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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Baroi Baby Shower Dec. 15
Children's Sunday School
Youth
Practical Theology
Sacred Journeys
Montclair Elem. School
Toco Hills Food Pantry
Name Tags
Stamps Save Lives
Christmas Office Hours
Plymouth Harbor Holiday Hours
PH: Hospitality Volunteers Needed
PH: Substitute Dish Washers Needed
PH: Desserts Needed
Media Sale Jan. 26-Feb 2
Back Bay Mission Trip
 
Phone

Office Phone: 
404-633-4505

24-hour Pastoral Care:
              678-672-7637

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United Church of Christ 






Sunday, December 15, 2013
Third Sunday of Advent: 
Light of Joy

LECTIONARY READINGS (Click to read them)
FOCUS TEXT: Luke 1:46-55 (click here to read)
Rev. Michael, preaching
 

WORSHIP NOTES

"Ubuntu," is often translated as "I am because we are."  It's rooted in the fundamental interconnectedness of all of us to each other.

 

The story goes that an anthropologist proposed a game to the kids in an African village:  he put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that whoever got there first could feast on the fruit.  When he told them to run, they all took each other's hands and ran to the tree together and enjoyed the sweet treats.  When the anthropologist enquired about why they ran as a group when the fastest could have had all the fruit, they replied:  "Ubuntu, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?"

 

After Gabriel visits Mary, she quickly goes to visit her older cousin, Elizabeth, and sings a song of anticipation:  God is lifting up the lowly and filling the hungry with good things.  In a time of occupation and oppression, in a culture where women are treated mostly as property, a peasant girl becomes a prophet who proclaims the reversal of the social order.  She invites us to take the hand of the "other" and run to the tree where the fruit waits.

 

"Mother Mary" and Nelson Mandela sang similar songs; on the Sunday we light the candle of Joy, we should consider singing and running with them. 
LENA'S PLACE
Saturday, December 14: 8:00-10:00pm
 Winter is here and our last show of 2013, and indeed, our last show of our 29th year, is fast approaching. This Saturday, December 14th, we have another awesome lineup with 2 great performing groups! One Lane Bridge featuring Celia McDermott, Cameron Morrison Kane, and Mike Cerra, and Blackfoot Daisy!

As always, we showcase incredible musicians in an intimate, listening room environment, and also fund charitable outreach to the local community, this month is Interfaith Children's Ministry. We appreciate your support of the music and the mission, and encourage you to tell your friends and family!

 BAROI BABY SHOWER: 

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2:00 to 4:00pm

Marion Crabb and Ginnie Ferrell are inviting the women of the church to Gitanjali Baroi's Baby Shower at the home of Marion and Jim Crabb. If you are interested in joining with others in some larger gifts (baby seats and a crib), please contact Geneva Benoit . Please RSVP to Marion Crabb,

if you would like to join us for the baby shower.   

TABLE TALK: Tuesday, Dec 17 (6:30 to 8:30pm)

Table Talk is a monthly gathering, hosted at the gracious dining table of Joan and Bill Harrison and facilitated by Rev. Michael. Folk come and go as they are able and no advance reading is required. Please bring a dish to share, if you are able, but there is always a gracious plenty of food. This month, of course, we will discuss our traditions and new theologies around the seasonal stories. For more info, contact Michael.

 
RETIRED MEN'S BREAKFAST
Wednesday, December 18

Come to Central at 9:00 a.m. for the Retired Men's Breakfast on Wednesday, December 18. Enjoy a continental breakfast, fellowship and a short, informative program.

PLYMOUTH HARBOR COOKIES & CAROLS: Fri, Dec 20 (1:30 to 3:00pm)

Everyone is invited to join the staff, volunteers and participates of Plymouth Harbor as we sing carols and share homemade cookies and punch

 

CHRISTMAS EVE: 

Tuesday, December 24, 

5:00pm, 7:00pm & 11:00pm

Lessons and Carols 

with Communion & Candlelight

 

Again this year, Central will have three worship services on Christmas Eve; however, please note the schedule change between the 7:00 & 11:00 service.  All three services are a Service of Lessons and Carols with Communion and Candlelight; each also has its own distinctiveness:

 

5:00pm:  "Come to the Creche:" a service specifically designed to be accessible to children.  Children AND adults are invited to come in a costume from the Christmas Eve story (costumes will also be available in the narthex). During the story, we will populate our manger on the chancel.

