HANGING OF THE GREENS

Saturday, December 6, 3:00pm to 5:00

 The Deacons invite you to join them in the Hanging of the Greens from 3:00 to 5:00.  We will be hanging garland and wreaths and decorating the Chrismon tree while sipping hot chocolate and munching on donuts and other treats.

DECEMBER FOG 

Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:00pm

Paula and Erik Emde will host December Fellowship of the Grape (FOG) Saturday, December 6th 7pm. Paula and Erik have chosen Malbec, from any state or region (U.S: California, Oregon, Washington State, etc; Argentina; Chile; France; etc.) as their selection for the month.     Any and all  appetizers or dishes, desserts or snacks to share that will pair with Malbec wines will be appreciated.  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: December 6th 2014 at 7:00pm.  RSVP to hosts Paula.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list for FOG, contact coordinator Robin Lee Fitch at Robin Lee Fitch.  We look forward to seeing you at FOG.

 Poinsettias & Advent Mission Project: Order due Mon, Dec 8

On December 14, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the sanctuary will be decorated with poinsettias given in memory or in honor of family members and friends. This year's Advent Mission Project will go toward the maintenance of our church bus. The bus is an integral part of our various out-reach activities including our prison ministry, summer mission projects, and monthly youth events. To purchase a poinsettia and/or make a donation toward the Advent Mission Project, please complete this form and return with your check (payable to Central Congregational UCC), no later than Monday, December 8. An acknowledgement will be placed in the bulletin on the 4th Sunday of Advent.

Conversations about Jesus 

On Sundays through November,  

9:30 AM, Window Room 2, Fellowship Hall 

Ordering DVDs.

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. We close the door to create a quiet space but you are welcome to come in.

Godly Play, 3rd - 5th Grades

9:30am to 11:00am 

The 3rd to 5th Grade Sunday School will be exploring the New Testament all year. We will still hear the stories as in Godly Play then we will have time for art, exploration or even discussion. Sometimes our activities will be from a Lutheran curriculum called "Connect" which is especially developed for tweens. After the response to the story, the children will have an Agape Meal, prayers and sharing time. At the time of dismissal, we like to take time to give a blessing to each child.

9:30am   Children gather in Rm 201.
9:45am   Door person brings children to Rm 207

9:45-10:50am     Godly Play is in Room 208

10:50am             Return to childcare in Room 201

11:00am              Worship

12:00-12:30pm    Children's music in Room 209

Pre-school Sunday School

11:00am to 12:00pm (Rm 205)

Through storytelling, games, and arts and crafts, the 3 and 4 year old children learn Bible stories and begin to explore ways to be kind to each other and our world.

8:30-12:15 Childcare available, Rm 201 

11:00-12:00 Sunday school, Rm 205 

Parents may pick up their children in Childcare at the end of church.

Godly Play, K - 2nd Grades

Please take your child to Room 201

Class in Room 207 from 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM

We will be telling the stories of Advent, the Holy Family and the Mystery of Christmas during December. The Godly Play approach helps children to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play.

11:00am The children remain in Rm 201

11:10am The Children are brought to Rm 207 for Godly Play.  

11:50pm Children return to Rm 201

12:00-12:30pm Children's Music, Rm 209

Children's Our Whole Lives 

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IN ADVENT

ADVENT REFLECTION TIME Wednesdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 6:00 - 7:30pm

December Circles

PRISCILLA CIRCLE: 

Wednesday December 10, 11:00am

We will be celebrating the season by meeting for lunch at Southbound restaurant.  Contact Martene Stansbery.

PILGRIM CIRCLE:  

Friday, December 12, time TBD

We will be celebrating at the Riley home Friday evening, time to be determined. Contact Mary Ellen Myers. 

Youth Fellowship

Saturday, December 13

4:00PM to 8:00pm (Kitchen and Room 202)

 In preparation for our Second Sunday Luncheon on Sunday, Dec 14 our middle and high school youth will spend some time helping Monica Baroi prep food in the kitchen on the evening of Saturday, Dec 13. After that we will head downstairs to watch National Lampoon's Christmas vacation and eat pizza. We will have some Christmas cookies to decorate. Wear your best ugly Christmas sweater and come have some fun!

