The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth United Church of Christ

THE SPIRE December 2013

HOPE, PEACE, JOY, LOVE, AND JESUS

The tradition of the Advent Wreath has roots that pre-date Christianity. Some

people are troubled by the way that Christianity has adapted symbols and practices

from other cultures and religions. But there are some symbols that genuinely

transcend specific religions because they serve the universal human need not only

for food and love, but for tangible, daily reminders of our relationship with the

Divine.

In the northern latitudes, in the countries we now call Scandinavia, winters are

long and cold, the hours of daylight are brief, and the winter sunlight is weak. It

was in this environment that many centuries ago, people first made evergreen

wreaths. The evergreens, holly, ivy, and holly berries not only provided a flash of color in a gray world, but were a

tangible reminder that despite the current times of snow, leaden gray skies, and meager sunlight; that Spring would

return with its blossoms, new growth, and bright, warm sunshine. This was all part of the endless cycle of the seasons

symbolized by the wreath’s circular form.

In ancient times, long before electric lights or kerosene lanterns, the only light in homes after the sun set came from

the hearth fire, an oil lamp, or a candle. Candles were precious and their light was a treasured, special treat. So the

winter wreath, by combining the warm light of the precious candles and the bright color of the branches conveyed a

powerful message of hope in a dark, dark world.

When Christianity spread northwards, the symbol was too beautiful and too deeply loved to be discarded as merely

a pagan practice. It is no wonder that the early Scandinavian Christians adopted this much loved winter custom by

simply adding a layer of Christian symbolism — associating the candles with the Christian concepts of hope, peace, joy,

love, and Christ himself. The winter wreath became the Advent Wreath. The beauty and the symbols are as relevant to

us today as they have been to generations before us.

When we light the candles in our Advent wreath in the weeks ahead, we do so with profound gratitude to God. Let

us all be cheered and sustained by the bright flames of hope, peace, joy, and love. And, of course, we always need the

light of Jesus burning brightly in our heart.

Let us not just sprint towards Christmas Day, but let us walk together through the Advent season. Let us appreciate

the rich Advent symbols and traditions and allow them to renew and restore our spirits. No matter what wonderful

presents we might receive on Christmas morning, none can be greater than the inward gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love

that we nurture throughout the weeks of Advent.

Let us light the flames of the Advent season — both the wax candles of our Advent wreath — and the spiritual ones

in our hearts. Regardless of the daily headlines, we know that we will soon be lighting the Christ candle together in

keeping with the ancient prophecy:

The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light.

From Pastor Doug

Page 2 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Choir Announcements

December 15th — Coming in December, "Sisters in Song", on Dec. 15. Led by Leslie Piper, Artistic Director of the Southcoast Children's Choir, this all-female group made up of dear friends who love to sing will delight us with their sweet harmonies. They are booked for a performance later that day at the Seaman's Bethel and will sing some of that program for us. December 22nd — Also, on December 22, the Nichols Trio string ensemble will be back to play for us. These three talented young ladies last played for us on Rally Sunday.

Join us for our annual

Family Carol Sing 4:30pm December 15th in the Sanctuary.

Bring family and friends

Hot chocolate and cookies to follow

Sign up if you can in the lower social hall, but please join us anyway if you can.

4th Annual Christmas Arts &Crafts Sale

Saturday, December 7th 9:30 am to 3:00pm

Congregational Church of South Dartmouth Join us for home made breakfast and lunch favorites!! Lobster rolls, chowder, meat pie with gravy and more! Take a frozen meat pie home for a quick supper. Get a jump start on your Christmas shopping with Dartmoor Gifts, Island Pottery, Silverbrook Farm, Wired jewelry by Christine Cummings and Kim Sevigny, Carol Way Wood, Apponagansett Maple Syrup, cards by Renate Hamer, Wicked Kickin' savory cheesecakes, Linda Dahlberg and her lighted wine bottles and pine wreaths from the Boy Scouts. New vendors include sea glass jewelry by Tracey Andrade, "Healthy Soaps" handmade by Brenda Levasseur and artwork by Kendall Purrington (Owls Nook)

