Hi Friends,
Kids and Youth, thank you for your beautiful and inspiring participation in worship at the Carol Service! You worked so hard leading up to last Sunday, and we thank God for your leadership and presence in our church. Thanks to the parents for bringing your kids to extra rehearsals. It was an absolute joy to sing and celebrate Christmas with your kids!
This week we will light the Advent candle for love. I have learned so much about love from this community and the ways you care for one another. May we grow in our understanding and willingness to love well as we reflect on God's love this Christmas. (And if you love poetry, you might enjoy this poem about experiencing love in the simple light of a Christmas tree.)
Welcome, Baby Young!
We are so excited to share that Brian and Jen welcomed Janie Emmalyn Young into the world on Monday, December 12th. Mom and baby are doing well, and they are hoping to head home today. Brian’s mom is in town to help until next week, so we have a meal train set up for when she leaves. You can sign up to provide a meal using the link below. Thanks for your prayers as they bring Janie home and for Elliot as he adjusts to having a baby sister. We rejoice and give thanks for this precious blessing and newest part of our church family!
Christmas Services
We will have our annual Christmas Eve service in the chapel at 6:00 PM this Saturday. Families with kids are welcome, and we will open up the doors between the chapel and parlor if any families need more space to worship that evening. On Christmas Day we will have regular nursery childcare for our 10:30 AM worship service, but nursery kids are also welcome to join us in the sanctuary. Our older kids are invited to be in worship that morning. Pastor Mary is planning a yummy Christmas treat for families with kids to eat before service if you would like to come a little early!
SUNDAY
KIDS
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:55 AM for those whose parents are attending a Sunday School class.
Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship, and then they will be dismissed with their leaders to their classrooms. They are welcome to start service with their parents or to join Pastor Mary and me in the front pews. This week we will continue to explore the season of Advent and make some decorations to remind us of God's hope, peace, joy, and love. Here are some questions to ponder together as a family.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
What part of the Christmas story stands out most to you this year?
What are you wondering as you think about the birth of Christ and all the people involved in his birth?
YOUTH
We are on for our youth programming after worship this Sunday, and this week is the youth Christmas party edition! They can gather in the front pews after service ends, and then we’ll have a fun time of lunch and Christmas joy. We’ll wrap up at 1:30 PM, and parents can pick up their youth at the park entrance off Union Street.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families.
So much love and gratitude for you,
Pastor Lindsay