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INSIDE THIS ISSUELESSONS FROM SCROOGE ————————–———— pg. 2BOGHT ARTS CENTER TO CLOSE —————————– pg. 3SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE ——————––—-——–- pg. 4CAPITAL REGION THEOLOGICAL CENTER NEWS —-– pg. 5CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS --———————————— pg. 6CARING FOR CREATION —————–—————-——— pg. 7

   7   0   1   S  a  n   d   C  r  e  e   k   R  o  a   d ,   C  o   l  o  n

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  e   l  e  p   h  o  n  e   (   5   1   8   )   8   6   9  -   5   5   8   9

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  w .  c  o   l  o  n   i  e  r  e   f  o  r  m  e   d .  o  r  g

 

Christmas Angels Serve asDecember’s Mission of the Month 

Doris Neese

Every year, Community Reformed touches the lives of 

people in our community who are facing financial hard-

ships through its ―Christmas Angels‖ mission. 

Starting in December, the Christmas Angels will be on dis-

play in the sanctuary, with suggested Christmas gifts for

families in need.

This year we have two families we would like to help out.

If you would like to support this project, please check over

the display of angels, choose a gift you would like to pur-

chase, and write your name and the number of the se-

lected angel on the sheet that has been provided.Gifts should be wrapped and returned no later than De-

cember 19.

A box will be placed in the church narthex for the collec-

tion of the gifts. If the gift does not need to be wrapped,

that will be so noted on the angel. The selected angel

should be attached to the gift so it can be paired with the

intended recipient.

Gift certificates can be given to Doris Neese.

Boght Arts Center www.boghtarts.org 

Close to Home Albany Synodwww.albanysynod.org/newsletter.htm 

Capital Region Theological Center www.capitalrtc.org 

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Community Reformed News2

December’s Prayer of the Month Christmas Prayer 

Loving Father,

Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindnesscome with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil bythe blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and Christmas eve-ning bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus'sake. Amen.

~~Robert Louis Stevenson

Lessons from ScroogeKaren Reynolds

What spiritual lessons can we learn from Ebe

nezer Scrooge?Beginning November 28, the Adult SundaySchool class is going to find out.

Throughout the four Sundays of Adventwhich begins on November 28, the Adult clasis taking a different look at Charles Dickensbeloved Christmas story, A Christmas Carol 

This study incorporates Scripture and familia

Christmas carols with the story, exploring itthemes of hope, redemption, transformationthe work of the spirit and the Christian life.

The Adult ―Reformed‖ School meets in thback corner of the church roughly from 9:10to 10:10 each Sunday Morning.

As always, you are all welcome to join this group which studies the Bible awell as current topics relevant to Christians today.

Please consider making Scrooge a part of your Advent this year.

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Bible Verse for DecemberIn each issue of Cross and Comments we offer you a Bible verse to contemplate, studyand memorize. It is our hope that this will be one more way you can connect withGod’s word. 

 John 1: 1-5 

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 

He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without himnothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of 

all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[ a ] it.

Community Reformed News3

Boght Arts Center to Close 

The Board of Directors - The Boght Arts Center President, Shawn Turner Director, Scott B Adams 

Director: Scott B Adams, Volunteer Coordinator: Bobbie Reno, Treasurer: Robert Goodman Board of Directors: Shawn Turner, President; Sally Reckner; Tony Skrabalak; Rev. James Hart Brumm; Rev

Bruce Cornwell; Donna Davidson; Doris Neese; Cheryl Gowie; Bobbie Reno, Robert Goodman

The Boght Arts Center: Where art & spirit converge 

583 Boght Road Cohoes, NY 12047 518 785-ARTS

boghtarts@verizon.net  www.boghtarts.org 

The Boght Arts Center Board of Directorsmet Wednesday, November 3rd and passeda motion that The Boght Arts Center will

close its doors at 583 Boght Road, Cohoesas of December 31st, 2010. The Board isextremely grateful to all the people whohave donated their time, talent, and treas-ure to this endeavor. We strongly believethat our mission has been a success, andour mission will continue. However, the de-mands to maintain such a broad programand withering property simply cannot bemet given our current and trended financial

and volunteer levels.It is very important to note that financialsupport we received from individual donorshas been very strong. We also have re-ceived significant support from The AlbanyClassis of the Reformed Church in Amer-ica. Complications that can be attributed to

the current economic climate and uniqudynamics of our own situation left us lacking for major funding in the form of grants

corporate support, and adequate seemoney. This kind of funding is critical to start up venture and particularly to one ithe arts world.

Details of a new mission "without walls" will bforthcoming. We hope to preserve as much oour program as possible, but only take owhat our resources can truly manage. As outeam and finances grow, we will again expanand follow where the spirit leads.

We hope you find the chance to attend somof the great programming still to come ovethe next two months here in Cohoes. Thanyou so much for being a part of this continuing journey as many of us still seek thaplace where art and spirit converge.

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Community Reformed News4

You can now find Community Reformed Church of Colonie on Facebook!Facebook is a great way for you to connect others in your life to Community Re-formed.

Through photos, announcements, and timely updates, the church can keep you and allyour Facebook Friends informed about all the ways the Spirit of God is moving throughour church.

The results? More people will know about Community Reformed. And more people canhear God’s message through the church. 

If you are a Facebook user, please become a Friend of Community Reformed right away.

Be a “Friend” of Community Reformed Lou Ann Connelly

Service of RemembranceSunday, December 5

7 PM

Together we remember those who have passed from this lifebut remain in our hearts this holiday season.

