"God's Promised Spirit" Advent Worship December 6 |
|
In uncertain times, people look for signs to explain what’s going on - even what is going to happen.
Time and time again, God has given a sign, and that is no less true today than it was in the past
This Sunday, we will look for that sign given to us!
|
|
Sunday Worship Online
Drive-Through Communion. We'll have a drive-through Communion 9:30-10:15 a.m. in Colonial Church's circle drive. There will not be a fellowship time this week.
Online Children's Sunday School. This week's Sunday School Bible story will go live on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. https://bit.ly/CCYouTubeVid
If you know of kids who might enjoy taking part in our Sunday School, invite their parents to signup to be on the list to receive the weekly materials at https://bit.ly/CCSSOnline.
Special Congregational Meeting
|
|
 |
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6
The council has scheduled a congregational meeting for 9:15 a.m. between services on Sunday, December 6. Two items are on the agenda:
- Approve the funding of $15,000 from the Pemberton Trust funds to complete work on repairing the water damage in the lower level.
- Increase the budget limit for expenditures requiring congregational approval from $10,000 to $25,000 to accommodate the rising maintenance costs of an aging building and increasing rates of skilled trades such as plumbers. An increasing number of issues are arising with our physical plant requiring outside contractors to repair.
Here is the Zoom link to the meeting
|
|
|
|
The Joy of Christmas with Your Colonial Family |
|
The Colonial community may not be able to gather in person during this Christmas season but we have created a way for you to celebrate together through our Facebook Colonial Stays Home group. We are posting videos periodically from Colonial family members ranging from kid's stories to family traditions to musical recordings. Our first one featured Linda Moses reading "The Snowbelly family of Chillyville Inn". A fun story for the kid in all of us!
This group is private – just for people in the Colonial Church community.
Advent Devotionals are also being posted daily to our public Facebook page. Be sure to read those for words of inspiration from our Colonial family.
|
|
|
New COVID-Prevention Guidelines for Colonial Church
Our area is experiencing record increases in COVID cases and COVID-related deaths, so Colonial Church is doing its part to slow transmission. The church council decided that starting November 23, the building is closed to groups. Staff members will shift some hours to home. We ask for your cooperation as we work to stay safe. Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Poinsettias for the Altar
Deadline is December 8
Poinsettias will be placed on the altar for the Advent/ Christmas season as a backdrop for our online worship. You can dedicate a plant in memory of or in honor of a loved one. Cost is $17 each. Click here to fill out the form and pay online. Or you can print this form and mail it with a check payable to Colonial Church.
|
|
|
|
Support the Christmas Fund
The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years. The Fund provides supplementation of small annuities, supplementation of health premiums, emergency grants, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks for retirees and those facing unforeseen financial hardship.
The emergency financial needs of many who serve the church have increased dramatically over the past nine months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Colonial members are requested to join with others in the United Church of Christ to support those who have given so much to our church. You can make your contribution online (select Christmas Fund from the dropdown menu) or by mailing your check to the church office. Thank you!
|
|
In the Words of Survivors – Veronica's Voice 20 Year Celebration
This online event celebrates 20 years of Veronica's Voice and the survivor leadership that has impacted the lives of so many in our community and shown that love and empowerment are strong catalysts for change. A live auction is planned prior to the event and beautiful survivor handcrafted Just Cause products will be available for purchase. After purchasing tickets $20 each), you will receive an email confirmation with your ticket and the Zoom link to join on December 12 at 6:00 p.m. You will also receive a program and information on joining the live auction.
|
|
Spread Christmas Spirit
Colonial Church has been blessed with an extremely generous gift to share this Christmas season, and we need your help. From now until Christmas, Colonial will grant $100 from the Pemberton Charitable Foundation for any Colonial household to support a charity or need of your choice. The money can be used anywhere as long as it helps someone.
The only stipulation is that you let us know who will receive your gift and why. You can write a note, draw a picture, make a short video — however you want to express your message. With your permission, Colonial Church will use your message in Sunday services, the Crier newsletter, and other ways. To opt into this extraordinary opportunity to give $100, click here. The deadline is December 20.
Let’s spread the gift of Christmas good news throughout our community!
|
|
Colonial Women Activities
Note: All Colonial Women activities are now virtual. You can attend through the Zoom links below. We need to connect now, more than ever!
Colonial Women Big Biscuit - 9:30 a.m. on December 7
(first Monday of each month)
Meeting ID: 875 7521 4584
Passcode: 009830
Colonial Women Blue Moose - 5:30 p.m. on December 8
(2nd Tuesday of each month)
Meeting ID: 847 3130 1752
Passcode: 595120
|
|
Highlights from November 15 Colonial Council Meeting
The council decided to close the church building to outside groups given the recent increase in Covid-19 cases.
The Board of Property Management has tentatively scheduled repairs on the lower level of the building pending funding approval.
The Council discussed the process of identifying candidates to replace board chairs retiring in 2021.
The upgrades to the video system are complete and will go live pending staffing and training.
Bill Sanderson, moderator
|
|
Sunday Night Open Prayer
|
|
Colonial Women Rummage Fundraiser
Because of concerns about COVID-19, Colonial Women is hosting a rummage collection rather than the usual sale. The goal is to raise $1,000, which means about 5,000 pounds of items! Savers will pay us by the pound for quality items. To reach that requires 250 13-gallon white trash bags of soft goods and 200 boxes of hard goods. Let Marylee Battaglia know how many bags or boxes you have collected so we can see progress toward the goal. The collection is April 22, 2021.
|
|
Weekly Services and Sermons
On Demand Video: worship services are on YouTube here. Sermons are available here.
Podcasts: Sunday sermons are now available as a podcast. You can access the podcast via our Sermons page on the Colonial Church website or directly through Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
|
|
Colonial Family
An online memorial service for Rosalie Henry is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Thursday,
|
|
|
|
Celebrations!
In this time of staying connected remotely, please remember these folks who are celebrating milestones.
Happy Birthday!
Dec. 2 Jane Ackley
4 Jane Whiles
5 Jayne Quimby, Stephanie Dobler, Millie Wyckoff
7 Phyllis Yost
|
|
|
|
Calendar
Thursday, December 3
10:30 a.m.- Thursday Morning Study Group via Zoom
1:00 p.m.-Rosalie Henry Memorial Service online
Friday, December 4
7:00 p.m.-Colonial Women Book Group via Zoom
Sunday, December 6 – Second Sunday of Advent
9:15 a.m.-Congregational Meeting via Zoom
9:30 a.m.-Drive-Thru Communion, front drive.
Monday, December 7
9:30 a.m.-Colonial Women Coffee via Zoom
Tuesday, December 8
9:30 a.m.-Book Group via Zoom
5:30 a.m.-Colonial Women Blue Moose Tuesday via Zoom
|
|
|
Colonial Staff
Bell Choir Director: Hayden Ferguson
Organist: Dr. Joseph Kern
Youth Leader: Michelle Turpen
Building Maintenance: Edson Palacios-Castrejon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
