Dear friends and members of Emmanuel Church,
It’s a beautiful morning on God’s hill!
As we pause and take stock of last week’s Thanksgiving events, we also look forward to what God has planned for us in the days to come:
Export’s Night of Lights: This Friday, December 1–Emmanuel Church has been invited to participate in the Night of Lights in Downtown Export by providing carol music. Please plan on arriving to meet me at the Export fire hall at 6:30 p.m. A prayer will be offered by Father Efren, St. Mary’s pastor, at 6:45 p.m. The moment of lighting the Export tree will be at 7 p.m. I anticipate we will be done singing at around 7:15 or 7:30 but you will be able to walk around and sample the cookies which various businesses in Export will be handing out as well as seeing the storefronts decorated.
Hanging of the Greens–Decorating the Church–Saturday morning, December 2nd, we will meet at 9 a.m. to decorate the church. Doughnuts will be provided as well as coffee and hot chocolate, etc.
Advent Evening Meditation–Saturday, December 2 at 5 p.m. Every Saturday in Advent we will meet in the sanctuary for our first ever Advent Evening Meditations. If you are searching for pause, refreshment and, most of all, God, this Advent time, we will enjoy holy silence, and pause to light candles, hear Scripture, and sing a few carols. Afterwards, we will adjourn to the Steele Building for hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and coffee. Bring a friend for this moment of peace in a tough world!
Sunday, December 3rd–First Sunday in Advent and Covered Dish Christmas Party–Worship on Sunday is focused on waiting for Jesus, who offers us the words of ‘eternal life’ (John 6:68). We will light our advent candles, sing, and hear how God is preparing again to invade our reality this Advent. After worship will be the annual Christmas party and you are invited to bring a dish to pass. If you would like St. Nicholas to give your child a present, please bring it prior to worship and place it in the church office and we will see that St. Nick gets to give it to your child.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Joseph
Emmanuel Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ 