The 2nd Sunday of Advent

"The Buckthorns"
the North Shore's Premier A Capella Choir
* * * *
"And There Were Shepherds"
The Rev. Sean Miller, preaching
Worship in Reid Chapel at 10:00 a.m.
Roots & Wings for Children K - 5
"Playgroup with Kate" for kids up to K
Meditation at 9:00 a.m. in room 100
Roots & Wings This Sunday!
As we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Advent, join us for our lesson, "Experiencing God as Joy." Listen to our story, The Shepherd’s Joy, make a craft, and walk around the advent spiral. Also, we’ll be sharing information about our exciting Christmas Pageant, too! Just come to the Chapel, and meet Mrs. Koch and Mrs. Stevenson in the back during announcements.
Upcoming Christmas Season Services & Events
Dec. 12 - Soul Message Band & Tom preaching
Dec. 19 - Christmas Pageant & Sean preaching
featuring the Dancing Bohemian Ukulele Band

Community Church Christmas
Patio Party
under the lights with toasty warm fire pits,
a variety of beverages, smores, and
Christmas Tunes to sing along!!!
a perfect family Christmas event!
3 to 5 p.m. - Jessen Office Building Patio
117 E. Scranton, Lake Bluff - FREE!

Dec. 21 - Longest Day Service, 7 p.m. @ Gorton
Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Services @ 3 & 5 p.m.
Sean & Tom leading with music led by Ken Hall,
Caitlyn McKechney, Ally Ahern & Nic Barnum
Dec. 26 - "Take a Deep Breath Service"
(after a long and sometimes exhausting Christmas
Season, join us for a time of music, reflection
& chilling in the presence of God)
Longest Night Service
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The holidays can be a time for many when we find ourselves in need of reassurance and comfort. Perhaps we are grieving over the loss of a friend or loved one, struggling with illness or have experienced the loss of a job. These feelings are in conflict with the celebratory nature of the season, and we may wonder how we will get through the festivities. Those seeking comfort and hope, wholeness and renewal, please join us on the longest night of the year for quiet reflection, readings from books of meditations and poetry, and music.
Please join us in the Stuart Room at Gorton at 7:00 p.m. on 12.21 for what has become a meaningful Community Church Holiday tradition.
Greetings From Beacon Place!
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends and are preparing for the upcoming holiday events. We can't believe it's that time of year. At Beacon Place we are starting the month of December with a traditional event, open for everyone, called "Lighting Our New Beginnings" 
Following the tradition of lighting luminaria during the holiday season, Beacon Place will be shining the light on our Waukegan neighborhood for the second year in a row. Please join us and be part of this amazing event, it will take place on Saturday Dec. 4th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Beacon Place, 603 S. McAlister in Waukegan
Yes, Yes, No, and However
* * * *
Yes, the Annual Fund is still going.
Yes, we have quite a ways to go.
No, we are not asking for pledges - which is
a written commitment of your giving plans for the year.
However, we still very much need your financial
support for our ministry in 2022.
You can get more information on giving options
by going to our website or by contacting
Thanks to all who have made gifts to date!
Elliott Delman Memorial Service - Video
Introducing Gayle Matson

Gayle is part of our church family who has resided at Presbyterian Homes in Evanston for many years. Her son is Hans Matson, who lives in Lake Geneva with his wife Holly and their children. Gayle, who divided her time for many years between the Gold Coast and Lake Geneva, would love one thing - visitors! Whether it is for 10 minutes or an hour, Gayle would love to have people stop by for a visit, when she'll likely tell you a bit about her life and family - and ask you about yours. If you have time in your holiday calendar to pay Gayle a visit, send me an email & I will fill you in on the details. Tom
Beacon Place Christmas Boutique

On Saturday, December 11, Beacon Place will host its 8th annual Christmas Gift Boutique at the Beacon Place Community Center in Waukegan. At the boutique, donated, new gifts will be available for purchase by the children and families that have participated in Beacon Place Programs this year. The very nominal prices on the gifts will vary, and all funds received will be redirected into Beacon Place programs. Easiest way to shop? Go to the Beacon's Amazon Christmas Gift Registry

What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season by sharing a bit of love and light with our friends at Beacon and make someone’s Christmas a joyful one! Please email Sean with any questions!
Gorton Has a WONDERFUL Annual Program
"The Kids Only Holiday Shop" Next Week & Could Use
YOUR HELP! Please read below...
As many of you know, we have had a long standing tradition at Gorton called Kids Only Holiday Shop. This beloved event allows kids ages 4 - 10 to shop without their parents, with an "elf" chaperone in our boutique in the Stuart Room and buy gifts for their moms and dads, grandparents and siblings, as a surprise under the tree Christmas morning.
We are excited that after a year off, due to COVID, we are hosting this event next Wednesday, December 8th.
Kids Only runs with the help of volunteers, teens as Elves and adults as Wonder Wrappers. Wonder Wrappers are located in our Grotto and they "wrap" all the purchases for the kids and place to/from gift tags designating who each gift is for. The Wonder Wrappers in the past have tended to be an age group that's retired, and this year we are very low on wrappers, most likely due to caution over COVID. Hence, we are in desperate need of volunteers to help wrap, particularly during the huge rush which is 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.
We are reaching out to ask you to consider signing up to wrap, and/or to circulate this sign up link to anyone you think may be interested. We can attest, this is one of the most upbeat, energetic and FUN events we do all year, and it's filled with merriment with all the cute kids, sweet elves and the enthusiasm from the vendors, parents, Gorton staff-everyone! It would be fun to have you join us in this special tradition!
Keep in mind "wrapping" is EASY - it's all tissue paper and bags! No skills necessary! Thanks for considering, and CLICK link below!
KIDS ONLY HOLIDAY SHOP
(Friends, in the weeks and months ahead we'll be making you aware of some of the great music & events at Studio 5 - the creative dance, music, and theater venue our new Music Director Steve Rashid operates with his wife, Bea - pronounced Bay-uh - in Evanston.
Click HERE for more info!)