November 27, 2015   

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together!

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ADVENT begins this Sunday
Each Sunday during December we'll focus on one of the Christmas stories in scripture. Rather than the "mashup" version we are used to in Christmas carols and cards, each storyteller had a unique message. But be thinking about a Christmas story from your life that you're willing to share... During the 5 pm Christmas Eve service we'll feature those family stories. Let Pastor Ginny know if you have a favorite you'd like to tell!

This Sunday... An Advent Quiz and "The Story Wheel"! 
 
Tired of eating leftovers? This Sunday, 11/29/15, bring your Thanksgiving leftovers to church to share for a pot luck lunch! Please drop off dishes before 10 am worship. The kitchen crew will be using their leftovers, too. No leftovers at your house? Bring any dish you would like to share.


Extended Families - Start in January 
Would you like to be part of a family without the drama of one? A new program is being started that will assign participants to a multi-generational group to get together monthly to eat a meal, see a movie, volunteer, go on a field trip, or whatever the members wish to do. Make a commitment for a year and have fun! Show your interest by signing up outside Cook Hall. We will organize the groups for balance and let you know which "family" you're with. 


CT Forum on Racism next Thursday
Tickets for the CT Forum on December 3 can be picked up during office hours.  If you have not yet paid, please bring a check for $35 made out to "First Congregational Church" 
Bus leaves First Church parking lot at 6:30pm. Plan to arrive by 6:15. 

ADVENT WORDS...
Fear not! Peace on earth! Good will to all!

These familiar phrases couldn't be needed more than in this dark season. Wise words for our time from Elie Weisel, a former CT Forum panelist:

 
Hate is a cancer. 

And these from children's author Sandy Eisenberg Sasso:
God gives us the strength to change those things that can and must be changed. And God helps us to confront those things that happen unfairly, for no good reason. God helps us deal with what is beyond our control, what can't be changed. I used to think that we are where we are for a preordained reason. But I no longer believe that is true. We are where we are, and it is up to us whether there is a purpose in it or not. Places, circumstances and encounter aren't inherently meaningful; we make them meaningful, we give them purpose.

SAVE THE DATE!
Acoustic Christmas
Sunday evening, Dec. 13 at 7 pm 
What's your favorite Christmas song? Let It Snow?
Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree? Santa Baby?

Join friends and neighbors for a family-friendly Christmas jam session

Bring a request for your favorite Christmas song,
an instrument to play, or just come to tap your toes!
Carols, cookies, and cocoa for all.

Adopt-a-Table 
We'd like to warm up Cook Hall for our "Acoustic Christmas" event on Dec. 13. You are invited to adopt a table to decorate with your favorite Christmas theme... snow globes? Grinch? Scandinavian elves? Toy trains? Your imagination is the only limit. Sign up outside Cook Hall for your table... and invite friends to join you. Should be a toe-tapping good time!

Tara's Memory Cafe  - Art Party!  
Thursday, December 3, 2-4pm, Granby Senior Center
Karen Rossi, visual artist nationally known for her metal sculptures, will lead us in forming art pieces from everyday objects. A wonderful way to create a personalized holiday gift!



Alternative Gift Fair - Dec 6 & 13, 11:30am-12:15pm
Ten Thousand Villages items, Heifer Project shares and more...

CALL TO CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - Sunday, Dec 13
The annual budget meeting of the First Congregational Church, Granby, Connecticut, is called for Sunday, December 13, 2015 in the Sanctuary immediately after worship to consider the following: 1) review and vote on the proposed 2016 budget; 2) a review and vote on updates to the current Safe Church Policy, which will be reviewed and voted on at the Winter Meeting; and 3) such other business that may properly come up before the meeting.
Doug Williams, Clerk           
YOUTH NEWS
NO SCHOOLHOUSE this Sunday, Nov 29th.  Join  your parents upstairs in bringing in the Advent season!
NO Faith Ed next Thursday, Dec 3rd due to the NYC trip the next day>>>>

YOUTH SERVICE TRIP TO New York City 
Dec 4 - 5, through YSOP.
Fourteen of us will take a train to NYC to serve in a Quaker Homeless Shelter on the lower east side of Manhattan. We leave early from school on Friday and return late Saturday night. 

Nov 29th, Sunday Night at 7- This week we watch the Movie 50/50. It's all about Perspective - gaining it, losing it, checking it and stretching it.  A young man receives an unexpected cancer diagnosis, and gets through it with the help of a well-meaning, but inept friend. 

Contacts 

Sue Miltenberger (Office Manager)
Rev. Ginny McDaniel (Senior Minister)

Rebecca Brown (Leader, Children & Youth Ministry 

Jerron Jorgensen (Music Director)

Church Office Phone: 860-653-4537   

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