Prayer Focus & Key Announcements for Dec. 31, 2005

PRAYER FOCUS The Rivera family; with health concerns we remember Lillian Peckham (Lillian O’Handley’s great-granddaughter), Louise Davis (Houston Merriman’s sister), Baby Jane Kungie, Nelson LaPerriere (Joan Lufkin’s brother-in-law), Henry Livergood, Kevin & Yessenia Bisson’s baby Jayven, Dorothea Scoble, Shelley Morrison, Barry Williams (Dennis’s brother), Sharon Olejniczak, Carolyn Stump, Ottilie Stafford, Tom King (Bonita’s brother-in-law), Ed Fortmiller, Jim Norcliffe, Shawn Bisson, Enid Schmidt, and their families. We also think of the concerns in our prayer book in the foyer.

VISITOR/MEMBER DINNER The left side Sabbath School class will host today’s dinner.

NEXT SABBATH’S MEAL will be an “all-church” dinner. We are having a modified, set menu, so please plan accordingly. Last names beginning with A–L: please bring soup and relishes (carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, olives, etc.); last names beginning with M–Z: please bring sandwiches and dessert. Join us for a great fellowship to start the New Year with church family.

TO BE CREDITED TO THE 2005 TAX YEAR, your contributions must be turned in to the church office by the time the church closes today, or, if mailed, must be postmarked by midnight tonight and received by January 7.

PASTOR “MO” & JANE (Papa & Nana) will be visiting Grandson Luke and his parents through Thursday of this week. Call the church office if you are in need pastoral care. Chaplain Luis Gracia and Pastor Elizabeth Castle will be on call.

Sterling Health Care Ministry

Our monthly service will be this Friday at 10:00 am. Interested in
participating? Please contact Michelle Willliams at 508.728.6495.
(This announcement failed to make it into the bulletin.)

Prayer Focus & Key Announcements for Dec. 24, 2005

PRAYER FOCUS The Rivera family; with health concerns we remember Lillian Peckham (Lillian O’Handley’s great-granddaughter), Louise Davis (Houston Merriman’s sister), Baby Jane Kungie, Nelson LaPerriere (Joan Lufkin’s brother-in-law), Henry Livergood, Kevin & Yessenia Bisson’s baby Jayven, Dorothea Scoble, Shelley Morrison, Barry Williams (Dennis’s brother), Sharon Olejniczak, Carolyn Stump, Ottilie Stafford, Tom King (Bonita’s brother-in-law), Ed Fortmiller, Jim Norcliffe, Shawn Bisson, Enid Schmidt, and their families. We also think of the concerns in our prayer book in the foyer.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED breakfast in church today. Because we had breakfast here, we won’t be serving lunch. The left side Sabbath School class will host next week’s dinner.

YOU ARE INVITED to the baptism of Richie Sassone this afternoon in the Sanctuary at 2:00. All are welcome.

MARY TAMBOLLEO will celebrate her 99th birthday this Wednesday. Let’s shower her with cards and visits. She would really appreciate it. Even if you don’t know her, just say you’re a College Church friend. Her address is 70 Bigelow Gardens, Lancaster, MA 01523.

COMMUNION NEXT SABBATH Plan now and prepare your heart in the coming week for the sacred celebration of communion. Next Sabbath is the eve of a new year and it is fitting that we should come together as a church family and celebrate this institution Jesus gave to remind us of what He has already done for us and to build anticipation for what He is planning to do for us when He returns. End 2005 on a note that will get 2006 off to a healthy start.

TO BE CREDITED TO THE 2005 TAX YEAR, your contributions must be turned in to the church office by the time the church closes next Sabbath, December 31, or, if mailed, must be postmarked by midnight December 31 and received by January 7. 

Browning Christmas Concert Postponed

The Browning Elementary School Christmas program scheduled for
tonight is being postponed until Tuesday evening at 7:00. inclement
weather has forced cancellation of school today. Please come and
enjoy the concert on Tuesday.

Key Announcements for Dec. 17, 2005

PRAYER FOCUS The Rivera family; with health concerns we remember Louise Davis (Houston Merriman’s sister), Baby Jane Kungie, Nelson LaPerriere (Joan Lufkin’s brother-in-law), Henry Livergood, Kevin & Yessenia Bisson’s baby Jayven, Dorothea Scoble, Shelley Morrison, Barry Williams (Dennis’s brother), Sharon Olejniczak, Carolyn Stump, Ottilie Stafford, Tom King (Bonita’s brother-in-law), Ed Fortmiller, Jim Norcliffe, Shawn Bisson, Enid Schmidt, and their families.

In bereavement we remember the family of Willama DeLima, who passed away Tuesday evening. All are invited to a celebration of her life tomorrow morning at 11:00 in the Sanctuary. Willama’s request was no flowers. Mark your tithe envelope Glory Fund for donations to her family.

PRAYER TIME AFTERGLOW Special prayer time with today’s elder in the Junior Room after the 11:00 service. Brief, focused prayer, so come right in!

VISITORS you are invited to our all-church haystack luch after church today, hosted by the Youth Sabbath School. The church will provide the chips, rice and beans. Please bring plenty of some of the following: cheese, onions, lettuce, salsa, sour cream and dessert. Next Sabbath we will have breakfast together (see announcement below), so there will be no dinner.

