Dear Parents,

Happy December! In Sunday School we will be helping children prepare for the arrival of our Savior. It is important to help children realize that we don’t simply begin celebrating Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. Attending Sunday School is one of the best ways to help a child discover and enjoy the rich meaning of the Advent season. Advent is a Latin word that actually means “coming.” In the Christian church, advent is time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. Advent officially begins four Sundays before Christmas.

The weeks before Christmas can be a particularly long time for children. Help your family make it through these days by celebrating Advent. Celebrating Advent also helps you keep the focus of Christmas on Jesus rather than Santa Claus, presents, and other commercial aspects of Christmas.

Share Joy While Waiting for Christmas
Spread Jesus’ love by helping others and by lifting the spirits of those who might not see a reason to celebrate. Ideas for family activities include visiting a nursing home, serving meals at a shelter or soup kitchen, or packing and delivering Christmas baskets for food pantries. Help your children make the connection to the fact that by serving others, we are preparing our hearts for Jesus’ arrival at Christmas.
Advent Song:
Sung to the turn of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

Advent is a time to wait
Not quite time to celebrate
Light the candles one by one
Till the advent time is done
Christmas day will soon be here
Time for joy and time for cheer.
General Announcements:
Calling All Shepherds, Angels, Cows and Sheep!
Rehearsals Begin Wednesday, December 4
All children of the parish, K3 through 5 th grade, are invited to participate in the annual Children’s Christmas Pageant held at the 4:00 pm Eucharist on Christmas Eve. Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, December 4 and run each Wednesday evening from 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm. Please contact Holly Melton with questions or for more information.

Weekly Sunday School
There is no Sunday School on Sunday, December 1, Sunday, December 29 or Sunday, January 5. Please take a look at the links and volunteer to help with Sunday School in the new year. Here are the links to the Sign-Ups:
Children’s Church – Contact   Anne Holmes .

Donate to the Hope Drive This Sunday, December 8
Children’s Ministry is collecting items to make bags for the seniors of the Sterling Community. We still need the following items to round out the bags: fresh fruit such as apples or oranges, cans of soup, cans of pasta, ramen noodles, single serving packages of mac and cheese, and individual cups of applesauce and fruit . Collection boxes are in the classrooms.
 
Youth ServeUS (4 th – 12 th graders) Sunday, December 8, 4:30-7:00 PM, Sterling Community Center, 113 Minus St, Greenville
This is a great opportunity for our 4 th and 5 th graders to be the hands and feet of Christ. We will be leading FUN and CREATIVE Christmas stations for the children and youth of the Sterling Community as well as sharing dinner together with community members. Questions? Contact  Holly Melton .

Tinsel & Tunes: Christmas Dinner & Concert
Sunday, December 15, 2019 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Join your parish family for our annual Christmas dinner of turkey and gravy with Joyce's Mac n' Cheese and green beans. After dinner, children will have a special visit from St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra while adults enjoy a Christmas concert. I hope your family will be able to join us. Cost: $10 for 10 years old & up, $6/child 3 yrs. - 9yrs. old. Infants through 2-yrs. old are free.  http://bit.ly/37GKGAz
Looking Ahead to January:
3 Kings Sunday & Journey of Light Epiphany Workshop
Sunday, January 5, 2019, 4:00 PM
We invite all to join us on Sunday, January 5 th as we celebrate the traditions of Epiphany! We will have a special interactive workshop that is open and friendly to all ages beginning at 4:00 PM in Markley Chapel. After participants journey through the stations, all will be invited to participate in the special liturgy at 5:00 PM service in the church. After the service, we will have cookies and cocoa. There is no cost for the event but we ask that you please RSVP here to ensure we have enough materials. 

Children’s Communion Class
Sundays, January 12 - February 9, 9:30 AM, Graham Library
Each year, Children’s Ministry leads a communion class tailored toward helping children in grades 2 nd – 5 th both understand and respond to the Eucharist. The class is designed for children who already receive, as well as those who will truly be participating in their first communion. The children will participate in a special service and brunch on February 23 rd . Please contact Holly Melton , 672-4155 , no later than Monday, January 6, to register your child.

There are many ways for your children and family to take part in the Advent Season here at Christ Church. Be sure check our website at www.ccgsc.org regularly for the most up-to-date information. Please contact me anytime with your thoughts, questions, and concerns. I am here to be a resource for you and to provide your children with opportunities to grow in their faith.
Joyfully,

Holly