Advent 2015 ~ There is room for you in our inn.
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
   
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: December 13 - 
Advent Candle of Joy

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. 

11:00 SERVICE: Special Choral Service "Make More Room in the Inn" Inspired by Las Posadas from Mexico and focusing on a central theme of our sacred seasonal story, the choir will sing a variety of anthems and the ministry boards will present opportunities for reflection on those who "find no room in the inn." Children and adults will be participating in worship and the theme will be "sung and acted" as we "Make More Room in the Inn."

Making Room in the Inn
Making Room in the Inn


12:00: ADVENT EVENT AND LUNCHEON  All are invited to share in a potluck luncheon sponsored by Board for Mission & Action. 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 donations for the luncheon go to Outreach.
Alternative Gift Market Returns:
December 13, 9:30am to 1:00pm
Did you miss the Alternative Gift Market on November 22?  Did you get to go, but want to buy more?  Your Christmas shopping can continue at the Alternative Gift Market on Sunday, December 13, 9:30am to 1:00pm, in the commons area at Central UCC. Choose gifts that give back within our church, locally, as well as globally! Gifts for sale will include Christmas decorations, jewelry, scarves and baskets.  Through Mission and Action, you can contribute towards school uniforms for Montclair Elementary.  In addition, through Church World Service, you can sponsor gifts such as: clean water, an animal, educational toys, and more. There will be multiple organizations benefitting. Come enjoy refreshments and buy gifts for good!
Adult Spiritual Formation
SACRED JOURNEYS:
Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Library, Fellowship Hall)
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. Contact Peter Benoit: peteandneve@bellsouth.net
 
CONVERSATIONS: 
Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Room 204)
The History of Christmas (The History Channel).  Come join our small group at any time.  Our only dogma is "no-prep."  Drop in as your schedule allows and you'll find lively conversation and a warm community.  Conversations will take a break beginning Dec. 20 and resume Jan. 10.  When we resume we will begin a 21 session "Living the Questions" DVD series, a foray into progressive Christianity that encourages living the questions rather than forcing the answers.  Contact Sally Harrell at Sally.Harrell@riverside.net 
 
PRACTICAL THEOLOGY:
Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Room 206)
Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community Class studies, explores and takes action on current issues.  The class shares leadership and begins each class with "How was your week?"  Contact Jackie & George Dominick: georgedominick169@comcast.net
 
