The Union Church in Waban                
Friday, December 15, 2017
This Sunday

Mitten Tree Gifts are due this Sunday 
so that we can be sure they are 
delivered in time for Christmas
Sunday Offerings:

  8:00 a.m.:  Bible Discussion in Stacy's Study
 
10:00 a.m.: 
Worship - "Come to the Manger" Cantata by Mark Hayes
The choir will be leading us in worship this Sunday as they sing us through the telling of the Christmas story.  During worship, we will also be commissioning the Capital Campaign's Executive Committee and blessing them as they lead us in this exciting opportunity in the life of this beloved church.     
  
11:15 a.m.:
Bell Choir Rehearsal

1:30 p.m.: Waban Health Carol Sing  
    We will meet at 1:00p.m. at church for a brief rehearsal before heading over to sing with our friends at the Waban Health Center.   Youth will meet during Sunday School to prepare Waban Health Mitten Tree gifts and bake cookies (see below for details).  
 

Faith Formation and Fellowship


Please note
:
Lunch bunch is not just a ministry 
for our elders.  
It is a ministry for all of us. Please consider coming for lunch.  It is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with each other and enjoy some nourishing food and conversation. 
  

Advent Devotional Booklet

Copies of this year's Advent Devotional are now available in the Crocker Chapel and online at the Union Church Website HERE .  
This beautiful booklet is made up of reflections, poetry, stories and images submitted by members of the Union Church community, and is meant to travel with you through the weeks of Advent - each week focusing on the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.  We hope you will pick up a copy, and find wisdom and inspiration for your Advent journey. 


Children, Youth & Families
This Sunday! 
Caroling at Waban Health and Mitten Tree Gift Delivery 
This Sunday, Dec. 17 th
 
On Sunday afternoon, all are invited to join UCW youth and choir members as we travel to share Christmas cheer, carols and cookies with our friends at the Waban Health Center.  Our Youth will prepare our gifts from the Mitten Tree and bake cookies during Sunday School.  We will then gather at 1:00 p.m. at the church to rehearse our carols and walk over together to sing at 1:30 p.m.  Youth who would like to stay at the church after worship until the caroling begins can join Amy after reception for a Christmas movie and games on the stage.  We hope you will consider joining this joyous afternoon!

Nicaragua Bake Sale 
and 
Exploring Our Faith/Confirmation Trip  
Coming Up on January 7th
 
On the first Sunday in January, our youth will hold a bake sale during worship at Starbucks in Waban to raise money for service projects in Nicaragua.  We're grateful for donations of baked goods, and will share more information soon!   Also on that day, our Exploring Our Faith/Confirmation group will be traveling following worship to the Islamic Center of Wayland.  All EOF/Confirmation youth and their mentors are invited to join us for this meaningful visit.  For more about either of these opportunities, please contact Amy (amy@ucw.org).   
Mission Matters
Special Christmas Collection -
This Sunday

We look for the hope at Christmas in this troubling time of devastating natural disasters, unending war, famine and hunger, poverty, so many refugees who must flee their homes, food insecurity and climate disaster. We look for a way to help and we look for the helpers.
Church World Service since 1946  has "done in partnership what none of us could do alone" to respond to each of these; and in all areas of the world.  They write: "We believe that there is enough food, water and justice in our world. Our work to build alliances among faith groups, civil society, advocates and those in need and provide programs and services that are impactful is critical now. In the past year we have been able to make differences in tens of thousands of lives in more than 39 Countries" including the US and Nicaragua. 
By giving to Church World Service, using special envelopes or notation on your check, you support sustainable, faith-based solutions to hunger, clean water, immigrant support, climate change and disaster emergency response. Thank you.
Mission Updates
  • Our glorious mitten tree this year was decorated with 92 mittens! Folks at our Waban Health, and formerly homeless residents with Project Care and Concern will receive a chosen gift, and in some cases their only gift, for Christmas. Thank you. 
  • Our Thanksgiving Collection was received by Boston Warm. They write: "This is such a blessing! THANK YOU!! Again, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  We could not do this work without you. " 
  • Mark your Calendar: 
Care for Creation; our climate, our planet and our commitment. 
 Join Kevin Johnson and Interfaith Power and Light, Sunday, Jan. 7th at 
 11:30-12:40 p.m. to discern how we as a church can be active together in 
 caring for God's gift of this earth.   
  • Would you like to cook a hot soup and enjoy it with formerly homeless older folks served by Project Care and Concern? Join us Sunday, Jan 21st at 1:30 p.m. to drive together, and eat lunch with some folks who we enjoyed cookout with last summer. 
GBIO: One-on-One Campaign - Thank You! 
Out of Many, One .
Thank you to all who participated in UCW's three-week relational conversations campaign, otherwise known as  "One-on-One's."  Roughly two dozen UCW members partook in the opportunity to get to know one another at a deeper level, sharing a little of our biographies, our faith and our life's work. The one-on-one model is used in many churches as a way to strengthen the community through telling the story of our lives, our dreams, our challenges and what we value most.  We hope to continue the one-on-ones in the New Year so stay tuned!  For more information see Mark Smith or Kathleen Hobson, UCW's GBIO liaisons.
The Week Ahead at UCW
 
 
 
Sun., Dec. 17
8:00 a.m.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
 
9:00 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal
 
10:00 a.m.
Worship - Come to the Manger, A Cantata
 
11:15 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal
 
1:30 p.m.
Caroling at Waban Health
Mon.,   Dec. 18
7:30 a.m.
Living Waters-A Time of Quiet and Prayer
 
7:00 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal
Wed.,  Dec. 20
12:00 p.m.
Lunch Bunch
Thur., Dec. 21
10:30 a.m.
Waban Health Worship
 
6:30 p.m.
Capital Campaign Executive Committee
Sun., Dec. 24
10:00 a.m.
Worship
 
11:15 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsal
 
5:00  p.m.
Choir Rehearsal
 
6:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Worship
with Lessons and Carols
 
 
 
 
For a complete listing, and details of all upcoming events,  please 
visit our website,  www.ucw.org 
 
Christmas Week Copy Deadline :
To accommodate the schedules of all those involved in the production of the weekly announcements, including our volunteer folders and proof readers, we ask that material for this week's Friday e-Blast newsletter and Sunday Announcements insert  be e-mailed to the office at ucw@ucw.org , by 9:00 a.m. this Tuesday. Please specify whether for e-Blast, Sunday Announcements or both. Thank you !