The First Congregational Church of Greenwich

Meetinghouse Monthly

December, 2005

Advent~Christmas 2005 Pastorally Speaking

"The trouble started
          when the three went to school
          to learn about the stars.
'Who can make a living stargazing?'
          their parents asked.
Then they discovered
          a miracle in advance:
          scientists and believers,
              they followed a promised star
               to a holy family.
Those who wander through life
          without examining it
           lead no one anywhere."
                   Gregory L. Jackson

This Sunday we begin the season of Advent with an intriguing Sermon Series entitled, "Star Trek: The Now Generation".  We will be using star images each Sunday as they beckon us toward Bethlehem.  The weekly titles and texts will be as follows:

Nov. 27	"The Incredible Journey" Isaiah 40:1-8 & Matthew 2:1-5a
Dec. 4	"When You Wish Upon a Star" Psalm 121 & II Peter 1:16-21
Dec. 11	"Star Power" Isaiah 11:1-9 & Luke 1:26-33
Dec. 18	"The Star Thrower" Genesis 1:14-19 & Matthew 1:18-21
Dec. 24	“Beam Him Down (Scotty)” John 1:1-14
Dec. 25	"The Nativity of Now" Matthew 2:1-12 & Luke 2:1-20
Jan. 1	"The Flickering Star" Isaiah 53:1-9 & I Corinthians 13:8-13

The word "Advent" means the "coming of our Lord" and it is a time of happy anticipation and spiritual preparation for his birthday celebration within the Christian community.  It is a time when we ask God to "stir up our hearts" in preparation of his promise - a son who will be called the "Prince of Peace," the "great light" for those who walked in darkness.  The child of Bethlehem is the manifestation of God's love.

This is a season of prayer and devotion in anticipation of the long-awaited Messiah.  The joyous results of this birth event are made evident in the hearts of people who through the centuries have met the baby in the manger.  It is time once again to "make ready" for the joyous festival of Christmas, to be re-introduced to the Son of God.

Conversations and questions have already sprung up about the music sung in worship during Advent.  Some people wonder why we don't sing all the familiar Christmas carols starting with the first Sunday of Advent.  The reason is the same as why we don't sing Easter and resurrection hymns during Lent.  We wait until Easter itself to make the celebration that much more wonder-full.  When we celebrate birthdays with friends and relatives, we usually wait until the day itself or as near as possible to sing "Happy Birthday".

Our culture starts Christmas practically before Halloween.  We will sing lots of carols this year (and in the weeks following Christmas, too), but we will not blur completely with the culture and commercialism.  To honor the season of Advent we will begin on the first Sunday with Advent hymns and during the middle of the season, blend them with traditional carols reaching a full crescendo for Christmas.  There is a reason for anticipation in this season - so that the celebration is that much more wonder-full, especially in the singing of our music!

With Joy for the Journey,

David W. Young

Advent and
Christmas
Calendar

NOVEMBER

27 The First Sunday in Advent

10 am
Advent Sermon Series
Star Trek: The Now Generation
Dr. David D. Young, preaching
“The Incredible Journey”
Isaiah 40: 1-8, Matthew 2: 1-5a

2-4 December

SPF Christmas Retreat at Silver Lake

December

4 The Second Sunday in Advent

10 am
Dr. David D. Young, preaching
“When You Wish Upon a Star”
Psalm 121, II Peter 1: 16-21

First Church/First Sunday -- The barrel will be out for monthly food donations for our local pantries.

11 am
Confirmation Class Bake Sale to raise money for their Christmas Service Project

2 pm
Advent Craft Workshop,
sponsored by the Church School Task Force; Come begin the season with friends and family the old-fashioned way with carols, Christmas cookies and cider. Make your own ornaments and gifts.

5 pm
JPF Christmas Party

6 December

7:30 pm
Community Chorus Messiah Registration in the Meetinghouse; rehearsal follows

7 December

8 pm
Messiah rehearsal in the Meetinghouse

8 December

11:30 am
Hat’s Off Christmas Party
Home of Penny Lehman

11 December The Third Sunday in Advent

10 am
Dr. David D. Young, preaching
“Star Power”
Psalm 8, Luke 1: 26-33

10 am
"Christmas is Coming" a service for our younger children and their families conducted by the Church School in the auditorium. Join us as we experience Christmas through our children's eyes. The Cherub Choir sings.

5 pm
Sing for Your Supper presented by the Parish Life Committee and Staff

13 December

8 pm
Messiah rehearsal in the Meetinghouse

14 December

8 pm
Messiah rehearsal in the Meetinghouse

16 December

6 pm
SPF Progressive Dinner; Contact Anna Paskausky for more details.
meet in the Youth Room

17 December

4 pm
Messiah performance with community chorus and orchestra. Tickets available through the church office and during coffee hour.

