First aptist hurch, West Hartford, onnecticut 06107 ... · It opens something in the human heart...
Transcript of First aptist hurch, West Hartford, onnecticut 06107 ... · It opens something in the human heart...
Dedicated to bringing
Christian faith and Life
together through
Worship, Outreach,
Education, and
A Caring Community
First Baptist Church, West Hartford, Connecticut 06107 December 2017
Sunday, December 24
9:30 am Worship
7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service
Saturday, December 2
11:30 am Purely Social visit to the Festival of Trees
5:00 pm Hanging of the Greens
Sunday, December 10
9:30 am Gifts & Blessings Sunday
4:00-6:00 pm Open House @ the Emersons
Thursday, December 14
11:30 am Lunch Bunch Christmas party
Sunday, December 17
9:30 am Intergenerational Christmas Pageant
11:00 am Christmas Caroling
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13
Advent is here and Advent begins with hope, even extreme hope. Without it, Advent wouldn’t be Ad-vent. It is hope that Mary would give God her “Yes.” Hope that Joseph will stand faithfully by her side. The angels sing hope for peace on earth and the shepherds hope for good news. Like the characters in the narratives of Jesus’ birth, we hope for many things: for a changed life, for new resolve, for courage, for clarity. This kind of hope is powerful. It opens something in the human heart and lets light shine on possibility.
As people of faith, we are called to love, to serve with joy, and to proclaim hope. God asks of us this and more—to live in the world on faith; to trust there is meaning and purpose for our lives; to sense the sa-cred pattern and presence around us—in each other, in the stranger, in ourselves; to follow a God who lives in layers of mystery.
This Advent, may hope be our song as we open our eyes and hearts and minds to the very presence of God breaking into our realities to transform our lives and to bring about peace on the earth.
Grace and peace to you,
Pastor Stacy
On December 15th, we will view the family films “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (rated G) and “Elf” (rated PG). Come and join us for this double feature of Christmas classics, new and old! The first is about Charlie Brown learning the true mean-ing of Christmas. The second is about a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who is sent to New York City in search of his true identity. Come and join us for some Christmas cheer!
Cinema and the Sacred
Exploring faith and culture, through the art of film and community conversation
6:00 pm December 15
Our heartfelt sympathy to Mary Kunz and
her family on the passing of her brother, Maurice
Beals.
The First Baptist Church,
West Hartford, Connecticut An American Baptist Church
FBC CHURCH STAFF
Reverend Stacy Emerson, Senior Minister
Melinda Shilansky, Music Director
Neil Shilansky, Accompanist
Elizabeth Miller, Children’s Music Director
Bill Albert, Facilities Manager
Michael Deak, Custodian
Kris Hanko, Administrative Secretary
90 North Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06107-1924
Church Office Hours
Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Phone 860-521-9460
Email [email protected]
www.http://fbcwesthartford.org
Follow First Baptist Church West Hartford on
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The Focus is a monthly newsletter
of First Baptist Church
Editor Faith Geist
Dave Crockett's contact number is his cell #: 860-539-8696.
December Anniversaries
Duane & Joy Adams December 7 49 years
Walter & Carol Eells December 20 65 years
December Birthdays
Sally Hurlbert December 8
Michael Deak December 16
Jean Pierce December 24
David Dunnells December 26
Rev. Emerson and her family in-
vite you to the Parsonage for Christ-mas festivities. All are welcome!
Sunday, December 10
4:00-6:00 PM 10 Hawthorne Road
West Hartford
With the season changing and the potential
for inclement weather, please remember to
watch WFSB Channel 3 or NBC Channel 30
for cancellations or postponements. Please
also check your email, and FBC News, for
changes in scheduled events.
December 3
Isaiah 64:1–9
Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19
1 Corinthians 1:3–9
Mark 13:24–37
December 10
Isaiah 40:1–11
Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13
2 Peter 3:8–15a
Mark 1:1–8
December 17
Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11
Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
John 1:6–8, 19–28
December 24
2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16
Luke 1:46b–55 Romans 16:25–27
Luke 1:26–38
Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2–7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11–14
Luke 2:1–14 [15–20]
December 31
Isaiah 61:10—62:3
Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4–7
Luke 2:22–40
“Out and About Town”
Join Pastor Stacy “out and about town” as we get to know our neighbors in West Hartford.
