Trees background
Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Plymouth Harbor Cookies & Carols Dec. 20
Christmas Eve Dec. 24
Christmas Office Hours
Plymouth Harbor Holiday Hours
Sunday Childcare
Children's Sunday School
Youth
Practical Theology
Sacred Journeys
Carols & Blessings: Sun Dec 29
Fellowship of the Grape: Jan. 4
Updated Treasurer's Report
Gift of Stock
Media Sale Jan. 26-Feb 2
Montclair Elem. School
Toco Hills Food Pantry
Name Tags
PH: Hospitality Volunteers Needed
PH: Substitute Dish Washers Needed
PH: Desserts Needed
Thank You
Back Bay Mission Trip
 
Phone

Office Phone: 
404-633-4505

24-hour Pastoral Care:

              678-672-7637


Email Links



Senior Minister

Associate Minister

Older Adult Day Program
Central Social Media
 
Like us on Facebook
 
Follow us on Twitter

Table Talk on Facebook: 
Like us on Facebook

Senior Minister's
Social Media 

Like me on Facebook 
Follow me on Twitter

United Church of Christ 






Sunday, December 22, 2013
Fourth Sunday of Advent: 
Light of Love

LECTIONARY READINGS (Click to read them)
FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 1:18-25 (click here to read)
Rev. Michael, preaching
 

WORSHIP NOTES

For the last several weeks, we have rekindled the candles of Advent:  Hope, Peace and Joy.  Our final light of the circle is Love; it is not a candle of sentimentality--it is a fierce flame.  It is the passion of heaven that we find in the manger; a fire and light that yearn to transform us. 

 

While I usually keep the segments of my sermons a tightly held secret until I deliver them as a whole, I want you to have the opportunity to be perhaps warned or invited into a story I will be using this Sunday.  It is a piece I (and maybe you) heard on NPR on Saturday morning; I had to stop the car to listen and weep.  It was an interview with a mother on the first anniversary of the death of her 6 year-old girl in Newtown.  It was one of the most powerful witnesses of the Lights of Advent I have ever heard. You can read or listen to the NPR segment, " A Grieving Newtown Mother's Moto: 'Love Wins,'" by clicking here.

 

After you listen, ask yourself what you are doing on Christmas Eve:  what do those little lights symbolize to you?  What is the message from the manger?

  

PASTORAL UPDATE 

As many of you already know, Kelly Gissendaner, the woman on GA's death row that we have been praying for for years, got some bad news on November 19: her appeal to the 11th Circuit Court was turned down.  So the appeal process continues as we all hold her and her family in our continuing prayers.

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.

 

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.
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

Dec. 22, 2013

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)

Dec 29 & Jan 5

No Children's Sunday School

Youth Worship and Gathering

December 22 - 9:30 Youth Worship (Room 102)

December 29, January 5 - No Youth Activities
 
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 22              

Lesson: Chapter 9,  "Performing Awakening

Leader:  Bill O'Steen

Devotional: Mary Ellen Myers            

 

Sunday, December 29

Lesson:  Summary and wrap-up of the Diana Butler Bass book


Questions? Contact George and Jackie
Ongoing Sunday Gathering
Sacred Journeys

Sundays, 9:30 to 10:50 AM

Fellowship Hall, Steinhaus Library

 No Gathering on December 22 or 29. See you next year!

 

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. 

A SERVICE OF CAROLS & BLESSINGS
Sunday, Dec 29 (8:30am & 11:00am)
 
On the first "Sunday after Christmas," tucked between the darkness and light of Christmas Eve and the shining star of Epiphany, on the cusp of a New Year, Central will have a special service of Carols & Blessings. Rev. Michael will lead a service with Gregg Tomlinson with elements of an "Agape Meal" and a "Watch Night" service.  We will share in the singing of carols, the eating of sweetbread, and be invited to give and receive blessings. 
 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 who 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, 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!

Opportunities to Share
Treasurer's Report: Updated

A few account highlights:

  • The balance sheet shows total bank accounts of $136,137.  
  • Total endowments accounts are $632,018.  
  • Ministry for children and youth has $17,147.  
  • Music fund has $17,571.  
  • The Preschool 2012/2013 fund has $31,227 and is being used for $1,142 each month for the operating budget (OCWM support) and $1,371.15 each month for principal and interest payment on the capital debt which as of November 30, 2013 was at $126,627.  
  • The Preschool 2013/2014 fund has $20,070 and is increasing at $4,000 per month.

November was the best month of this fiscal year, so far, with a net surplus for the month of $15,552.  

  • General income for July-November was $224,128, which is somewhat less than the expected $245,762.  
  • Pledge income was $149,447 compared to the expected $166,667.  
  • Total expenses were $257,996 compared to the expected $245,762.  
  • Therefore, we still have a $33,869 deficit for the first five months, even though we did have a positive balance for the month of November.  

The graph here illustrates how our income and expenses compare to our budget projections for this five-month period.

2013 July - Nov Report

We are hopeful that an improved financial performance during this Holiday season and the end of the calendar year will largely erase the deficit.  

 

Please continue your generous support.  If you have any questions, please contact Ronald Joyner (click here to send an email).

 

Gifts of Stock to Central

 

The stock market has been up significantly in 2013 and the increased value makes stocks an ideal gift. If you have stocks that you have owned for at least a year and they have gone up in value, did you know that you can transfer the ownership of appreciated stocks to Central and bypass paying the capital gains tax on the increase in value?

 

If you itemize on your tax return, you will also receive a charitable deduction for the value of the stocks on the day ownership was transferred. And when Central sells the stocks, no tax is due for Central is a not for profit entity.

 

If you are interested in stock gifts to Central, contact John Moore


 

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.

 

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 [email protected]

 

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. 

 

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.
Thanksgiving Thank You
On Thanksgiving Sunday, including a generous gift from the Women's Fellowship, you donated $925 for Montclair Elementary School.  We are exploring the means to get food for the families for the weekends.  Thank you for supporting the children at MES and Mission & Action.

 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..