 |
The Unitarian
December 4, 2016
Vol. 71, No 12
Join Us for Worship This Week
|
Worship With Us This Week
Sunday Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Sermon: "Good News"
Preaching: The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart
The word "gospel" means good news. "Angel" means "announcer," and "evangelism" means announcing the good news. As we enter the Advent season of angel announcements and the good news of hope born in the world, we'll explore how we can share our good news of Unitarian Universalism with others who might need it.
|
|
Before and After Worship
|
9:00 a.m.
|
BYKOTA Meeting in the Youth Lounge.
New Member Gathering is moved to Dec. 11
| 10:15 a.m.
| Prelude in the Sanctuary.
Nursery Care in Classroom 3. | |
10:30 a.m.
|
All-Ages Worship Service in the Sanctuary.
Children's Chapel in the Landers Room.
| |
11:30 a.m.
|
Fellowship Hour in the Bancroft/Dining Rooms. Co-hosted by the Purple Caring Circle & Stewardship. All are invited.
IHN Wreath Sale after worship.
| |
12:00 p.m.
|
Sermon Discussion in the Chapel.
Budget Discussion Meeting in the Landers Room.
Klezmer Ban Rehearsal in the Sanctuary.
| |
1:00 p.m.
|
Seven Hills Rehearsal in Unity Hall.
| |
1:15 p.m.
|
Wiogora Committee Meeting in the Chapel.
| |
6:00 p.m.
|
YRU2 Meeting in the Youth Lounge.
|
|
Coming Up in Faith Development...
| December 2 | No First Friday event this month.
First Friday Fun Nights for all-ages are postponed until March 3, 2017. The cold and snow tend to make coming out on a dark wintery night unlikely for many of us. We will resume in March with a special SURPRISE First Friday. See you then. | | December 4 | Children start in the Landers Room, 10:30-10:45am
Special Holiday Gift & Ornament event in the Landers Room. |
| Jingle Bell Choir Rehearsal, Room 4, 10:30-10:45am. |
|
YRU2 (Gr. 9-12), 6-8pm, Youth Lounge
| | December 10 | Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 9am-12pm | | December 11 | Annual Christmas Pageant and Music Sunday
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, Sanctuary, 9am | | December 18 | No Classes
Special Holiday Gift & Ornament event in the Landers Room.
|
|
Click here to get details in the Faith Development Newsletter
|
Sermon Discussion - This Sunday
Join our minister, the Rev. Sarah Stewart, once a month after church for a discussion of that Sunday's sermon. Bring your coffee to the Chapel on the first Sunday of every month for a chance to engage the sermon topic with other members and friends of First Unitarian Church. This is a chance for you to share what the sermon meant for you, how you are dealing with the spiritual issues it raises for you, and to listen to your fellow First Unitarians share what is meaningful to them. Dates: Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, Mar. 5, Apr. 2, May 7, June 4.
|
|
Funding Our Vision in 2017
The Finance Committee, the Stewardship Committee, and the Prudential Committee are developing a budget for 2017 to support the activities of the Church as we honor the sacred, connect with each other, and serve justice. There will be a discussion of the working budget at noon this Sunday in the Mirick Room 1. If you have questions, suggestions, or are simply curious about the process, please come and give us the benefit of your thoughts.
|
On December 4 and 18th, children PreK-8th grade meet for a special
gift/ornament making time. We would love to have any of the following donated items.
Small glass jars (with or without lids); Washi or other decorative tape; candy canes; strawberries; vanilla frosting; battery-operated tea lights; magazines; newspaper; peppermint hard candies; white or blue card stock. There is a box near the Welcome Table for donations.
Thank you!
|
Interfaith Hospitality Network Fundraiser
On Sunday, December 4, there will be an Interfaith Hospitality Network fundraiser to support the program and families living in the family shelter on June St. Liz Gustavson will be selling wreaths and swags for $25 each. There may be freshly cut holly as well. Last Sunday, the first of the two Sundays of the sale, the eight wreaths and four swags sold out quickly! Checks may be written to IHN. Thanks!
|
Advent Series
Thomas Merton: Welcoming Hope, Humility and Joy into Advent and Christmas
Led by The Rev. Barbara Merritt and The Rev. Sarah Stewart.