18 December The Fourth Sunday in Advent

9 am
“Pastor’s Class on Christmas” Nativity pageant: Once In Royal David’s City; The Children’s Choir sings

10:30 am
Dedication of the outdoor crèche

11 am
Dr. David D. Young, preaching
“The Star Thrower”
Genesis 1: 14-19,
Matthew 1: 18-21

Nativity pageant: Once in Royal David’s City; The Youth Choir sings

4 pm
Messiah performance with community chorus and orchestra. Tickets available through the church office and during coffee hour.

24 December Christmas Eve

10 am
"Joy to the World"
Three Generation Service; Cherub Choir singing; Offering of white gifts; Procession to the crèche and carol sing with instrumental accompaniment

4 pm
Family Service,
Procession of Symbols and Nativity Pageant; Offering of White Gifts; The Children’s Choir sings.

5 pm
Carol Sing in Binney Park
followed by journey to the crèche and hot chocolate

8 pm
Candlelight Communion Service;
The Youth Choir sings

10:30 pm
Pre-Service Recital; music for harp and organ.

11 pm
A Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols;
Dr. David D. Young, preaching
“Beam Him Down (Scotty)”
John 1: 1-14

25 December Christmas Day

10 am
Dr. David D. Young, preaching
“The Nativity Now”
Matthew 2: 1-12, Luke 2: 1-20

NO Church School/NO Child Care

January

1 January The First Sunday after Christmas

10 am
Dr. David D. Young, preaching
“The Flickering Star”
Isaiah 53: 1-9, I
Corinthians 13: 8-13
Communion Served

NO Church School

First Church/First Sunday -- The barrel will be out for monthly food donations for our local pantries.

A Grace for
Christmas Day

O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in;
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel. Phillip Brooks

The Offering of White Gifts

'Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the Meetinghouse
All the people were stirring,
…Even the mouse.

Carrying white parcels up to the altar,
Navigating the crowd without even a falter.
Families placing their gifts under the tree;
The multitude of offerings was quite a sight to see.

Gifts for boys and girls, young and old,
Toys and clothes to protect from the cold.
The candlelight shimmered on the objects below,
Together they appear as a blanket of snow.

Off to St. Luke's these goodies will fly,
Ready for birthdays and holidays with no need to buy.
Much happiness these surprises will bring in the year,
Giggles and smiles and maybe a tear.

So select a special item and wrap it up right,
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Please join in the tradition of the white gifts offering. Toys, clothing and other useful items will be donated to St. Luke's to be given during this season and throughout the year to someone who has a special need. Please wrap your gift in white paper and label it with the appropriate age and gender. (Hint: If you find yourself without white paper at the last minute, some patterned papers reverse to white or use white tissue paper. Ribbons and bows are not necessary.)

Join us for the Advent
Craft Workshop

Sunday, December 4, 2 - 4 pm

Bring Families and Friends to begin Advent with home made gifts for all ages.  Photo ornaments and Advent wreaths, gumdrop trees and icicle ornaments accompanied by Christmas carols and hot cider.  Make a gift for your family, make a gift for someone in need.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Please sign up in the Undercroft or in the Church Office.

Sing for Your Supper

Sunday, December 11, 5 pm

Join the Parish Life Committee for an evening of fellowship and caroling.  A warm and hearty meal will be served.  Special music will be provided by many wonderful voices, which is sure to warm your heart with the Christmas Spirit.  Cost:  $5 for adults, $4 for children and seniors.  Sign-ups will begin on November 27 during Coffee Hour or by calling the church office.

The Rummage Room Christmas Shoppe

Open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.  Many delights await our discriminating customers:  baubles and beads, gowns and games, tinsel and timepieces, and splendid gifts for all gentlemen, gentlewomen and little folk. 

Junior Pilgrim Fellowship

JPF has been meeting regularly and having a blast.  So far we’ve competed with jello, been on a graveyard scavenger hunt, played lots of games and this past week had another scavenger hunt all around town in cars.  In December, JPF will meet on December 4 and 11.  We will be having guests at both of those meetings.  Come and find out who they are!  On December 18 we will wrap up the holiday season with a Christmas party.  There will be more information to follow.  If you have questions, please call Debbie Bocchino at 203.536.6895.

The Church School Mitten Tree

The Church School sponsors a Mitten Tree to benefit needy families in Greenwich and Stamford.  Gifts of hats, mittens, gloves and scarves can be hung on the tree throughout Advent in the Auditorium and during the Christmas Eve morning and afternoon services in the Meetinghouse.