Our consultant, Paul Nickerson, reminds us that being out in our community is essential
as we reach new people. So, join Pastor Stacy for lunch on
Friday, December 8th
@ 12:15 PM
A.C. Petersen’s on Park Road
and
Tuesday, December 12th
@ 12:15 PM
Noodles and Company at Bishop’s Corner
Please RSVP to 860-521-9460.
See you “out and about town”!
The Journey to Bethlehem: We Make the Road By Walking
Stopping in Bethlehem: “A kitchen, a field, a barn…”
An Intergenerational Christmas Pageant
On December 17th, we will worship with an “Intergenerational Christmas Pageant.” People of all ages who wish to participate can sign up beginning on November 26th. See Pastor Stacy after worship and sign up for a part. Some parts will speak a line or two and some will not…so there IS a part for you! There will also be an opportunity to just arrive and participate on the 17th. There will be no re-hearsal but everyone should arrive at 8:45 on that Sunday morning to get ready to tell the story of the birth of Jesus in this creative pageant!
PAGEANT PARTICIPANTS:
HOLIDAY LUNCH BUNCH
THURSDAY, DEC 14 11:30 in the KITCHEN
Just a holiday get-together! No projects. Nothing educational. Just relax and enjoy….
Back by popular request: the Yankee Gift Swap. Everyone gets a number and #1 opens a gift. Number 2 opens a gift and decides if she wants hers or #1’s gift. And so it goes: everyone chooses between her gift and all the gifts already opened. Poor #1, who had no choice, gets the last word. She chooses from all the gifts! Word is out that the gifts move around a lot….
Bring a small wrapped gift under $5. No need for a trip to the mall. Holi-day goodies from the supermarket are great. Or make or bake at home, or make a gift certificate for future goodies!
Hostesses are EDIE CASTAGNO and FAITH GEIST. First-timers don’t have to bring a dish. It’s very informal and everyone is invited!
Voice 1 Voice 2 Voice 3 Voice 4 Voice 5 Mary Baby Jesus Angel Gabriel Elizabeth Joseph Herod
Herod’s General Shepherds Sheep or other animal Innkeeper Inn Staff Person Magi 1 Magi 2 Magi 3 Narrator 1 Narrator 2
HANGING OF THE GREENS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
5:00 PM
This annual intergenerational event includes a light
meal, crafts, decorating the church building for the
Advent and Christmas seasons, and “Sharing of the
Christmas Story”. For more information, please
contact the church office @ 860-521-9460.
Each year the congregation is offered the opportunity to share in the beauty and joy of the Christmas
season by providing plants. You may designate your plant(s) in honor or memory of a loved one.
The cost of each plant is $15.00. However, a donation in any amount is appreciated. If you would like
to join in this celebration, please return this sheet to the church office/or put it in the offering plate
with your check payable to First Baptist Church Flower Fund, no later than December 15, 2017
Please check any that apply:
____I/We will take our plant(s)
____I/We will not take our plant(s)
____I/We will be happy to deliver to a shut-in.
Plant is in memory of _________________________________________________
or
Plant is in honor of ____________________________________________________
Your Name __________________________________ Phone __________________
Number of Plants _______________ Amount attached ________________
Please return this form with your payment by December 15, 2017
MISSIONARY VISIT IN DECEMBER
Tim Long, missionary in Mexico, will speak at FBC on Friday, December 8. The evening begins with a pot-luck supper at 6:00 PM in Gilbert Hall. Please bring a main or side dish. The Missions Committee will sup-ply beverage and dessert. At 7:00 Tim will give a presentation on the work he and his wife are doing in Mexico.
Patti and Tim Long began their mission service in Ba-ja California, Mexico, in July 1996. Patti ministers as special education teacher and resource specialist at the Monte Horeb Baptist Grade School in Tijuana, a school that reaches out to the most vulnerable of the city's young population, its children with special needs. She also coordinates the STEP scholarship program for students at the school. Tim serves in leadership development through the Baja Baptist Seminary, teaching present and future church lead-ers, both at its Mexicali campus and extension cen-ters located throughout Baja California. He also co-ordinates a scholarship program for seminary stu-dents.