A Brown Bag lunch Advent Series on Fridays, from noon to 1:30 in the Dining Room,
Dec 2, 9, 16 and 23. Please bring your lunch, and attend any or all of our meetings.
Advent literally means that something important is arriving, coming into our lives. It is the root of the word "adventure." While a Trappist, Catholic monk may seem like an unusual spiritual guide for free-thinking Unitarian Universalists, we will be discussing some of his writings which address all seekers after truth. We hope you will join us.
The Readings are available here.
|
Ministry and Mission
Monday, December 5 in the Chapel at 7pm
Join Rev. Sarah Stewart for Ministry and Mission: a discussion about finding your mission in life. In November we discussed a way to think through our own mission in different areas of our lives. This session we'll consider some of the opposition we meet along the way, and discuss what that opposition has to teach us. When we are living out our mission in life, what anxiety does that provoke in ourselves and others? How can we learn from it? Meet in the Chapel at 7 p.m. on Mon. Dec. 5. All are welcome; you need not have attended the last session to attend this one. Please e-mail Rev. Stewart at sstewart@firstunitarian.com to RSVP.
|
|
Santas Wanted
Wanted: SANTAS for children in the care of the Department of Children and Families.
Cards with the names of children, their ages, sizes and wishes will be available in the Christmas tree area Sunday, December 4 (and until all the children are chosen).
Gifts should be returned in gift bags, unwrapped, with the card attached, by NOON on Sunday, December 18.
Bring warmth, joy and caring to a special child this giving season!
The Social Justice Committee
P. S. Socks, hats and mittens that appear on the tree will be delivered to Abby's House and Jeremiah's in by the Social Justice Committee. These gifts also need to be on the tree by noon on Dec. 18.
|
First Night Volunteers Needed
This year, First Unitarian is an official venue for First Night with co-sponsors The Islamic Society and The Center for Non-Violence. Yes, folks, we will be indoors and warm with our same focus on peace and justice!
Four programs in Unity Hall, from 5-9, will begin with outstanding music by Jim Scott and thoughtful Voices for Peace moderated by Paul Ropp, followed by two psychic programs. There will be Muslim treats, YRU2 fund raising with foods and beverages and free children's peace activities in the Dining Room throughout the evening.
We will need many volunteers to make this a success and have the church ready for services the next morning. All we need from you is a two hour commitment between the hours of 5 pm and 10 pm, leaving you plenty of time to dine, watch the fireworks and ring in the New Year feeling good. There is a sign-up sheet in the Bancroft Room for you to indicate your preferred shift.
|
|
"Good Morning, Nice To See You"
These six words have the power to change the day. Put them together with a smile and people feel welcome. The Welcoming Team is recruiting people and families to greet those coming through our church doors on Sunday mornings. The joyful job includes handing out Orders of Service and helping new people. New families can be directed to the Sunday school area to meet with family greeters. New people can be directed to the Welcome Table for more information. Please signup here.
|
|
First Unitarian Sunday Readers Sign Up
Rev. Sarah Stewart is inviting members and friends to sign up to read the scripture passage during the service every Sunday. That same person (with their family, if they want) could light the chalice at the beginning of the service. Sign up to be the reader on an upcoming Sunday here or at the Welcome table in the sanctuary after services. (Note: You do not have to register for a SignUpGenius account to sign up to be a Sunday Reader, just skip that question in the sign-up process.)
|
Early Bird Coffee & Conversation
Before worship on Sunday morning some friendly folks can be found enjoying coffee and conversation in the dining room. They gather around 9:30 a.m. or a wee bit later. That's when the coffee is ready. So, show up, pull up a chair, join some talkers and help warm the place with enjoyable chatter on range of subjects. In the joyful rush for coffee and treats after worship, the busy atmosphere can inhibit opportunities to get to know others more deeply. Early bird coffee is one way to engage with friendly people. Church school teachers, those on church committees or in leadership roles are encouraged to show up periodically and converse with those gathered.
|
|
Important First U Links -
|
|
|
|
|
|
