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Friday, November 29, 2024

Advent 2024“the times they are a-changin.’”

 

More than a waiting period, a preparatory exercise, or a countdown to Christmas, Advent expresses the human longing for change.

 

God’s advent into human life was never for the nostalgic recall of Christmases Past but to fulfill God’s promises of justice and mercy and God’s purposes of love and peace. Sixty years ago, Bob Dylan gave expression to the longing for change in his 1963 song, “The times they are a-changin.’” Written at the height of the civil rights and folk movements of the early 1960s, the lines capture the headlines of the day as Gov. George Wallace physically blocked the way of integration. As we begin Advent on December 1, dig around in your LP collection or call it up on your phone, and sing again “for the times they are a-changin.’”

 

In addition to Sunday worship at 9:30am, this Advent, sing along, feel the pulse of hope, and join us “for the times they are a-changin.’”

 

Grace and peace,



Richard & Jill Edens

Worship

Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 9:30 am

In person at UCCB also via Zoom


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Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88306753408?pwd=V1gwZUtYL05JeVU2WklHWGtUWExGdz09  

Meeting ID: 883 0675 3408 Passcode: 7387

 

Please note: our worship services are streamed live via Zoom and recorded for posting on Facebook and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1ayswOH7Ta7LYVK-BcAyA).

 

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SERMON SHAPING or TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY RESUMES


SERMON SHAPING or TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

On Tuesdays at 10am, you are invited to a lively and

far-ranging conversation with the Pastors on the scripture for the coming Sunday.


 Tuesday, Dec  3rd  10:00am Bible Study/Sermon Shaping


The meeting opens at 9:45 for visiting. Please join us. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81402428901 Passcode: 7387

The Christmas Tree Sale has begun!

Select a freshly cut tree from Nova Scotia for your home or a beautiful wreath to decorate for the holidays.


Saturday, Dec 7, 7:30pm – Bluegrass Christmas Concert


ADVENT BEGINS



Dec 01   First Sunday of Advent   HOPE   Rev. Richard Edens preaching



Dec 08   Second Sunday of Advent  PEACE   Rev. Dr. Jill Edens preaching

 After worship with Liz Rust from the Concord Prison Outreach


 Longest Night Service on Wednesday, December 11, 7pm   

    

Dec 15   Third Sunday of Advent  JOY            Rev. Richard Edens preaching

     Advent Music Sunday with the Senior Choir and the Ding-a-Ring Choir

    Cookie Swap after worship


Dec 22    Fourth Sunday of Advent LOVE        Rev. Dr. Jill Edens preaching

        Senior Choir and the Sounds of Peace


Dec 24   Christmas Eve, 7pm


Dec. 29  1st Sunday after Christmas


Jan 05     Epiphany observed this Sunday  Rev. Catherine Michael preaching

                                                 Magi arrive 

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The Christmas Eve Service December 24, 2024


The Christmas Eve service at our church is a beautiful experience, filled with light and hope. We decorate the alter with poinsettias plants for the service.


If you would like to take a poinsettia home to enjoy on Christmas and the days after, please contact Laurel Dickson-Bull in person or at laureldave@verizon.net. The price is usually $17, but we will have a firm price later in the month.

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Sing with the Hallelujah Chorus and the Children of the Church December 15th!



During the Dec. 15th service, the Sr. Choir will be singing the Hallelujah Chorus!

Anyone who would like to join us, please do so. 



FYI: We sing it one step down from the original if you have your own music.

We will rehearse it Tuesday, Dec. 10th at approx. 7:30pm and then again on the 15th at 9am. Would love to have you join in!

 

Children of the Church Sing!

Also during the Dec. 15th service we will also have children singing a wonderful song along with the Sr. Choir and bell ringers!


If your child would like to join us, please reach out to our Sr. Choir Director, Cindy Blanchard at capetoyork@hotmail.com as soon as possible so she can send you the music and recordings along with the rehearsal times. This is going to be wonderful!

Generosity 2025

 

Thank you to all who submitted your financial pledge for the 2025 program year on Celebration Sunday. Your commitment to this congregation and community helps fuel all we can imagine and accomplish together. Watch for the rainbows in the center stairwell on Sunday - thank you! 

 

For those who were unable to participate last Sunday, you are welcome to mail or email your pledge to Nikki at the church. Blank pledge forms are available at church if you are not locating a “2025 Generosity Pledge Campaign” email from the church ~November 1st.  If you would like to submit your pledge online, you may follow this link

 

The spiritual practice of generosity arises from imagining all that God calls us to do as a community. Our donations to our congregation make it possible to turn what we imagine into a reality. Through our annual commitments to our congregation, we imagine together all that we can do. Whether you are someone who has pledged annually in the past or are new to this practice, we invite you to consider how you may contribute financially to UCC Boxborough to keep our lights on in this corner of the world and continue to invest in our community. Thank you!

 

Yours in faith,


Generosity Ministry Team: Jeff Glidden, Kellie Senghas, Rev. Dr. Jill Edens and Rev. Richard Edens

CHRISTMAS STARS 2024! Only 2 stars left out of twenty five!!


Thank you to so many who have already matched up to cheer up a child or adolescent with toys, clothing and gift cards arranged by Framingham Children and Family Services. Look in the Gathering room for an in-person tree covered with remaining stars that describe each child and their requests.