Christmas EveWednesday, December 24

5 PMWorship for the Young and Young-at-Heart

7:30 PM 

Carol Sing

8 PM 

Candlelight Worship

All are Welcome

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  Community Reformed News5

November 201

Capital Region Theological Center is proud to present  

"READING SCRIPTURE THROUGH OTHER EYES"

 January 20-21

 A webcast event in partnership with Trinity Institute

and co-sponsored by St. John's Lutheran Church, Albany  Join us as this international panel of distinguishedspeakers explores Scripture Study that is both authentic,

prophetic, and transformative! 

Keynote speakers:Walt Brueggemann, Teresa Okure, Mary Gordon and Gerald O. West 

When:  Thursday-Friday, January 20-21, 2011 

Where:  St. John's Lutheran Church160 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206

Fee:  $125 by December 21, 2010 

$140 thereafter 

Morning refreshments and lunches included. 

Register Today! 

OTHER OFFERINGS FROMCAPITAL REGION THEOLOGICAL CENTER 

It’s gift-giving time, but don’t we all have enough STUFF? Why not try a CRTC Gift Certificate for your favoritechurch school teacher, pastor or that budding theologianin your household? Call or email our office now! Look at

all of the courses coming up:

“Old Testament I: History, Israel’s Faith and Our Future”  Rev Dr. Johan Bosman, 20 hours: 4 Thursday eves be-ginning January 17, and 2 Saturdays; Christ Community 

Church, Clifton Park.(see website)

A course in our Lay Theological Educational Program, open to all

$250.00; 200.00 to audit. Registration deadline: Dec 17.

(Continued on page

Quick Links 

Visit our Website! 

Register Now 

About Us 

View Our Other Courses! 

CRTC's Mission is to: 

Equip with tools for developing

and expressing faith;

Connect people and resources,creating community; and

 Inspire a commitment to re-newed discipleship and spiritualgrowth.

Join us!

Sincerely,

Martha Reisner

Capital Region Theological Center

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Community Reformed News6

“Which Way Do We Go? Charting Paths

for Today’s Youth Ministry”, Revs. Christy Lang & Blair Bertrand,

(Doctoral Students of Kenda Creasy Dean), Saturday, January2, 9am-3pm at Delmar Reformed Church, Creative ways toapproach youth ministry. Cost: $75 byDec. 23. $95 thereafter; Registration dead-line: Jan. 7, 2011.

“Connecting with Calvin: RestoringUnity to the Church”, Dr.Randall Zach-

man, Saturday, March 26, 9am-12pm,Siena College. This Calvin scholar shows us

how historic issues from the Reformationinform our current situation today. Spon-sored by Siena College, Franciscan Centerfor Catholic Studies, and Westminster Pres-byterian (Albany). No course fee; Free-will

offering for CRTC.Registration deadline: March 18.

“Sunday is Fun Day! Church School Rotation Model Workshop”  

Rev. Dr. Miriam Lawrence Leupold, Apr

2, 2011,  9am–

4pm, First PresbyteriaChurch, Albany, Come discover why Rotation Model works for all learning styles andmany size churches. See it set up and takhome lots of resources. Bring a team tmaximize the learning! $65 by March 3$75 thereafter; Registration deadlineMarch 17, 2011. 

Register online at  www.capitalrtc.org  or b

 phone at 518-462-2470. Watch our websitfor information on these and many othe

courses available in 2010. Scholarships angroup discounts available for most classes

 please contact us for an application.  

(CRTC  — Continued from page 5)

Christmas PoinsettiasChristmas Poinsettias are again available for purchase this year. Plants will be dis-played in the Sanctuary during the Christmas Eve services, and your dedication willbe listed in the bulletin that evening. You may take your flowers home after the

8:00 service or leave them in the Sanctuary throughout Christmas.

Order forms are also available in the Sunday bulletin.

Given By: ______________________________________ 

In Honor Of: ____________________________________ 

In Memory Of: __________________________________ 

Total number of plants: ______ 

Total amount at $10 each: _______ Checks should be made payable to CRCC.Please return this form to the church office before December 15.

Community Reformed Church701 Sand Creek Road, Colonie NY 12205

869-5589 www.coloniereformed.org

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  Community Reformed News7

Temporary-Editor: Lou Ann Connelly Layout Designer: Bob Becker

Articles are due by the 15th of the month and can be submitted to

louannconne@nycap.rr.com or given to Lou Ann Connelly.

Cookies! Cookies! Cookies!

Monday, December 6 is the date. TheAnnual Holiday Cookie Swap kicks off at 7:00 PM.

Bring up to 5 dozen cookies of the samekind and go home with an equal numberof cookies in all sizes, shapes, flavors,and varieties. You’ll have your holidaybaking all done.

Bring the whole family for Games, Prizes,Snacks, and Lots of Holiday Fun.

Sign up on the sheet at the back of the sanc-tuary by December 5. Or let Tina Bottini or

Pat Smaldone know that you’re coming. 

Caring for CreationMaking a Greener Christmas

Top Tips for Greening Your Gift Giving

 Avoid Material Consumption: This is made possible, for example, by offering your

services to baby-sit, provide lawn care, prepare a meal, or giving a gift certificateto locally owned businesses.

Shop Wisely: When it comes to material gifts, there are many conscious shoppingoptions: find items that are made or grown locally, items manufactured from re-cycled materials, items with minimal or zero packaging, durable items that willnot be trashed any time soon, or refurbished used items.

Think Globally: Through a program like, Heifer Project, World Vision, Seva Foun-dation, Church World Service and many others, you can choose a range of alter-native gifts that act as two presents in one: something for you to give to friends

or a relatives at special occasions, while the real gift can help change the life of someone living in poverty.

~~Source: The Daily Green