
thing away and move on to after-Christmas sales.
Advent says no to all that. Instead, we are invited to
inch gradually toward the glorious celebration of
Christmas.
I hope you can make some space in your life for
Advent.
I hope you can make some space in your home for
Advent.
Here are some ideas:
Make an Advent wreath – this doesn’t have to be
anything fancy. It can be 4 candles of any color, set in
a circle.
Light one candle the 1st week, two candles the 2nd
week and so on.
Say or write or draw or sing a prayer.
Think about who offered you God’s love that
day. Give thanks for that person.
Who did you get to offer some Advent gifts of hope or
peace or love or joy?
Where is God’s love especially needed today? Pray
for that situation and those people.
Where is God’s light shining? Where do you see
blessings? Give thanks.
Where can you offer some of God’s light? Look for
ways to be an Advent messenger.
The angel’s message is always “be not afraid.” Pray
for people who might need to hear that today.
Mary and Joseph are homeless. Pray for people who
don’t know where they will eat or sleep tonight.
Mary and Joseph are asked to trust God and do
something new. What new thing are you being
invited to try? Where do you need to trust God today?
Jesus was born in a manger. What unexpected place
offers you a glimpse of God?
Enjoy the journey of Advent. It is a season that reminds
us of the uncertainty and fear of the very first Christmas
and the joy of the promise that God is “Emmanuel,”
always with us.
Look for God – and be not afraid.
Wishing you the wonder of Advent,
Rev. Dr. Susan J. Foster
A publication of the East Woodstock Congregational Church, 220 Woodstock Road, East Woodstock, CT 06244 Pastor: Rev. Dr. Susan J. Foster Co-Directors of Christian Education: Sherry Magnan & Dawn Morin
Youth Group Co-Director: Anne Sorensen Music Director/Organist: Nancy Ducharme Bell Choir Director: Andrew Tomkins Secretary: Heidi Tucker
Office: 860-928-7449 Residence: 860-928-7145 Email: [email protected] Website: www.eastwoodstockchurch.org
Secretary’s email: [email protected] Sunday School: 10:00 am Sunday Worship: 10:00 am
The Trumpet deadline is the 20th of every month!
The following are the scriptures for the month of December:
You are invited to read them as part of your daily devotions and as
preparation for worship.
December 4 December 11 Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Psalm 146:5-10 Romans 15:4-13 Luke 1:47-55 Matthew 3:1-12 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 December 18 December 25 Isaiah 7:10-16 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Psalm 96 Luke 1:46b-55 Titus 2:11-14 Romans 1:1-7 Luke 2:1-20 Matthew 1:18-25
Worship News
We hope that you can join us for worship to celebrate Advent
and Christmas. And bring a friend!
Advent is beginning – please join us for this special season of expectation and hope.
December 4: Communion Sunday
December 11: Christmas Pageant during worship; bell choir
ringing
December 18: “Mary Sunday”: Songs and Scriptures about Mary
December 24
5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Bell Choir ringing
11:00 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve service with
communion.
December 25: Celebration of Jesus’ birth!
January 1: Begin the New Year with prayer and thanksgiving
A mid-week
opportunity for
conversation, coffee,
learning, and
laughter.
Give yourself the gift
of time…
Wednesday
morning study
group
10:00 a.m.
Everyone is
welcome!
The TRUMPET Page 2 December 2016
HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT SHOW and SALE
Saturday, December 3rd 10 – 3
Over 25 vendors will be setting up in the Fellowship Hall for this show. Crafts, Christmas Decorations, and other Holiday
items will also be for sale in the nursery room right off the main room. Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be
available in the Hospitality Room. A penny social will also be in the Hospitality Room… each vendor will be donating
a $20 item for this. So lots of different gifts will be available to the lucky winners!!
What can you do to help?
1. Plan to attend! 2. Bake a plate of “finger food” for the refreshment table. Cookies, bars,
brownies, cupcake, or sweet breads. A donation jar will be set up on the table.
3. Help set up or clean up…see the sign up lists in the fellowship hall. 4. Serve refreshments, help with the penny social, put out posters in
various places, invite your friends via FaceBook or emails.
