STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
Thursday, December 16, 2021
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
DECEMBER 24, 2021
Family Worship at 2:00 & 3:30 pm
The 2:00 pm serice will have assisted sign language.
Read about our ASL efforts in this story published by SNEUCC:
https://www.sneucc.org/blogdetail/wellesley-hills-church-finds-energy-in-sign-language-15797652
Traditional Candlelight Service
6:00 & 8:30 pm
Worship Leaders:
Rev. Dr. Jill Edens
Rev. Rick Edens
Rev. Judy Swahnberg
Rev. Anne Marie Holloway
John Finney, Director of Music
Sally Tomasetti, Children's Ministry Director
Christmas Offering: Honduras Hope
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NAMING JESUS . . .
This Advent Season as we prepare our hearts for the arrival of the Christ child we will also reflect on the meaning and mystery behind the many names of Jesus.
Join us for in-person worship each Sunday and pick up an Advent Devotional. Each week we will have a new ornament engraved with a special name for Jesus and corresponding scripture for your reflection. Our church members will be invited to take an ornament home to hang on their tree (one per family) each Sunday throughout Advent.
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The Poetry of Advent Bible Study
Week 4: LOVE
Sunday, December 19, 11:30am to 12:30pm
Join Rev. Judy Swahnberg in the Reception Room
Join the clergy after worship each week for an hour long Bible Study. The word “Advent” means coming or arrival. Waiting, longing, and preparing for that arrival, we light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love. Poetry can help us as we wait. So grab your favorite Bible and Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver (the poems can also be found online). Week by week, we’ll make our way to Bethlehem, attending with care to the lights and shadows as we go.
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Thank you to everyone . . . |
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for helping the "letters" come to life! |
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Thank you to Noreen Young . . . |
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for her amazing design skills this Advent! |
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Looking for good gift ideas for Christmas?
Check out the following Christian themed racial justice focused book recommendations at this LINK. Books can be found at these local, independent bookstores:
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“As people of faith and followers of Jesus, filled with love, we seek a just world for all.”
Racial Justice Working Group Mission Statement
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Assistance Through the UCC to Those affected by the Tornados
Last week's tornadoes were devastating. You can contribute towards recovery through the Severe Storms 2021 Fund at UCC Disaster Relief. You may contribute online by clicking on Donate now! If you send a check: make it to the United Church of Christ and write Severe Storms 2021 in the memo line. It may be mailed to United Church of Christ Disaster Relief, PO BOX 71957, Cleveland, Ohio 44194.
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Hills Church Weekly Calendar |
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December 16
10:00 am
5:30 pm
7:00 pm
December 17
7:30 pm
December 18
3:00 pm
4:00 pm
December 19
9:45 am
10:00 am
11:30 am
4:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:30 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
7:30 pm
December 20
2:00 pm
3:30 pm
December 21
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
December 22
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
8:00 pm
December 23
10:00 am
5:30 pm
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THURSDAY
Staff meeting/Christmas Party (Reception Room)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L)
CSSB Meeting (Board Room)
FRIDAY
AA Meeting (Board Room)
SATURDAY
Choir Warmup (Sanctuary)
Christmas Music & Worship (Sanctuary)
SUNDAY - Fourth Sunday of Advent - LOVE
Church School
Worship Service/Fellowship (Sanctuary)
Poetry of Advent Bible Study (Reception Room)
Handbell Practice (Bell Room)
New World Chorale (Sanctuary)
Boy Scouts (Assembly Room)
Youth Cafe (Upper Room)
Youth Conversation Circles (Upper Room)
AA Meeting (Board Room)
MONDAY
Food Pantry (onsite)
Suzuki Violin (Assembly Room)
TUESDAY
Food Pantry (Pantry)
ARCH check-in (virtual)
WEDNESDAY
Food Pantry (pantry)
Confirmation Class (Upper Room)
Chancel Choir (Sanctuary)
THURSDAY
Staff Meeting (Reception Room)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L)
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Hills Church Parish Register |
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Welcome to new members of the Hills Church:
- Garrett Murphy, Kit Novotny and Nate Klug, who joined on December 12, 2021.
Prayers of joy for:
- Susan MacDonald on the December 12 birth of her grandson, August “Gus” Neal Thomas, son of Jason and Amanda MacDonald.
Prayers of Sympathy for:
- Betsy Sechrest, Anne Dowell, Susan S. Sandberg, and Holly Sechrest and family on the December 2 death of Robert “Bob” C. Sechrest, husband, father, and grandfather, at age 91. A private family graveside service was held on December 3. A Memorial Service at the Hills Church will be held at a later date.
Prayers of health and healing for:
- Paul Bruchez, recovering from surgery
- Mary Hill Canavan
- Amanda Crowley’s father, Terry Peel, recovering after COVID
- Todd and Amanda Crowley’s son, Sam
- Wyatt Derr, infant son of Kristin and Jason Derr
- Bruce Dishman, recovering at home after surgery
- Harriet Dishman’s cousin, Hugo Grooters, recovering after multiple surgeries
- John David Ferrer’s dear friend Sary Rodriguez, recovering from a stroke
- Emily Gauthier’s daughter, Sophia Gauthier
- Cindy Gordon’s brother, Rob Gordon, in cancer treatment.
- Kevin Groppe’s brother, George, recovering after surgery in California
- Jeff Miller, being treated for lung cancer in Scottsdale, Arizona,
- Alice Mullin, recovering at home after surgery
- Jim Nicoletti, receiving treatment
- Marilyn Nutting’s sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Nutting
- Burt Payne
- Sarah Pedersen
- Lynn Perry
- Elizabeth Robertson, at Pine’s Edge at North Hill recovering from a fall
- Sue Spencer
- Elaine Pipes and Helen Turner’s brother, Bob Pipes
- Bob Tomasetti, recovering from surgery
- Bob Tomasetti’s friend, Kristi Withington
- Angela Vanstory, in treatment
- Mariela Vargas’ sister, Cristina
Prayers for those continuing in treatment:
- Jeremy "JJ" Demers
- Helen Turner
Prayers for those in hospice care:
- Wei Chen, Bin Chen’s mother
Always in our prayers:
- Matt Schuler, son of John and Dwin Schuler
- Martha Spencer, Bill Spencer’s sister
- Prayers for the sick, and for the medical teams caring for them
- Prayers as we all navigate the landscape of COVID 19
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"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications
Need to spread the word about an activity or event?
ARTICLES DUE MONDAY BY 5:00 PM
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