FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 3, 2023

HYMNS

"Come, O Long-Expected Jesus"

"Keep Awake, Be Always Ready"

"Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear"

"Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old"

November 24, 2023

Dear Congregation,

Last Sunday after worship some of us began decorating the Sanctuary

for Advent and Christmas. We put up the Christmas tree and set up the

Advent wreath, pulling garland, nativity figures, and ornaments out of

plastic tubs, boxes, and garbage bags. Thanks to everyone who was

able to help!

Many of us will be doing the same thing at home. I know I have several

plastic tubs of decorations sitting in my living room right now waiting

for my attention. And so, it came to my mind that Advent can be a lot

of work both physically and spiritually! There is the physical work of

getting our church and home ready for Christmas, and the spiritual

work of preparing to receive the Christ Child once again into our hearts.

Both kinds of work are important.

In the Hanging of the Greens in our upcoming Sunday’s worship service

we’ll bring in beauty, while being reminded of the symbolism of

evergreens, Crismons, bells, poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, and the

stable. We’ll also be singing verses of some of the familiar, beloved

Christmas carols, for music is surely an important part of Advent and

Christmas.

As far as the spiritual work of Advent, I invite you to be intentional

about using a devotional each day, praying, being present in worship,

and, in some way, doing the works that Jesus makes clear are so

important to him in Matthew 25:31-46, last Sunday’s Gospel lesson.

I hope to see you Sunday, when we will also begin Advent with the

lighting of the Advent Candel of HOPE and sharing in the Sacrament of

Holy Communion.

Advent Blessings to each of you!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Candy

Fun decorating the Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas!

Thanks to Joan Chandler for her donation of this lovely rainbow made of recycled wood by an artist who was a vendor at our Fall Harvest Festival. It is colorfully displayed on the piano in Kelsey Hall.

ORDERS FOR POINSETTIAS

Orders may be placed with Cindy Ketzle beginning Dec. 3rd for $10 each and they will decorate the Sanctuary from Sunday, December 17th through Christmas Eve and may be taken home after that service on December 24th.

Bianca's You Better Bee-lieve It Corner

Join Us in Capturing the Spirit of Christmas! 

On Sunday, December 3rd, we're inviting everyone to share what Christmas means to them. We'll be capturing these heartfelt sentiments through pictures of people holding up signs that finish the sentence "To me, Christmas time means..."

Whether it's about family gatherings, spreading love, giving back, or cherished traditions, your unique perspective adds to the magic of this holiday season. Bring your enthusiasm and thoughts that Sunday, as we celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions behind this special time of year. Get ready to share your joy, memories, and beliefs with us on December 3rd. 

Stay tuned for more details!

Bottle Caps and Pop Tops!

🎨 Join us on December 10th at 1:30 pm for a delightful arts and crafts event where we'll be turning collected bottle caps into beautiful ornaments! This event promises creative fun for all ages, especially kids! Got bottle caps lying around? We'd love to have them! Your donated caps will be transformed into holiday decorations! This will be one more step towards being a GREEN church! 

Moreover, we're also collecting pop tops for a special cause. These pop tops will be donated to support the Ronald McDonald Program, aiding children and families in need. Wondering how your pop tops can make a difference? According to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, these tabs are recycled for dollars that directly support the children and families they serve in their Houses. By contributing, you're playing a part in providing crucial assistance to those in our community who need it most. Let's make this season a time of joy, creativity, and giving!

Join us and be a part of this wonderful initiative—where every cap and pop top collected brings smiles and support to those in our community who can use it most.

Our recent donation of $800 worth of $25 gift cards and $250 worth of essential food to Southridge families resonates deeply with our church's ethos. It exemplifies our commitment to compassionately serving our community while striving for justice, echoing the teachings of Jesus. This initiative reflects our dedication to creating a more inclusive and caring world, in accordance with our church's mission and vision of fostering a community united in God's love to shape a more just and compassionate society. A special THANKS to Karen for her invaluable efforts in procuring the gift cards, ensuring their distribution, maintaining communication with Southridge, and personally delivering the cards and food items to the school!

Find Us, Like us, Follow Us, and Share Us

on Social Media!

Facebook: Christ Congregational United Church of Christ

Twitter/X: @CCC_UCC

TikTok: @CCC_UCC

YouTube: ChristCongregational-UCC

Instagram: @christcongregationalucc

REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS

Joan Hansen, Maggie McDowell, Carol McCreary, the family and friends of Mary Ellen Prather, Mary and Frank Tirb, Bradley Everhardt, Julio Balcells, Jessica Nodarse, Mark, Julie Henkel, Merly Alonso, Bianca and Nina Sarmento and the friends and family of J.J Newby Ketzle and Sarah Wiley, Stone Coram and the family and friends of Brenda Best, Aberas Jober and Leslie Perichak, Paul LeGrand and Cathryn Tagmeyer, Briane Garrison and Theresa Grambell, Vincent Andrews and family, Rodger and Esther and Carol and sons, Brad and Amelia's cousin Dan, Ed Kretchmer, Judith Mekitemba. and Kathy Kirsch.



For Pastoral Care Needs, please call Pastor Candy directly at 925-640-9289 or you may call and leave a message with the Church Office, 305-235-9381.

