Welcome to Advent, the path we walk towards Christmas each year!

As you may know, we use the Advent Wreath during this season each Sunday. The first advent wreath appeared in Germany in 1839 and was eventually made from evergreens to symbolize the everlasting love we have found in Jesus Christ. This coming week we will light the Candle of Joy!

Howard Thurman was an American theologian, educator, and civil rights leader. He wrote, “There are those who have in themselves the gift of joy. Wherever they go, they give birth to joy in others. To be touched by them is to be blessed by God.”

Who do you know that has the gift of Joy? Despite hardships and illness, there always seems to be a person in someone’s life who radiates joy when we wonder, “How? How is that person so joyful when all those things are happening to them?” Who is that person in your life?

The ones with gentle smiles on their faces assuring you that everything will be all right? Thurman describes them as people who never let their “lamp of joy burnout.” Rather, he said, , “they kept it burning brightly with God’s promise that they would never be left alone.”

I found my mind drifting back to the times when I was not prepared with enough oil for my lamp, to how in my search for more oil — searching in places other than God’s Word — I had missed God’s presence. Join me as we fil our lamps with the oil of Joy!

See you in church!

Rev. Bill 

Christmas pageant will be during the December 18th Sunday service!

All cast members need to be here for the dress rehearsal on December 17th at 10:00!

Genesis Youth Group pancake Christmas party is this

Saturday, December 3rd from 9 – 10:30! Bring a $5 Yankee Swap gift and your Christmas spirit!

Middle School Youth Group pancake Christmas party is

Saturday, December 10th from 9 – 10:30!

High School Youth Group Christmas party is

Sunday, December 11th from 4 – 6!

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Nursery volunteers still needed for December 11!

Sign up here!

STEWARDSHIP

THANK YOU to everyone who has returned their pledges. For those who have not yet, please consider prayerfully doing so as soon as possible. Our Trustees will prepare the budget based on pledges received.

We need and appreciate your support.

You can mail your pledge card or put it in the offering plate on Sundays. 

A Reminder from the Church Office

IRS requirements - all donations to Pilgrim Church that you would like to be included in your 2022 contributions must be in the church office or post marked by Saturday, December 31st.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Melissa 781-934-6591 ext. 101 or email office@uccduxbury.org Thank you!

Spreading Holiday Joy

Holiday Gift Giving Opportunities

for those in Need

The Mission and Outreach Committee has joined with several organizations to fill the need of gift giving opportunities to those in need. Below please find 3 local opportunities available for you to help.

Interfaith Social Services of the South Shore provides South Shore residents with the resources necessary to support a healthy and fulfilling life.  20 slots are available to provide children with a holiday gift, suggested spending is $50-75.  Sign up for this opportunity on Sign-Up Genius at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A9AB2AAAFBC52-help     Gifts are due at the church no later than 12/7. For additional information contact Joanne Cushing at jacushing56@gmail.com

Plymouth Head Start Families, 4 families with a total of 11 children will be sponsored this year.  Gift tag selection will be available on the angel tree in the Sanctuary starting on 12/4.  The congregation will be able to select a gift tag and purchase a gift.  Gifts will be due back at the church no later than 12/18.   Watch for additional upcoming details.

Duxbury Interfaith Council is collecting gift card for 135 local families. Suggested donation is $50.  To make a donation visit their Sign-Up Genius at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4facad22abf58-duxbury3 Or purchase a card and leave at any drop box around the community.   Donations must be made by December 6th.

Please consider an opportunity to share the Christmas joy this holiday season. 

Join in an Old Fashion Holiday Cookie Swap

Sunday, December 18th

during coffee hour

Share moments of holiday cheer with your church family by participating in an old fashion Holiday Cookie Swap. To participate, bake 3 dozen of one type of cookie, put one dozen of each on

3 disposable plates and bring them to the church kitchen before worship on the morning of the 18th.

(Please label each plate with cookies’ name and whether they contain nuts.)  

Here is how the cookies will be shared:

• One dozen will be served to the congregation following church service on the 18th.
• One dozen will be packaged and shared with those in need of holiday cheer.
• The last dozen will be shared with each baker, who will be able to take an assortment of one dozen cookies home with them.

Any questions connect with Maureen at mferguson02332@gmail.com  

Join the Fun – Sponsor a Tree or

Volunteer to Help – Light up the Lawn

3rd Annual Pilgrim Church Duxbury Festival of Trees 2022 – December 17 – 26, 2022

Join us in creating a unique and joyous holiday experience for the community this Christmas season!  The Pilgrim Church Festival of Trees is an opportunity for families, community businesses and organizations to make the season a little brighter for all. Each evening between 5:00 and 7:00 PM the trees will be lit up for all to enjoy.  

How can you participate? 

Consider sponsoring a tree for the festival.  There is no fee associated with participation, you just provide the decorated tree.   The application to reserve your spot can be downloaded here.  Consider sharing the link with friends, neighbors or local business, this is a wonderful community event.   

Volunteer to make this event a success, opportunities to help are flexible to meet your schedule.  Help set up, turning lights on and off, breakdown or baking cookies there are opportunities for all.  Visit the event Sign up Genius (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4AA4AC2CA1FA7-volunteer4 ) and select the date and time you can assist in making this year’s Festival a success. Or contact Maureen Ferguson at mferguson02332@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer, set up a tree or have any questions.

Join in the fun and help make this a wonderful holiday event.