The Congregational Church of Wells, 
United Church of Christ 
December 20, 2016

Friends, 

We are so grateful to all of our youth and parents and volunteers who made yesterdays service wonderful. What was especially wonderful was the dedication to coming out even when the weather wasn't perfect! 


What a wonderful way to relive the Christmas Story. 

Thank you! The many hearts that have been touched during this Advent Season is remarkable. It has been a season of being awakened to hearing God's voice and miracles happening within all of us! I have heard from many of the families who recieved food and presents from our congregation. They were so thankful for what they recieved, because for many of them they would have nothing under the christmas tree or enough food to eat. Jesus came into this world so that all would recieve the abundance of God. Often God uses us to do this work. Let us continue to remember those in need not just at Christmas, but all year long. 

This email has the schedule of my maternity leave and all of the people who have volunteered to guide us through worship while I am gone. At the church is a list of those you can contact in my absence. These are people who are already doing the leadership roles of the church that I contact on a regular basis. Now you have their names so that you know who you can reach if there is a joy to lift up or a concern. It is a wonderful and beautiful thing when you have strong leadership! God is truly blessing us with gifts of service! 

Our Christmas Services fill us with the gift of Joy. Maybe you have a friend or family member who is struggling this year. Invite them to come with you to church, or even to a Christmas Meal! Let us open our hearts and minds to God's calling 

Christmas Eve Services are 7pm and 11pm 

Christmas Day Services are at 9:30 am (Our regular worship time on Sunday!) 

"The miracle has just begun in YOU! God Bless Us Everyone!"

God Bless Us Everyone! 
Rev. Charity Omartian

Also, I will have no office hours on Friday this week. 


Twelve Days of Christmas 


Traditionally, the church has observed Christmas not as a single day, but as the twelve-day season of Christmas. It begins at midnight on Christmas Day and continues until January 5, the eve of Epiphany. 

All too often, the only reminder in our culture of "Christmastide" is the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." On New Year's Day we will revisit this timely song in order to teach everyone again the meaning of this very important carol. 

 Once December 25 comes and goes, most of society is ready to move on. The stores are already decorated for Valentine's Day! 

You can observe Christmastide this year by planning a schedule of specific good works. Each day of Christmas, doone of the "good things" that God planned "to be the way that we live our lives." 
Plan your season of grateful response to God's gift in Jesus Christ- and then "keep Christmas well" the rest of the year, too! December 25 - December 26 - December 27 - December 28 - December 29 - December 30 - December 31 - January 1 - January 2 - January 3 - January 4 - January 5 -"

Rawle, Matt. The Redemption of Scrooge Youth Study Book: Connecting Christ and Culture (The Pop in Culture Series) (Kindle Locations 901-910). Abingdon Press. Kindle Edition.


What will you do? 

Preaching and Liturgist Schedule for my maternity Leave

                                 MESSAGE                                           LITURGIST
JANUARY
01/01/17                  Traci Avery Pardoe, Cathy Hansen, and Russ Markgren            
01/08/17                  Kristin Thompson                                  Steve Tracy
01/15/17                  Rev. Jeff Larsen                                     Diane Smallidge                 
01/22/17                  Youth Group                                         Carol Marc Aurele or Youth 
01/29/17                   Bob Rasche                                           JoAnn Dodd             

FEBRUARY
02/05/17                  Rev. Pat Smith                                       Russ Markgren
02/12/17                  Jim Omartian                                         Tommy Omartian
02/19/17                 Julie Johnson                                          Carol Marc Aurele
02/26/17                 Rev. Charity Omartian (Back!)              Nadyne MacDonald


Point Person and Announcements: Julie Johnson 
Children's Messages: Traci Avery Pardoe and Robin Barnard

We will visit with the baby on any given Sunday as long as Baby is healthy! 

Upcoming Events
 
What a wonderful way to start the Advent Season!   
Dec. 24th. 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship Service 
Dec. 25th, 9:30 a.m. Carols and Lessons Worship Service 


Jan. 1st, 9:30 a.m. The Twelve Days of Christmas Worship Service  
Jan 8th- Epiphany Sunday
Jan 22nd Pilgrim Lodge Sunday 

Plan Ahead
March 1- Ash Wednesday 
March 5- First Sunday in Lent 


   Our Staff                                                                
Pastor:                                                                                   Rev. Charity Omartian                              
Pastor Emeritus:                                                                Rev. George Fowler, DD                              
Administrative Assistant:                                                                   Cathy Goodwin                             
Music Director/Organist:                                                                            Greg Hall                              
Director of Christian Education:                                                 Traci Avery-Pardoe                              
Director of YSOC (Children's Choir):                                             Dianne Smallidge                             
Custodian:                                                                                              Lori Edgerly                             
Coordinator of Volunteers                                                                   JoAnn Dodd 

Congregational Church of Wells, UCC 
1695 Post Road 
PO Box 759
Wells, Maine 04090
 
Worship Services 9:30AM
Sunday School 9:30 AM Sept. 14 - June 14
Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9:00 AM to 12 Noon
Pastor Office Hours:  Thursday and Friday from 9-11. 
Phone: (207) 646-4309 
Emergency Phone: (207) 360 0252
http://wellscongregational.org
Pastor's office hours are times when people can drop in and find me in the office. It is recommended that you call ahead to make sure that the pastor is not already meeting with someone or responding to an emergency. There are other available times for visits. Please contact the pastor for availability. Please know that we can meet either at the church or another location. This email goes directly to the pastor.