Please see or call me if you have questions!!
Karen McFarlin
[email protected] or 860-933-8667
The TRUMPET Page 3 December 2016
Please join us for Christmas Eve Services
5:00 pm: Features the Christmas story and songs; children are
especially welcome!
11:00 pm: Candlelight Communion.
Please join us for one or both!
Christmas Caroling Adventure!
Join us on Saturday, December 17th for a Christmas caroling
adventure! Nym Cooke, Director of the Quinebaug Valley
Singers, will meet with us for 45 minutes of spirited singing.
We’ll enjoy fellowship and a simple supper before we board a
school bus (driven by Roland Parent) to spread Christmas joy.
5:00 p.m.: Christmas carols with Nym
5:45 p.m.: Supper and fellowship
6:15 p.m. Board the bus! Our caroling route is to be determined…
We’ll return to church by 8:00 p.m. Join the fun! All ages welcome.
Share the joy of Christmas!
The TRUMPET Page 4 December 2016
Holly Fair Thank You
We had a great Holly Fair thanks to all who participated in any way! The crafts that were donated
were awesome and varied; contributions to New & Like New were bountiful & beautiful; we had an abundance of delicious cookies, baked goods, jams & jellies, and pickles; the candies
were yummy; the jewelry booth was sparkling with a huge variety of baubles, bangles & beads; the basket social displayed 70 very desirable themed baskets; the luncheon was
delicious and provided a cozy respite from shopping. All together we raised about $7,400 or
$900 above last year! It truly took a Congregation to make this happen! Whatever your contribution, we sincerely thank you. A special thank you to all the people who stepped up
to chair the individual tables/booths.
This is my last year co-chairing this delightful event. Next year you’ll find me in the kitchen
and probably waiting on tables. Cris Waldron has promised to help out with the New & Like-new area, so you’ll see her there. But this duo of Ivy & Holly is hanging up their aprons and
hoping that someone else is willing to step into these roles for 2017.
Merry Christmas to All. Sincerely,
Kerstin & Cris a.k.a. Holly & Ivy
I’d like to express my sincere gratitude for the side-by-side refrigerator that we were finally
able to find and purchase with the help of your very kind donations! Thank you to everyone
who donated to this cause several months ago. I’m now able to easily access the food and
drinks that I need despite my physical limitations from FOP. It’s wonderful to have a little
more independence! I truly appreciate all of your continued love, support, and prayers.
Love,
Jasmin Floyd
A letter from one of our servicemen:
To my friends at EWCC,
I have been receiving letters from you for some time now and would just like to express my gratitude to
you for all your love and prayers. They have been a blessing this past year as it has been a challenging
one and has several more challenges ahead. It comforts me to know that you as well as so many others
keep me in their thoughts and prayers. It is an honor that I do not consider myself worthy of which
makes me all the more grateful for it.
May God’s blessings be upon you and your families. You thank me for my service to this country.
Well, I would like to thank you for your faithful service to our Lord and Master.
Your brother in Christ,
Jesse R. Hagstrom
The TRUMPET Page 5 December 2016
Let’s remember our friends who can’t join us on Sundays.
If you have a moment, send someone a card – it means so much to be remembered. (If you know of others, please contact the church office) Larry Grennan Doris Barrett 174 Manta Circle 121 Chandler School Road Oldsmar, FL 34677 Woodstock CT 06281 Von Hibbard Phyllis Jacobs 116 Rawson Road 3 Cornfield Point Woodstock, CT 06281 Woodstock, CT 06281
Allie Compagnone Jasmin Floyd 1768 Gale Street 93A Prospect Ave Englewood, FL 34223 Danielson, CT 06239
Men’s Fellowship News
Sunday, December 11th: Men’s Breakfast. 8:00 -9:30 a.m. All men invited! Come for good food and interesting conversation. If you’d like to help with set-up, cooking or clean-up, please contact Roger Solomon at [email protected] or 860-928-7145.
The TRUMPET Page 6 December 2016
Ladies Benevolent Society News
On Wednesday, December 14, at 1:30 pm there will be an LBS Christmas Party at the
home of Nancy Young – 286 Route 169, Woodstock.