 

7:00pm: special music featuring Central's choir.


11:00pm: special music featuring solos and ensembles.

 
Children & Youth

Childcare on Sunday Mornings

Infant and Toddler Care is available every Sunday from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM. Childcare is available (Room 201, 202) for infants to 1st Graders during both worship services.

9:30-10:50 AM  

Children's Sunday School

3 & 4 year olds: Sunday school (Rm 205) 

K to 2nd Grade: Godly Play (Rm 207)

 3rd to 5th Grades: 9:30-9:45 AM Music (Rm 209)  9:50-10:50 AM Godly Play (Rm 208)
Youth Activities 

REGIONAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP- Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6:00 to 9:30pm

We will be having a white elephant gift exchange party at Kirkwood UCC.  Meet at the church at 6:00pm and we will be back by 9:30pm.  Bring a silly gift and five dollars to contribute toward the cost of food. Scholarships are available upon request.

 

YOUTH WORSHIP AND GATHERING,

Sunday, December 15, 9:30 (Rooms 102, 103)


Questions? Please contact our Youth Director, Lacey Brown. 

 

We need of occasional volunteers to help Sunday mornings with youth worship.
Questions?  
Please contact Youth Minister Lacey Brown.
Ongoing Sunday Gathering 

Practical Theology:  

A Just Peace Covenant Community

Sundays, 9:30 to 10:45 AM 

Room 206, Education Wing 

 

The Practical Theology class (Room 206) studies, explores and takes action on Current issues.  The class shares leadership and begins each class with "How was your week?" sharing time and a devotional.  New members are always welcome.

 

Current STUDY:  CHRISTIANITY AFTER RELIGION:  The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening

by Diana Butler Bass.

 

Sunday, December 15

 Lesson:    Part III - Awakening

 Chapter 8, "Great Awakening

 

Sunday, December 22

 Lesson: Chapter 9, "Performing Awakening"

 

 

Questions? Contact George and Jackie
Ongoing Sunday Gathering
Sacred Journeys

Sundays, 9:30 to 10:50 AM

Fellowship Hall, Steinhaus Library

 

Each week this group explores how spirit guides our personal journeys, and we gain new insights by listening to each other.  It is a sacred hour +, from 9:30 to about 10:50, where the discussion might be inspired one week by a poem, another by an excerpt from a book, a film clip, or an audio tape.  You do not need to read or prepare in advance, and you can join this class from time to time, whenever you wish.  Sacred Journeys is wide open.  We close the door to create a quiet space but you are welcome to open it and come on in. Get to know new people at Central or revisit old friends and explore how the spiritual intertwines with the personal for you.   This week we will celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela.
Opportunities to Share

You, Mission & Action and Montclair Elementary School

 

Between Central and Buford Highway there is an elementary school of about 1200 students with 90% of those students receiving a free or reduced price lunch as well as breakfast at school. It's time to move from studying hunger and poverty to some actions in our own little corner of the world where hunger is evident. Montclair Elementary School is where we would like to begin. We are in the planning stages. Check out the sign up lists out in the Commons!

 

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:

You, Mission & Action  

and Montclair Elementary School

We continue to collect winter coats, school supplies and monetary donations for future projects for Montclair Elementary School. 

This Fall, so far, we have given:

  • 73 light and heavy winter jackets, hoodies and sweaters
  • Over 150 hats
  • 24 pair gloves
  • 4 scarves
  • 1 pair boots
  • Assorted clothing
  • 1 blanket
  • 2 backpacks
  • Large box of school supplies plus more
  • 15 Thanksgiving "baskets"
  • 15 Christmas "baskets"
Thank you Central for your wonderful generosity!
Toco Hills Community Alliance Needs You!!

THCA is looking for people to volunteer, two afternoons a month, from 12:15 -4pm.  For more information, contact Mary-Louise Wilson  at marylouisew1@aol.com

 

We are in desperate need of plastic grocery bags for client food assistance.   Please drop off your plastic bags in the receptacle in the narthex marked "THCA BAGS".  Thank you.

NAME TAGS

If you need a name tag please email our office manager, Charlotte.  Please note we print name tags six at a time, there may be a brief waiting period. 

