A warm welcome to all visitors.  If the Pastor or any member of the congregation
may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211or Rev. Harpster at
802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net.  Please be sure to sign the
guestbook located at the entrance to the church.
 
Upcoming Meetings
-Women’s Group - Every Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.
-Executive Board Meeting on January 25 at 7:00 P.M.
  
Weekly Offerings
Offerings and other cash receipts for the week of December 18 & 25 were $2,866.00.
The costs for each week are $1,438.46 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).
 
Coffee Hour
A time of fellowship following the service of worship is held in the social hall. Coffee,
juice and refreshments will be served.
 
Ushers for the month of January
This is a reminder for those of you who have signed up and a notice of those Sundays
that are open.  Thank you for your service.                 
                              Ushers      Communion
January 1               Open           Open
January 8               Open           Open
January 15             Open           Open
January 22             Open           Open
January 29             Open           Open
       
     
Altar Guild
Brenda Dansingburg and Jean Eggleston will do the Altar Guild duties for the month of January. 
 
Special Thank You from the Harpster’s
Both Johanna and I want to thank all for their many prayers and cards during this
Christmas Season.  Both Johanna and I had a blessed Christmas at home particularly
since our younger son Matthew was with us.  Johanna is in good spirits and gaining
in strength each day.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers.
 
SOUPFEST January 8, 2017                
In the Social Room immediately following our Church Service
This is the event you have been waiting for.
We have decided to move Soupfest to the Church so that we do not have to limit the
number of people invited.  As in the past, we will supply salad and bread.

Please bring a soup to enter into the contest for Soup of the Year. You are all the judges. 
The contest and prizes will be the same.
Please let Lisha know what you are bringing as this is SoupFest and hopefully we will
get lots of soups.

Come One, Come All....Lisha and Fred
  
Lenten Bible Study 
For the 2017 Lenten season, plans are to focus on Christianity’s most famous prayer,
the Lord’s Prayer. 
 
We will be using John Dominic Crossan, The Greatest Prayer: 
Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord’s Prayer. New York:  HarperCollins, 2011.   
 
It is a prayer that we say together every Sunday in our worship together.
  Moreover, it is a prayer that most of us know by heart and one we carry with us
wherever we go.   
Nevertheless, familiarity can have its negatives, the main one assuming we know
the spiritual depths our Lord is affirming in this model for prayer. 
 
Cost for the book is $11.00.  See Bill Kneebone for a copy.  The six sessions in the
Ladies Parlor will run from Wednesday, March 1 – Wednesday, April 5 at 2:00 P.M.
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A warm welcome to all visitors.  If the Pastor or any member of the congregation
may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211or Rev. Harpster at
802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net.  Please be sure to sign the
guestbook located at the entrance to the church.
 
Upcoming Meetings
-Women’s Group - Every Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.
-No Executive Board Meeting in December
 
Upcoming Events
-Reception of New Members – December 18
-Dedication of Veterans of the Cross Offering – December 18
-Lenten Bible Study – Wednesdays from March 1 to April 5
 at 2:00 P.M. in the Ladies Parlor. 
 
                  CHRISTMAS SERVICES
-Christmas Eve Service – Saturday, December 24, 7:30 P.M.
-No service on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25.
-New Year’s Day Sacrament of Holy Communion – January 1
 
Weekly Offerings
Offerings and other cash receipts for the week of December 11 were $4,595.00.
The costs for each week are $1,438.46 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).
 
Reception of New Members 
We welcome Gary and Marjorie Macintyre into full membership by Letter of Transfer
from The Congregational Church of New Canaan, New Canaan, Connecticut.
 
Guest Organist
Our organist for this morning is Connie Wilcox.  We thank her very much for being with us.

Season of Advent
The Advent Season, in preparation for the birth of our savior, continues this Sunday. 
Gary and Marjorie Macintyre will lead us in the lighting of the fourth Advent Candle – Joy.
 
Coffee Hour
A time of fellowship following the service of worship is held in the social hall. Coffee, juice and refreshments will be served.
 
Ushers for the month of December
This is a reminder for those of you who have signed up and a notice of those Sundays that are open.  Thank you for your service.                 
                              Ushers          
December 18      Anne & Andy
December 24      Allison & Jesse
 
 Altar Guild
Brenda Dansingburg and Jean Eggleston will do the Altar Guild duties
for the month of December.    
 
Caroling
All are welcome to go Caroling on Thursday, December 22 at 6:00 P.M.
We will meet at the Gill Home at 6:00 P.M. Music books will be provided. 
Most of the singing is done inside. You do not have to be a fantastic singer to join
in on the fun!  Our voices will be just fine as they will be a Joyful noise.
So, come along and join us.
 
Christmas Flowers
Christmas Season is approaching.  If you would like to make a donation for the
Christmas flowers in memory or in honor of loved ones, please contact Anne Oakes.  
 
The Christmas tree in the Fellowship Hall now has some candy striped tree
shaped cards on it. 
On the back of each red and white card is the holiday wish list of a needy area child.  
People are welcome to take a card, do a little shopping and bring the gifts, unwrapped,
in a bag with the tree card attached by Sunday December 18th or sooner if possible.  
The gifts will be distributed with Holiday Food Baskets by Black River Good Neighbors
on the 22nd. An area family will have a merrier Christmas while appreciating your generosity. 

Lenten Bible Study 
For the 2017 Lenten season, plans are to focus on Christianity’s most famous prayer,
the Lord’s Prayer. 

