SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

DECEMBER 10, 2023

HYMNS

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

"With Joy Draw Water"

"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear"

"Advent Promise"

"Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"

December 8, 2023

Dear Congregation,

This Sunday the purple Advent candle of PEACE will be lit by Joan

Campagna and Graham Bryan. We certainly long for peace, so very

aware of the lack of peace in our world today. The daily news shares in

detail the horrors of war in Israel and Gaza, Ukraine, and other

countries. Yet another mass shooting has just occurred, this time at the

University of Nevada. Domestic violence deaths and shootings in Miami

and nearby communities shatter lives.

And so, we remember that last Sunday we began Advent with Judy and

Wally Carlson lighting the first Advent candle of HOPE. We are called to

be people of hope, not to give up on the belief that peace IS possible.

We are called to recognize the reality that for there to be peace there

must be justice. Remember the slogan “No justice, no peace; Know

justice, Know Peace.” We must do what we can, as individuals and as a

church to work for that justice in Advent and always.

Please join me in this prayer. God, Creator of perfect peace, open our

hearts and minds to the potential of peace in our time. Give us the

dreams and visions that will move us and those around us toward

peace. Fill us with the energy and resolve to make a difference in our

world to those near and far. Amen.

I hope you are in worship Sunday, in person or on Facebook, for the

lighting of the Peace candle as we pray together for Peace.

In the Peace of Christ.

Pastor Candy

“Into the Darkest Hour” by Madelyn L’Engle

It was a time like this,

War & tumult of war,

a horror in the air.

Hungry yawned the abyss-

and yet there came the star

and the child most wonderfully there.

It was time like this

of fear & lust for power,

license & greed and blight-

and yet the Prince of bliss

came into the darkest hour

in quiet & silent light.

And in a time like this

how celebrate his birth

when all things fall apart?

Ah! Wonderful it is

with no room on the earth

the stable is our heart.

ORDERS FOR POINSETTIAS

Orders may be placed with Cindy Ketzle beginning Dec. 3rd for $10 each and they will decorate the Sanctuary from Sunday, December 17th through Christmas Eve and may be taken home after that service on December 24th.

Bianca's You Better Bee-lieve It Corner

Capturing the Spirit of Christmas! 

This Christmas, our outreach efforts continue as we extend a hand to those in need. We're honored to announce our support for three families from SOS, each receiving $100 to assist them during this holiday season. Additionally, we're thrilled to include Daniel's two Guardian Ad Litem boys in our giving, providing each with $75 Christmas gift cards and their families will also be getting $50 gift cards. This initiative reflects our commitment to embodying the spirit of generosity and care, ensuring that these families and children experience the warmth and joy of the holiday season. It's through acts of kindness like these that we hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve, spreading the love and goodwill of this festive time.

Bottle Caps and Pop Tops!

🎨 Join us on December 10th at 1:30 pm for a delightful arts and crafts event where we'll be turning collected bottle caps into beautiful ornaments! This event promises creative fun for all ages, especially kids! Your donated caps will be transformed into holiday decorations! This will be one more step towards being a GREEN church! 

Moreover, we're also collecting pop tops for a special cause. These pop tops will be donated to support the Ronald McDonald Program, aiding children and families in need. Wondering how your pop tops can make a difference? According to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, these tabs are recycled for dollars that directly support the children and families they serve in their Houses. By contributing, you're playing a part in providing crucial assistance to those in our community who need it most. Let's make this season a time of joy, creativity, and giving!

Join us and be a part of this wonderful initiative—where every pop top collected brings smiles and support to those in our community who can use it most.

Find Us, Like us, Follow Us, and Share Us

on Social Media!

Facebook: Christ Congregational United Church of Christ

Twitter/X: @CCC_UCC

TikTok: @CCC_UCC

YouTube: ChristCongregational-UCC

Instagram: @christcongregationalucc

REMEMBERED IN OUR CONTINUING PRAYERS

Joan Hansen, Maggie McDowell, Carol McCreary, the family and friends of Mary Ellen Prather, Mary and Frank Tirb, Bradley Everhardt, Julio Balcells, Jessica Nodarse, Mark, Julie Henkel, Merly Alonso, Bianca and Nina Sarmento and the friends and family of J.J Newby Ketzle and Sarah Wiley, Stone Coram and the family and friends of Brenda Best, Aberas Jober and Leslie Perichak, Paul LeGrand and Cathryn Tagmeyer, Briane Garrison and Theresa Grambell, Vincent Andrews and family, Rodger and Esther and Carol and sons, Brad and Amelia's cousin Dan, Ed Kretchmer, Judith Mekitemba. and Kathy Kirsch.



For Pastoral Care Needs, please call Pastor Candy directly at 925-640-9289 or you may call and leave a message with the Church Office, 305-235-9381.

* In celebration of our member emeritus, Lucille Campbell's 100th birthday, we are asking members to send birthday greeting cards to:

Lucille Campbell

709 East Ridge Village Drive

Cutler Bay, FL. 33157

Congratulations Isabel Esther Lane Fonseca!

