Friends,

Following are the current announcements from First Congregational Church, West Brookfield, United Church of Christ:

From Pastor Doug:

Joan Dirlam’s funeral service will be held at the church on Monday, December 29 at 11 a.m., with a service of interment to follow immediately afterwards at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Southbridge.  Peter’s service is tomorrow morning at 11 a.m., also followed immediately by a service of interment in Southbridge. Please keep their family members in prayer in this sad time.

Jim Haynes fell on the ice on Tuesday and broke his hip.  He was transported to Baystate Hospital on Wednesday and was scheduled for surgery on Thursday. We will get updates to folks as we receive them.  Please keep Jim and Ellen in prayer as Jim goes through the healing and rehab process.

Al & Kathy Collings daughter, Lynn Lettieri, passed away peacefully Thursday night at her home in Ellington, CT.  Arrangements are pending but there will likely be a service at the UCC church in Ellington in the near future.  Please keep Lynn’s family, including Al & Kathy in your prayers.

Pastor Doug’s Office Hours for the Remainder of December:

Friday, 12/12, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Monday, 12/15, 2:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Friday, 12/19, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, 12/23, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Friday, 12/26 TBA

Wednesday, 12/31, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Please feel free to call me at 913-387-9947 if you need to schedule other times to meet.

Advent Interlude – this Tuesday!

If you’re looking for a time to gather and reflect upon, and be inspired by, the true meaning of the Advent season, we hope you will join us in the sanctuary on Tuesday, December 15 at 7 p.m. for a new program called “Advent Interlude.”  We’ll have an hour together of inspiring readings, short video presentations, and lively music offerings.  Come for a time of joy and go out inspired by the true meaning of the season in which we prepare for the birth of the Christ child!

Service for Peter Dirlam

Calling hours for church member Peter Dirlam will be held at Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge on Friday, December 12th from 4 – 6 pm. Peter’s funeral will be held at our church on Saturday, December 13th at 11 am.

White Christmas

A giant THANKS to each of you who participated or donated to this year’s White Christmas in West Brookfield event at our church. It was a great success in both fun and fellowship AND funds! It is believed that there was as much laughter and smiles as money generated – and that makes it all worthwhile!

A Very Special Thanks to:

Kitchen mavens: Karen Andersen and Debbie Steltzer for a vast and delicious lunch menu and — for both organizing the bake table AND baking much of what was on it!

The Bakers: All of those who came to the church kitchen and created your scrumptious delicacies for the bake table!

The Raffle Queens: Dee Blanton, Angela Carville & Linda Barron for gathering, organizing and overseeing our huge “really cool stuff” raffle!

And to every other person who donated the turkeys and all the groceries to make the wonderful luncheon and to all the volunteers who gave their time and energy to make it all happen that day! The order takers, the greeters, the cashiers, the order fillers and of course the clean up crew!

Total Funds generated to support our church and its outreach into the community were:

Kitchen – $2118

Bake Table – $778

Quilt Raffle – $143

“Really Cool Stuff” Raffle – $1482

Total – $4521

THANKS!     THANKS!     THANKS!     THANKS!     THANKS!     THANKS!     THANKS!     THANKS!

Poinsettias

The holidays are fast approaching and Nancy Arsenault will be ordering poinsettias to decorate our church sanctuary for Christmas Eve.  Order forms are available on the table in the rear of the sanctuary with a deadline of Sunday, December 14th. Please note that Green Thumb, our local West Brookfield florist, is offering us more choices this year than we have had in the past.  In addition to the traditional red and white poinsettias, there is now also a choice of pink as well as variegated!  The price this year will be $15 ea. Thank you for helping to make our sanctuary festive for Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve refreshments:

We will be inviting people to stay for refreshments after the Christmas Eve candlelight service.  We are looking for finger foods, preferably not all pastries.  If you would like to contribute something please contact Karen Murphy at kmurphy718@charter.net   Or 508-801-7692

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard is in need of more plastic shopping bags, mayo, canned peas, canned carrots, and canned green beans. Fresh vegetables from your garden are always welcome. Please leave all donations in the donation box at the church entry but leave the vegetables with a pantry volunteer.  Thank you.

1. Brookfield Farmer’s Market

The W. Brookfield Farmer’s Market that is held on the town common during the spring and summer months, has returned to our Fellowship Hall for another season. The market is held on Wednesdays from 3 pm – 6 pm and offers a bountiful selection of wonderful fresh foods, farm products and handmade items from local artists and farmers.  NOTE: The market will be open on December 17th but will take a hiatus on December 24th and December 31st due to the holidays.

Meetings This Week

Open and Affirming Committee – Friday, December 12th – 1 pm

White Christmas Committee – Post-event brainstorm gathering – Tuesday, December 16th – 2 pm

Have a wonderful weekend.

Bonni Holmes
Church Secretary