 
  STAMPS SAVE LIVES!

 

For some years Central folk have been saving their canceled stamps which go to Church Women United, Atlanta Unit, for sale to a local stamp dealer and then proceeds are donated to the Hunger Project of Church World Service.   PLEASE save all your canceled stamps -- and cut (or carefully tear) at least a quarter of an inch margin around each - for this worthy, ongoing project.  A bin for the stamps is located on the shelf in the Commons clothes closet.   See Joyce Myers-Brown for more information.

 
Central's Office Holiday Hours
Closing early on Tuesday, December 24th.
 
Wednesday, December 25th    Closed
Thursday, December 26th         Closed
Friday, December 27th              Closed
Wednesday, January 1              Closed

 
Plymouth Harbor Holiday Hours

December:  Plymouth Harbor will be CLOSED on December 24, 26, 27 & 31.

January:  Plymouth Harbor will be OPEN and back to our regular schedule starting January 2, 2014.

For Plymouth Harbor:

Hospitality Volunteers Needed 

 

Plymouth Harbor needs volunteers to sit by the entrance doors and welcome the participants and their families on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Most people arrive between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, making this very appreciated contribution an easy morning. Please contact Kay  if you are interested.
For Plymouth Harbor:
Substitute Dish Washers Needed

Plymouth Harbor, the adult day care program held here on Central's campus, is looking for substitute dish washers on an 'as needed' basis.  If you are interested in being put on the call list please email Kay Coppage.
For Plymouth Harbor:
Donate Desserts

Left over brownies?  Sale at the bakery?  Plymouth Harbor would happily accept dessert donations on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Please feel free to drop them off ahead off time or on the day of, place them in the fridge and label them 'For Plymouth Harbor' with the date.  Donations greatly appreciated.
 FELLOWSHIP OF THE GRAPE: Saturday, January 4
 

Central's FOG (Fellowship of the Grape) will gather Saturday, January 4th at 7pm at the home of Lee & Warren Culpepper, recent new members will host FOG for the first time.  Lee & Warren have selected Italian Wines as their theme.     Bring a bottle of wine that pairs well with hearty foods of this season also please also bring an appetizer, dessert or snack to share.  For those not familiar with FOG, attending is of the best ways to meet Central's members and visitors of all ages and stages of life in a casual setting.  The tastings are not formal, just informative.  You don't have to be a church member to attend and all are welcome!  Event Details: January 4th 2014, 7:00pm.  RSVP to hosts Warren and Lee Culpepper . If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this group, contact coordinator  Robin Lee Fitch.  We look forward to seeing you at FOG!

ANNUAL MEDIA SALE

January 26-February 2, 2014

Our annual Media Sale is January 26 through February 2. We are currently accepting donations of books, movies, games, DVD's, and other media. Please bring them to the church office. All proceeds will benefit youth missions. Please contact Lacey Brown Lacey Brown with any questions.

 

 Our Back Bay Mission Trip

 

September 21 - 27, 2014 is our scheduled mission trip to Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. We will be participating in the Housing Recovery/Work Camping. 

 

Taken from the BBM website on Housing Recovery/Work Camping:

 

"This program is one of Back Bay Mission's trademarks within the United Church of Christ. Back Bay Mission has developed a highly successful style of work camping based on experiential learning. While the "work" in work camping has become more intense and the term "housing recovery" more appropriate since Hurricane Katrina, BBM's model of work camping is more in demand than ever. It places equal emphasis on  productivity (home rehabilitation or construction) and learning, using an action-reflection model. This powerful method helps people internalize their learning at the same time they build cohesive caring groups.

 

From serving approximately 20 work teams per year, the program has grown to hosting 40 teams as the Mission, along with many other organizations, responds to the overwhelming need for housing restoration. Work teams perform a wide range of tasks - from mold abatement to roofing to installing drywall to electrical and plumbing work. When the Mission selects a home to restore, it commits to completing the project. The effort frequently requires many weeks of work by several different work teams.

 

Grants from the city of Biloxi, the United Church of Christ, individual congregations and some corporations for home restoration have helped the Mission give back houses, at no cost, to homeowners who lack the financial resources to complete the projects on their own."

 

If you wish to be a work camper in September, please let Jean Haller or Bill O'Steen know of your interest..