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Friends at ACC,
Advent is finally upon us.
I’ve always been drawn to the liturgical calendar, and it’s just one of the many things that make Allisonville special to me.
This churchy calendar connects Christians worldwide, guiding us through shared themes year-round. In this Advent season, our anticipation isn’t for some grand warrior or charismatic politician. Instead, we await the arrival of Christ—a vulnerable, dependent baby.
What keeps me rooted in church is the backwardness of this Christian story. It’s a reminder not to seek God only in life’s grand moments, but in the everyday. God’s presence isn’t just in monumental events; it’s in the everyday pieces of our lives—preparing for the madrigal dinner, sorting out budgets, our drive home from work, or in that quiet cup of morning coffee.
But here’s what I firmly believe: God's presence is most profoundly felt where we least expect it—among the marginalized, the overlooked, the dismissed. As we prepare to welcome Christ as a child, we must also prepare to see God amongst those experiencing hardship. Whether it’s the refugee seeking solace, the underpaid laborer trying to make ends meet, or the person seeking room in the inn but continually being turned away, God is there. Advent is our time to prepare ourselves for these unexpected encounters and ready ourselves to share the love that God has shown us.
Our shared spirit, rooted in humility and compassion, echoes the essence of Advent. Let’s journey together through this season, open to those unforeseen moments where God’s love calls us, embracing those often left behind or unseen.
Peace,
Isaac
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Joys:
- We are grateful for the many hands that helped with the Hanging of the Greens last Saturday.
- We are thankful for Lenny Noen's successful hip surgery and pray for his speedy recovery.
- We celebrate the diaper shower at last week's coffee hour to welcome the coming addition to the Snyder family!
- We are also thankful for the work of the search committee to find new Associate Minister of Outreach and Growth.
Concerns:
- We pray for Betty Spargur's sister, who is hospitalized after breaking her leg following hip replacement surgery.
- We pray for Marilyn Barnett as she undergoes a pulmonary function test this week due to breathing problems.
- We pray for the Lawrence's grandson who had a serious injury to his leg.
- We continue to pray for a lasting peace and a just response to the atrocities in Israel and Palestine.
- We continue our prayers for Cora King, Davis and Bev Goforth, Bob Hessong, Sandy Zimmerman, Erika Blauvelt, Linda Kemper and Lori Corken-Young.
We pray for all who are grieving. We pray for a meaningful and lasting end to gun violence.
We continue to pray for our work and all work to be an anti-racist church and people.
Our Global Ministries Prayer Partner this week is Morocco.
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During last Sunday's church service, there was a delightful addition that caught the eye of many—a brand-new Advent Wreath. Its creation was a collaborative effort between two talented individuals, Drew Boggs and Larry Rahn, who took on the task after Pam Rahn suggested a fresh emblem of the season. Their combined creativity and craftsmanship birthed an awe-inspiring addition to our Advent adornments, serving not only as a symbolic representation but also as a testament to the remarkable dedication and talents found among the cherished members of Allisonville Christian Church. | |
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Sunday, December 17 we will take a special offering to support the regional church in Indiana. You can click the picture below to learn more about the offering. Your can simply designate your offering for "Christmas Offering" on your check, envelope or drop down arrow online.
Allisonville has always been a strong support of our region and we hope you consider adding to your usual gift as our region welcomes the new leadership of Dr. Christal Williams!
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Isaac is working on giving our website a bit of a facelift. Nothing radical yet, but we are interested in what you all currently use the website for and where you think we could better utilize it. Come January, look for more in the Buzz about how to leave feedback! | |
Bakers for Cookie Walk
The Cookie Walk is not just a delightful holiday event; it's also a fundraiser for our outreach ministries, and we need bakers!
Imagine the Family Room transformed into a cookie haven, where on December 16 at 9:00 am, attendees can stroll around, selecting from an array of homemade cookies to fill their boxes.
But to make this vision a reality, we need an abundance of cookie bakers and volunteers.
