Christmas Flowers

Friday, December 20, is the cut-off date for sending your offerings, with memorials and thanksgivings, for flowers for the services on December 24. Please mail them or bring them by the church.  Thanks! 

Food Drive for Aaron McNeil House

We are having an in-gathering of food for Aaron McNeil House on Sunday, December 22 and 29.  Bring your bags of non-perishable food when you come to church on either Sunday morning.  If you read the article in the KNE this week, you may have noticed that AMH can always use peanut butter!

Unite to Read Project

One of our Youth members, Zach Hamby, founded a non-profit in memory of his father, a fallen soldier. Zach's organization named OPERATION U2C-Up To The Challenge, focuses on the difference young people can make in social issues through service. U2C is partnering with FCCLA as well as 7 other community organizations and area church youth groups in a UNITE TO READ PROJECT. Beginning this week through January 1st, we will have a decorated box to collect GENTLY USED or NEW children's BOOKS in the hallway across from the sacristy. The collected books will be used in a large literacy event mid January and then leveled and DONATED to children in need at The Sanctuary House, Salvation Army shelter, Boys and Girls's Club and Challenge House. This is a large community event that he has organized, and we hope that as you are cleaning out your child's room of old books, or as you are out shopping, you will pick up a book ages birth through teens, to place in the box. Thank you for your generosity and the generosity that Grace members always shows when helping in service projects!

Bell Ringers

On Saturday, December 15, several of our members volunteered to ring  bells for the Salvation Army for four hours in front of the entrance to J.C. Penney.  It was a frigid day, but they had a great experience and reported that perhaps 90% of people entering the store made contributions! Participants included Tom and Sally Brewer, Carson Stone, Tom Price, and Joe Vance. (Hope we're not leaving out anyone!)  Thanks to all of them for representing Grace Church so well!  

Sing-along at Western State

Thanks to all who participated in the Christmas sing-along for patients on the female geriatric unit at Western State!  The report from the event is that a good time was had by all! 

Little Library

Several months back, the Missions Group decided to take on the project of establishing a "Little Library" on the campus of Grace Church.  According to Wikipedia, "Little Free Libraries are a community movement in the United States and worldwide that offers free books housed in small containers to members of the local community. The idea was popularized in Hudson, Wisconsin when Todd Bol mounted a wooden container designed to look like a school house on a post on his lawn as a tribute to his mother, who was a book lover and school teacher."  Our "container" has now been constructed and will be finished up and mounted in the near future.  We will let you know when it is ready for your book contributions.  

Piano Lessons at Grace

(Announcement from Amanda Pirrung)  Starting in January, I will be offering private piano lessons at Grace on weekday afternoons.  I have a passion for early childhood music education, and have taught many three to five year olds over the years, both in my home and in the music academy setting. With the youngest children, I use a lovely program called Music for Little Mozarts that teaches beginning piano concepts, music theory, and music history through the use of enjoyable animal characters.  Students aged five and up will have a program chosen for them based on their learning style and developmental level.  Private lessons are $80/month, and will include a weekly 30-minute lesson, as well as an optional monthly group lesson when the student becomes ready to work on performance skills.  We will hold a studio recital at the end of each school term.  Please contact me for more information and with your questions.   

New Visitor Cards

Please notice the attractive new visitor cards in the back of the pew in front of you when you are next at church!  

Donations to Day Shelter

About a year ago, Freeman Chapel CME Church opened a day shelter for the homeless people around us.  They sent out a letter a couple of months ago asking for assistance from other churches in meeting some of the immediate needs of this population.  In their letter, they wrote, "To help fund the Daytime Shelter, we depend first on God's grace, the community, churches and fundraisers.  We provide hot coffee, hot chocolate, bottled water snacks, sometimes lunch, computers, internet, television, and games.  We also provide transportation to and from doctor appointments, interviews for jobs, food stamp office and others.  We do as much as we can without any funding from the government, state, or city.  We would appreciate it if you could help us by contributing snacks or funds.  Please checks payable to Freeman Chapel Daytime Shelter and mail to 113 Liberty Street, Hopkinsville, KY 42240.  May God continue to bless you."    

Foyer Groups Forming

We have a number of people who have signed up to participate in a foyer group beginning in January.  Foyer groups get together for sharing a meal and fellowship on a regular basis--hopefully monthly.  This is a great way to get to know others in the parish that you might not otherwise know. Joining a foyer group does not mean that you are committing to preparing a meal for a group and inviting people into your home.  Other options are available--e.g., a potluck at the church, a quiet restaurant, etc.  Please sign up if you would like to get involved.  The sign-up sheet is on the table in the hallway across from the sacristy.        

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, December 24, 4:00 pm--Holy Eucharist (Nativity of our Lord)

Tuesday, December 24, 10:30 pm--Festival Holy Eucharist (Nativity of our Lord) preceded by a performance of Messe de Minuit pour Noel (Midnight Mass for Christmas) by Charpentier

Sunday, December 29, 10:15 am--Lessons and Carols

Sunday, January 26, 5:00 pm--Celtic Eucharist

Sunday, January 26, 6:00 pm--Church supper and Annual Meeting