The Advent Jigsaw Puzzle
There are many symbols of Advent. We light Advent candles during Advent. As the candles are lit each week so the waiting progresses and the expectation grows. Christmas Day we light the white candle in the middle representing Christ, the Light of the World. Another sign of Advent is the Advent Calendar. Advent Calendars are about waiting in expectation of something happening eagerly counting the days until we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas.
But what about a jigsaw puzzle as a sign of Advent? I’m not sure it would ever catch on like candles and the calendars. But a jigsaw is a sign of passing time. I have phases when I’ll do a jigsaw. It goes out on the dining table and every now and then, as I pass, I’ll stop and put a few pieces in. It’s good to watch the picture emerge and develop as more pieces are placed in their right place. And that’s true of Advent. If we wait, if we watch patiently, then the picture of Jesus revealed to us during this time becomes clearer until we rejoice on Christmas Day.
But waiting isn’t something of a virtue in society today. We don’t wait. We live in an on-demand culture where everything has to be there when we want it. We have to have the latest gadget or piece of new technology now. People line up outside shops for days sometimes to be the first to get their hands on something new. And so it goes on. People cannot wait, cannot have patience. A jigsaw isn’t finished on demand. It takes time, it takes a lot of patience.
Advent is all about waiting, about wondering, about preparing ourselves for the celebration of the coming of Christ. Too often we
rush straight into Christmas from the beginning of Advent. Advent is an invitation to wait and wonder, to watch and ponder as the truth about the incarnation (God coming to earth) is unveiled. As we journey through Advent the picture of this Jesus becomes clearer. He is no ordinary baby, despite the surroundings of his birth. This Jesus we wait for is the one who will come again to redeem the world. We wait and watch and live our lives each day for him. This Jesus is the one who was promised from ages ago and to whom John the Baptist points and where his identity is confirmed in his actions – healing and loving, caring and sharing. And this Jesus we wait for is a king born in a stable, God himself come to earth for us.
The candles, the advent calendars, the jigsaw, all invite us to wait, to wonder, to look for Christ. He was born in an obscure stable in Bethlehem. He will come again with great glory. He is now hidden but can be found by those who wait and watch and wonder. May we wait in expectation and find Jesus this Christmas.
|
|
|
|
|
You Are Invited to Dine at the Table of Our Lord
This Sunday, Dec. 2
at the E3 9:30 and the
Traditional 11 a.m. Services, we will celebrate the Lord's Supper. Stick around after the early service or come early to the late service for coffee and goodies in Fellowship Hal
l.
|
|
|
Advent and Christmas Events
|
Sunday, December 2
- 9:30 AM E3 Worship
- 11 AM Traditional Worship
Sunday, December 19, 2016
- 9:30 AM E3 Worship
- 11 AM Traditional Worship
Sunday, December 16
- 11 AM Cantata - Let the Whole World Sing
- ONLY ONE WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, December 23
- 9:30 AM E3 Worship
- 11 AM Traditional Worship
Monday, December 24
- 4 PM E3 Worship - Journey to Bethlehem
- 7 PM Communion Service
|
|
|
|
|
Plan to attend the Christmas cantata and bring a friend! The choir has been hard at work on a new Christmas cantata “Let the Whole World Sing” which will be presented during the 11 a.m. worship service on December 16th. Since the birth of Christ, the gospel message has spread across the globe to a world that continues to shrink as communication technology expands. Christmas is now celebrated in more than 160 countries by people as diverse as the cultures in which they live. Despite our many differences, we celebrate the season united as one kingdom of believers. The hope for peace on earth is shared by millions of people in every corner of the world; this was the inspiration for the cantata composer - Joel Raney. This new cantata is made possible through generous donations to the UPC Memorial Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
Please join us each Sunday in Advent for the singing of your favorite Christmas carols. Plan to arrive for worship by 10:45 a.m. for this much loved UPC tradition on each Sunday in Advent 2018: Dec. 2nd, Dec. 9th, Dec. 16th, and Dec. 23rd.
|
|
|
|
|
UPC will be collecting Christmas Gifts
again this year for the children at Womanspace. All items are to be UNWRAPPED—this allows staff to best decide which child should receive the item. HOWEVER, they welcome wrapping paper, scotch tape, gift bags, tags, and ribbon. Please DO NOT donate items such as Candyland, Puzzles or Violent-type themed games. GREATEST NEED IS FOR CHILDREN AGES 13 - 17. GIFT CARDS are more than welcome especially for teenagers (remember our Church's Gift Card Fundraiser -- it'll be a win-win).Thank you for your generosity and kindness!!! Any questions contact Benita Rommel or Pat Anthony. Please place items in the box next to the Gift Tree by December 16th.
|
|
|
|
The Survivors community project this year is to collect new sweatshirts with hoods, hats, gloves and scarves for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). There is a box in the back of the sanctuary where you can drop off your donations. The deadline for is December 2nd.
|
|
|
|
|
Need A Gift Card or two or three?