You'll find sign-up sheets in the Narthex. If baking or helping out interests you, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Sue York at nsyork@att.net or Linda Hunt at prodieter1@aol.com.
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Preschool Fundraiser
We love our sweets here at Allisonville! The preschool will have one more fundraiser before the end of the year by ordering a dozen doughnuts from Krispy Kreme.
This time you have to order online at https://grouprai.se/krispykreme16058sb
You can order anytime from December 1 to December 22.
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Cheese Balls for Sale to Support Youth Group | | |
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It's the holiday season, which means the famous Allisonville cheese balls are back! We are taking orders for them starting today, they will be ready on Sunday, December 19 for pickup. You can order online using the button below or fill out a form in the Narthex. We have cheese balls with beef, vegetarian cheese balls, and dessert cheese balls available for purchase. Savory cheese balls will be $9 and dessert cheese balls will be $10. All proceeds benefit the youth group mission trip to North Carolina in 2024. If you have any questions, reach out to Brock McCracken or Josh Jackson. | |
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Love Gift Offering
Each year at this time we collect a special offering, or “Love Gift.” This offering allows us to present a token of our appreciation to all members of the staff at Allisonville Christian Church.
Please join me in giving a generous contribution to this year’s Love Gift. There are 3 ways to give:
1. Online at https://www.allisonville.org/give and designate it as “Staff Love Gift”.
2. Your gift may be placed on the offering plate with the notation of “Love Gift.”
3. Your gift may be mailed to the church with the notation of “Love Gift.”
I ask that you do this no later than Sunday, December 10, 2023.
Grace and Peace,
Grace Caress, ACC Council Chair
You can read Grace's full letter here: https://conta.cc/46etZcB
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December 8 & 9 — Madrigals Dinner | There are only a few more seats available for the December 9 Madrigal Dinner. December 8 is sold out! We are so grateful for the many hands that have made this a possibility! | |
December 12 — Young Adult Christmas Party
The young adult group is gathering for a Christmas party at Rebecca Reid's house (contact Josh Jackson for details)!
Please bring a side or dessert to share, Allisonville will provide the main course. Wear your favorite Christmas sweater, and bring a white elephant gift (under $10). Friends are more than welcome, but please let Rebecca, Kat, or Josh know beforehand so that I know how much food to buy. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
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December 12 — Book Club
When: Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00 pm
Location: Over Zoom, contact Audrey Pelsor
We will not meet in November but hope to see you on this date in December!
The current book is The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner
"A rollicking ride on the Hollywood roller coaster, The Next Best Thing is a heartfelt story about a young woman searching for her own happily-ever-after in the land where dreams come true."
Questions can be directed to Audrey Pelsor (ajpelsor@gmail.com)
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December 13 — Prime Timers
Primetimers will meet Wednesday, December 13 at Kopper Kettle in Morristown, Indiana. The address is 135 W Main Street. The cost is $25/per person and includes fried chicken with all the fixings, dessert, drink and tip. Contact and pay Pam Rahn before December 10 if you are attending.
(317-379-3888 or pjrahn@hotmail.com)
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December 14 — Hymn Sing
The Mary Martha Circle will meet on Thursday, December 14th at 11:30am at MCL Cafeteria near 116th Street and Keystone for our holiday luncheon. This is our last meeting until March 2024, so we hope you can all make it.
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December 14 — Hymn Sing
Are you eager to sing your favorite Christmas hymn(s)? We'll gather in the sanctuary with the ACC choir Thursday, December 14 at 7:00 pm to share the music of the season. Come ready to suggest a song and to lift your voice in praise. After the hymn sing, you're invited to stay and see what a choir practice at ACC involves as our devoted group of singers prepares for Advent and Christmas Eve worship.
