Sermon: “Pictures”
Scripture: Luke 3:7-18; Philippians 4:4-7
Join us for Worship at 10:30 a.m., and for coffee and fellowship after the service. All are welcome!
Help Deck the Halls!
It’s time to decorate the church for Christmas. After some coffee and conversation on December 13th, lend a hand (or two) to help us set up Christmas decorations in the church sanctuary and foyer. We have some decorations stored away, but we would invite you to bring anything you think would help “spruce” it up. We will play Christmas carols over the sound system!
Poinsettias
Please remember to bring your poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for the fourth Sunday of Advent (next Sunday, the 20th) and for our Christmas Eve service on the 24th.
Bringing Christmas to local families
For several years, CHPC has partnered with the Riverside (Somerville) Early Head Start to sponsor families for Christmas, purchasing presents for them. This year we will be once again helping two families and their children to experience a happy Christmas. Starting on November 22nd, please look for the mini-tree in the back of the sanctuary and choose one or more slips of paper with gift requests/suggestions. The gifts do not need to be wrapped, but they must be NEW. If possible, gift receipts should be enclosed with the gifts. Gift cards would also be welcomed, either for the items listed, or for local grocery stores. Please return your gifts no later than Sunday, December 20th. Please be sure to attach the tag to the item so that we know who it is for. We will collect the gifts at church and have a wrapping party during coffee hour on December 20th. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Rachel Huggins (rachelh8@vt.edu ). Thank you!
Christmas Joy Offering
On Sunday, December 20th, we will be collecting the Christmas Joy Offering. The theme for this year is: A Season of Faith. A Gift of Promise. The text is from Hebrews 10:23 – “For God who has promised is faithful.” God promised salvation – a promise kept with the birth of Jesus. The Christmas Joy Offering honors that promise with two faithful commitments: supporting church workers through assistance in their time of need and developing and educating racial ethnic leadership for the future of the church. But we can only keep these promises with your generosity. Please give as generously as you are able. You will hear more about how your gifts help others during the Mission Focus on the Sundays leading up to December 20th.
Christmas Eve Service
Please plan to join us on Thursday, December 24th at 4:00 p.m. for our Christmas Eve Service. Childcare will be available, and we invite you to join us for cookies, beverages, and fellowship in the Nave Gallery (next door to the sanctuary) right after the service. The gallery Wrap Around Sale will still be set up, so you will even have a chance to do some last minute Christmas shopping! (All proceeds from the sale benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition.)
Singers!
Did you ever wonder about being a part of the choir? We practice 3 songs, from 9:30 till 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. All skill levels are welcome. If you are running a little late that’s not a worry; we should still have plenty of time before the service starts. Advent is a great time of year for music! Stop in before some service and be part of choir. Let’s all get ready and enjoy this wonderful season that will soon be upon us.
Pastor Allen Regular Office Hours
He will be in the church office during the following times unless called away:
Mondays and Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
1st and 3rd Monday evenings: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday afternoons: 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Rev. Fairfax is generally available for pastoral concerns or other church business at most other times as well, so don’t hesitate to contact him outside of these office hours.
Please drop by the church or contact him: 508-801-7294 (cell)/617-625-4823 (office), pastor@clarendonhillchurch.org.
– – – Upcoming Events – – –
CHPC Bible Study
Bible study meets at Porter Square Panera Bread every other Wednesday. For details on dates, time, place, and more information, please contact Kevin. (kevin.sungwon@gmail.com)
CHPC Fellowship: Christmas Caroling
Our December fellowship event will be caroling, on Sunday, December 13th, after coffee hour. We will visit local members and friends, and warm up with some hot chocolate afterwards!
– – – Deacons News – – –
Prayer Request Email
The Deacons are in the process of setting up an online prayer request list. This will be a closed group (to insure privacy.) If you would like to be a member of the group so that you can ask for prayers, and have others pray for you, please send an email to Ellen (ellends1313@gmail.com). Once we have everything set up, we will share information about the group with the congregation, so that others can join.
