This Advent Season
REGIONAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP: Saturday, December 14 (6:00 to 9:30pm)
We will be having a white elephant gift exchange party at Kirkwood UCC. Meet at the church at 6:00pm and we will be back by 9:30pm. Bring a silly gift and five dollars to contribute toward the cost of food. Scholarships are available upon request. Click here to contact our
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LENA’S PLACE COFFEE HOUSE: Saturday, December 14 (8:00pm to 10:00pm)
Since 1984, Lena’s Place Coffeehouse (lenasplacecoffeehouse.com) is a monthly opportunity to experience an eclectic mix of acoustic artists in a coffeehouse atmosphere. It is staffed by volunteers. The doors open at 7:30 pm. Donations ($5 is suggested) are accepted to benefit Central’s “Lena Werking Fund” for local charities. All proceeds go directly to a different local charity each month. This month, the donations go to the Interfaith Children’s Movement (icmma.org). At 8:00pm, One Lane Bridge, an acoustic trio, will bring renditions of songs bridging years of love and life. The performers are Celia McDermott, Cameron Morrison Kane, and Mike Cerra. At 9:00pm, Blackfoot Daisy, a humble trio (sometimes duo), will play original, Americana style music. Band members include Don Sechelski, Adam Sechelski and Wendy DuMond.
TABLE TALK: Tuesday, December 17 (6:30 to 8:30pm)
Table Talk is a monthly gathering, hosted at the gracious dining table of Joan and Bill Harrison and facilitated by Rev. Michael. Folk come and go as they are able and no advance reading is required. Please bring a dish to share, if you are able, but there is always a gracious plenty of food. This month, of course, we will discuss our traditions and new theologies around the seasonal stories. For more info, contact
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THIRD & FOURTH SUNDAYS OF ADVENT: Sundays December 15 & 22
December 15, Advent Candle of Peace – December 22, Advent Candle of Love
Communion at the 8:30 Service; Rev. Michael preaching on both Sundays at 8:30am and 11:00am.
THE CHRISTMAS FUND
The Christmas Fund, one of the four national special offerings of the United Church of Christ, helps provide pension and healthcare premium supplementation to low-income and retired church workers, emergency assistance to clergy families in need, and Christmas checks to hundreds of annuitants. This special offering is a powerful way to support retired clergy who served churches that were not able to adequately contribute to their pension during their service. Offering envelopes will be in the pews in December; please make checks out to "Central" and note "Christmas Fund" in the memo.
PLYMOUTH HARBOR COOKIES & CAROLS: Friday, December 20 (1:30 to 3:00pm)
Everyone is invited to join the staff, volunteers and participates of Plymouth Harbor as we sing carols and share homemade cookies and punch.
CHRISTMAS EVE: Tuesday, December 24 (5:00pm, 7:00pm & 11:00pm)
Lessons and Carols with Communion & Candlelight
Again this year, Central will have three worship services on Christmas Eve; however, please note the schedule change between the 7:00 & 11:00 service. All three services are a Service of Lessons and Carols with Communion and Candlelight; each also has its own distinctiveness:
5:00pm: “Come to the Creche:” 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: special music featuring Central’s choir.
11:00pm: special music featuring solos and ensembles.
A SERVICE OF CAROLS & BLESSINGS: Sunday, December 29 (8:30am & 11:00am)
On the first “Sunday after Christmas,” tucked between the darkness and light of Christmas Eve and the shining star of Epiphany, on the cusp of a New Year, Central will have a special service of Carols & Blessings. Rev. Michael will lead a service with Gregg Tomlinson with elements of an “Agape Meal” and a “Watch Night” service. We will share in the singing of carols, the eating of sweetbread, and be invited to give and receive blessings.
Time to Celebrate
A market place has a tantalizing draw. We encounter mystery there. Central's Alternative Gift Market was very special because it was a place that validated the glisten in a child's eye, opened the door for the providers of families who have lived behind its closure and brought hope for a new beginning for those excluded. We came together as a community and shared our blessings. Central has made a difference. We have touched people's hearts and changed lives. In the current of the Alternative Gift Market, our hearts have been touched and our lives changed.
AGM Donation Totals
| Church World Service | $8,170 |
| Handicap International | $2,201 |
| Initiative for Affordable Housing | $1,149 |
| SERRV | $1,141 |
| PH/Youth Collectable Houses | $938 |
| Montclair Elementary School | $810 |
| UCC Coffee Project | $808 |
| Forever Family | $515 |
| Back Bay Mission | $353 |
| Plymouth Harbor | $275 |
| Central Youth Group | $218 |
| Total Donation | $16,577 |
Thank you, Cindy Hoover, for leading and organizing this event!
Welcome
Founded in 1882, Central Congregational United Church of Christ is a justice-seeking, Open & Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. Three hallmark elements form the bedrock of our worship, witness and work: extravagant welcome, continuing testament, and changing lives.
To read more about Central and the United Church of Christ, click here.
To read more about our worship times and "styles," click here.