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December 17 — Blue Christmas
The holiday season is not always merry and bright. For those grieving the loss of a loved one, navigating the end of a relationship, facing challenging health issues, or any number of things, it can be hard to find joy as Christmas approaches. If that sounds like you (or someone you know), then our Blue Christmas service is designed for you. Through silence, reflection, prayer, and song, we'll make space to sit with whatever you're experiencing. So, make sure this is on your calendar to gather in the sanctuary on December 17 at 5:00 pm and know that it's okay if you're not ready for a merry Christmas.
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December 24 — Christmas Eve Services
Because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, we will hold one combined service at 9:30 am.
Then, please join us at 5:00 pm for a family service created to particularly speak to our younger families with small children. It is also at a convenient time that allows for family traditions following the service. All are welcome! Come, celebrate the coming of the Christ Child!
To finish the day, we will gather for our traditional evening service at 7:00. Please invite family and neighbors!
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December 31— Combined Service
We will have one combined service on Sunday, December 31 at 9:30 am.
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January 15 — Shalom Zone MLK Service
On MLK Monday at 11:00 am, we will have a service at Cross & Crown Lutheran Church just North of ACC. Join us as we remember the contributions of Rev. Dr. King and commit ourselves to continue the work that King supported.
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Arts at Allisonville
CALLING ALL MUSIC AND DRAMA LOVERS! It’s time to get Arts at Allisonville rolling again. We are in the planning process for the next 12 months or so. Won’t you join us? If you love the arts, we want you. Contact Steve Caress (stcaress@yahoo.com), Shari Jacobs (slj1114@gmail.com), or Chris Higgins (chiggins@allisonville.org) and let us know. We want to start meeting soon to discuss/plan some exciting events.
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Christmas Assistance
ACC will again be supporting families inside and outside the church who could use a little extra help through the Christmas season. In addition to proceeds of the Cookie Walk, generous financial donations from church members have made this possible in the past. If you'd like to contribute to this effort, contact Pastor Beau or simply designate a gift to the church as "Christmas Assistance" and we'll ensure it ends up making someone's holiday brighter.
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Youth Group Meal Signup
We are looking for people to provide lunches for the youth group each week! You can click the button below and sign up for a date (or two). This is a great way to help support our important faith formation ministries. If you have any questions, please reach out to Josh.
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Seeking Exploring Worship and Worship & Wonder Volunteers for 2023
Would you like to be involved in our children's ministry next year? We are seeking volunteers for both Exploring Worship and Worship & Wonder. Here are brief descriptions of the roles we are needing to fill:
W&W Greeter - The Greeter helps to welcome the kids to Worship & Wonder and assists the Storyteller in crowd control and keeping the ministry flowing.
W&W Storyteller - The Storyteller leads the lesson directly from the Worship & Wonder curriculum. We have access to the official W&W training.
EW Teacher - The Teacher leads the activity for the day, such as the sharing of joys and concerns, reading the scripture for the day, etc.
EW Shepherd - The Shepherd assists the Teacher in getting the kids to the EW space and keeping the activity going smoothly.
If you are interested in any of these roles or if you would like more information about them, please reach out to Josh!
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Seeking Virtual Scripture Readers
Virtual scripture readers are needed. This is a meaningful way to contribute to our worship experience, and we invite more members to consider participating. Please contact John Quick (317-294-2709, qman21611@gmail.com) to sign up.
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Faith Formation Ministry
If you are interested in any Sunday School class or other faith formation opportunity, please reach out to Josh (jjackson@allisonville.org) and read more at allisonville.org/sundayschool.
Here's a brief rundown of our offerings:
- Worship and Wonder (9:30 and 11:00 in Room 12): Open to kids 3 years old through 1st grade
- Children's Sunday School (11:00 in Room 1): Open to kids in 2nd through 5th grade
- Youth Sunday School (11:00 in the Retreat House): Open to youth in 6th through 12th grade
- Adult Sunday School (11:00 Faith Class in the Fireplace Room, LIFE Class in Room 15, and Pathfinders Class in the Chalice Room)
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