Page 3 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Stewardship/Ingathering

It is with great joy that we report on this year’s stewardship campaign. The positive energy at the Ingathering service held on November 17 was palpable. Pastor Doug delivered an inspiration-al message about sharing whatever our gifts might be and those present witnessed the potential for what lies ahead for this congregation. Leading the way on Stewardship, Pastor Doug and Heather will tithe from his salary this coming year as their gift to our church. Following their lead, the Ministry Chairs and Officers of our church presented their Promise cards at the all Ministry meeting Tuesday in advance of the Ingathering service. During the Ingathering service church members were asked to consider adding their personal promises of time and talents for the life of our church by joining together with written promises that collectively made a “Promise Soup” to carry our various church missions forward. Promise cards from more than 78 giving units or approximately 110 members have been collected to date. The vast majority have indicated that they will give more than last year in an effort to faithfully carry our church forward. Promise cards continue to arrive at the church office and we are well on our way towards a positive position in funding the hopes and dreams we each carry in our hearts for the missions of our church community. Follow-up phone calls to those who have not responded will begin sometime after Thanksgiving. We thank all of you who have returned your Promise Cards and encourage those of you who have not yet responded to please join in. Your faith in what the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth means to this congregation and the wider community is what makes our church such a special place in all of our hearts.

Holiday Hope Thanks to the overwhelming support of our congregation, all of the individuals from Child and Family Services have been adopted. Surely your generosity will help to make their Christmas a little brighter. WRAPPED gifts will be collected at 646 Dartmouth Street (old Gifford Marine), on Tuesday, 12/10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any questions please contact CBaldwin182@comcast.net.

Page 4 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Children of the Sunday School will receive a Children’s Advent Calendar. This colorful one-page calendar is filled with Scripture verses, activities, thought starters and Advent images for everyday in Advent. Available for adults: Behold! An Advent Devotional booklet put together by the UCC Stillspeaking Writer’s Group.

Stewardship Sharing for the Advent Season:

The Sunday School children are invited to contribute gently used

picture books, new pencils, crayons, jump ropes and soccer balls

to be sent to Tanzania through the MEMA Project. We plan to invite

Amy Wendel, founder & director to come visit with us again this winter.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

NATIVITY PAGEANT

Sunday, December 22nd

The Nativity Pageant will be part of our regular 10:00 worship service on Sunday, December 22

nd.

Rehearsals will be held in the sanctuary on Sunday(s) Dec. 8

th & 15

th following worship for 30 - 45 minutes.

Carol Flack has volunteered to be the director. Please email congochurchnancy@comcast.net or cjflack@yahoo.com if your child/children will be participating, so that we can assign parts and work on costumes. Also, let us know if you are willing to help by assisting with rehearsals or costuming. Reminder: NO Regular Sunday School on December 29

th - we will celebrate Epiphany when Sunday School

resumes on January 5th

Page 5 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

January Coat Drive

This is a “Save the Coat” request. Outreach will be holding a January coat drive for outerwear of all sizes. As you purchase new coats for the coming season, please hang on to your old ones.

The gently used items we collect will warm the hearts and bodies of recipients.

Church Council News The Council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.

Pastor Doug shared his enthusiasm with the Council about the vitality of the congregation

during Sunday Worship and is excited about the many activities happening in the church.

Stewardship is off to a great start and we are encouraged by the good return of Promise cards with

many members increasing their gifts to the church for 2014.

Membership Ministry is considering possible dates in January for new members to join the church.

Worship, Religious Education and Fellowship Ministries shared their plans for the Advent season.

The Women's Guild has earmarked $1,000. to go towards Pastor Doug's Vacation Bible School next

summer. Next Council meeting, Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Food Donations While you are grocery shopping for your holiday meals, please remember those who rely on the Council on Aging food pantry. In addition to their regular needs (cereal, peanut butter, beans, etc.), please include such items as boxed mashed potatoes, jarred gravy, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce and canned vegetables. Many thanks to all of you who donated when you came to have your photo made for the directory! Please note that donations may now be left in a well-marked wicker basket in the Narthex.

