TCC Email Newsletter
December 14, 2017
Advent 2017
Pastor Tom's Note

Advent is also about putting our trust and expectations in the right places. As the birth narratives in Luke and Matthew remind us, this great king was not born in the halls of power of Jerusalem, the “city of David” (2 Samuel 5:6-8). Instead, he was born in the other “city of David,” Bethlehem, a small settlement away from the hub (see Luke 2:11; Matthew 2:1-6).

This Christmas, let’s make sure we look for the Savior in the right ‘city of David’ where everlasting power, authority and might is manifested, in the form of babe, in a manger.


Sermons and Services

Last Sunday • The Promise of the God King

This Sunday • Hope of the Incarnation: Forgiveness of Sin
Isaiah 1:18 and Luke 1:68-79

Join us!
Announcements
Prayer for the Alexanders
Heartfelt thanks to those who joined in the 24-hour prayer vigil for Cheryl Alexander last Thursday. In case you missed it, we will be sure to have another one at a later time. Let's continue to uphold the whole family in our prayers.
Update on 2018 Pledges
"I will not give burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing"
– 2 Samuel 24:24

Update: We are so thankful for the generosity of God's people! So far we have received 98 pledge cards for $967,714 . We are trusting the Lord to meet our goal for the 2018 budget of $1.33m. This year, our hope is to increase the number of members and attendants who make pledges. Would you prayerfully consider making a faith commitment for the first time?

David, when he purchased the future site of the Temple in Jerusalem, knew intuitively that offerings involved a certain amount of sacrifice. We also know an acceptable offering to the Lord doesn't have a minimum (nor maximum) amount. We are believing the Lord for great things in and through TCC for 2018. May He manifest His presence in our midst, the Metrowest area and throughout the world!
 
In His Grace,
Tom 
Deacon's Fund Offering
Every year at our Christmas Eve services, we take a special offering that supports our Deacon's fund. This fund, managed prayerfully and faithfully by our Deacons, provides financial assistance to those in need in our community.

Next week, you'll be receiving a letter from the Deacons with more information. Please consider giving generously to this fund on Christmas Eve and help us bless our community!
Evensong Reflections
On memory, a father's love, and practices of the heart:

A few weeks ago I was speaking with a woman in our congregation about the joys and sorrows of caring for an aging parent. Her father has Alzheimers, which means of course severe memory loss. Though it is very difficult to see your father's mind slowly fade away, she did mention to me that she often has special moments with him nevertheless. Though he is not very responsive in conversation, she'll often say when leaving after a visit, "Goodbye. I love you, Dad" to which he always replies "I love you too, dear." This is muscle memory from our most important muscle - our heart. His brain is no longer functioning at the level to sustain the conversation, but she knows that he loves her, and he can even communicate that when he can no longer communicate much else. He's practiced saying "I love you" to his daughter so many times now, that is ingrained in his subconscious

At our Evensong services, we've been practicing saying "I love you" to God. We use three simple prayers that help shape our lives around the Gospel: A prayer of preparation for worship (known as the "Collect for Purity") a prayer of confession, and a prayer of thanksgiving. It is our hope that by saying these week after week, the truths behind the words will sink into our hearts.

Evensong: Advent
Just one more left!
6:45-7:15p
December 20th
Check out the Evensong Promo Video!
A Note on Kilburn's Barn:

Some have asked about our yearly tradition of Kilburn's Barn and the Living Nativity. We have decided as a staff team not to run the program this year. It was a difficult decision, and we know many will miss this wonderful family event, but we hope that our Evensong services, Lessons and Carols service, and Christmas Eve services will keep our hearts pointed on Jesus this season.

If you would like to see Kilburn's Barn and the Living Nativity return next year, please consider volunteering to organize the event! This community outreach has been hugely successful in past years, and with some new creative energy it could return as a wonderful TCC tradition! Reach out to us if you are interested in helping for next year.
Sundays and Winter Weather
It's almost our favorite time of year...Winter! When snowstorms happen leading into Sunday morning, we will update the church by 7p on Saturday Night via the following channels:

Website: tccwayland.org

Church Voicemail: 508-358-7717

News: WBZ Radio and CBSboston.com

On Sunday mornings, we may potentially cancel the 9:30 service (along with all LTA and Student Ministry Programming) and just have the 11a service. In this case, there would not be any Student Ministry or Children's Programming at the 11a service.
As always, please use your own discretion before traveling in any questionable weather. If you are scheduled to serve on a Sunday morning but are unable to safely travel to church, please contact your ministry leader.
Children's Ministry
Gail Hughson , Director
Cheryl Alexander , Assistant
Due Sunday! Children's Artwork for Christmas Eve!

Deadline is this Sunday! Help us tell the Christmas story with your child's artwork! We use the Jesus Storybook Bible (JSB) during the Christmas drama and need the following scenes illustrated: of the following scenes: Luke 1:26 - Luke...