She will be graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University on Saturday, December 16th, with a Bachelors of Science Major: Interdisciplinary Studies and Minor in Biology.

Isabel is the daughter of the Rev. David and Mrs. Anna Lane, and the wife of Juan Fonseca.

REGISTER TODAY!

The We Can Sail Program focuses on “Kids Helping Kids.” High school mentors are paired with children with disabilities for a day of fun out on the water where children can make friends and memories by going kayaking, sailing and power boating.

* Although the flyer says Dec 2nd, registration is ongoing  since the program runs through the school year.

Middle East Conflict

The war in Israel/Palestine declared on October 7, has claimed thousands of lives, and tens of thousands of people have been injured. Approximately one million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, still within Gaza, as there is nowhere to go. Half are in emergency shelters set up by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). It is increasingly difficult for Gazan Palestinians to find safe space, as even hospitals and a church have sustained damage, killing and injuring hundreds of people. Food, water, fuel, and electricity have been cut off, and supplies are running out. 

Convoys of trucks carrying humanitarian relief await the opportunity to bring much-needed relief into Gaza from Egypt, but the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has been damaged by rocket strikes. Other entrances, controlled by Israel, remain closed and the threat of an Israeli ground invasion threatens more lives and livelihoods in the coming days and weeks.

With ecumenical partners, the UCC has offered a public witness that has been unequivocal:

— Condemnation of the violence of Hamas and Israel’s use of force against Palestinians in Gaza

— A call for a cease-fire

— The allowance of the provision of humanitarian aid for Palestinians and an end to collective punishment

— The guarantee of and respect for safe spaces for people to find shelter

— Support for robust diplomatic efforts to resolve the core issues

The UCC is learning from Palestinian Christian partners how they are attempting to respond to the needs of the people of Gaza, even amid steady bombardments.

— In times of calm, the Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) operates medical clinics and trauma therapy classes in Gaza.

— Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, an Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem institution, normally offers a critical and courageous ministry of health care provision (often free of charge) in the most trying circumstances. It has sustained damage in two incidents in the first week and a half. Yet, staff remain committed to their calling to provide care and hope, “delivered in a spirit of love and service.” 

— Other partners, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, the YMCA of East Jerusalem, and the YWCA of Palestine, are preparing to respond to the needs of Palestinians.

— These partners and others, bilaterally and through ACT Alliance, are preparing to address immediate and longer-term responses such as food and nutrition needs, physical and psychosocial health care, shelter and rehabilitation, and direct assistance.

Frequent updates are posted here.

“The work of our partners in Palestine, and specifically in Gaza, is inspiring, especially as they cope with conditions and access that are extremely limited. Having visited Gaza, I know the dedication and commitment of our partners’ staffs to serve the whole community and offer a witness of care and service. We mourn the loss of life and pray for the end to violence,” said Peter Makari, who currently serves as Transitional Executive for Wider Church Ministries, and Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe in Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ. “We must walk in solidarity with them in this time of war, accompanying them now and in the future as the impact of this war will be lasting.”

Please advocate for a cease-fire, access for humanitarian assistance, and for the core issues to be addressed.

At the same time, we invite your financial support to undergird the work of our partners with whom we have had a long-standing relationship. Your gifts will make an impact and a difference on those suffering so greatly during these days of lamentation and suffering.

The two actions go hand-in-hand. Thank you for your generosity.

You can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194.

Please be sure to note “Middle East Support” in your check's memo section.

ACTION ITEMS:

• Call on Members of Congress to support ceasefire, restraint, de-escalation of violence and protection of civilian life in Israel/Palestine.

Contact Your Legislators

• Register to pray for Peace in the Middle East.

Register Here

• Read the letter that was sent to congress.

Read letter

*** Voter's Registration***

Voter registration has started on September 17th. Please be sure to verify your registration and if you are not registered please get registered.

Registration and Verification can be done by clicking the image below:

Global Ministries offers a weekly prayer for one of our global mission partners. This week's prayer is with Dominican Republic. To read their mission moment, please click the Global Ministries IMAGE. Below is this week's prayer, united we pray.

Prayer for Children

Lord God, who is Father and Mother, I thank you, I bless you, I praise and glorify you for having taken me by the hand to tread a difficult path and make a “Walking” [1] Institution flourish amid aridity to free so many children from sin and the evil of adults.

We thank you for being our strength, light, and guide to continue the path of justice, solidarity, and peace.

We thank you for so many protective, supportive, and beneficent people, without whom it would not have been possible to do what we have done.

Lord Jesus, help us in a way that our voices never be silenced to denounce injustices, abuses, and violations of the rights of Haitian children and migrants.

Good God, give us the strength to remain firm, paving the way so that each child who comes to Caminante finds dignified treatment as a person subject to rights.

We ask you, Lord, for the unaccompanied Haitian children, those who are on the move with their families, afraid of being deported.

Holy Spirit, enlighten the decision-makers of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other countries at war to resolve the problems between these countries so impoverished people have food, health, education, and peace.