Our current Gift Card Fundraising Campaign will end
with a last order date of December 9. Order forms are available in the Narthex. Please attach your check to the order form and place it in the offering plate or in the Financial Secretary mail box in the church office.
|
|
|
|
|
UPMen's Group - will meet for breakfast on Saturday, December 15th at 9:00 am at the Golden Dawn Diner, White Horse-Mercerville Road. Contact Jim Dixon for more information or to let him know you'll be there, 609-298-3398 or email:
[email protected]
Come share fellowship and food
|
|
|
|
|
WOMENS BOOK CLUB
will meet on Tuesday evening, Dec. 11
th
at 7pm in the Bertolet Lounge. We will be discussing
A Dog Named Christmas
by Greg Kincaid. All women of the church and their friends who enjoy good books, good fellowship, and yummy deserts are encouraged to join us. January:
Close to Shore
by Michael Capuzzo.
|
|
|
Each Christmas we decorate the Chancel with an array of beautiful poinsettias. All of our poinsettias for Christmas will be ordered from Yardville Florist. The cost is $6.75, payable with your order, please. If you would like to purchase one or more poinsettias in memory or in honor of a loved one, please fill out a form at church and place it in the offering or send your information to:
Mrs. Camille Nami
38 Bear Meade Drive
Hamilton, NJ 08691
The information Camille will need for each poinsettia ordered is:
In memory of _____________________________________
In honor of _______________________________________
Placed by ________________________________________
Please place your order by December 9th and enclose your check payable to: United Presbyterian Church Flower Committee. Poinsettias may be picked up following the 7pm. service on Christmas Eve.
|
|
|
|
|
Join us Sunday, December 16th - The Youth Group and anyone else who loves to sing and bring good cheer will meet at the church at 4pm to go caroling to our shut-ins. We should be back at the church by 8pm to enjoy hot cocoa. Be sure to dress warmly
!
|
|
|
- The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Mustaro
- Session Minutes from meeting of Oct 10, 2018 were approved. Treasurers report was approved.
- Building (Mold Issue) – Greenworks has conducted an air quality test, we are waiting for the results.
- Learned that one AA group has made a donation to help with the mold remediation and another AA group has volunteered labor to empty the basement when we are ready.
- Learned that the deacons have donated $500 in gift cards to be distributed by the Nurses at Hamilton Township for Thanksgiving an Christmas. An additional $100 will be given to members of the church that need assistance.
- Gift card fundraiser will run thru December 9th.
- Facilities: Pastor's Study nearly finished, Men's room fixed, Heat in pastor's study and teller room fixed, Space heaters purchased for teller's room and secretary's office.
- Tellers asked to lock all church doors and turn down heaters when they leave on Sundays.
- Pulpit supply has been arranged for December, January and part of February.
- Motion was made and approved to hold Christmas Eve services at 4pm and 7pm.
- Approved the Ashe family to use fellowship hall on 12/15/18.
- Set annual congregational meeting date for January 20, 2019
- Process for Hiring Interim Pastor – Paperwork has been completed, approved by Session and Presbytery, and posted.
*The next session meeting will be Tuesday December 18*
|
|
|
|
|
December Mission Spotlight
|
Our Mission recipient during the month of December is Womanspace. Womanspace, Inc. is a leading nonprofit agency in Mercer County, New Jersey, that provides a comprehensive array of services to individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence and dedicated to improving the quality of life for adults and their families. Programs include crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy and housing services. All donations earmarked for Mission will be donated to Womanspace.
|
|
|
|
Nikki
John
Fred
John
Art
Donna
Charlie Bloodgood
Liz Reedy – Healing
Tom & Sue – Healing
Pam & Dan – Healing
Susan – Healing
Bob – Healing
JD – Healing
Carol & Al – Healing
Connie – Post surgery healing
Gail – Post surgery healing
Dr. Jeff Cook – Cancer
Dr. John Bock – Cancer
Larry Borek – Cancer
Logan – An infant in Sarasota Fla who is receiving treatment for leukemia
Larry – Post stroke, long time care facility
Bud & Jenna – For healing of undergoing cancer treatment
Cindy – Family Health
Dave Kocis – Thanksgiving for surviving heat attack & successful surgery
Thanksgiving for the life of Marietta Burnett-Williams, prayers for his family
Thanksgiving for the life of Mike Mraz, prayers for his family
Everyone effected by the fires in California
Depression for family member Thanksgiving for spending the holidays with Amy
Thanksgiving for Ruth’s return to church following surgery
Traveling mercies for those on the road for The Holidays
|
|
|
|
|
Birthday greetings to the members and friends whose birthdays are in December.
3 Shauna Guld
5 Tom Kelley
6 Peg Stoeckel
8 Jessica Bateham, Paige Bates, Ronald Castor
10 Faith Yost
11 Justin Gazzillo
12 Jules Dolci
14 Sydney Worek
15 Caroline Germond
17 Irene Mason
18 Justin Clark-Weston, Jeremy Martino
20 Marilyn Machmer
21 Shaila Gomez, Gabriel Onderdonk
22 Evan Clark
24 Noelle Carpenter, Kristin King
27 Kelly Bernhard
30 Kristie Casole, Weston Scullly
|
|
|
|
Click on the link below to view our December happenings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The end of the year is rapidly
approaching and that
means time for tax planning. Please make your 2018
contributions by Sunday, December 30, 2018 to ensure
posting this year. If you have any questions, please contact Karl Peterson, Financial Secretary at (609)259-7256 or e-mail [email protected].
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
