Clay pot figures will soon find their places in
65 clay pot nativities begun at last week’s
Intergenerational Advent Event. Nativities
will be given to residents of the Lutheran Home
in Mendota, where Becky’s mother is a resident.

A Spirited Start to Advent

Last Sunday our sixth annual Intergenerational Advent Event was as wondrous as the five that came before it. The lower level of the church was abuzz with energy and warmth. Baby blankets were tied, bags of George’s bean soup were assembled, clay pot biblical figures came to life, Toys for Tots gift bags were folded, and milkweed seeds were relieved off their fluff in preparation for stratification over the winter. The day was all about the comforts of belonging. And the comfort snacks shared included chili and a baked potato bar. Thank you everyone who was able to take part.  Special thanks are extended to Dawn for her organization of materials, stations, and activities.

Advent 2 – December 9 – Belonging to Peace

The day will begin with an Advent Breakfast at 9 am.  A tasty meal will be served, and a free will offering will be taken to begin this year’s Advent mission project. Our 2018 project is focused on belonging more fully to the earth on which we dwell. Our goal is to raise $800 during December to cover the costs of driving our massive collection of plastic caps to southern Indiana and the costs of processing all that accumulated plastic into beautiful benches for our Monarch Waystation. Your gifts will be received throughout the month.  Please mark them for “benches.”  See you at breakfast.

Take a good look around the sanctuary and the gathering area Sunday. Our Deacons – Jan, Karen, and Theresa – have been busy decorating. It looks beautiful.

We will continue to make gift bags for Toy for Tots after worship.

Mayfield Fellowship

On Thursday, December 13, the Mayfield Fellowship will meet at Rita and Wilma’s home, 12922 Williams Circle, Genoa at noon. Bring a delicious dish to share and board books for Court Watch. This beloved holiday meeting will include decisions about the distribution of the year’s gifts to county agencies and programs, an enthusiastic singing of The 12 Days of Christmas, and a seasonal story. All are welcome.

Looking Ahead

Sunday, December 16 – Advent 3 – Belonging with Joy – Confirmation Walk at 9 am based in the text of Mary’s visit with her cousin Elizabeth. New members will join during worship at 10 am. You are invited to bring red, pink, or white poinsettias to add to the decorations in the sanctuary. We will make our last gifts bags for Toys for Tots.
Toys for Tots Wrapping – Tuesday, December 18 (9 am – 5 pm) and Wednesday, December 19 (9 am – noon). Check with Dawn to let her know when you can help with our ninth annual wrapping at the Salvation Army.
Sunday, December 23 – Advent 4 – Belonging Into Love.  If you have more poinsettias you can bring them on the 23rd.
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?

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus and his vision
for the world, as well as the child spirit in all of life –
beginnings tenderness, vulnerability, innocence.
Christmas is an inner experience and an outer one.
(Thomas Moore)