Hi Friends,
Gavin, Brody, and I are waiting for our baby girl to arrive any day now, and we are so thankful that she will grow up in this special community at FBCP! We will keep you posted and can't wait to introduce her to our village. In my absence, Pastor Mary will be overseeing Children's Ministry and Pastor Chip along with Grace and Grant Goodman will be overseeing the Youth Ministry. I'm so grateful they are in such great hands!
There are some important dates and events coming up, so read on for all the details and let us know if you have any questions.
Adult Advent Sunday School
During the four Sundays of Advent, there will be one adult Sunday School offering taught by Rene Scheys and John Jay. The class will center on theology and the poetry of Mary Oliver, and it will correspond to a devotional we'll share with the church at large. If you are planning to attend that class, please click here to sign up as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly for childcare . Thanks so much!
Kids
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open at 8:50 AM for parents who are attending our Advent Sunday School class and then for our regular worship hour. Parents can enter the building through the park gate on Union Street or from the courtyard by the sanctuary.
Our kids five to ten years old can join us in the park for a time of learning and playing together. For any parents who plan to attend our adult Sunday School class, we will make sure we are ready to receive kids at 8:50 AM. Parents can enter from the Union Street gate to sign their kids in and can reunite with their kids in the park after worship. Pastor Mary and our team will be ready for a fun morning together. This week we will begin a new focus for the four weeks of Advent, and our theme is "Looking for Light." We can't wait to anticipate Jesus' birth together and to be the light in the darkness.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
Why does John describe Jesus as the light?
What are some ways that we can shine the light of God's love?
Children's Choir
For the Candlelight Carol Service, our kids five years old and up will be singing two songs. Cynthia will be teaching the kids the songs during their regular Sunday morning programming. You can encourage your child to practice using these listening tracks: Do You Hear What I Hear? and Go Tell It On the Mountain. Here is a lyric sheet for your reference. Please note the following dates and times:
Saturday, December 11th: Dress Rehearsal 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM The kids will get fitted for their costumes for the Carol service, practice singing in the sanctuary, and run through the live nativity. We will provide some snacks. Please bring your child to the Chapel for drop off and pick up.
Sunday, December 12th: Candlelight Carol Service - Arrive by 5:30 PM Kids will sing one song in their regular clothing (this is a chance to wear their favorite Christmas outfit!), and then they will change into their nativity costume. For kids who will be angels, we recommend bringing light-colored clothing that can easily be worn underneath. Any shoes are fine. Please bring your child to the chapel no later than 5:30 PM so that we can run through the songs one more time and get kids into place before the service starts at 6:00 PM. We will provide some snacks, too.
Youth
This Sunday the youth will be gathering for their usual time of lunch and fellowship. We'll be following the scripture from worship service as we reflect on the season of Advent together. We'll wrap up by 1:30 PM, and parents can pick up their kids in the park.
Youth Participation in the Carol Service
The youth do not have any singing or speaking parts to prepare, but we hope they will be part of our live nativity in the service. They will also be invited to help light candles right before the service starts that evening during the prelude. Please note the following dates and times for rehearsal and the event:
Saturday, December 11th: Dress Rehearsal 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM The youth will get fitted for their costumes for the Carol service and run through the live nativity. We will provide some snacks. Please bring your youth to the Chapel for drop off and pick up.
Sunday, December 12th: Candlelight Carol Service - Arrive by 5:30 PM Please bring your youth to the chapel no later than 5:30 PM so that we can run through logistics one last time and send them to light candles just before the service starts. We will provide some snacks, too.
Have a wonderful week!
With love and gratitude for you,
Pastor Lindsay