Going forward with COVID-19

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Christ Church Chimes

Dear Friends,

We have to once again make some changes to worship due to he increase of COVID-19 cases and the Bishop's updated COVID guidelines:

Worship

All Sunday Services are limited to 10am and will be Livestreamed. The only people in the church are those serving and a few people that don’t have the ability to watch the Livestream. Those people should contact Fr. Alan. This will cap the number of people to 10.

The Service Program and Weekly Announcements can be found on the Facebook page of the parish or Fr. Al's personal account.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services are still being discussed. We will be livestreaming a service regardless of what it looks like.

Church School

Church School has been suspended. The Live Nativity will still be held on December 19^th, 4:30-6pm. It will be held outside. However, we will have the Parish House open and limited to a few children that need to come in from the cold. St. Luke’s of Fall River and Church of Our Saviour of Somerset are participating with us. I could use some help with directing traffic that day. More information to come!

Parish House

This time we are trying to continue to work from the Parish House, the best we can. I am asking everyone to work around the office hours, while Leslie is there. Her office is very small and ends up serving a hallway. Due to the configuration, please avoid the hours of Tuesday and Thursday 8am- 4pm.

Outreach Projects

We will continue to collect coats, toys and mittens during the church service time and during office hours.

Continued prayers for our parish.

Blessings,

Fr. Al

Sunday Worship on Facebook is available for the 10am service. https://www.facebook.com/christ.church.swansea.57

or Father Al's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alan.hesse.9

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We do need your financial assistance, as best as you are able.

Please return your 2021 Pledge Card this week. If you would like to make a pledge of a financial commitment to the operation of the church and mission (a promise that may be rescinded due to personal circumstances), please contact Fr. Alan or the Church Office.

Contributions may be mailed to the church

Christ Church

57 Main Street

Swansea, MA 02777

or electronically given at our web page or at this address https://christchurchswansea.org/donation/

Thanksgiving Day Prayers

A COVID Thanksgiving Lament

For hugs not given.

For Turkey Trots not run.

For signature dishes not cooked.

For high school football games not watched.

For great grandmas not driven.

For cheeks not pinched.

For holiday traffic not sat in.

For mounds of mashed potatoes not consumed.

For backyard football games not played.

For distasteful political commentary not heard.

For post-meal walks not taken.

For gobs of leftovers not eaten.

For all of these and more, we lament O Lord.

--The Reverend Tim Schenck

A Prayer for Thanksgiving

Lord, so oftentimes, as any other day

When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing

Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload

We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minutes more

To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed

My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those

Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure

Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place

And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided

And bless each and every person invited

Amen!

-- Scott Wesemann

We can’t wait for the beautiful piano to be used for Advent I on Sunday at 10am!

I hope the giver will share the story of this, her family piano, from her childhood in Illinois! Fr. Al

Salvation Army Clothe-a-Child: Parishioners are invited to join the Outreach group in providing needed clothing.

The designated clothing, in an unwrapped package (box or gift bag), must be brought back to the church by Sunday, December 13th. It can also be dropped off in the parish office during regular office hours (recommend you call first).

If you wish to participate but don't like/are unable to shop, please contact the church office. *Please note that it must be a bubble-type winter coat rather than a fleece type jacket.

Toy Drive

Christ Church Outreach Ministries is working with Our Sister’s Place, a battered women’s and children’s shelter of Fall River. Your donation helps families struggling with domestic violence. Please return your unwrapped gifts to the church office by Sunday, December 13^th.

Some suggested items:

Stuffed animals,

Barbie dolls, action heroes

Race cars

crafting items (like jewelry making kits)

Board or card games of all ages, (Uno, Monopoly)

Ear buds

Fast food gift cards,

Hair accessories

Children’s storybooks

Coloring books w/ crayons

Christ Church Outreach Ministries and the Cold

The Outdoor Church of Cambridge (The Rev. Pat Zifcak) is again accepting our donations of white socks, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves.

Please return your donation by January 12, 2021

We are a joyful community celebrating Jesus Christ. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey,

you are welcome here.

Christ Church

57 Main Street, Swansea, Ma 02777

Office: Leslie Lemire; 508-678-0923 or Christchurchswansea@yahoo.com,

The Rev. Sue Correira, Deacon Al Deston III, Music Director

The Rev. Alan R. Hesse, Rector; 508-505-5668 cell, Fralan@verizon.net,