On this fourth Sunday in Advent, the Sunday of Love, you are invited to bring candles
to cover our altar. Tapers in candle holders, pillar candles, tea lights and votive candles,
even a chandelier will be appropriate. This is a picture of last year’s altar of light.
The light is symbolic of the strengthening, passionate, and patient love of Emmanuel, God-with-Us.
Worship This Week
Sunday, December 23 – Advent 4 – Belonging Into Love. If you have more poinsettias you can bring them on the 23rd. Don’t forget your candles too.
Monday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Worship, 5:00 pm – Belonging Inside the Story. A service of Lessons, Carols, and Candlelight will shape worship. The refreshment and conversation time after the service will be a Bethlehem (House of Bread) Table. Bring a holiday treat to share. Who might you invite to join us on this holy night?
Advent Mission Project
This year our Advent Mission Project is raising funds for the transport and processing of all those plastic caps into our benches for the Monarch Waystation. The benches will be made by a company in southern Indiana. Thus far $630 has been given toward our goal of $800. We only need $150 more. Mission gifts will be collected through the end of the month. Gifts can be sent in to the church office or placed in the offering plates. Mark your gifts clearly “Benches.” Thank you for your generous support.
A Recap from the Week
Early last week Becky and Roger delivered 65 clay pot nativities from our Intergenerational Advent Event to the Lutheran Home in Mendota. They describe the joy residents shared as being overwhelming.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Theresa and Billy, Peggy, Rob Spanton, Martha, Carolyn, Diana, Dawn and Lars, Jim, Carey, and Cliffton, Sue, and Ann Thompson worked at Toys for Tots assisting with shopping and wrapping 100’s of presents. The many hours spent at the Salvation Army were tiring but so rewarding.
On Thursday Theresa and Martha delivered over 180 books to the Children’s Waiting Room at the courthouse in Sycamore. They were thrilled with this annual donation, a project of the Mayfield Fellowship.
And Phyllis sent out four $330 checks to Adventure Works, Hope Haven, Meals on Wheels, and Safe Passage. This outreach from the Mayfield Fellowship turns the proceeds from the bake table and attic treasures at our pancake breakfasts and other Fellowship donations into December gifts for area agencies and programs.
Thank you for helping us to share the spirit of Advent and Christmas so broadly.
Holiday Cards Received
Mayfield has received a holiday card from the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. Heart to Art, our 2018 Mother’s Day mission is under the umbrella of the Auditorium Theatre.
A card also came from Terri and all of George’s children and grandchildren. It included this note: To our dear friends at Mayfield, Thank you for the lovely card, your thoughts, prayers, songs and the love you held for George through the years and his illness. You are a loving, fun and kind group of people.
Annual Meeting Notice
Our constitution requires that notice of the annual meeting be given starting three weeks prior to the meeting. The annual meeting of Mayfield Congregational United Church of Christ will be held on Sunday, January 13, following worship. Your attendance and participation are encouraged.
Liturgists and hospitality hosts are needed beginning January 6. Please sign up on the sheet posted above the sausage freezer in our Gathering Area. And don’t forget that sausage is available for sale all year long!