This Sunday is the second Sunday in Advent, the Sunday of Peace. But this week, it might be more appropriate to celebrate the Sunday of Joy. Joy-full chaos, that is! We've got a no-rehearse pageant in worship; come at 9:20 to get a costume and help us tell the Christmas story. (You think you need some time off? Come hear how hard God's angels have been working!) And we'll have special music from the Junior Choir and Tineke Vandegrift and Sally Griffin. Plus the cookie swap after worship, so you can sugar load for the Living Nativity at 3pm.
To add to the chaos, there is the possibility of snow this weekend. Please remember that safety is our first priority, and we trust everyone to make their own best decision depending on their circumstances and comfort level. If you have a lay leader role and won't be able to make it to church, feel free to email me ([email protected]) or leave a voicemail at the church office, 978-263-7387. Many thanks!
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
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Worship
Sunday, December 10, 9:30 am
This Sunday we light the candle of peace and invite true peace into our hearts and lives. Children of all ages join together in a new Christmas pageant, and we'll have special music from the junior choir and for the offertory. With the Cookie Swap after worship... And the Living Nativity at 3 pm!
And please plan on joining us this coming Wed., 7 pm, for the Longest Night service in the sanctuary, with tea and cookies to follow. In the stress and busyness of this season, in the stress and anxiety in our lives, God calls us to quiet and to candlelight.
Sermons
Worship Bulletins
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Spiritual Nurture
This Sunday we will enjoy intergenerational worship with the pageant! Nursery care is available throughout the service, but we hope our young friends will stay in the sanctuary.
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Advent Christmas Cookie
Swap & Sale
Fellowship's annual Christmas cookie swap and sale will be held on December 10th, immediately following worship. An assortment of delicious home-made cookies will be offered for sale. Gift bags and boxes will be available if you would like to put together a sweet treat for someone special.
Participate as a "swapper" by donating a minimum of four dozen home-made cookies, and receive one dozen free cookies in return. If you're interested in being a swapper, please see the sign-up in the Gathering Room or contact Deb Simmons (978-365-9711 or [email protected]) for more information.
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Living Nativity
Sunday, Dec. 10, 3:00 pm
Hear the familiar story as we gather under the huge winter sky. This pageant is held outdoors, with some friendly beasts! Cookies and cocoa to follow.
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Longest Night/Blue Christmas
Wednesday, Dec. 13,
7:00 pm Worship
The season of light and joy can also be a time of loneliness and grief. This time of commercialism and busyness can leave us hungry for meaning. Join us for a simple service that provides an opportunity to center in and experience the sacred presence. With music from Sounds of Peace, this gathering is
designed especially for those dealing with loss or having a difficult time, but all can find comfort in this peaceful service.
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Poinsettia Plants for Worship Service
Join us in decorating the sanctuary on Sunday, December 24th! We invite you to order flowers in honor or memory of a special person, or just to celebrate the Christmas season.
Poinsettia Plants are available in red and white. The cost is $12.00 each. Order forms will be in the bulletin this Sunday and are due Sunday, December 17th.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jenn LaCross in the church office (978-263-7387, [email protected]).
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Christmas Star Program
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Star's Program this year, it is much appreciated by DFS and the children in it's care. Please have all the gifts in by next Sunday December 17th as I need to deliver on Monday. Please put the gifts in a bag or tie them together and please attach the star to them. Any questions, please call or email Mary Ellen Sweeney at 508-954-2428 or
[email protected].
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Christmas Tree Sale
Christmas trees have arrived and are now for sale! Please consider signing up for a shift to help spread the Christmas cheer. Tree sales are weekdays, 6 - 8 pm, Sat. and Sun. 12 - 6 pm. Sign-ups are in the Gathering Room, or you can call / text Rob Warwick at 978-394-6811.
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Christmas cheer at a local independent book store!
Join Kellie Senghas at Valley Wild Books in Littleton (
https://www.valleywildbooks.com/) Saturday, December 16th from 1:00-3:00 and use her store credit for the purchase of books (new or used), art, and sundries. That's right - purchases will be free to you until the store credit is gone!
The store is having a Santa event from 10:00-2:00 so know that if you arrive at 1:00 Santa will be there with the second hour being Santa-free. There is also a play area for children as you browse.
Come support a local book seller, complete some holiday shopping, and learn more from Kellie about how this credit was born from our very own Merrie Christmas fair! Contact Kellie at 978-263-5508 or
[email protected] for more information.
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Christmas Eve Worship
Sunday, Dec. 24, 7:00 pm
Intergenerational Candlelight Worship
Lessons and carols to
welcome Christmas!
We'll circle the sanctuary with
candlelight and the singing of Silent Night
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Adult Mission Trip
July 15-20th, 2018
You are invited to join us on our fourth Adult Mission Trip to Cherryfield, Maine, where we work in partnership with the Maine Seacoast Mission. Last summer's trip was another resounding success and we are excited to be making a return trip. We'd love to have you join us! Maine Seacoast Mission was started in 1905 by two brothers who were both pastors who realized that the spiritual needs of the island residents of far Downeast Maine were not being met. Today Maine Seacoast Mission's focus includes rural education and healthcare issues. While they provide a wide array of support services, they only utilize mission trip volunteers in their Housing Repairs Program. Downeast Maine has an old and decaying housing stock and the need for repairs and weatherization on these homes is constant. With the support of volunteers, Maine Seacoast Mission is able to help their most vulnerable neighbors. The UCCB has reserved several spots for this trip. We can always adjust this number later, so the more, the merrier! To join us you only need to be 18 or older (too "old" to participate in one of our youth mission trips). While this has been called a "hammer and nails" experience, all levels of physical ability and expertise are welcome. Feel free to check in with prior years' mission trippers for a sense of the physical demands of the week. Please contact Peter or Kellie Senghas if you are interested in joining us or if you wish more information
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Looking for a roommate:
I'm a 38-year-old liberal minded French teacher and contra-dance caller, looking for a roommate to share my 2-bedroom apartment.
The unit has a dishwasher and extra storage space in the attic. Laundry is in the basement. Your room looks out over the garden, gets lots of light, and has the larger closet.
Our landlord is conscientious and responsible. The scenery is beautiful (gorgeous fall foliage, hiking trails, and apple orchards). The neighbors in our complex are super-nice. We sometimes have cookouts together.
What I'm looking for in a roommate, is someone courteous and respectful. If you'd enjoy hiking or biking with me that is great, but if you just want a quiet place to feel at home, that is fine too.
No pets are allowed in our complex.
This is a smoke-free, drug-free home.
LGBTQ friendlly.
The rent is $650/mo. + utilities. Our heat is electric, and electricity is priced very reasonably through our provider, so no worries about keeping the apartment comfortable or paying astronomical heating bills in the winter.
If this sounds like a place you'd want to live, please email me at
[email protected]
or call me at 617-230-8145.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
- Jeannine Ameduri
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New Church Office Hours
The church office will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 - 2:00 pm and Wednesday from 9:00 - 1:00pm.
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Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, Buildings and Grounds works with the Pastor to determine if it is safe to hold worship or other events at UCCB. They take into consideration travel advisories, weather outlook, and the condition of the church itself. For Sunday morning worship, information regarding the canceling or continuing of worship is left on the outgoing voicemail by 7 am.
Regardless of whether or not worship or other events are officially canceled, all parishioners, staff and lay leaders are urged to make their own decision based on their individual circumstances and comfort level: safety is our first priority.
If you have a role in worship or an event and are unable to attend, please notify Rev. Cindy via email ([email protected]) or church voicemail (978-263-7387).
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Want to learn more... click the links below!
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