Read more
tccnews.wordpress.com
LTA Serves (w/ Coats for Kids!)

LTA will be partnering with Coats for Kids. The coat drive will run until January 7th. All donations will be given to Anton’s Cleaners where they will be professionally cleaned for free and distributed to local families in need. There is a drop-off box in the Lobby.

-Winter coats needed for adults and children
-All sizes needed (Especially XL and Pre-K sizes)
-Please only gently used & good quality



Student Ministries
New Student Ministires logo
Kyle Smethurst, Pastor
Adult Ministries and Bible Studies
Peacemakers Seminar
An Opportunity Not To Be Missed

The Peacemaking Team is hosting an exciting opportunity to learn how to "Walk Others Through a Conflict".

There will be two workshops and will facilitated by David and Judi Glidden, both Certified Christian Conciliators.

Workshop dates are Saturday, January 13, and Saturday,January 20, from 9:00a -3:00p (lunch provided).

The workshops are open to all TCC members and anyone you would like to invite to join you for this incredibly, awesome opportunity to learn to be the peacemaking men and women God has created us to be.
Knit Together (K-Tog)
Mondays at 10a-12p & 7p-9p in the parlor.
 People of all ages and experience levels invited to this informal knitting group.

Little Hats, Big Hearts

K-tog at TCC is participating again in the knitting & crocheting of hats. If you would like to create a hat or 3, some red, acrylic yarn is provided. It is located in a basket in the Parlor. There is a basket where you may place the finished hats, by January 10, 2018.

Volunteers from around the country are joining the American Heart Association, in connection with The Children's Heart Foundation, to celebrate American Heart Month by knitting and crocheting red hats for babies born in February at participating hospitals. "Little Hats, Big Hearts", honors babies, moms, and heart healthy lives in a very special way. Supporters are knitting and crocheting red hats to be given out to thousands of babies during American Heart Month in order to empower moms to live heart healthy lives and to help their children do the same.

Together, we are working to raise awareness, provide resources and inspire moms to take their family’s heart health to heart while also raising awareness about Congenital Heart Defects.


Questions: Susan Foster 508-358-5852
Saturday Morning Saints -
Men’s Bible Study

Light breakfast and Bible Study from 8a-9:30a. All men are welcome to join us! For more information, contact:
Ed Brown at 508-655-9116; beverlybrown2@mac.com or

Jim Santamaria at 508-358-7821; hermits@comcast.net .
Wednesday Morning Bible Study - Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30a

This class is taught by Rev. Allan Baldwin. Join us as we explore John’s Gospel and its focus on knowing, serving, and enjoying Jesus Christ.

The Wednesday Bible Study Podcasts have moved! 

Here is the link to the recordings:
http://tccspecial.podbean.com/ . You can also find the link to the recordings on our website; on the bottom of the TCC Sermons page is a "Special Event Recordings" link. Click there to listen!
mom to mom logo
Mom to Mom Resumes January 12, 2017
Women's Bible Study Resumes January 4, 2017
Missions and Outreach
Note from Teddy Sayonkon
"Thanks and appreciation to everyone who donated to our scholarship fund drive. I want to say we were able to past our goal with an extra $200 dollars. Thank God for His provisions and blessings. Each of the ten students received two set of uniforms and their tuition was paid for the school year of 2017 that will end in June 2018."

- Teddy Sayonkon, Founder, TSF

Shown are the student from Antioch Baptist School System: Bloyou Dahan, Catherine Flamah, Sam David, Franklin Kangar, Wisdom Gaye & Ranie Kai. Also the Highway Fellowship Christian School Students: Bassay Yancy & Eddie Garneo, and finally the United Liberia Inland School Students: Hellen’s Dolo (L) & Joe Morlne ( R).
Angel Tree Gift Delivery
A special thank you to our Angel Tree Coordinator, Jim Santamaria! Thank you also to Nan Santamaria, Julio Hernandez and everyone else who helped deliver the Angel Tree gifts!

The TCC Food Pantry, “Loaves & Fishes” offers assistance to those of TCC and the surrounding community who need help with providing for themselves and their family . If you are in need, or if you know of someone who is in need, please feel free to visit the church office for assistance from the food pantry. The food pantry is open on Sunday mornings and during regular church office hours. 
Donations to the TCC “Loaves & Fishes” Food Pantry are gratefully accepted. There is a collection bin on a table near the lobby stairwell. We only accept donations of non-perishable food and personal items. WE RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU NOT TO DONATE ANY OPEN OR EXPIRED ITEMS – WE JUST HAVE TO THROW THEM AWAY!

TOP ITEMS NEEDED:
   
Band Aids
Cheerios
Men’s Deodorant 
Mac ‘n Cheese
Pickles

Any questions regarding donations? Contact Diane or David Newcomb at diane.newcomb@comcast.net or david.newcomb@comcast.net
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48