Ways to give this Christmas at First Baptist Church:
Alternative Gift Fair – Give hope around the world
through the Alternative Gift Fair (Church World Ser-
vice , Kiva, Heifer International). Share (David
Roones or Billie Lanz)
Christmas Offering — This year our Christmas Offer-
ing will go towards rebuilding efforts for Puerto Ri-
co through One Great Hour of Sharing.
Warm Tree in Fellowship Hall – Can you knit? Make
caps, mittens, or scarves to decorate the Warm
Tree. (Or buy some.) They will all go to Shiloh Bap-
tist Church for their outreach to the homeless. (Edie
Castagno/Faith Geist)
FBC Greeting Card Board – Post your Christmas card
or letter on the FBC Greeting Card Board in Fellow-
ship Hall for all to read. (Sally Hurlbert).
Christmas Gift Tags – For your personal holiday gifts,
choose tags hand-made by women of FBC from recy-
cled Christmas cards. You’ll save money and the
small donation for them pays for cards and postage
throughout the year on holidays and birthdays for all
FBC shut-ins. (Carol Wylie)
Loaves & Fishes Christmas Dinner – Thanks to those
who are giving to this dinner!
CT Baptist Homes – At CBH they recognize the im-
portance of tradition and celebration, and they also
realize that not all of their residents have families
who are able to supply the little extras that add to
the festivities at this time of year. At their annual
Christmas party, Santa and his helpers give each res-
ident a gift bag, filled to the brim with Wish List
items that have been donated. You can help them
make this a special day for everyone through your
donations. A copy of their wish list & and a box will
be available in Fellowship Hall on Sundays.
(Katherine Fagerburg)
Sun Mon. Tue Wed Thu Fri. Sat
Nov 26 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Educa-tion for Children & Youth 11:00 Alt Gift Fair 12:30 CBC Worship 8:00 AA
Nov 27 Nov 28
Nov 29 10:00 Staff Mtg 11:00 Mission Committee 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Al-Anon
Nov 30 Dec 1
Dec 2 11:30 Purely Social @ Wadsworth Atheneum
5:00 Hanging of the Greens
Dec 3 9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Educa-tion for Children & Youth 12:30 CBC Worship 8:00 AA
Dec 4
7:00 Trustees
Dec 5 10:00-12:00 White Cross
7:00 Reaching New People Team Conf Call 7:00 Personnel
Dec 6 9:30 Staff Mtg 10:30 Loaves & Fishes 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir 7:30 Al-Anon
Dec 7 Dec 8 9:00 Social Action 12:15 “Out & About Town” @ AC Petersens 6:00 PM Potluck with Missionary Tim Long
Dec 9
Dec 10 9:30 FBC Worship/Gifts & Blessing Sunday 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christian Educa-tion 12:30 CBC Worship 4:00-6:00 PM Open House @ the Parsonage 8:00 AA
Dec 11 10:00 Service @ Cedar Mountain Commons 1:30 Adult Chris-tian Ed Comm
Dec 12
12:15 “Out & About Town” @ Noodles and Company
Dec 13 9:30 Staff Mtg 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir 7:30 Al-Anon
Dec 14
11:30 Lunch Bunch
Dec 15
6:00 pm Cinema & the Sacred
Dec 16
Dec 17 9:30 FBC Worship/Intergenerational Christmas Pageant 10:30 Fellowship Time 11:00 Christmas Carol-ling 12:30 CBC Worship 8:00 AA
Dec 18 Dec 19
Dec 20 9:30 Staff Mtg 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir 7:30 Al-Anon
Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 23
CHRISTMAS EVE Dec 24
9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 12:30 CBC Worship 7:00 Christmas Eve Service 8:00 AA
CHRISTMAS Dec 25
Dec 26 Dec 27 9:30 Staff Mtg 11:00 Missions Mtg 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Al-Anon
Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30
NEW YEARS EVE Dec 31
9:30 FBC Worship 10:30 Fellowship Time 12:30 CBC Worship 8:00 AA
Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 9:30 Staff Mtg 1:00 Knitting 7:30 Chancel Choir 7:30 Al-Anon
Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6