 Monday, Dec. 18th at 5:30 p.m.
Christmas isn’t always happy. For those who are weary, grieving, lonely, or struggling with difficult memories, the holiday season can be painful. On December 18th, we will gather on one of the longest nights of the year to make space for grief and hope and remember the coming of Christ without all the tinsel and reindeer. Come if you are lonely, grieving, or having a difficult time this holiday season. Be with others who are also feeling blue. NOTE: This service will be in-person ONLY but if you aren’t able to join us in-person we have an at-home liturgy you can use. Please contact the office so we can send it to you. Image: A Dream Confirmed by Lisle Gwynn Garrity A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org  Nov. 26 - Advent Begins with HOPE Don’t forget to pick up your free Advent devotional and calendar at the church building. Online versions also available - just email the church office.  Dec. 3 - Lessons and Carols of PEACE Join us in-person or via Zoom for our annual Lessons & Carols service, led by members of our vocal and bell choirs.. Many thanks to our musicians for sharing your gifts in this way. We will also share Communion during worship. And after worship we are having a welcoming lunch for those who are new or new-ish to our congregation (RSVP at uccmanhattan.org/welcome).  Dec. 10 - the JOY of brass in Worship (and welcoming new members!) We’ll be joined by our beautiful brass ensemble during worship on December 10th. Join us at 10:30 a.m. for pre-service music in-person or via Zoom. We also plan to welcome new members during this service.  Dec. 17th - we LOVE the Christmas Pageant and Cookie Exchange Join us for our annual Christmas Pageant, led by the children of our congregation. Join us in person or via Zoom at 10:45 a.m. for this special service. The kids will be sharing scripture, story, and song. We can't wait to see what they've created! And….after worship it’s on to the Cookie Exchange! 🎄 Here's info about the cookie exchange! 1. Drop off 2 dozen cookies in Blachly Hall before worship. 2. After worship, we will hand out gloves and plates to those who dropped off cookies. 3. Participants will line up and walk around the table to choose three cookies each rotation until all the cookies are gone. 4. You will leave with 2 dozen new cookies to enjoy. 🎉 5. Eat on the way home??? 🍪 We have several folks in our congregation with food allergies. So we are also seeking volunteers to bring some store-bought/prepackaged cookies that will work for those who are gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, etc. Walmart, Hy-Vee, and Dillons all have good selections. Providing store-bought cookies ensures they are prepared safely, which can be challenging in a home kitchen. Plus, then you don't have to bake! Please DO bring the box along so those who need to can read the labels. Thanks! Dec. 18th - Blue Christmas (a worship service for the weary) at 5:30 p.m. Christmas isn’t always happy. For those who are weary, grieving, lonely, or struggling with difficult memories, the holiday season can be painful. On December 18th, we will gather on one of the longest nights of the year to make space for grief and hope and remember the coming of Christ without all the tinsel and reindeer. Come if you are lonely, grieving, or having a difficult time this holiday season. Be with others who are also feeling blue. NOTE: This service will be in-person ONLY but if you aren’t able to join us in-person we have an at-home liturgy you can use. Please contact [email protected] and we’re happy to send it to you.  Dec. 24th at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship Christmas Eve is a time for singing carols by candlelight and remembering the gift that came to us in a tiny town all those years ago. Join us at 7:00 p.m. on December 24th as we celebrate the birth of Christ by hearing the story once again and sharing Communion at Christ's table (open to all!). People of all ages are welcome at this service, in-person or via Zoom. Pre-service music will begin at 6:45pm. PLEASE NOTE: we will ONLY have the evening service on Christmas Eve (no morning activities on the 24th).  Dec. 31st: Poetry and Pajamas Worship
Christmas Sunday is Dec. 31st. The service will be centered around an offering of Christmas Poetry. If you are interested in volunteering to read poetry during worship, please contact Pastor Caela. Children are invited to come to worship in their pajamas on this low-key, comfy morning. Image credits: Christmas Eve: Ordinary Glory by Lauren Wright Pittman Blue Christmas: A Dream Confirmed by Lisle Gwynn Garrity A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org Advent devotionals and calendars will be available for pick up November 12th. Look for the plastic box outside the double doors that go into the office area at the church building or pick up in the lobby. If you'd rather have an electronic copy or need one posted in the mail, e-mail the office to request. Our devotionals are from A Sanctified Art and include poetry, art, scripture, and space for reflection. There is also a one-page family Advent calendar for your refrigerator. It includes simple activities for people or all ages.  Are you planning to purchase any gift cards for the upcoming holidays? Our congregation participates in RaiseRight, which enables us to receive a percentage of any gift cards you buy from their website. You'll find all kinds of major retailers: Target, Walmart, Starbucks, Airbnb, Amazon, Ulta, Best Buy, Home Depot, and more! When you purchase a gift card you'll see how much money will be returned to the church - anywhere from 1.5-15%! You can buy physical or eGift cards and have them shipped directly to your home or in a bulk order to the church. Bonus: you can even buy gift cards for your own everyday essentials and then use those gift cards as you need them. Win-win. To get started, click here. Please note: any cards that you have shipped to the church will not be available until December 20 so if you need them earlier, have them shipped to your home.  If you're new (or new-ish) we'd love to include you in one or both of these upcoming welcoming events in December. Sunday, Dec. 3rd after worship: join us in Andover Hall for a pizza lunch and time to get to know one another better. We'd love to learn about how our congregation can support you and provide opportunities for connection. Sunday, Dec. 10th during worship: we'll have a Covenant Celebration and welcome anyone who would like to become a member of our congregation. You can RSVP for the lunch and learn more about what it means to be a member HERE.  |
