Advent 2015 ~ There is room for you in our inn.
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Fourth Sunday of Advent- We light the candle of LOVE
Sunday, December 20
Rev. Michael, preaching at 8:30am (Communion service) and 11:00am
Out text: LUKE 1:39-55

At the 11:00 Worship Service, Rev. Michael will have a special time with children.

A powerful "nativity" at the top of "the escalator" at the Atlanta airport.
"Relics" from "the" creche.
Quantum physics: here, there, everywhere and no where.
Two pregnancies: a senior adult and a teenager - part of the sacred story.
Saturnalia, the Feast of Fools, and counter-narratives of God.
Stories of hope, peace, joy and love; lights along the way...
A sermon from Rev. Michael for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
   

Making Room in the Inn
Making Room in the Inn
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 20:
Study:  Current Events  Please bring any articles, books, FB posts, ideas, etc. that you would like to discuss. There is certainly sufficient news to keep us busy for our SS time.

Sunday, December 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
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.
GIS with comma
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.
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 Service: 
"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 Service: Special music featuring Central's choir
11:00pm Service: Special music featuring solos and ensembles
Lessons and Carols with Communion & Candlelight
Central Holiday Hours

Plymouth Harbor: Closed December 21 through January 1.

CENTRAL OFFICE HOURS DURING WINTER HOLIDAYS
Dec 21, 22, 23: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Dec 24 and 25:  closed
Dec 28, 29, 30, 31:  9:00am to 12:30pm
Jan 1: closed
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 24-31)
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!  
Year-End Giving

Central, like many congregations, receives a significant amount of its annual financial contributions in December (for us, about 18%).  Almost every year, including this one, we enter December "behind" in our budgeted giving and usually (hopefully this one) enter January "caught up" and even "ahead."  If charitable giving to Central is part of your "tax planning," please do note the abbreviated hours listed above for the last year of the week if you plan to deliver your contribution to the church office in person.  Many thanks for the gifts of "time, talent and treasure" you offer to help Central bring more fully the Love of God "on earth, as it is in heaven."  As we have heard many times this season, our ministries have real impact on real people.
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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