Happy Saint Nicholas Day
Advent is drenched in rich and deep shades of purple and blue.
Good News from St. Paul’s UCC in Hinckley
St. Paul’s UCC, Hinckley was one of the churches that asked us about our bench project. Peggy visited there to talk with leaders in the congregation and also passed on to them a large number of bagged caps that we did not need. She has just heard from them that they recently picked up four 4’ benches and send their thanks for our support and all the plastic we passed on to them.
Thank You
Thank you to Diana, Peggy, Billy, Sue, and Becky for your worship leadership on November 24 and December 1 when Martha was traveling with her family. Thanks are also extended to the Deacons (Cary, Jan, and Theresa) and Rob Spanton for their recent holiday decorating in the entry, the gathering area, and the sanctuary.
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.
Please bring notes, cards, and drawings for Lina Okongo Adhiambo this Sunday, December 8. You can wish her a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, ask her a question, or tell her something about yourself and how you celebrate the holidays. JAMS students also love getting photographs from their sponsors. Diana will collect the cards, notes, photos, and drawings this Sunday and get them to Teresa and Andrew who are leaving for Kenya soon.
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 Sunday, December 15. We will be making gift bags of all sizes for Toys for Tots wrapping. Gift bag workshops will be held this Sunday, December 8 after worship and Sunday, December 15 at 9:00 am. The wrapping day at the Salvation Army is Wednesday, December 18, 9:00 am–5:00 pm. Let Dawn know when you can help wrap on 12/18.
Our first Advent Intergenerational Labyrinth Walk is this Sunday, December 8, at 9:00 am. Walkers of all ages are welcome.
Advent Worship – Sunday December 2 – Sunday of Peace
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)
On this second Sunday in Advent we continue with our theme of Dwell in Hope. Week by week Roger is adding to the artistic interpretation of this theme and quote in the sanctuary. We will be exploring Hope as Refugia drawing on the wisdom of the earth. This will be a service of word and table and will include our December communion.
Mayfield Fellowship
The Mayfield Fellowship will meet at Toma and Duane’s, 28882 Brickville, Sycamore at noon. Bring a delicious dish to share and board books for Court Watch. We will make decisions about this year’s gifts to area agencies and programs in DeKalb County, share in a rousing rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas, and enjoy a Christmas story. Use the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area at church to indicate you are coming.
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. This past Tuesday, Giving Tuesday, the Dekalb County Community Gardens, who partners with and receives support from the Food Bank, distributed $5000 of food in DeKalb County. Food Bank gifts can be given in the food bank box or the offering plates.