Welcome to our worship service on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022. The Order of Worship is available here.
EMMANUEL’S NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*Advent Devotional Booklets from the Society of St. Andrew are available in the Sanctuary Narthex. You are also invited to use the SoSA coin boxes to save your spare change to support their gleaning ministry, which helps to put food that would otherwise go to waste on the tables of hungry people.
*Next Sunday’s December Communion Offering is designated for our Holiday Food Box Ministry to help us provide Christmas boxes for needy families in our community.
*Singing in the Season: TODAY! Second Stage in Amherst invites the community to their annual “Singing in the Season” on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27 at 3:00 p.m. Participants will either drive or walk to 6 of our Amherst churches to join with local church choirs for carol singing and/or special seasonal selections. The festivities begin at Emmanuel at 3:00 p.m. and conclude at Second Stage at approximately 5:30 p.m. with a community carol sing and light refreshments. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome!
*“Deck the Halls” of the Church and Sanctuary, Wednesday, November 30, 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Worship Team invites the congregation to help us “deck the halls” of the church and Sanctuary on Wednesday, November 30 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. It is most helpful to have a few people present who are able to climb ladders to assist with some of the decorations. We appreciate your help!
*Special Advent Opportunities: Please see the purple insert in today’s bulletin for a full list of the special opportunities available for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Extra inserts are available at the Sanctuary entrances for you to use in inviting others to join you for these special events.
*“Sacred Space” Advent Meditation, Prayer and Communion ~ Thursdays of Advent, December 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. in our Sanctuary. Come and find a quiet space to center your spirit on Jesus Christ during the busyness of this season. Each gathering will begin with a time of silent meditation. We will then share together in a brief devotional thought, prayer and holy communion. All are welcome.
*Sunday, December 4, 3:00 p.m. ~ Come and join in as we share Christmas Caroling along Main Street. We will return to the church Social Hall for a light soup supper and ornament-making. Bring a friend and a pot of soup, a bread or a plate of goodies to share. Everyone is invited! If you only wish to attend the Soup Supper, please arrive at 4:00 p.m.
*Sunday, December 11, 10:30 a.m. ~ Share the Warmth Service featuring a blessing of the handmade offerings from our prayer shawl ministry that bring love and care to so many. We invite everyone to bring a new hat, a pair of gloves or a scarf for men, women or children for us to share with the needy families in our community. The service will also include an extended children’s time featuring our youngest disciples!
*Community Event: Winterfest Celebration for all Amherst County children and their families on Monday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 6, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Amherst County High School cafeteria. Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, in addition to free games, crafts, and hot dog dinner. Donations of food items for Amherst Cares will be collected.
*Poinsettia Tree for Advent and Christmas: Our congregation looks forward each year to the beautiful poinsettia tree that enhances our worship during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Please see the bright green form in today’s bulletin if you wish to place a poinsettia on the tree in honor or memory of someone. The suggested donation is $12/plant and forms need to be returned no later than Friday, December 9. Because Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, poinsettias will not be available for pick up until after morning worship on Sunday, December 25.
*Church Family Christmas Cards: Again this year, the congregation is invited to participate in our Church Family Christmas Card distribution which allows us to share postage-free Christmas wishes with our church family. Please prepare your cards in envelopes with the name of the recipient on the front of each envelope. Place your cards together in a plastic zip-lock bag with your name on the outside of the bag. Drop of your cards in the Narthex tub anytime between now and Sunday, December 11. Your cards from the church family will be returned to you in your same plastic bag beginning on December 18. The savings in postage gives us all an opportunity to make an additional gift to the church or to the charity of our choice. PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to send cards to some of our homebound or nursing/retirement home friends, or to those who do not worship with us regularly, addresses are available in the church directory or church office for you to mail them. The church is not able to mail cards that are not picked up.