To get a match without coming to the church, Darcy can also be contacted directly and collect a “star match” for you and relay the info via email. Shop and place unwrapped gifts in a large bag/box with your star’s #/name in the Gathering room by Sunday Dec 11 (or sooner).



Any questions? Contact Darcy Sidwell darcysidwell@gmail.com

Cheryl Glynis and Lee assemble gift bags for the CPO Holiday Gift Bag Project

Concord Prison Outreach Board Member to Speak at UCCB


Please mark your calendars for Sunday, December 8 at 10:45am in the Sanctuary.

The Faith in Action team is delighted to announce that Liz Rust, a member of the Board of Directors at Concord Prison Outreach (CPO), will speak at UCCB after worship on Sunday, December 8. Liz will talk about CPO’s Holiday Gift Bag Project (which UCCB has supported for many years), as well as some of the other programs CPO provides for incarcerated people in Massachusetts. Hope to see you there!

Cheryl Glynis, and Lee assemble gift bags

for the CPO Holiday Gift Bag Project.

Our Little Food Pantry's Cupboards are Empty!


Please consider donating food to our Little Food Pantry. Items needed are: proteins, fruits, vegetables, crackers, non-perishable shelf stable milk, soups, beans, and more.


Thank you for all of your support! Happy Thanksgiving!

Merrie Christmas Fair Name Tags


Please return your Merrie Christmas Fair name tags and put them in the plastic bag attached to the bulletin board in the lobby.


Thank you everyone for your help!

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Honoring Eleanor Voorhies with Donation to Undue Medical Debt

For the sixth year in a row, the Faith in Action Ministry Team will be directing the proceeds from the Eleanor Voorhies endowment to support the efforts of

Undue Medical Debt (formerly RIP Medical Debt). We make this contribution to honor Eleanor each November on her birthday, November 17. We’re sure that Eleanor would approve of this use of her bequest. Undue Medical Debt was founded by two former debt collection executives. Their idea was to use donations to buy large bundles of medical debt at a steep discount from collection agencies, then forgive the debt. Recipients receive letters that their debt has been canceled, with no tax consequences or penalties. Since its inception in 2014, the organization has erased more than $14 billion of medical debt.

Eleanor Voorhies was a longtime member of UCCB with a long and distinguished career in nursing and public health. More information about Eleanor’s life and work is available in the November issue of the Vestry News.

If you would like to contribute to Undue Medical Debt in honor of this remarkable woman, we will be accepting contributions throughout the month of November. Each dollar you donate buys approximately $100 of medical debt! Checks may be sent to the church, payable to UCCB. Please put “Undue Medical Debt” in the memo line. Alternatively, visit UCCB’s Giving page . Click the “Donate” button, and in the Special Collections section indicate the amount and put “Undue Medical Debt” in the memo.

Thank you for your generosity! 

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 Please Support CPO Holiday Gift Bag Project

 

“My name is [...] and I’m locked up in Shirley Max. Doing time is very hard during the holidays…but receiving this Christmas bag made my day…I’ve been locked up since 18, I’m about to be 25 and my family disappeared slowly so receiving this gift was a blessing. Thank you and everyone who had a part [in] giving us a good Christmas. God Bless.”

 

Concord Prison Outreach (CPO) maintains a binder filled with thank you notes like this one from grateful recipients of CPO’s Holiday Gift Bags. This year, more than 2300 incarcerated people in Shirley, Framingham, Concord, and Gardner will receive gift bags containing toiletry and other items; CPO relies solely on contributions to cover the $35,000 cost. If you are able, would you consider, making a donation, to CPO this Christmas?


A contribution of $14 would cover the cost of one gift bag, but donations in any amount would be greatly appreciated. Faith in Action will be collecting donations throughout the month of December. Checks may be sent to the church, payable to UCCB. Please put “CPO” in the memo line. 

Alternatively, visit UCCB’s Giving page . Click the “Donate” button, and in the Special Collections section indicate the amount and put “CPO” in the memo. Thank you for your generosity!


The Merrie Christmas Fair was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2024 Merrie Christmas Fair!


Saturday's Merrie Christmas Fair brought friends from here in town and far away. Everyone was smiling, laughing, eating, and shopping. A good time was had by all.


The ornament tables and each of the handmade gifts was a delightful find for the savvy shoppers who were purchasing a one of a kind gift for their beloved friends and family. Attic Treasure was a kid friendly workshop filled with gift tables that were taller than the wide eyed children who had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads as the holiday season approaches.


The Sugar Plum Café was filled with Christmas cheer and delicious treats for everyone. A quick respite from the holiday shopping to listen to the beautiful music, chat with friends, or grab a sweet treat by our smiling volunteers who helped our shoppers take a moment to absorb the success that was the Merrie Christmas Fair.

The Christmas Trees arrived early and contributed to the overall holiday spirit. Santa and his elf helper were here to spread Christmas cheer to everyone who came.


A huge shout out and a heartfelt thank you to the coordinators, the volunteers, the bakers, the crafters, and the setup/breakdown crews. Everyone showed up and supported the 2024 Merrie Christmas Fair making it one of the most successful ones of all. With everyone's help and support we were able to raise $30,000!


See everyone next year at the 92nd Merrie Christmas Fair 2025!

Want to learn more... click the links below!

 

Vestry Newsletters    Church Calendar

Visit Our Website    Join Our Mailing List


Or send us an email:


Revs. Jill & Richard Edens - uccbpastor@gmail.com

Church office - boxborochurch@verizon.net

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