Advent Season & Christmas Mission

When I stopped in to church yesterday I was visually reminded how close we are to Christmas… the sheep and donkey that grace our sanctuary during Advent have started their pilgrimage toward the front of the church. Seeing these creatures each year brings such a feeling of innocent, child-like anticipation and appreciation of the season. Happy Advent everyone!

Our celebration of the Christmas season begins this Sunday when we welcome new members and our FROGs youth group will be singing at FF Thompson Continuing Care Center. On December 8th we will hold our 6th annual Cookie Sale 9am-12pm. Thousands of cookies, over 30 varieties of your holiday favorites- Cut outs! Rum balls! Peppermint cruchies! and More!! $7.50/lb. Just when your time is in short supply, and you can’t fit in one more thing- give yourself the gift of time this holiday season. Let us be your Holiday Baker! Christmas plant orders are due to church by Dec. 9th (order form is attached). Need a night out? Our youth group is holding a babysitting night on Dec. 15th. On December 16th our fantastic Youth Band will perform during service, and our talented choir will perform the Hallelujah Chorus! On Dec. 23rd our kiddos will entertain us with their Christmas pageant. Christmas Eve services include a 7pm family service and 11pm for quiet reflection.

After church this Sunday we will be putting up the snow fence. If anyone wants to stay and help, it would be most appreciated.

Our missions team has recently been made aware of a situation that is affecting people right here in our area. It has come to our attention that there is an actual “shantytown” in Ontario County. Yes, people (mostly men we have been told- no children) are living in tents and cardboard housing. Because of this news and our desire to help, we have decided that our “Mitten Tree” AND our “Angel Tree” will benefit these needy individuals this year. We will be accepting donations of gently used and new cold weather gear FOR MEN. Hats, mittens, socks, jackets, boots, sleeping bags, etc. Instead of removing a tag from the Angel Tree and buying a gift, consider picking up an extra pair of wool socks or a warm hat while you are out doing your shopping. Clean out your closet and bring in coats, boots and snow-pants that the men in your family no longer wear. We will be accepting the donations at church until Dec. 16th. Monetary gifts will also be welcome!
(And in case you are wondering, a generous family has decided to purchase all of the needed Angel Tree gifts so the congregation can fully support these men in need this season.)

Many blessings to you and your loved ones as we enter this most beautiful season.

Peace,
Sarah Williams, WBCC Program Director