2010 Advent Christmas Schedule

This is the complete schedule for Advent/Christmas at CPC this year.

First week of Advent

Sunday, November 28 (First Sunday of Advent)

9:45 – 12:00 Worship & church school

6:00 – 8:00 Family Advent kick-off (Pot Luck Dinner, Family Advent activity & evening worship)

Saturday, December 4

5:00 pm Saturday Service

5:00 – 9:00 pm Lighting of Malverne table w/ hot cider & cookies

Second week of Advent

Sunday, December 6 (2^nd Sunday of Advent)

9:45 – 11:00 Worship & church school

Saturday, December 11

9:00 am Decoration of Sanctuary

5:00 pm Pre Caroling Simple Supper

6:00 – 9:00 pm Christmas Caroling I – Church members

Third Week of Advent

Sunday, December 12 (3^rd Sunday of Advent)

9:45 am Worship & Church School, Decorating of Christmas Tree

11:15 Presbyterian Women Cookie Walk

TBA Christmas Caroling II – Nursing Homes

Saturday, December 18

10:00 – 12:00 Christmas pageant rehearsal

5:00 pm Saturday Service

Fourth Week of Advent

Sunday, December 19 (4^th Sunday of Advent)

9:45 am Worship, Children’s Christmas Pageant

Dedication of Blessing Boxes

Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)

4:00 pm Family Service w/ Communion

11:00 pm Service of lessons and carols

Blessing Boxes

This Christmas we're partnering with the LICC Freeport Feeding Center to create "Blessing Boxes." A blessing box is a shoe box (or other similarly sized box) filled with enough toiletries for a family of four along with a personal prayer, note or scripture verse. We're encouraging every household in the church to make at least one complete box, and to invite friends, neighbors, family members, scout troops, work colleagues, etc. to join you.

Bring your blessing box to the church any time between now and December 18. We'll be dedicating the boxes during the service on December 18th.

Here's what should be in your blessing box:
Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes (4) Shaving Cream, Safety Razors & small toys.

You can also add make-up or other cosmetics.

We will also welcome new: underwear, socks, hats & gloves. (Don't put into the box.)

The New Fridge Arrived!

I dropped into church on Tuesday afternoon and found the new fridge delivered, installed and working! The old fridge was gone! Thanks to the folks at PC Richards & Sons, Bill Voelker, Don Neugebauer and the Thrift Shop ladies.

Partnering with our Dollars

Maria Studer, chair of the Partnering Congregations team at the Presbytery of Long Island stopped by on Sunday to receive CPC's donation to the team's work. Partnering Congregations encourages Presbyterians on Long Island to work together to accomplish ministries they couldn't do alone. Examples include multi-congregation youth work, new church development, elder and deacon training, local outreach to the Hispanic community and more.

Cooking Making w/ Little Blessings

Pastor Fritz dropped by the Preschool to do a little pre-fair baking. Check out these pictures.

Church Fair a Success

Finally I've gone through all my pictures from the church fair. View the slide show below. Thanks to everyone who worked so far. Together we earned just over $4,000, a real help to the church as oil prices continue to increase.

Getting Ready for Visitors

On Tuesday night the Session discussed what as a congregation we might do differently if each Sunday we anticipated that visitors would be joining us. After just a brief discussion we came up with the following list:
- We would be on time to church
- We would have someone at the door to welcome people
- We would have a "host" for the service
- We would be sure to introduce each other to guests
- We would "freshen up" the space, children's activity bags, etc.

The Session also decided to make Advent 2010 a time of intentional inviting and welcoming others into our worship and our congregational activities. If we do that, we need to get ready.

What would you do differently if you knew visitors were coming to church? Leave your thoughts in the comments.