Greetings!
What's Happening this Week at
The Congregational Church
Second Sunday in Advent
December 4, 2022
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This Week's Message:
"Advent 2 - The Best Christmas Gift"
The highest kind of giving is the giving of ourselves. Paul saw this quality in the early Christian Church as they offered a portion of their meager resources to help the needy community around them. He said, "first gave themselves to the Lord, and unto us". This Christmas let's decide that every present will be accompanied by something of ourselves. Share a loving word, a listening ear, a helping hand. That makes any gift priceless and long remembered. It's the kind of giving that's most like God's -- He gave us Himself!. Give the gift of Love and it will never be forgotten.
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SCRIPTURE LESSON FOR December 4, 2022
Luke 2:1-7 and John 3:16-17
Read by Karen Deutsch
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GREETERS FOR TODAY: Dick and Leslie Adams
USHERS: Nancy Doggett, Larry Landermann, Penny Lisle, and Nancy Reid.
DEACON OF THE MONTH: Larry Landermann
SCRIPTURE READER: Karen Deutsch, a member of our Board of Deacons, will be reading the scriptures this Sunday, December 4th.
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Bob and Carol Brooks will light the second candle on the Advent Wreath and share the readings on Love as we continue our journey toward Christmas.
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If you cannot attend services at the church you can follow us online. Invite your friends, family members and neighbors to worship with us online
Accessing our livestream worship service on Sundays
Please note: You do not need a Facebook account
to access our live stream broadcasts. No sign up necessary!
From your computer, smartphone or tablet, go to our website, www.thecongregationalchurch.org (using your browser of choice: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) (Give yourself a few minutes before the service to get set up.)
Click on the Facebook LIVE logo to go directly to our LIVE Service. The broadcast will begin automatically.
To get a notice of all upcoming live events, follow us on Facebook.
Don't forget to SHARE the video stream with your friends when it begins.
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Altar Flowers & Bulletins |
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The Altar Flowers and Bulletins are given by Jerry and Mary Starkweather in celebration of their 36th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary!
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SPECIAL THANK YOU to everyone who signed up to support our altar flowers and our worship bulletins. Those who signed up have been contacted concerning their wishes. We will be taking the flowers to Hospice or sending them home with the donors.
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Music This Week - November 27th |
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MUSIC MINISTRY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. December 4th. Our Billie Thatcher has blessed us throughout the year with her love and music. She is taking that talent again this year to the town squares in the Villages as they light the community Christmas trees. This Sunday she sings for our church with "What Child Is This", "Come, Share the Lord" (our communion introit), and leads the carols "The First Noel" and "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing".
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Kevin O'Connell will play the Prelude and accompany Billie.
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PANCAKE BREAKFAST for the children of our Infant & Toddler program. Saturday, Dec. 10th. Mary and Joseph appear and the Nativity is read. Santa Claus makes a joyful appearance. We need helpers to cook and serve. See Leslie Adams if you are willing to help.
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH CHRISTMAS CONCERT will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 14th at 6 p.m. Kevin O'Connell has gathered wonderful talent for the event. Come hear holiday favorites by Billie Thatcher, Bob Stehman, "Pinky", children from the Villages Charter School, and Kevin O'Connell. Providing live music will be Kevin's band featuring Dennis St. Germain and John Gaffeny. Tickets are now on sale for only $15. Visit our Website: TheCongregationalChurch.org
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CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCES for 2022 need to be returned to the church office by Sunday, December 18th. Additional forms to submit your information are available in the narthex.
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CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE. THE ACCOUNT OF THE SAVIOR'S BIRTH: Beautiful music from our special guests "The Skipper", "Pinky", Billie Thatcher, Harriet Dawson and Kevin O'Connell and our church and property adorned with glorious lights. Also, the weather forecast is for SNOW. Join us on Saturday evening, Dec. 24th for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. The next communion service will be Christmas Day at 10 a.m
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THE MISSIONS FOR DECEMBER. Community Scholarship Fund. Local programs that give scholarships to deserving high school seniors for academic achievement and exemplary volunteer service. Half of the Mission Offering this month will support the 2023 Community Scholarship programs and the other half the Infant and Toddler Pantry.
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THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT. This week we will celebrate the Advent Holy Communion,. The theme for our service is LOVE. Bob and Carol Brooks will light the second candle on the Advent Wreath and share the readings on Love as we continue our journey toward Christmas.
The next communion service will be Christmas Day at 10 a.m.
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Birthdays & Anniversaries |
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NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS: Dick Simonet (1), Raymond Turner (6), Ann Denholm (10), Karen Lewis and Jeanette Ellis (11), Rocco Changelo (12), Cory Pearson and Mary Starkweather (16), Frank Monette (21), Sondra Hocher (24), Bob Thatcher (26), and Rhea Cotter (30).
NOVEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Jerry & Mary Starkweather (6), Jim & Nancy Reid, Ruth Ann Bigley & Ollie Schniederjans (24), Sam & Lynn Moyer and Russ & Marion Tarbell (27), and Michael & Elaine Warren (29).
(If we missed your Birthday or Anniversary, please, let us know. We will add you to the list.)
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WELCOME TO OUR COFFEE HOUR. Stop by after service in the Fellowship Hall. We are in need of sponsors for our fellowship time after morning worship each week. Join us for refreshments and conversation in the Fellowship Hall after the service. We need volunteers to serve and clean up. Also, we need food donations (cookies, baked items, fresh fruit bowl, etc.).
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TAKING CARE OF YOU! Taking care of our church family and following up on those who visit our services is an important task. DON'T FORGET THE "RED" GUEST BOOKS! Accuracy of our attendance figure is dependent upon "everyone" taking the time to sign and record their information in the red books when they are passed. Thank you for your support and help.
NAME TAGS. If you need a new Name Tag or require a correction in your present tag contact Doug Moe (Church Clerk) at 603-493-0749.
END OF THE YEAR GIVING. As we draw close to the end of 2022, the end of another tax year, please remember your contributions and offerings to The Congregational Church as part of your planning. Thank you.
INFANT & TODDLER PANTRY prepares for Christmas. If you would like to sponsor a gift bag for a child with a pair of pajamas, a nativity story book, and a toy see Leslie Adams in the narthex following the service.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL MATERIALS. We always encourage you to take time for personal spiritual growth. Our church encourages prayer and daily Bible reading throughout the year. Use the available Our Daily Bread devotional guides and read a portion of scripture each day. These books are free and available on the narthex visitors table
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THE MEMORIAL GARDEN continues to develop. The supply of granite markers is very limited nationally. We are working with our supplier "Ocala Marble & Granite Works" to finish this important project.
If you are interested in information about the memorial garden contact the church office.
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PASTORAL CARE: Contact Jim Keough on his cell 352-250-6160. Jim's email: RevJim46@aol.com. If you are ill or going to the hospital please let us know. We want to pray for you and be of service. Please be sure to check the "Prayer Request" section of our church website and pray for your church friends and their concerns. If you have someone you would like added to the list contact the pastor or Dawn Keough (email Nana6bn5g@aol.com).
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GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOTS! COVID PRECAUTIONS. We are still being extra careful at The Congregational Church and trying to protect against anyone becoming ill. However, we are making a few moves toward normal operations that you will notice on your next trip to worship services. 1. Hymnals will be back in the seats. 2. The red attendance sign-up books are available and we ask you to record your presence and pass them along your row.
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Your continued support of the General Fund is "Essential". There will not be government funds available to bail us out. Your stepped up support during this time will be a blessing.
Mail your gifts to:
The Congregational Church,
P. O. Box 804,
Summerfield, Florida 34492.
Or Give Online… Click the Donate button on our website, Then select the fund you wish to donate to.
Thank you!
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OUR CHURCH JOURNEY. Get your copy of our beautiful book highlighting the journey of our church from the beginning in the Hampton Inn to our beautiful church facility and family of today. A gift of $25 to the Building Fund for each book. This is a limited edition volume, with a few copies available, so don't miss out. Available from the church office.
THE WALK OF FAITH - We continue to place Brick Pavers in both the Veterans Area at the flag poles and around the beautiful fountain area. Make a gift to the Building Fund of $100 and have a brick placed in honor/memory of a loved one or a veteran. You can place a brick in the fountain area walk-way to celebrate an event, memorialize a family member, or simply place your name on a brick to show your support for our church. Mail your check with "Brick Paver" in the memo section to the church along with the information you would like on your brick. There are three lines with 15 characters per line available on each brick. Contact the church office for more information.
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“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life." ~ Corrie Ten Boom |
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Prayer Requests for December 4, 2022
Can be found on our website at:
www.TheCongregationalChurch.org
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If you have a new prayer requests please contact
Dawn Keough at: Nana6bn5g@aol.com or call
352-250-6949
More importantly remember to check the list regularly and pray for those in our church family who need your prayer support.
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Accessing The Latest Worship Service ANYTIME!
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If you missed the LIVE broadcast you can watch it anytime. Go to the website (thecongregationalchurch.org) and scroll down to the block that says "Sunday Worship Service" and click. It will take you directly to the latest recorded service.
If you need the Sunday Bulletin to follow along with the service, CLICK HERE.
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All Worship Services can also be found on: |
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15421 S US Hwy 301
Summerfield, FL 34491
Mailing Address:
The Congregational Church,
P. O. Box 804,
Summerfield, Florida 34492
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for more information:
Church Office: (352) 693-4545
Reverend Jim: (352) 250-6160
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