12/1 LAUREN KETT

12/2 JOAN CHANDLER

12/7 LUCILLE CAMPBELL

12/9 SIENA CANALI

12/11 BIANCA MONTENEGRO

12/21 DANIEL BEST

12/29 MEGHAN LEWIS

* In celebration of our member emeritus, Lucille Campbell's 100th birthday, we are asking members to send birthday greeting cards to:

Lucille Campbell

709 East Ridge Village Drive

Cutler Bay, FL. 33157

REGISTER TODAY!

The We Can Sail Program focuses on “Kids Helping Kids.” High school mentors are paired with children with disabilities for a day of fun out on the water where children can make friends and memories by going kayaking, sailing and power boating.

* Although the flyer says Dec 2nd, registration is ongoing  since the program runs through the school year.

Middle East Conflict

The war in Israel/Palestine declared on October 7, has claimed thousands of lives, and tens of thousands of people have been injured. Approximately one million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, still within Gaza, as there is nowhere to go. Half are in emergency shelters set up by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). It is increasingly difficult for Gazan Palestinians to find safe space, as even hospitals and a church have sustained damage, killing and injuring hundreds of people. Food, water, fuel, and electricity have been cut off, and supplies are running out. 

Convoys of trucks carrying humanitarian relief await the opportunity to bring much-needed relief into Gaza from Egypt, but the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has been damaged by rocket strikes. Other entrances, controlled by Israel, remain closed and the threat of an Israeli ground invasion threatens more lives and livelihoods in the coming days and weeks.

With ecumenical partners, the UCC has offered a public witness that has been unequivocal:

— Condemnation of the violence of Hamas and Israel’s use of force against Palestinians in Gaza

— A call for a cease-fire

— The allowance of the provision of humanitarian aid for Palestinians and an end to collective punishment

— The guarantee of and respect for safe spaces for people to find shelter

— Support for robust diplomatic efforts to resolve the core issues

The UCC is learning from Palestinian Christian partners how they are attempting to respond to the needs of the people of Gaza, even amid steady bombardments.

— In times of calm, the Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) operates medical clinics and trauma therapy classes in Gaza.

— Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, an Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem institution, normally offers a critical and courageous ministry of health care provision (often free of charge) in the most trying circumstances. It has sustained damage in two incidents in the first week and a half. Yet, staff remain committed to their calling to provide care and hope, “delivered in a spirit of love and service.” 

— Other partners, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, the YMCA of East Jerusalem, and the YWCA of Palestine, are preparing to respond to the needs of Palestinians.

— These partners and others, bilaterally and through ACT Alliance, are preparing to address immediate and longer-term responses such as food and nutrition needs, physical and psychosocial health care, shelter and rehabilitation, and direct assistance.

Frequent updates are posted here.

“The work of our partners in Palestine, and specifically in Gaza, is inspiring, especially as they cope with conditions and access that are extremely limited. Having visited Gaza, I know the dedication and commitment of our partners’ staffs to serve the whole community and offer a witness of care and service. We mourn the loss of life and pray for the end to violence,” said Peter Makari, who currently serves as Transitional Executive for Wider Church Ministries, and Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe in Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. “We must walk in solidarity with them in this time of war, accompanying them now and in the future as the impact of this war will be lasting.”

Please advocate for a cease-fire, access for humanitarian assistance, and for the core issues to be addressed.

At the same time, we invite your financial support to undergird the work of our partners with whom we have had a long-standing relationship. Your gifts will make an impact and a difference on those suffering so greatly during these days of lamentation and suffering.

The two actions go hand-in-hand. Thank you for your generosity.

You can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194.

Please be sure to note “Middle East Support” in your check's memo section.

ACTION ITEMS:

• Call on Members of Congress to support ceasefire, restraint, de-escalation of violence and protection of civilian life in Israel/Palestine.

Contact Your Legislators

• Register to pray for Peace in the Middle East.

Register Here

• Read the letter that was sent to congress.

Read letter

*** Voter's Registration***

Voter registration has started on September 17th. Please be sure to verify your registration and if you are not registered please get registered.

Registration and Verification can be done by clicking the image below:

Global Ministries offers a weekly prayer for one of our global mission partners. This week's prayer is with Morocco. To read their mission moment, please click the Global Ministries IMAGE. Below is this week's prayer, united we pray.

Loving and Merciful Father,

We come before you with hearts filled with gratitude for the boundless grace you pour upon us. In this sacred moment, we lift up our country, praying for unity, compassion, and justice to prevail. May your guiding light lead our leaders toward decisions that honor the dignity of every person and foster a spirit of inclusivity.

In the shadow of recent tremors that have shaken the foundations of Morocco, we come before you with hearts burdened for the migrants and refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa whom we serve. As the earth beneath us quakes, we seek your unwavering presence and protection.

Psalm 80 echoes in our hearts, “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80:3). In the aftermath of the earthquake, we implore you to restore not only the physical structures but also the spirits of those affected, especially the vulnerable migrants and refugees stranded in this unfamiliar land.

Bless our labor, dear Lord, as we dedicate our work to your service. Grant us strength, wisdom, and resilience to navigate challenges. May our efforts be a reflection of your love, promoting healing and understanding in the spaces we inhabit.

As we serve the people entrusted to our care, we ask for your divine presence to accompany us. Open our eyes to the needs of the marginalized and grant us the courage to be agents of change. May the work of our hands be a testament to your transformative power, bringing hope and restoration to those who seek it.

In the name of Jesus, our guide and exemplar, we offer these prayers, trusting in your abiding love.

Amen.