Deacons Corner
Poinsettias:
The last date for poinsettia purchases is Sunday, December 5th. If you’d like to honor someone for the holidays but don’t want to purchase a plant, you can make a cash donation to the Deacon’s Holiday Offering. Half of the money collected for this offering will go to the church Emergency Fund, to help church members and friends with short-term emergency needs. The other half will be sent to support mission work in the village of Cabanlutan in the Philippines.
Wish Tree:
Each holiday season, in conjunction with the Burlington Mall, People Helping People sponsors the Wish Tree at the Burlington Mall. This event supports needy families by providing new gifts for children. Each child receives gifts of clothing as well as two additional wishes for toys, books, electronics or gift cards. Our church’s dates to staff the Wish Tree are Thursday, December 2nd, Tuesday, December 7th and Saturday, December 11th. If you can donate a few hours of your time, it would be much appreciated. There is a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall.
Church Family Advent Event
Cookie Swap with a Twist
On Sunday, December 12, following worship, there will be an Advent Event for all. We are asking that you bring a batch of your favorite cookies, no nuts, to church. Following a light lunch we will package the cookies to be taken to the Dwelling Place on December 15 to be given to the folks as a little gift. This is our night to serve dinner. We plan for 40 folks.
There are rumors that a special guest will be visiting us while we are packaging the cookies (no, it isn’t Santa Claus).
We hope to see you there,
Come A-Caroling !
Sunday, December 19 2:30 p.m.
Two-thirty will be the rallying time in the church parking lot. Join a caroling caravan that will take us to various places such as senior residences, nursing homes, and homes of shut-ins. If you have suggestions for places to carol this year, speak to Rod soon! We will finish by 5:00 or 5:30 with a simple but nose-and toes warming supper. If you’d like to be our host for supper this year, and you live not far from the church, we’d love to have an invitation. Otherwise we will share a meal at the church. It’s a truly intergenerational and heartwarming time. Look for signup on church bulletin board.
2010 Christmas Joy Offering
What Child Is This?
Christmas Joy Offering thoughts
In this Advent season when we celebrate the child born in Bethlehem, we also realize that the birth of Jesus ushered in a new realm of God’s love at work in the world. This love causes us to recognize the image of God imbedded in all humankind. It compels us to reach out with charity, justice, and grace. We seek to honor every child of God. This, too, is how we celebrate the child born on that first Christmas Day.
Our congregation supports the Christmas Joy Offering by donating the Christmas Eve offering. There will be envelopes in the pews so those who cannot attend that service can contribute at another time. The Christmas Joy Offering is divided equally between the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and Presbyterian-affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges.
At some point, many ministers and other church workers and their families need help beyond what their benefits and personal resources can provide. The Presbyterian Church, USA has promoted education by establishing and supporting racial ethnic schools and colleges. These include Barber-Scotia College in Concord, NC, Cook Native American Ministries in Tempe, AZ, Knoxville College, Knoxville, TN, Menaul School, Albuquerque, NM, Presbyterian Pan American School, Kingsville, TX, and Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Throughout Advent, there will be bulletin inserts describing some of the people who have been helped by this offering. Please take a few minutes to read those stories.
Christmas Eve Service
A Family Tradition with Crèche, Carols and Candlelight
Friday, December 24 7:00 p.m.
It’s a long-lived tradition at BPC. There will be nativity tableaux vivants (or living scenes) featuring young folks in the roles of Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds and wise men. Choir and congregation will join in many carols. The service will end with a spreading of candlelight throughout the sanctuary. Mr. MacDonald will give a brief message. The Christmas Joy Offering will be received. This service is a wonderful way to introduce friends and neighbors to the church – and maybe to make a difference in their lives.
All youth are reminded to return the letter sent last month with their choices for roles by December 5.
Gospel Concert for Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend
Mark your calendars now! Sunday, January 16, 2:00 p.m.
The Bullock Brothers
A gospel group whose music inspires and “rocks” will be with us! We’ll be welcoming the whole community to this special event.
Presbyterian Church in Burlington 