OUTREACH

Page 6 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Advent & Christmas Worship Schedule

December 1st, First Sunday in Advent

10am Worship Service Communion

December 8th, Second Sunday in Advent

10am Worship Service

December 15th, Third Sunday in Advent

10am Worship Service

December 22nd, Fourth Sunday in Advent

10am Nativity Pageant

December 24th, Christmas Eve Services

5 pm - Lessons and Carols

11 pm Lessons and Carols

“PIE – PIE – MISS AMERICAN PIE…”

The youth members of the South Dartmouth Con-gregational Church had an “awesome” time recently making pies for sale, to aid the Sister Rose House Soup Kitchen in downtown New Bedford. About twenty youth and their adult advisors spent a beautiful autumn morning pealing, slicing and coring real apples for their pies – none of this canned apple stuff! Then all the good ingredients, including tasty spices and sugar, were shaken on top of the apples and the pies were assembled for quick freezing. Pies were available for sale after the service on a recent Sunday morning. This wonderful effort by the church youth and their “helpers” brought in a total of $280! The money has been designated in total to the soup kitchen to help those in need.

Now - if only the same youth and adults could make

all our pies for Thanksgiving!

Page 7 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Apple Pie

Making

With

The

Sunday

School

All

Proceeds

Went

To

The

Sister

Rose

House

Soup

Kitchen

Page 8 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Youth Group News

In November, youth group collected donations for the National Marine Life Center. Thank you to everyone who "fished" and helped fill our pool! We also had a blast at Hunger Games. We encourage you to ask a youth group member about the games they played, we are sure they would love to tell you all about the newspaper scavenger hunt, the relay (coin cans, tic tac tweezers and partner puzzle), marshmallow and spaghetti tower, wink, friend snowball fight, fork and spoon AND two truths and a lie. Are you intrigued?

In December, youth group will be meeting to create our crafts for the holiday fair on December 1st. Instead of charging money, we will be "charging" travel sized toiletries and socks to be donated to the Sister Rose Men's House. Don't have time to buy toiletries and socks in advance? Don't worry! You'll be able to play a fun and easy game for a small fee to earn your goods! Prayer shawl ministry has generously donated washcloths to be donated with our toiletries. At the fair on December 7th, we will have our goods for sale as well as a photo opportunity and crafts for kids. Youth group is open to all youth in grades 7-12. Please contact Troy and Lisa Tufano for more information at 774-202-6368 or lisatufano@comcast.net

Outreach Turkey Sale Outreach would like to thank all of you who supported the annual turkey sale. Your generosity is enabling us to donate $1230.00 to the Salvation Army of New Bedford to assist in their food mission. Our gifts are very much appreciated at this season, when the Salvation Army tries to provide their clients with special food, so that they too can share in the warmth of a Thanksgiving meal.

Prospective Members

Welcome! No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth is planning a New Member Joining Ceremony on January 5 during our Sunday Service. In advance of this ceremony, Pastor Doug Stivison and the Membership Ministry will be hosting a prospective member orientation after our church service on December 15. Please join us and learn more about our church, our congregation and the United Church of Christ. Schedule: Sunday, December 15 - Prospective Member Orientation after the service Sunday, January 5 - New Member Joining Ceremony during the service

Page 9 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Wedding Anniversaries are listed in the Spire every five years for the first 50, and then each year there-

after!

Lessons and carols

The traditional Christmas Eve service using Bible lessons and Christmas carols was first held in England in 1918 at Cambridge University’s King’s College. Eric Milner-White, a 34-year-old who had just been appointed dean of King’s, planned the service. His previous experience as an army chaplain convinced him that the Church of England needed to make worship more expressive.

The service has been broadcast from King’s annually since 1928, missing only one year (1930). Radio listeners could tune in and hear the service during World War II, although the name of King’s couldn’t be broadcast due to security precautions. During the war, the chapel’s antique glass — and thus all its heat — had been removed.

