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December North Star

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Worship

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Rev. Emilia Halstead

9:30-10:30 am - Greening the Chapel

10:30-11:30 am - Fourth Advent (Peace) with Communion

11:30-12:15 - Celtic Christian Advent Discussion

"When We Fell Out of Animal Presence, was Dance Our First Language?"

Blues Musicians

Purvis Young, 1990s

Mixed media on panel

48 x 46 inches

Crystal Bridges Museum

Young documents the African American community in Miami. He often uses cast off materials found in the streets.

Watch on Youtube

Bulliten

ZOOM

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• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 898 5728 4935

Passcode: 120786

Attendance Last Week

Sunday, November 30

In-Person: 10

Zoom: 3

YouTube: 5 views in the first 24 hours

Weather: 34° and cloudy

2025 Advent & Christmas Activities and Services

[We are following the Celtic Christian tradition of 40 days of Advent this year, which makes for 2 additional Advent Sundays]

Sunday, December 7th

9:30-10:30 am - Greening the Chapel

10:30-11:30 am - Fourth Advent (Peace) with Communion

11:30-12:15 - Celtic Christian Advent Discussion

Sunday, December 14th

10:30-11:30 am - Fifth Advent (Joy) & Hanging of the Chrismons

11:30-12:15 - Celtic Christian Advent Discussion (?)

Sunday, December 21st

2:30-4:30 pm - Jazz Sanctuary; Sixth Advent (Love)

Wednesday, December 24th

6-7pm - Candlelight Christmas Eve Service (Christ)

Sunday, December 28th

10:30-11:30 am Worship service with Christmas Hymn Sing

Sunday, January 4th

10:30-11:30 am Epiphany worship service with Communion

11:30 Coffee hour

Wesley United Methodist Church

Silent Auction

Each item up for bid has been generously donated by our parishioners, with all proceeds directly benefiting our ministries. By participating in our auction, you're not just acquiring remarkable items; you're also making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Spread the word, rally your friends and family, and together, let's make this auction a success!

Online bidding will be happening until December 6th. Come to Hanna Hall on Saturday between 10 AM and 1 PM for the final day to see the items and to bid in person. There will be a potluck, music, and sharing. Won items may be taken home Saturday or arrangements may be made to pick them up later.

CLICK HERE to start bidding now!

Circle Gatherings

Prayers for the Nation

Join Rev. Reneé Rouse as she guides participants through group prayers for our nation and the world. These sessions take place on Zoom every Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 PM.

Join on Zoom

Dial in by phone:

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 811 7129 7350

Passcode: 475344

Racial Justice Steering Team

This coming program year (Sept-May), the Racial Justice steering team is reading Black Portsmouth: Three Centuries of African-American Heritage by Mark Sammons and Valerie Cummingham, a comprehensive history of the Black community in Portsmouth from 1648 until the early 21st century. We’ll be reading and discussing this book, in addition to taking action to learn more about those of African descent in New Hampshire, and we invite you to join us! You can purchase the book at Gibson’s Bookstore (look in the “Local Authors” section), order through blackheritagetrailnh.org, or through Amazon.com.

The next meeting will take place on January21st on Zoom

from 2:30-4:00 PM.

ZOOM Link

Dial by your location

• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington

• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 853 7898 6356

Passcode: 596356

OUTREACH

Ministry of Outreach

Kid Kits And Clean Up Buckets

We need bags for the Kid Kits. While you have your sewing machines out for your Christmas projects, take time to sew a bag or two. Directions can be found at CWS School Kits or on the bulletin board in front of the chapel.

Please continue to take sticky notes for the items needed to fill clean up buckets.

Crop Walk

It's not too late to turn in money for crop walk. A final total will be given when all the money is in.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has been having rains daily the past two weeks. The Wall Street Journal reported that parts of Africa are experiencing cholera due to the rains.

Neighbors In Need

We have received $20 for NIN. $135 for Strengthen the Church and $90 for Zimbabwe. Thank you.

Salvation Army Christmas Angels

Please take an "angel" from the bulletin board and return the requested items unwrapped by Dec. 10.

Heifer International

Need help finding the perfect gift, Heifer International has the answer. Buy the gift that will make a long-lasting impact. Buy a share of a goat, heifer or sheep. Buy a flock of chickens or some honeybees. Sara Nichols has catalogues and cards if anyone is interested.

The Christmas Fund

The Christmas fund has been caring for active and retired clergy for over 100 years providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums and Christmas thank you gift checks each December to our lower income retirees. Please give generously.

Christmas Eve offering

It has become a tradition to donate the money received on Christmas Eve to Family Promise. Let's continue this tradition and contribute to a good cause.

Java & Jazz at William & Sons Coffee Company - Saturday December 6

Start your Saturday morning with smooth bossa novas, fresh brews, and a whole lot of soul! From 9:00–11:00 AM, members of the Jazz Sanctuary House Band will be serving up live jazz to pair perfectly with William & Sons’ Brazilian-inspired coffee, decadent pastries, and breakfast sandwiches.

Every tip dropped in the jar goes straight to Family Promise of Greater Concord, supporting young families facing homelessness. (Tips optional, good vibes guaranteed!)

Don’t miss this chance to sip, snack, and swing along — you might even catch a crowd favorite, “What a Wonderful World.”

Did you miss worship last week?

Bulletin for 11.16.2025

Worship Assistant Schedule

Would you like to be a worship assistant? Please email Pastor Emilia.

Rev. Renee' Rouse (Sunday, December 7th)

Phil Kimball (Sunday, December 14th)

Jazz Sanctuary - December 21st (No Reader)

Annie Papinsick (Sunday, December 28th)

Jim Wildman (Sunday, January 4th)

Eleanor Kimball (Sunday, January 11th)

Jazz Sanctuary - January 18th (No Reader)

Sheila Swenson (Sunday, January 25th)

Sara Nichols (Sunday, February 1st)

December Birthdays

Arthur Swenson Jr. – 12/6

(If you would like your birthday listed, please email

Kathy at secretary@concordsfirstchurch.org)

PRAYER CONCERNS & PASTORAL CARE

If you would like your name included in the weekly prayer list, please contact our church administrator, Kathy secretary@concordsfirstchurch.org

We invite you to keep these people in your prayers this week:

Carol Hovey - Healing

Matt Wildman - Healing

Jim J - Healing

Family & Friends of Howard "BJ" Steinberg - Peace

Family of Carol Emery - Peace

Kellie Heath - Healing

Family of Franklin Richardson Rouse - Peace

No one from First Congregational Church will ever contact you by email, text, or any other type of message to ask you to purchase gift cards on our behalf. If you receive a message asking for a "favor," or that you do something "discreetly," please give us a call right away.

Copies of our church directory are available in the church office. Please stop by in person during office hours if you need one.

Staff Information