DECEMBER/JANUARY  Newsletter

MINISTRY ACTIVITIES 
THIS WEEK
Sunday, December 4, Second Sunday of Advent, Dime Sunday
Return of Poinsettia Orders to Patty Erickson
Worship available online, DVD and CD
Adult & Children’s Sunday School Class meets today after Social Time
11:30 am Choir practice
Monday, December 5, 4-5:00 pm, Return Christmas Gifts to the Church
Wednesday, December 7, 10:15 Chapel Time
Thursday, December 8, 7 pm Joint Bible Study
Friday, December 9, 5-6 pm, Christmas Angels family pick up
Saturday, December 10, 9-10 am, Christmas Angels family pick up

NEXT WEEK
Sunday, December 11, Third Sunday of Advent, Penny Sunday
Worship available online, DVD and CD
Adult & Children’s Sunday School Class meets today after Social Time
11:30 am Choir practice
4-5:30 pm Christmas Caroling
Wednesday, December 14, 10:15 Chapel Time
5 pm Transition Team mtg.
4-5:30 pm Distributing cookies and poinsettias
6 pm Council meets
Thursday, December 15, Sonbeam Staff party @ noon
7 pm Joint Bible Study
 
LATER
Sunday, December 18, Children’s Christmas Program during worship
Wednesday, December 21, 7 pm McAlisterville Ministerium hosts Blue Christmas Worship Service
Thursday, December 22, 7 pm Joint Bible Study
Saturday, December 24, 8:40 pm Christmas Eve Prelude, 9 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day, Worship is at 10:00 am, You may wear an ugly Christmas sweater or Christmas PJ’s

You are reminded that pastoral care is always available.
Call the church office with any needs or emergencies.
717-463-3428
Pastoral emergencies - 814-931-1429
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Announcements 
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• Welcome to Worship - Thank you to everyone who makes this service possible. We are in the midst of the season of Advent. Thank you to those who will help light our Advent wreath as we await the birth of Jesus. We are also welcoming New Members this Sunday. Please introduce yourself after worship and congratulate them.

 

• Advent Offering Envelopes are in your mailboxes. This year's offering will be donated equally between the Juniata Food Pantry and the Tiger Treats program. Thank you for your generosity.

 

• The Tiger Treats schedule is posted in the narthex.  Please sign up for a week to volunteer to fill bags.

 

• Christ in Our Home devotionals for December are in the rack in the narthex.  Help yourself.

 

• It's A Wonderful Life Advent Series - Join us either Sunday mornings at Adult Sunday School or Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. at Lost Creek Presbyterian. We will be exploring the themes of A Wonderful Life through the lens of Advent. Thursday Bible studies will be available via Zoom.

 

• Christmas Caroling - Sunday, Dec. 11th - 4 p.m. Please join us as we share the joy of the Christmas season with the community. Please meet at the church dressed to sing outside. Refreshments will be provided afterward. There is a sign-up sheet in the back.

 

• Christmas Angel Project - This project began 28 years ago and this year we are helping 147 children and their families during Christmas. Please bring your wrapped, bagged gifts to the church tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 5th, from 5-6 p.m. Helpers are still needed to hand out gifts on Friday Dec. 9th at 4:30 p.m. or Saturday, Dec. 10th at 9 a.m. We also still need items for Blessing Bags (toiletry items). Please sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway. Thank you for your generosity and a special thank you to Sonya Nace for organizing this ministry.

 

• Sonbeam has gifted 2023 year at a glance "100 ways to praise your child" calendars for the congregation, they are available as you walk into the Chapel laying on the table, help yourself.  There are also small reusable tote bags for the children 10 and under, please see Betty Lou for one.  The children can use washable markers to color the bags, they can be washed and colored on over and over.  Merry Christmas from our Sonbeam Family!

 
Christmas Services Schedule

• Sunday, Dec. 18th - 9 a.m. - Children's Pageant during worship
• Wednesday, Dec. 21st - 7 p.m. - Blue Christmas Service - A Service of Remembrance and Hope - Honor your loss, embrace God's Hope. Hosted by the Juniata County Ministerium.
• Saturday, Dec. 24th - 9 p.m. - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

• Special Christmas music will begin at 8:40 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 25th - 10 a.m. - Christmas Day Service - All are welcome to wear Christmas PJs or Ugly Sweaters!
• Sunday, Jan. 1st - 9 a.m. - Lessons and Carols Service