It will be a special time to celebrate
Christmas with fellowship and refreshments. Please bring gift cards or
cash donations for families in need of help. Come and celebrate the season!
Questions? Call Nancy at 860-928-5711.
Women!
Save the Date!
March 24-25, 2016:
Women’s retreat at Camp Wightman.
A beautiful setting with good fellowship,
delicious meals, and time for learning and
relaxing.
Watch the Trumpet and Sunday bulletins
for registration information.
Our church is blessed by the work of many volunteers. Every bit of effort and caring helps our church live out its
calling to be the Body of Christ. This month we especially would like to thank. …
Kerstin Forrester and Cristine Waldron for being “Holly” and “Ivy” and organizing our Holly Fair (along with their many “Elves”). A wonderful day of food, fellowship, and festivity was enjoyed by all. Thank you for your hard work and creativity!
Anne Sorensen, the youth leaders, and our youth for organizing and hosting the Senior Café. It was a wonderful day of delicious food and good fellowship.
On November 18-19th our church hosted a conference entitled “Building Inclusive Churches.” Over 40 people from 3 states attended. The event was inspiring and went very smoothly because of the many
volunteers who helped out. Many thanks to Judy Schumacher, Diane Billings, Barbara Bocchino, Sarah Jo Burke, John Davis, Nancy Ducharme, Kerstin Forrester , Barbara Hackett, Calvin Neely, Joyce Rivers, Karen Ryker, Tom Stokes, Judith Wong and members of our wonderful choir: Mark Billings, Lucy Bousquet, Daryl Hartman, Charlie Goodrich, Tracy Goodrich, Rebecca Hyde, Dennis Kelly, Barbara Morse, Jerry Moschella, Eva Spalding, Nathan White, and Windsor White. Together we celebrated God’s love which welcomes all of God’s children.
Jeans Sunday thank yous
Leaf-rakers, window-washers, dusters, lightbulb-changers, polishers, air conditioner removers, scrubbers, organizers, and everyone who pitched in to help make
Jeans Sunday such a success! Our church is sparkling! Many thanks to Judith Wong for organizing the many projects!
Thank you for showing your pride in our Church! Many thanks to all who helped clean on Jeans Sunday, November 13th. We had a great group of volunteers who cleaned EVERYWHERE and EVERYTHING from top to bottom in our Church buildings! It was a wonderful opportunity to team with friends or make new friends, and a great honor to work with such a “can-do” group. Your time and talents have such a profound and lasting effect on our Church!
With gratitude on behalf of Society, Judith Wong
Holy Humor
The TRUMPET Page 7 December 2016
Poinsettias in the Sanctuary
Would you like to have a poinsettia in the sanctuary for Christmas?
Please fill out this form and return as soon as possible.
Deadline is December 4th.
Make your checks payable to EWCC and mail to Mary Ellen Blake,
61 May Brook Road, Woodstock, CT 06281
(phone: 860-928-7420) or leave it in the church office.
One size is available - $17.00 ea.
How many? ________ Total enclosed $__________
From_______________________________________________________________
To Honor____________________________________________________________
In Memory of_________________________________________________________
Would you like to give your plant to a shut in? YES _______ NO _______
The TRUMPET Page 9 December 2016
Missions Committee News
The committee met on November 15 and reviewed requests for donations and the following were agreed upon:
Organization Amount Approved Quinebaug Valley Middle College $100.00 All other 2016 donations have been accounted for.
Do you have an organization that is close to your heart that Missions could consider adding to our donation list? Please contact Lisa Hibbard or any Missions Committee member.
Coat Drive – We will continue to hold a Winter Coat and Hat drive (any warm clothing is great!!) Any gently used items can be left in Fellowship Hall during December. Please be sure zippers work and buttons are attached and articles are clean. We will be passing these along to Covenant to Care as well as local shelters. No summer items please.
Thanksgiving Baskets – THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! The Missions Committee is so grateful to all those that donated turkeys and monetary donations to help supply Thanksgiving Meal Fixin’s for 32 baskets! 17 baskets were delivered to our Covenant to Care social worker, 10 to the Woodstock schools, and 5 to local families. The congregation’s support in helping fill these baskets is such a blessing! Thank you all!
