Welcome to our worship service on December 3, 2023. The order of worship is available here.
EMMANUEL’S NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*Today’s December Communion Offering is designated for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund to help us meet emergency community needs as they arise in our community.
*Advent Devotional Booklets from the Society of St. Andrew are available at the Sanctuary entrances, as well as the coin boxes we can use during Advent to collect spare change for their gleaning ministry to feed the hungry.
*The Worship Team invites the congregation to join us as we “Deck the Halls” of our church and Sanctuary TODAY at 3:00 p.m. Thanks for your help!
*Wednesdays of Advent: December 6, 13, and 20 from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. “Sacred Space” Advent Meditation, Prayer and Communion 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!
*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 17. Your cards from the church family will be returned to you in your same plastic bag on December 24. 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.
*Saturday, December 9, 5:00-7:00 p.m. ~ Church Family Fun Night/Soup Supper: Gather for food, fellowship, games, carol singing and ornament making. Bring a crock pot of soup and a plate of Christmas goodies to share. All are welcome!
*Sunday, December 10, 10:30 a.m. ~ Share the Warmth Service featuring the annual blessing of the handmade offerings from our prayer shawl ministry that bring love and care to so many. We invite everyone to bring “Soft Slipper Socks for Seniors” (unwrapped) that will be distributed to elderly men and women in Amherst County through Central Virginia Alliance for Community Living. (The slipper socks that have the safety grips on the bottom are preferred).
*The Worship Team looks forward to the return of our lovely poinsettia tree that beautifies our Sanctuary for late Advent and Christmas. Please see the bright green form in your bulletin for details about this year’s poinsettias. Forms with donations are due NEXT Sunday, December 10.
*Christmas Caroling at Amherst County Museum: The Chancel Choir has been invited to sing Christmas carols during the Museum’s Annual Open House, NEXT Sunday, December 10 at 2:30 p.m. We encourage any interested singers in the church family to please join us!
*Today’s bulletin contains a listing of special events and worship opportunities for Advent and Christmas. Please make note of the information and share it with someone you know who may not have a church home during this holy season.
*We have opportunity to assist the three new Habitat families that will be living across the street from our church. If you picked up a red gift ticket last Sunday, please sign your name and the name you took on the clipboard at the back check-in station. Please return your wrapped gift with the red ticket attached to the Narthex tub by Sunday, December 17. Thanks for your help.
Words of Thanks
*“Food Lion Feeds”: Thanks to everyone that purchased a “Food Lion Feeds” box for Amherst Cares. Thanks to your generosity, enough boxes have been donated to send home for Christmas. Thank you!
*Thanks to everyone that assisted with the luncheon for the family of Virginia Brockman. Your generous gifts of food, time, love and support are most appreciated.