Handel's MESSIAH:
Bring the Family!
by John Stansell

An important part of December festivities at First Congregational Church is our annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah, Part I and Hallelujah. This year our soloists will be three singers well-known to our audience and one newcomer. Soprano Carolyn Paulus is a great talent in our very midst, and her brother-in-law, baritone Thomas Woodman just sang the role of Noah here. Mezzo-soprano Wanda Brister returns for her third appearance in our Messiah. Tenor Kurt Alakulppi, a fine singer, was introduced to us by Tom Woodman. Do bring your family and become part of this great tradition. Children in fourth or fifth grade should be ready for the experience and you will be giving them a great gift. Find the box in this issue for details about times and tickets.

A Place for YOU in the Chorus!

The chorus for First Church’s annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah is open to all without audition. Make this your year to join in! Some experience with choral singing is good to have, but in a chorus of nearly one hundred there are always veterans to support and lead the newcomers. Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, December 6, 7, 13 & 14 at 8 pm, with performances Saturday and Sunday, the 17th and 18th at 4 pm. Most of the singers miss a rehearsal or two, so don’t worry about 100% attendance. We want as many people as possible to enjoy this great experience! Registration begins at 7:30 on the 6th, or you can arrive early at any rehearsal to sign up. Just bring the twenty-dollar deposit for your red-bound score. We’ll see you there.

Silver Lining:
Acts of Human Kindness result from the Medicare Part D Dilemma

Reflecting back on last Decembers wellness program addressing seasonal stress, one  can't help but think that the implementation of the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program gives a whole new meaning to the question then asked: "Does Advent give you anxiety?"  I consider it cruel that understanding and choosing a plan demands so much energy and web surfing from an aging population of which only 20% is computer literate.  On November 13, Sam Deibler, Director of the Greenwich Commission on Aging, did his best to offer a clear explanation to an audience of over 100.  But alas, many retirees are left feeling perplexed, overwhelmed, and discouraged at the complexity of it all.  In the midst of this despairing scenario, comes a demonstration of selfless giving by a few individuals who offer hope and help to their senior neighbors.

The Medicare Part D individual counseling program developing right here at First Congregational Church, is falling into place so swiftly that I feel God's hand must be at work.  The printed pleas for help were barely made public in a Sunday bulletin when the volunteers started offering to become trained to assist Medicare recipients to decipher their options.  I was amazed, for I was a non-believer that anyone would willingly subject themselves to the Medicare insurance lesson at hand.  It didn't hurt that Reverend Young's sermon that day called us to service, perhaps all part of a divine plan.  Three days later, Sam Deibler trained four people to counsel seniors and help them navigate the Medicare web site to make informed choices.  Another few days later, with the help of more volunteers as schedulers, the half hour individual counseling sessions began.  I am blessed to behold such a wonderful display of human compassion and true community as it unfolds before me.    

More volunteers are needed, especially those with their own laptops, to assist seniors in disseminating information via computer which will assist them in making their decisions.  The Town of Greenwich Commission on Aging trains volunteers to navigate the Medicare web site to assist individuals that may not otherwise have access to a computer.  The resulting one-on-one help sessions for Medicare recipients supply an invaluable service to our church members, and provide us with an opportunity to reach out to the community beyond our church.  Please contact Sue Asselin, Parish Nurse (ext 21) if you'd like to become one of our own experts on Medicare Part D.

Medicare recipients and families: More help is available, in group settings as well as individually.  On Friday, December 9th, another informative lecture by Sam Deibler will be presented here at church, from 10-11AM, followed by ample opportunity for questions and answers.  To sign up for an individual counseling session, contact your Parish Nurse, Sue Asselin, or leave a message on extension 21 and the Wellness Committee will return your call.

I was reminded recently of another silver lining here.  These prescription plans will help many seniors with the high costs of their medications, and that, after all, is the point.  A friend and church member shared her encouraging perspective with me when she said "I just signed up for the plan, and I'm thrilled.  It will save us so much money; it's too good to be true".  What a refreshingly positive and grateful attitude! 

Comfy Apartment For Rent - Great location

The upstairs apartment at 106 Sound Beach Avenue remains available. This is in the gray house adjacent to the rear of the Parish House. The apartment consists of a spacious living room, bedroom, small office, kitchen and bathroom. The apartment has its own washer/dryer room next to downstairs entry. Because of its proximity to the church buildings, the Memory Garden, and the church lawns, we feel it would be best occupied by someone in the First Church family. Monthly rent is $1,650 plus utilities and we prefer no pets. If you know of someone in the congregation who would be interested in the apartment, please call George Handley at the church office, extension 29.

