December 2011 Crossroads

Christmas Eve Service
A Family Tradition with Crèche, Carols and Candlelight
Saturday, 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.
New Adult Learning
The Characters of Christmas
Sundays, November 27, December 4, 11, 18  9:15 a.m.

Rev. MacDonald will lead these sessions based on the key “players’ in the story of the Nativity – exploring how they are rooted in the Old Testament and shedding light on their meaning in the Christmas story. Each session can stand alone – so come when you can. Coffee will be ready!

Come A-Caroling !
Sunday, December 18  2:30 p.m.
Fun for all Ages

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.

Have you pledged for 2012?

A faith commitment is about
our relationship with God first 
with the church, second.

And don’t forget a Time & Talent pledge!
Pledge materials available at church,
or call the office 781-272-9190.

2011 Christmas Joy Offering

This offering, one of four special offerings designated by the General Assembly, has been in existence since the 1930s. Half of the offering is used to assist active and retired church workers in times of need. The fund supplies supplemental income for retirees and emergency assistance grants for workers with special financial needs or emergencies. The other half provides scholarships for minority students who would otherwise be unable to attend the racial ethnic schools and colleges supported by the Presbyterian Church (USA).

In order to continue providing this much-needed assistance, the Christmas Joy Offering depends on congregations like ours. These grants show our faithful response to God’s charge to love one another as Christ commanded. Recipients of the grants say as important as the financial assistance was, the knowledge that the church was standing with them in time of need was even more important. As always, the Christmas Eve offering will be used for the Christmas Joy Offering. There will be envelopes in the pews for those unable to attend that service.

Deacons Corner

There may still be slots available to volunteer at the Wish Tree. Please check the signup sheet in Fellowship Hall if you can help. Our dates to staff the Wish Tree are Thursday, December 1st, Tuesday, December 6th and Saturday, December 10th. If you’d like to help on a different date, see Linda Roscoe.

We will be participating in the pajama and underwear collection for People Helping People. This helps provide clothing for low income families. We have cards showing the items needed. The clothing needs to be brought to church by December 11, and should be unwrapped. Please see Anne Denier if you would like a card.

The deacons will be selling poinsettias. The last Sunday to place your order is Sunday, December 4th. You can give your orders to Trish Briggs or Kim Oey-Rosenthal. We will also be putting envelopes in the pews for the Deacon’s Holiday Offering. The money raised through the flower sales and this offering will be used to purchase clothing for residents of the Life Care Center in Billerica, a nursing home community. If there are funds left over, the money will be sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

After the storm in October, many residents lost power. We were able to offer the church as a warming center. We plan to do this during future emergencies. If you are in need, please call before you come so that we can make sure the church is open, turn up the heat, and avoid possible scheduling conflicts.