Sunday, December 13:  Bryan Carswell will present a program related to his work as a chaplain with the VA.
Sunday, December 20 and 27:
Study:   TBD
Sunday, January 3:
Study:  Begin Topic 2 -- Gun Control:  Saving Lives
Book:   DO GUNS MAKE US FREE? Democracy and the Armed Society  
              by Firmin DeBrabander
WOMEN'S DAYTIME BOOK GROUP: Thursday, 
December 10, 1:30pm
Please read (or re-read) a "Christmas" book of your choosing, whether it's to inspire or just entertain - a classic, humor, a blue Christmas retelling, even a book that's not-really-Christmas but relevant to
your Advent journey.  
Contact Geneva Benoit.
The Interfaith Coalition to End the Death Penalty
Thursday, December 10 
2:30-4:30pm
You are invited to an educational summit to End the Death Penalty
Thursday, December 10, 2015
(2:30 - 4:30pm) at the 
Catholic Shrine of the 
Immaculate Conception. 
Procession and Prayer Vigil at the Liberty Plaza to follow.
Free Admission - Registration required
To register please visit: HERE
For more information about this event please call 404-920-7357
Featuring Key Note Speaker: Ambassador Andrew J. Young
48 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW. Atlanta, GA 30303
PILGRIM CIRCLE: Friday, December 11 at 6:30pm 
Pilgrim Circle will have their Christmas Party at the home of Belinda Riley on 
Friday, Dec. 11 at 6:30. There will be no regular meeting in December.
HOLIDAY JAZZ VESPERS: Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12 at 8:00pm 
at First Congregational UCC
105 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
General Admission $25.00
Student w/ ID $10.00
Read more from their website.
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YOUNG ADULT GATHERING: 
Friday, December 11, 7:00-10:00pm
Twains Brewpub and Billiards
211 E Trinity Pl, Decatur, GA 30030
Join us for great beer, food, and conversation. All are welcome. You don't have to be a certain age to be considered a "young adult" at Central. We accept all self identified "young adults!" Have any questions? Email Rev. Lacey
LENA'S PLACE:  Saturday, December 12, 8:00pm to 10:00
7:30 pm: the doors open; 8:00 pm: music starts with Just Be'Cause (Jerry Brunner, Bruce Gilbert and Cyndi Craven). 9:00 pm: Tucker Station String Band performs ole-time favorites, gospel tunes, and bluegrass. Admission is $5.00 - cookies, brownies, coffee and tea are available. All donations benefit the Interfaith Children's Movement of Atlanta.
TABLE TALK: Tuesday, December 15, 6:30pm to 8:30 (off campus)
Hosted at the gracious dining room table of Bill Harrison (409 Oakland Street, Decatur) 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.
PLYMOUTH HARBOR 
OPEN HOUSE 
(COOKIES & CAROLS): Friday, Dec 18, 
1:00pm to 3:00
Everyone is invited to join the staff, volunteers and participates of Plymouth Harbor as we sing songs of the season with Jeni Michelson on piano; and share homemade cookies and punch.
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Hardwick Prison Trip: 
Saturday, December 19
Christmas time is a time of joy! But for those in prison or for families who are missing their loved ones who are incarcerated, it is a very difficult time. We, Central, have the opportunity on Sat. December 19, to make the holidays a little brighter. We will drive our church bus to Hardwick Prison in Milledgeville, GA, so that families can visit their loved ones at the prison for a few hours. The trip starts by 9:00am and returns to Atlanta by 5:00pm. We need a driver. Also, if anyone would like to "ride along" to provide support and know more about Georgia prisons, you are welcome. Please contact  Debbie Spearman for more information.
Fourth Sunday of Advent- We light the candle of LOVE
Sunday, December 20
Rev. Michael, preaching at 8:30am (Communion service) and 11:00am
SOLSTICE SERVICE: Tuesday, December 22, 6:30pm to 8:30
Rev. Michael will lead a service of meditation and gentle mindful movement 
celebrating Winter Solstice. We'll begin in the Fellowship Hall for meditation on "the light in the darkness" and then go to the parking lot and make luminarias to place in the woods. An RSVP is helpful but not required. 
CHRISTMAS EVE: 
Thursday, December 24, 5:00pm, 7:00pm & 11:00pm
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
Lessons and Carols with Communion & Candlelight
Fellowship of the Grape (FOG):
Saturday, January 2, 7:00pm to 9:00
Justin Jace and Ralph Gaskins are delighted to host January Fellowship Of the Grape Saturday, January 2nd at 7pm.  In celebration of fellowship and their recently joining Central as members, Justin and Ralph have chosen champagne and sparkling wines as the wine selection for the month with a "Champagne over Atlanta" theme.  
Please bring any appetizer or dessert that will compliment this selection. 
 
For those not familiar with FOG, attending is one 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!
 
FYI:  Several people have said, "I would love to come to FOG, but I don't drink alcohol."  Several folks attend FOG who do not drink alcohol.  FOG is NOT about the alcohol it is about the FELLOWSHIP.   All are welcome!
 
Event Details: January 2nd, 2016 at 7:00pm.  RSVP to Justin at (404) 640-9108 or email at adjustjace@gmail.com.   Complimentery valet will be provided for your convenience at this month's event.  To be added to the mailing list for FOG email
Alternative Gift Market Forms:
We are trying to identify 2 individuals that did not have their names on the Alternative Gift Market sheets. One is for $57 that included $20 for Montclair Uniforms, $20 for Back Bay Food Pantry, and $17 for UCC Coffee Project.  $37 of the total was charged.  The other sheet is for $55 paid in cash that included $25 for school building renovation, $10 for CWS blanket, $10 for Handicap International, and $10 for Plymouth Harbor Soup.   Please contact Martha Smith at Martha@central-ucc.org.  
We want your used books for the media sale! (Jan 23-31)
This January the youth will have a week long media sale in the commons to raise money for youth missions. Rev. Lacey is now collecting donations. Please drop your used books, cd's, magazines, and DVD's off at the church office or email Rev. Lacey if you 
need to arrange a pick up. Your donations are greatly 
appreciated!  
Donate to our ministries today!
Central UCC wouldn't be the amazing community of faith that it is, without your on going support. Thank you for giving. Your generosity is changing lives. 
2016 UCC Calendars 
now ready!
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ formed in 1966, a special calendar featuring all 51 churches in our Conference has been created.  Become familiar with the rich history of our Conference by purchasing a calendar this Sunday.  Suggested donation is $12.00.  They will be featured at a table in the Commons starting at 9:30.  Please support the work of the UCC Conference by purchasing one on Sunday.
Central Congregational United Church of Christ
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