A Big Thank You!

It is indeed impossible adequately to thank everyone who participated in our 2005 production of Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde. The cast, stage crew and musicians, both professional and amateur, were of course named in the program. Many were church members, others were not. They dedicated untold hours to rehearsals and to the study of their various roles. Many others were at work behind the scenes, with jobs great and small. At the risk of leaving someone out, the following should be named: Bill Bonnell, Bob Ebersole, Benny Menegon, Jack Sweger, Judy Miller, Mary Helen Morris, Debbie Berner, Bob Small, Clem Lepoutre, Rosemary Lamie. Our greatest gratitude goes to Hilary Lawrence, Anne Wachsman, Sandy Baird and Donna Tagliarino. These people worked around busy professional and personal lives, often taking on whatever tasks appeared, whether in a job description or not. Everyone who experienced the final product will agree that their efforts paid off. It was a beautiful and inspirational production, a real cause for rejoicing for our congregation. Thank you, everyone!  John Stansell

Christmas Tree Sales

Christmas Tree sales are underway.  Many volunteers will make light work.  Shifts are 2 1/2 hours long.  Hot drinks and baked goods available for recharging of batteries.  All are encouraged to sign-up.  Men are particularly needed.  Sign-up at coffee hour, in the main office, or call Betsy Kreuter at 698-3016.

Stewardship Pledge and Tax Benefit

You may be able to realize a more significant income tax benefit by paying your 2006 pledge in full before the end of December.  Under the Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005, cash contributions to any public charity (such as FCCOG) made between August 28, 2005 and December 31, 2005 are 1) exempt from the general rule that limits your income tax deduction in the year made to 50% of your “contribution base” which, broadly speaking, means your taxable income, and 2) treated as an “above-the-line” deduction, meaning they will not be subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions.  You may want to consult with your tax advisor to see whether these provisions will benefit your individual situation.  And if you are in a position to make an additional gift to the church, that will provide a benefit as well.

Staff Focus:
Aaron Sinay, Director of Family life

Aaron Sinay, church member and former deacon, returns to us as the new Director of Family Life and is currently a fourth grade teacher at The Greenwich Country Day School.

His office hours are: Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm, and he may be contacted at email: asinay@gcds.net ; or by phone [home: 629-1562, Office: 637-1791 x26].

Aaron is charged with developing the Director of Family position for the future.  His function is to:

*Nurture a sense of belonging and purpose for "families"

*Assist and coordinate the assimilation of new members into appropriate groups/activities

*Discover new social groups or social and spiritual needs within in the church

*Discover and nurture volunteer interests and gifts and help make appropriate connections

*Be present and accessible to members of the church and staff

*Through planning, regular involvement, and special assistance support:

JPF
Confirmation
Parish Life
Ministry of Children and Families
Other family and community programs

*Connect members with local support services, schools resources, and educational programs to provide educational and counseling resources for children and families

*Design and implement programs specific to the needs and interests of the church community.

Aaron is also a history buff and served as Chair of First Church's Historical Committee.  We encourage you to contact Aaron with program suggestions, family concerns, or church life questions. 

Growing as God’s Design
Stewardship 2006

Between October 25 and November 15, First Church has received 182 additional pledges of financial support toward our 2006 Stewardship campaign. The Board of Trustees gratefully acknowledge the pledge commitments that have been received during that period (which brings the total number to 324) from the following members and friends, as well as those who wish to remain anonymous:

The Clergy and Staff
of First Church wish
you a blessed
Merry Christmas
and a happy and
healthy New Year!

Dr. David D. Young, Senior Pastor
Susan M. Craig, Senior Associate Pastor
Anna Paskausky, Parish Associate and SPF Coordinator
Debbie Bocchino, Director of Middle School Ministries
Aaron Sinay, Director of Family Life
John Stansell, Director of Music/Senior Organist
Mark Swicegood, Assistant Music Director
Carolyn Paulus, Youth Choir Director
Rosemary Lamie, Church School Coordinator
Sue Asselin, R.N., Parish Nurse
Donna White, Senior Administrative Assistant
Darleyne Sandreuter, Publications Assistant
George Handley, Church Business Administrator
Kirk Young, Financial Administrator
Mary Babbidge, Cemetery Administrator and Records Clerk
Libby White, Preschool/Day Camp Director
Lilliam Mora, Sexton
Maria Drieghe, Co-manager, The Rummage Room
Debi Stickney, Co-manager, The Rummage Room

Thomas L. Stiers and Sally Colegrove, Pastors Emeriti

Nursery Care provided during the 10 am Service.
The 10 am Service is broadcast live on WGCH 1490 am Radio. www.fccog.org

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