LENA'S PLACE COFFEEHOUSE

Saturday, December 13, 8:00-10:00pm
 

Since 1984, Lena's Place Coffeehouse is a monthly opportunity to experience an eclectic mix of acoustic artists in a coffeehouse atmosphere. Lena's Place doors open at 7:30; music starts at 8:00 p.m. with Atlanta Bluegrass Allstars aka the Sonny Houston Band. An Open Mic and Holiday Celebration begins at 9:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 - cookies, brownies, coffee and tea are available. All donations benefit the Interfaith Children's Movement of Atlanta.

Third Sunday of Advent Special Events

Sunday, December 14

8:30 SERVICE

"Blue Christmas" and Communion

The candle for the morning is the light of Joy, but we know that many struggle during the season, for various reasons, to find that light on their path.  Attenders of this service are invited to bring a candle for the Communion Table (a votive is suggested and the Deacons will provide extra); in the midst of meditations, the candles will be lit before we celebrate a quiet Communion.  You are encouraged to then take your candle home as a centering support through Advent. 

11:00 SERVICE: Choral Service

Vivaldi's "Gloria"

This setting of the Gloria from the traditional Roman Catholic mass has been well-loved by choral singers for generations.  It tells the angels' story of "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to those of good will."  Sallie Anderson, Marlee Givens, Lorelei Cisne, and John Hoover will be soloists in this masterwork, which will be accompanied by a string quartet.   

12:00:  ADVENT EVENT AND LUNCHEON

All are invited to share in a delicious Bengali luncheon prepared by Monica Baroi and the youth. The CE Board is hosting a time to make holiday crafts - cookie decorating, angel photos, and more. It's a fun event for all ages. All are welcome. All donations for the luncheon go to Youth Missions.

TABLE TALK

Tuesday, December 16, 6:30pm to 8:30 

(off campus)

Hosted at the gracious dining room 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-there is always a gracious plenty of food.  Conversation will certainly center on Advent-Christmas this month.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Wednesday, December 24

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

Lessons and Carols with Communion & Candlelight

All Christmas Eve Services include Communion and a candlelight service.

5:00pm:  "Come to the Crèche:" 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.

 Alternative Gift Market 

Huge Success! 

Over $17,000 total was received for goods and donations to the various outreach agencies at the market. Thank you all for your tremendous generosity and good cheer!

SALT SHAKERS

Interested in getting to know Central folks in a more casual atmosphere? If so, join us for Salt Shaker. On January 24, February 28, March 28 ( 4th Saturday evenings). Groups of 8 or so will meet at our homes and share a pot luck dinner. Each month, the group will be mixed , so that you meet a different group of people each month. If you want to participate ( and if you are available to host), email Laura Winebarger.

COLLECTING NOW FOR OUR MEDIA SALE

We are now starting to collect your used books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, and other media for our week long sale in January. This is a great way to support our youth summer missions and out-reach opportunities. We have been able to raise a significant amount of money in years past and we need your support again this year! Please contact Lacey for drop-offs and pick-ups. 

SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO TOCO HILLS COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

In 2015 THCA hope to move to a client choice model.  This means that instead of just being handed food, and taking what they get, clients will choose what they want.  This approach treats people with dignity and cuts down on food waste.  In order to do this efficiently we need 6 sets of shelves.  Each shelving unit costs $112.  You are invited to purchase one in honor of a family member or friend, or merely as a tax deductable contribution. Make your check payable to THCA and put "shelves" in the memo line.   uestions?  Email  at Mary Louise Wilson Come by and see how god uses your generosity! 

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND OUR 50-STATE EVENT TO 

End Gun Violence

On December 11, 2014 at 4:00pm 

GunSense Georgia is partnering with the Newtown Foundation, Washington National Cathedral, States United to Prevent Gun Violence and Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence to host an event to #EndGunViolence in Georgia. By December 2014, the 2nd anniversary of the Newtown shootings, more than 60,000 Americans nationwide will have died from gunshot wounds. As Americans we are all affected by gun violence. That is why we must keep the focus on the shame and tragedy of gun violence in our nation and why we must ask our leaders to take action.

We are meeting in loving remembrance of victims and in determination to save lives moving forward.

December 11, 2014 at 4:00pm, St. Mary's Chapel

St. Phillips Cathedral