We will be using John Dominic Crossan, The Greatest Prayer: 
Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord’s Prayer. New York:  HarperCollins, 2011.   
It is a prayer that we say together each and every Sunday in our worship together.
Moreover, it is a prayer that most of us know by heart and one we carry with us wherever we go.  
Nevertheless, familiarity can have its negatives, the main one assuming we know the spiritual depths our Lord is affirming in this model for prayer. 
 
Cost for the book is $11.00.  See Bill Kneebone for a copy.  The six sessions in the Ladies Parlor will run from Wednesday, March 1 – Wednesday, April 5 at 2:00 P.M.
 
SOUPFEST 2017 -  January 8, 2017           
 In the Social Room immediately following our Church Service
This is the event you have been waiting for.
We have decided to move Soupfest to the Church so that we do not have to limit the
number of people invited.  As in the past, we will supply salad and bread.

Please bring a soup to enter into the contest for Soup of the Year. You are all the judges. 
The contest and prizes will be the same.
Please let Lisha know what you are bringing as this is SoupFest and hopefully we will
get lots of soups.Come One, Come All....Lisha and Fred
  
2016 Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Crossand the Emergency Fund 
In this holy and joyous time of year, our thoughts turn to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the light of the world. 

The theme for the 2016 Christmas Fund Offering is God’s Love Colors Everything

For 115 years, the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund
has been a way in which we, as members of the United Church of Christ and the
predecessor denominations, reflect the love of Jesus Christ in the lives of the many
women and men who have so faithfully and selflessly served, and who now find
themselves facing unforeseen financial crises. 

See further for more information on the Christmas Fund and Emergency Fund.
The offering will be dedicated on Sunday, December 18.  
An offering envelope for your convenience is in your bulletin.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ck here to edit.

A warm welcome to all visitors.  If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211or Rev. Harpster at
802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net.  Please be sure to sign the guestbook located at the entrance to the church.
 
Upcoming Meetings
-Women’s Group - Every Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.
 
Upcoming Events
-Reception of New Members – December 18
-Dedication of Veterans of the Cross Offering – December 18
-Christmas Eve Service – Saturday, December 24, 7:30 P.M.
-No service on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25.
-New Year’s Day Sacrament of Holy Communion – January 1
 
Weekly Offerings
Offerings and other cash receipts for the week of December 4 were $1,557.00. The costs for each week are $1,438.46 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). 

Guest Organist 
Our organist for this morning is Connie Wilcox.  We thank her very much for being with us. 

Season of Advent
The Advent Season, in preparation for the birth of our savior, continues this Sunday.  Dean and Linda Alexander will lead us in the lighting of the third Advent Candle – Love.  
 
Altar Guild
Brenda Dansingburg and Jean Eggleston will do the Altar Guild duties for the month of December.
 
Coffee Hour
A time of fellowship following the service of worship is held in the social hall. Coffee, juice and refreshments will be served.
 
Ushers for the month of December
This is a reminder for those of you who have signed up and a notice of those Sundays that are open.  Thank you for your service.                 
                              Ushers          
December 11      Jean & Pat
December 18      Anne & Andy
December 24      Allison & Jesse
 
Christmas Flowers
Christmas Season is approaching.  If you would like to make a donation for the Christmas flowers in memory or in honor of loved ones, please contact Anne Oakes.
  
The Christmas tree in the Fellowship Hall
now has some candy striped tree shaped cards on it. On the back of each red and
white card is the holiday wish list of a needy area child. 
 
People are welcome to take a card, do a little shopping and bring the gifts, unwrapped, in a bag with the tree card attached by Sunday December 18th or sooner if possible. 
 
The gifts will be distributed with Holiday Food Baskets by Black River Good Neighbors on the 22nd. An area family will have a merrier Christmas while appreciating your generosity.
 
SOUPFEST 2017- January 8, 2017  
In the Social Room immediately following our Church Service
This is the event you have been waiting for.
We have decided to move Soupfest to the Church so that we do not have to limit
the number of people invited.  As in the past, we will supply salad and bread.
 
Please bring a soup to enter into the contest for Soup of the Year. You are all the judges. 
The contest and prizes will be the same.  Please let Lisha know what you are bringing
as this is SoupFest and hopefully we will get lots of soups.

Come One, Come All
Lisha and Fred
 
THE CAVENDISH COMMUNITY THEATRE  presents IT’S ABOUT BELIEVING
 A Holiday Program for Everyone
Songs, Readings, Skits and other surprises.
 
FREE ADMISSION
Donations received will be given to the Gethsemane Church. 
Sunday, December 11th at 4:00 P.M.
Gethsemane Church (next to Crows Bakery)
Depot Street, Proctorsville
 
Come and see some of the people from your church perform…
George, Linda, Lisha, Fred, Bob, Sandra and other friends and neighbors.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross
and the Emergency Fund
 
In this holy and joyous time of year, our thoughts turn to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the light of the world. 
The theme for the 2016 Christmas Fund Offering is
God’s Love Colors Everything
For 115 years, the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a way in which we, as members of the United Church of Christ and the predecessor denominations, reflect the love of Jesus Christ in the lives of the many women and men who have so faithfully and selflessly served, and who now find themselves facing unforeseen financial crises.
See further for more information on the Christmas Fund and Emergency Fund. The offering will be dedicated on Sunday, December 18.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Christmas Fund page 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
lick here to edit.