On the Third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Joy, we switch from purple or blue to shades of pink and rose. Consider wearing a hue of pink tomorrow if you have something that color. This is also the Sunday when we bring red, white, or pink poinsettias to add to the decorations in the sanctuary. And tomorrow for the first time, beginning at 10:00 am, we will experience Breakfast Church, a contemporary version of worship in the early church which was wrapped around a meal. Thank you to Dawn and members of the Church Council for providing breakfast. As we continue our journey with hope, our morning theme will be The Connective Tissue of Hope. The final bag making workshop for Toys for Tots wrapping will be at 9:00 am.

Mayfield Fellowship

The December meeting was held at Toma and Duane’s. We shared a delicious meal and made decisions to send holiday gifts to Hope Haven, Adventure Works, and the Dekalb County History Center. A good conversation followed with ideas for next year’s program. 103 board books were collected for the Children’s Waiting Room at the county courthouse. And we enjoyed our two holiday traditions: a rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas and a seasonal story. It was good to welcome Joanne, Peggy’s mom, to our meeting and to see both Phyl and Phyllis.

JAMS Notes

Remember that our Advent Mission Project this year is for Lina’s tuition for the next school year which begins in the winter. This annual collection totals $800.  Mark your gifts in the offering plate or by mail for JAMS. Thanks.

Toys for Tots

Once again, we are collecting unwrapped teen gifts for Toys for Tots. Popular gifts are small electronics, sports equipment, bath and body products, clothing for local sports teams, hats/scarfs/gloves/mittens, and games. Bring your gifts to church by tomorrow.The last gift bag workshop will be held at 9:00 am tomorrow. The wrapping day at the Salvation Army is this Wednesday, December 18, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Let Dawn know when you can help wrap on 12/18.

Looking Ahead

  • Sunday, December 22 — Advent 4 – Hope on the Wings of Youth  – Our intergenerational labyrinth walk will be held at 9:00 am. Worship will reach the fullness of our Advent waiting this morning. Please bring a candle or several candles to cover our altar with light for worship from now through the days of Christmas. Additional poinsettias will be welcome too.
  • Tuesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Worship – 5:30 pm – Nested in Hope – Our hope will be expressed in word, and song, and light. Following worship, our refreshment and conversation time will be a Bethlehem (House of Bread) Table. Everyone is invited to bring a special holiday treat to share.

Throughout the Year

  • We have whole hog sausage available for sale at church. $5 per pound, bulk and patties.
  • We support the work of the Northern Illinois Food Bank in addressing the needs around hunger and food insecurity in thirteen northern Illinois counties. Food Bank gifts can be given in the food bank box or the offering plates.

The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for.
And the most you can do is to live inside that hope. Not admire it from a
distance but live right in it under its roof.  (Barbara Kingsolver)