Every year, millions of people worldwide listen to the “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.” Since 1919, the ser-

vice has begun with the hymn “Once in Royal David’s City.”

Pastoral Concerns

Please don’t forget to call or email

the church office with information

on any hospital admissions or pasto-

ral concerns.

Thank you for helping us stay in tune

to the needs of our church family.

Betsy & Norman Silcox 54 Years

December 13, 1958

~~~~~~

Susan & Frank Sullivan 40 Years

December 22, 1972

Special dates • First Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2013 • Second Sunday of Advent, December 8, 2013 • Third Sunday of Advent, December 15, 2013 • First Day of Winter, December 21, 2013 • Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22, 2013 • Christmas Eve, December 24, 2013 • Christmas Day, December 25, 2013 • New Year’s Eve/Watch Night, December 31, 2013

What is Christmas?

Christmas is belief in the past, courage for the present and hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.

Page 10 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Congregational Church Monthly Calendar

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 First Sunday in Advent 10am Worship

2 3 4 Girl Scouts

5 6 7 Christmas Fair

8 Second Sunday in Advent 10am Worship

9 Boy Scouts

10 7 pm Ministry Meeting Holiday Hope Drop Off

11 Girl Scouts

12 13 14

15 Third Sunday in Advent 10am Worship New Member Mtg 11:00 Carol Sing 4:30 Poinsettias Order Deadline

16 Boy Scouts

17 7pm Council Meeting

18 Girl Scouts

19 20

21

22 Fourth Sunday in Advent 10am Nativity Pageant

23 Boy Scouts

24 Christmas Eve 5 pm & 11 pm Lessons & Carols Worship

25 Christmas Day

26 27 28

29 10am Worship

30 31

December 2013

Page 11 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

November Flowers Were Given By:

November 3rd - Vicki Bancroft in honor and remembrance of Steve

Bancroft with love from Vicki, Scott and Kimberly Bancroft.

November 10th - Bob and Kathy

Pappas to Honor our veterans and service men and women on active duty.

November 17th - Troy and Lisa Tufano in celebration of Aurelia’s first birthday.

November 24th - Jim and Margaret Forbush; let us all give thanks for our

blessings.

If you would like to become a member of the prayer chain, please contact Marcia Hathaway either by phone (508)993-5740 or email mkhathaway@comcast.net or call the church office. As "members of the Prayer Chain," you would receive a copy of the prayer your only responsibility is to read it, thus you too are "praying" for the requests put forth. I never put anyone "in" the prayer without a request, and I only disclose what has been shared. Since we all know that prayer is a powerful healing tool, the more members we have praying, the more power we concentrate on a request.

IT IS TIME TO ORDER YOUR

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

Christmas Poinsettias are $9.00. Please return your order form and check or cash (please make checks out to “The Congregational Church”). And send to: Nancy DeWolf 24 Middle Street South Dartmouth, MA 02748 Or place it in the collection plate at worship on Sunday mornings, or bring to the church office. Orders MUST BE IN by December 15th.

OUR CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL Sunday, December 22, 2013

NAME____________________________ IN MEMORY OF____________________ __________________________________ FLOWER DISTRIBTUION:

___ I will pick-up ___ Discretion of the Chairman COLOR: ___ Marble ___ Red ___White

The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth United Church of Christ 17 Middle St., PO Box 80608 South Dartmouth, MA 02748-0608 http://congochurchsd.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Rev. Douglas Stivison stivison@earthlink.net

Robin Lake, Office Administrator congochurch@comcast.net

Church Telephone: 508-993-6676 Church Fax: (508) 993-1244

The Spire Newsletter is available in paper form. If you would like a copy mailed to your home please let us know at 508/993-6676

or at congochurch@comcast.net or leave a note in the church office.

Christmas Worship Services

December 22nd, Fourth Sunday in Advent

10 am Nativity Pageant

December 24th, Christmas Eve Services

5 pm - Lessons and Carols

11 pm Lessons and Carols

Please Join Us