Welcome to Judson Memorial Baptist Church. Today is the second Sunday of Advent. There will be Time with Children and the Judson choir. Travis will offer a sermon, “The Kingdom of God: Within, Among, & Beyond.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

LAST CALL: Online Advent Retreat: The Mystical Metaphors of Christmas

A contemplative journey into the biblical stories, art and music of the season to explore their rich archetypal, spiritual/mystical, and natural/seasonal layers of meaning. Sessions are Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:15am via zoom. Email CKolovitz@JudsonChurch.org to sign-up

Dec 7 The Annunciation: Choosing Yes

Dec 14 The Magi: Navigating Our Journey

Dec 21 The Nativity: Wonder & Awe

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Judson Reparation Education Sessions - The second session on reparations was held on Sunday, December 1, at 11 am in the Ann Judson room and it focused on American Baptist and Minnesota history. Speakers were Pastor Travis Norvell and Racial Justice team member Bruce Elliott. If you would like to view the recording of this session, please email Leslie Rapp at lesliejrapp@gmail.com, and she will send you the link. Also, copies of the handouts from the session are on the Racial Justice table at the back of the sanctuary.

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New Year Retreat - All Creation Waits / Sun Jan 12 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at Lake Hiawatha Community Center

Gayle Boss' book “All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings” contains reflections that capture in astonishing detail how animals prepare and make their way through winter. These animals illustrate the promise of a New Year during the thick of winter and the darkness of this political time. We will gather for quiet reflection, journaling/art prompts, and sharing in a beautiful room overlooking Lake Hiawatha and the setting sun. Email Carolyn at ckolovitz@JudsonChurch.org to register.

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Craft Workshop - On Saturday, January 25, from 10 to noon, attend a craft workshop. Learn the history and make a Victorian Puzzle Purse. The Victorians used these origami riddles as secret friendship tokens and love notes (one even appeared in the film Emma), while in Japan, they have been used as little storage containers. Learn the fascinating history, make your own puzzle purse, have a treat and go home with instructions so you can make more.

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Children & Youth News - This Sunday the children will read a Christmas story. Also, we'd love your help spreading the word to find a new Child Care staff person.

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Online Prayer Series - Join our Welcoming Prayer session at 7:15 pm on Mon Jan 6. The Welcoming Prayer is a method of accepting our physical and emotional reactions to situations and releasing our attachment to outcome. Expect a brief intro, poem, time for prayer, and brief sharing. Total session no more than 30 minutes. Email Carolyn for the Zoom link at ckolovitz@judsonchurch.org or if you have questions.

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GRATITUDE ANJD GENEROSITY: Thank You!

This Sunday concludes our month-long “Thanksgiving Gifts to Judson.” Linger at the poster boards in the back of the sanctuary. Launched by “Time with Children,” these boards are full of appreciation for Judson church. Then, take another look at the fundraising thermometer. It shows how we surpassed our goal of $24,000, cutting this year’s projected budget deficit in half. (A final figure of the amount donated will be announced.) To all Judson members and friends—thank you.

Four Ways you can give.

1. With a Check-Thanksgiving Gift to Judson, in the memo line

2. With Cash – place cash in an envelope (located in the pews) and write for the Thanksgiving Gift to Judson on the outside

3. At Vanco (electronic) click this link. Vanco page

4. At Give to the Max – click this link to be taken right to the Judson page. Give to the Max page (anytime between now and December 8.

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Mark Your Calendars

December 15 – Christmas Celebration

Join us on Sunday, December 15

December 22 – Bluegrass and Bagels

Join us on Sunday, December 22, at 10 am in Fellowship Hall

With The Chris Silver Bluegrass Trio

December 24 – Christmas Eve Service

Join us for our traditional Christmas Eve Service at 9 pm

Prelude with violin and organ at 8:45 pm

December 29– No Service

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The Judson Church Strategic Action Priorities Plan - is a six-month action plan based on the Bright Futures Forums from Summer 2024. Approximately 40 individuals have signed on to work on the actions! It is not too late - Please consider how you might contribute to Judson's Strategic Action Plan! Worksheets are in the back of the sanctuary - drop them in the green Menards bucket. We are counting on our Judson Community! Thank you. Copy of plan

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Judson Church is looking for a Part-time Lead Child Care Provider. We’re looking for someone to lead our youth in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment on Sunday mornings. They’ll lead educational, mindfulness, character-building, and nature-based programming. The candidate needs to have experience caring for infants and children of all ages, with an emphasis on school-age children and must be at least 21 years of age. Prior classroom experience is strongly preferred. A full description of the role can be found in the announcements section of our website or via this link: https://www.judsonchurch.org/childcare-provider/

We have some pretty amazing youth at Judson, so let’s support them by sharing this opportunity among your networks!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jeff O’Halloran at personnel@judsonchurch.org.

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New Circle Forming – A new monthly Circle will be starting soon with in-person meeting days/times to be determined by the group. Circles practice deep listening with the intention of deepening community. And we laugh a lot! Email Carolyn to join at ckolovitz@judsonchurch.org or if you have questions.

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Volunteer Opportunities:

Tell your story!

We would love to hear your story – volunteer to do a Personal Reflection in worship!

Worship Readers are needed!

Be a part of Judson’s worship experience – volunteer to be a Worship Reader! The Worship Reader will be involved in sharing Judson’s Land Acknowledgement, the first lesson of the morning (scripture or contemporary), and reading the prayer intents with Carolyn. The role requires a clear and articulate voice and the ability to convey the emotion and meaning behind the words, helping the congregation to engage with the service on a deeper level. We need you! Contact Polly Schrom at schrompolly@gmail.com

Help on Sunday mornings.

We are looking for people to help greet and pass out the bulletins on Sunday morning. We could also use more people to help with the offering too. If you

would be interested, please contact the office at info@judsonchurch.org or call 612-822-0649.