Cut-A-Thon – On Sunday, November 20th, we hosted a Cut-A-Thon to help a young woman who has fallen on tough times. Seven haircuts were given and $225 was raised to help with Kayla’s financial burdens. Thank you to all those that supported her!
Blanket Sundays – Church World Service Blanket Sunday is the first two Sundays in December, the 4th and the 11th. Please consider a $5 donation to provide blankets and tools to those in need and/or where there have been disasters. Christmas Tags – Tags will be on the Giving Tree in Fellowship Hall by December 4th. Take a gift tag
off the tree and share the love and joy of the season. All unwrapped gifts should be returned by Sunday, December 18th
Knitters Needed!!!! Do you knit? Do you have a friend that knits and would like to knit for us? Do you want to learn how to knit – we can find you a teacher! Pastor Sue has a supply of beautiful yarn for prayer shawls but her supply of shawls has dwindled. If you are interested in learning, knitting or donating, please see any member of the Missions Committee or Pastor Sue. Weave, Weave, Weave us together!!!!!
The next Missions Committee meeting is Tuesday, December 15th, 7:00 pm at the Church. 2016 MISSIONS MEMBERS:
Lisa Hibbard Leah Paine Sherri Kristal Cris Waldron Laurie Edwards Nancy Young Karen Ryker Christine Lessig Donna O’Shaughnessy Erin Kelly Maura Robie Joanne Lefevre Val Law
The Community Kitchen crew is looking for plastic containers with lids that would be
suitable to use for take-outs at our monthly meals. Judy Schumacher would be happy to
pick up any and all donations.
Thank you for your help!
The TRUMPET Page 10 December 2016
“New Year’s Alkathon”
Saint Mary’s Church, 280 Providence Street, Putnam, CT
Starts at 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve and
continues until 6 p.m. New Year’s Day
24 hours of AA meetings/movies/fellowship!
Awesome speakers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island!
6:30 pm…New Year’s Eve Pizza Party
11:45 pm – 1:00 am…New Year’s Celebration
with food and refreshments
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm… New Year’s Day Pot Luck Buffet
(Please bring your “specialty dish” to
add to the buffet!)
RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN PUTNAM!!!
Food, raffle and financial donations appreciated.
(Contact Lisa H. 508-981-5614 or Sue B. 860-481-0068)
We will also collect used AA/recovery literature to
donate to newcomers/treatment centers
The TRUMPET Page 11 December 2016
December 2016
December 4 Help with Worship EWCC
Come to church on Sunday to help make worship special. We are looking for youth to greet, collect
offering, and read Scripture. Please see Anne Sorensen to let her know how you can help!
December 11 Christmas Pageant EWCC
Come to worship to hear our Sunday School children present their Christmas Pageant. Join us to hear
a joyful retelling of the Christmas story.
December 17 Christmas Caroling EWCC
Caroling adventure! Ride the bus to share Christmas joy! Meet at the church 5:00PM. We’ll have
dinner, go caroling, and be back by 8:00 p.m. Text Anne at 860-428-2198 to save a seat for you on
the bus. Friends and family are welcome to join us on this adventure.
December 24 Christmas Eve EWCC
Come help with worship during the 5:00PM or 11:00PM service. You could sing (either a solo, or
maybe a few of you want to think of a song to sing together), play an instrument, read Scripture, collect
offering or light candles.
Want to know more about youth group?
Check us out on:
INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK
woodstockSYG Youth Group 16-17
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Contact Anne Sorensen 860-428-2198
Or email at [email protected]
The TRUMPET Page 12 December 2016
Merry Christmas from the C.E. Committee!!!
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Sunday, December 4th 11:30 – 12:15 p.m. Pageant rehearsal - Attendance by all pageant
participants will help us ensure everyone knows their parts and is ready
for the big day.
Sunday, December 11th Pageant Dress Rehearsal/Run-through @ 9 a.m. Pageant will be held as
part of regular Sunday Service. Join us for a soup luncheon after worship.
