E-VISION Weekly
December 4th, 2022
SERMON FOR DECEMBER 4, 2022 -- “A New Hope”
COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED
Christian Education oversees the religious education programming of the church.
A.M. Deacons visit and send cards to the shut-ins, and take care of Communion.
Music & Worship works on these portions of church worship.
Treasurer – we are looking for a person to fill this position.
Please contact Alan Hawkins to discuss serving.
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WANT TO GIVE ONLINE?
Please feel free to do so by going to: www.firstuccspringfield.com/
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AFTER WORSHIP COFFEE
We have a sign-up sheet on the table in the hallway if you and your spouse or your friends would like to be in charge of the AWC some Sunday following the 10:00 a.m. service. If you have not done AWC before, please contact Pat Fruchtl who will help you, or call the office.
CHOIR PRACTICE – will be held at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, December 4, December 11, December 18, 2022. Choir will sing on December 18 and December 24.
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BIRTHDAYS – ANNIVERSARIES
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
December 10 Neal Calderon and Rianne Hawkins
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
December 1 Elizabeth James
December 1 Katherine James
December 15 Tomas Schaver
December 17 Amy Norton
December 21 Rick Millard
December 25 Mary Moreland
December 30 Julie Boots
December 31 John Johnson
This Week:
Let us continue to remember these members, families, and friends in prayer and ask for God’s healing presence and comfort in their lives:
Those in the Armed Forces
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Lt. Jay Davis
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Staff Sgt. Anthony Miller – Illinois Army National Guard
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Brett Dickson – Air National Guard
In Care Facilities
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Violet Dickson – Concordia Village
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Judy Harman – The Estates Senior Living
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Diana Smith – Lewis Memorial Christian Village
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Tony Telford – Concordia Village
Members, Families, and Friends
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Trenton Barisano – Great-grandson of Lois & Joe Hassler
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Michelle Scotto, mother of Matthew Dickson’s widow Brittany, is not responding to treatment as hoped and is in need of more prayers.
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Mary Ann Risser – health concerns
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Andrew Stocker – grandson of Vi Dickson – health concerns
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Coming Soon!
December 11, 2022
10 am service
The Nativity Story
as retold by The Sunday School Kids
of First Congregational UCC
and a special friend
One performance only, so be sure to be there!
HOLIDAY COOKIE SALE
It is time to roll out the rolling pins, bring out the baking sheets, and review recipe cards! Yes, it is time to start preparing for First Congregational Christmas Cookie Sale on Saturday, December 10, from 9 am to 11 am. Kindly ask the members of our church to do what they do so well and that is to give of themselves. As many of you know, I was attracted to the church’s website when looking for a new church when we moved back and because you held a Cookie Walk for many years it’s as if it was meant to be that we become members of this church home. Humor aside, as the Chairperson for this event I hope you will assist me in this new endeavor here. I have overseen 20-plus years of cookie sales at other churches in New York so; I do know how to work my way around a kitchen. As they say, “the more you bake, the more we make”. So, once again, I am relying on all the good people of our church to come together in making one of the most fun events even more fun and profitable. Sign-up sheets are available near the front door of the church for volunteers, and bakers to help with this fun day. I will be giving updates during announcements at the end of service during the time leading up to the sale and keeping all abreast of the activity involved. Questions or concerns can be sent to me via email: at [email protected] or by calling me at 716.327.2230.
WHITE GIFTS
As we prepare for the upcoming Holiday Season of Hope and Giving, let us be reminded of those who are less fortunate and have a difficult time providing for their families.
As stewards of God’s Church, let us step forward with our kindness and charity and assist those in need.
In many years past, First Congregational UCC has sponsored a “White Gift Sunday” in which tissue wrapped gifts are brought forward during the morning service to be distributed to families in need. This year “White Gift Sunday” will be held on December 11, at the 10am service. On the tree outside the sanctuary will be the names and ages with gift ideas for those participants. You are kindly asked to take a name or two (or three) from the tree and return to church in white tissue paper with the card and name of the recipient attached. This will ensure that the gifts are given to the correct child/adult. Gifts will be sorted out after service and will be picked up by the family or MERCY Communities, Inc. at a later date. Please remember that gifts are due by December 11
Your continued interest and support to this endeavor is most appreciated and will brighten Christmas morning for many children and parents. As we are forever grateful with our blessings let us strive to share those same blessings with others. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: Jerry Morrison, 716.327.2230 or [email protected]. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 4, 2022 –
8:00 a.m. Worship service – Conference Room
10:00 a.m. – Service in Sanctuary – with Communion
Sunday School following the worship service
December 5, 2022 –
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Red Cross Boot Camp
7:00 p.m. - AA
December 6, 2022 –
5:30 p.m. - Deacons
December 8, 2022 –
1:00 p.m. - Stepping Up
8:00 p.m. – AA
December 10, 2022 – COOKIE WALK
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
December 11, 2022 –
8:00 a.m. – Worship Service in Conference Room
10:00 a.m. service – White Gifts - Hot Dog luncheon to follow
December 12, 2022
7:00 p.m. – AA
December 13, 2022
5:30 p.m. – Trustees
December 15, 2022
1:00 p.m. - Stepping Up
8:00 p.m. – AA
December 18, 2022 –
8:00 a.m. Worship in Conference Room
10:00 a.m. – Worship Service - Sunday School to follow
11:00 a.m. – Music Committee
December 19, 3022 –
7:00 p.m. – AA
December 20, 2022 –
Finance / Stewardship – time TBD
December 22, 2022 –
4:00 p.m. – Church and Ministry
8:00 p.m. – AA
December 24, 2022 –
6:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Service – Note time change
December 25, 2022 –
Christmas Morning Service – 10:00 a.m. -- No Sunday School will be held.
December 26, 2022 -
7:00 p.m. – AA
December 27, 2022 -
4:00 p.m. – Church Council
December 29, 2022 –
8:00 p.m. - AA
THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED TO OUR THANKSGIVING BASKET PROJECT
Linda Apenbrink
Fred Baskett
Tonia Bogener
Kathleen Campbell
Nancy Clements & John Johnson
Michelle Curby
Brenda Davis
Leslie & Mike Dickson
June Eagan
Tom Faller & Jill Hardy
Bob & Karen Ford
Jan Fouts
Pat Fruchtl
Kathy Handy & John Fisherkeller
Alan & D. J. Hawkins
Eva D. Saunders Hunter
John & Gloria Jordan
Linda K. Kohl
Aimee & Eric Mayland
Michelle & Joey McLaughlin
Rick Millard
Jerry Morrison & Rod Nash
Mike Nuding
Allen & Joyce Oertel
Rev. Jean Eyrich Pennell & Rev. Mike Pennell
Barbara Peterson
Ada Lynn Shrewsbury
Rev. Mary Alice Suter
Janet Ulm
Anne Woomer