December 25th & January 1st - no Sunday School
We desperately need Shepherds for Sunday School classes and substitute
teachers who can fill in for teachers, as needed! Please contact Dawn Morin -
[email protected] to ask questions or to sign up.
Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
~ Oren Arnold
The TRUMPET Page 13 December 2016
Donate your old ink cartridges!
The church as an account with Staples so we can return used ink cartridges for coupons towards office supplies. We can return up to 20 cartridges per month, which can add up to big savings! Please leave your used printer cartridges in Heidi’s office.
Thank you!
A Picture to Color
Join us for our Christmas Pageant!
December 11th during worship with a soup luncheon to follow. Please join us for this enjoyable recreation of the Nativity Story.
The TRUMPET Page 14 December 2016
Looking Ahead:
January 8 – Star Gift Sunday January 15 – Men’s Breakfast January 29 – Annual Meeting
COFFEE HOUR
The coffee hour in December will be served courtesy of: Nominating Committee
The coffee hour in January will be served courtesy of: Altar Guild
December Birthdays:
Dean Lawrence Dec 4
Marrin Gorgone Dec 9
Tucker Chamberlin Dec 11
Victoria Paine Dec 13
Alexander Hermonot Dec 17
Charles Manhanga Dec 23
Karoline Noe Dec 23
December 2016 Daily Bread Donations for this month: Holiday Meal Items
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Handbells
2 4:00 pm Art Show Set-up
3 10 am Art Show
4 2nd Sunday of
Advent Blanket Sunday
11:30 am Pageant Rehearsal
5 9 am Community Kitchen (Hill) 7:00 pm Deacons
6 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Sanctuary Singers
7 10:00 am Study Group 7:30 pm Al-anon
8 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Handbells
9 9:30 am MOM’s Group
10
11 3rd Sunday of
Advent 8:00 am Men’s
Breakfast 9 am Pageant
Rehearsal Blanket Sunday
Christmas Pageant during worship Soup Luncheon
12 9:30 am Music
Class 7:30 pm Dartball
13 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Sanctuary Singers
14 10 am Study Group 1:30 pm LBS Christmas Party @ Nancy Young’s 7:30 pm Al-anon
15 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Handbells
16 TRUMPET
DEADLINE!!
17 5:00 pm Caroling
Adventure
18 4th Sunday of
Advent Giving Tree Gifts due 1:00 Piano Recital
19
20 10:00 am Tai Chi 7:00 pm Sanctuary Singers
21 7:30 pm Al-anon
22
23
24 Christmas Eve
Services: 5:00 pm & 11:00 pm
25 Merry
Christmas!
10:00 am Worship
26
27 10:00 am Tai Chi
28 7:30 pm Al-anon
29 10:00 am Tai Chi
30
31 New Year’s Eve
The TRUMPET Page 15 December 2016
Irish Christmas Blessing
The light of the Christmas star to you.
The warmth of heath and home to you.
The cheer and good will of friends to you.
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you.
The love of the Son and God’s peace to you.
“We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son takes place
unceasingly but does not take place within myself? And, what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also
full of grace? What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time
and my culture? This, then, is the fullness of time: When the Son of God is begotten in us.”
~Meister Eckert, 14th century theologian, philosopher and a rebel of faith himself
The TRUMPET Page 16 December 2016
The Disarming Child by Charlie Lowell
Helpless and human
Diety in the dirt,
Spirit married with flesh
We couldn’t make it to you,
But you come to us.
You always come to us.
In our stubbornness and desire,
Entitlement and shame
Remind us that we need you,
Merge your untamed Spirit with our flesh.
We try to forget those
Years of wandering.
Shackles and masters,
An eternity of doubting
And still, you come to us.
A divine intrusion
through our scheming and chaos-
Coats of armor, angels and armies.
Do some wrecking here,
And gently come to us.
Disturb us this day
Through sorrow and through dancing,
The bliss of joy and sting of death
Past hands that would threaten and tear,
You come to us extravagantly.
From your manger lowly,
Mighty and mysterious
You come to us, Seed of Heaven
Spirit wed with flesh,
These broken hearts to mend
http://www.godweb.org/christmasprayers.htm