ANIMALS, ANIMALS Come to the Live Nativity today at 3:00 pm and invite/bring your friends. It’s a great time with Dr. Ray Sauls, his family and some of his animal friends from the farm, including Fatema the camel. Dress accordingly, as of course it’s outside on the church’s side lawn, and enjoy fellowship with our community around the manger scene sipping hot chocolate and singing a few carols. Who do you think will be the nativity family this year??

SLA/BROWNING

Ø            The South Lancaster Academy Concert Choir and Vocé will perform Christmas Evensong choral music and readings today at 4:00 pm in the Sanctuary. A perfect continuation of the Live Nativity. Musical selections for everyone. Come join in the celebration of the Christmas season.

PATHFINDERS

Ø            First Annual "Gifts of Love" Pathfinder Toy Drive: We are sponsoring a toy drive to benefit needy families and are accepting new, unwrapped toys for children 12 and under. Monetary donations are also welcome. Deliver your toys to the fellowship hall at the Village Church by this afternoon. Gilbert Caraballo, 978.733.1948.

COMMUNITY CAFÉ College Church members are needed to provide and serve food at the café tomorrow from 4:00–6:30 pm. Contact Pastor Elizabeth Castle if interested.

WOMEN’S NIGHT OUT Our yearly “treat and treasure” night is this Tuesday at 6:30 pm. Bring something interesting for the Yankee Swap and something for supper (the last part is optional!) to my home. I’m glad you come! Jane

RUSSIAN ORPHAN PROJECT Please don’t wait!! Bring new underwear, pajamas, jeans (for ages birth–16), and toys like matchbox cars and beanie baby animals by this Friday and put them in the labeled box in the foyer. Write checks to Florida Hospital Foundation-Russia or mark your tithe envelope appropriately and place it in the offering plate. Remember, $25 buys a coat and shoes for a child. Share your blessings!

PLAN TO EAT BREAKFAST IN CHURCH next Sabbath. Bring breakfast items ready to serve. The breakfast will begin at 9:00 am and continue until 10:30 am, followed by a participatory worship service. Everyone is invited—bring a friend! 

Willama DeLima

Dear College Church Family,

We are saddened to report that Willama DeLima passed away last
evening. We ask you to pray for her husband Silas, their children and
the rest of her loved ones. There will be a celebration of her life
this Sunday morning, the 18th, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. All
are invited to come and support her family.

May God give comfort in this difficult time.

Ed Collins

Prayer Focus and Key Announcements for Dec. 10, 2005

PRAYER FOCUS The Rivera family; with health concerns we remember Louise Davis (Houston Merriman’s sister), Baby Jane Kungie, Nelson LaPerriere (Joan Lufkin’s brother-in-law), Henry Livergood, Glenys Hamilton, Kevin & Yessenia Bisson’s baby Jayven, Dorothea Scoble, Shelley Morrison, Barry Williams (Dennis’s brother), Sharon Olejniczak, Carolyn Stump, Ottilie Stafford, Tom King (Bonita’s brother-in-law), Willama DeLima, Ed Fortmiller, Jim Norcliffe, Shawn Bisson, Enid Schmidt, and their families.

VISITORS are invited to Charlotte & Jack Creighton’s home for dinner today. If you are a visitor, meet the Creightons in the foyer after church—they’ll hold up a sign! Next week the youth will host our monthly all-church haystack dinner. The church will provide the chips, rice and beans. Please bring plenty of some of the following: cheese, onions, lettuce, salsa, sour cream and dessert.

PASTOR “MO” & JANE will be away through this Thursday. If you need pastoral assistance please call the church office, as others on the pastoral staff will be available.

SLA/BROWNING
*   Browning Elementary School will provide a program, "The Gift," this Friday at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Christmas, children, and music—how can your spirits not be lifted?! Come join in the celebration. Pre-K through 8th grade will be involved. Robert Malin will conduct.
*   The South Lancaster Academy Concert Choir and Vocé will be performing Christmas Evensong choral music and readings next Sabbath, December 17, at 4:00 pm in the Sanctuary. A perfect continuation of the Live Nativity outside the church. Musical selections for everyone. Come join in the celebration of the Christmas season.

Prayer Focus and Key Announcements for Dec. 3, 2005

PRAYER FOCUS The Rivera family; with health concerns we remember Baby Jane Elizabeth Kungie (Betty Lang’s granddaughter), Nelson LaPerriere (Joan Lufkin’s brother-in-law), Henry Livergood, Glenys Hamilton, Kevin & Yessenia Bisson’s baby Jayven, Dorothea Scoble, Shelley Morrison, Debbie Church (Frank & Marge Howes’ great-niece), Barry Williams (Dennis’s brother), Sharon Olejniczak, Carolyn Stump, Ottilie Stafford, Tom King (Bonita’s brother-in-law), Willama DeLima, Ed Fortmiller, Jim Norcliffe, Shawn Bisson, Enid Schmidt, and their families.

CARDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT are on the table in the foyer. Sign them and brighten the life of a church family friend. Ministry of Nurture

WE INVITE YOU to join our church family for an all-church dinner as part of homecoming after the 11:00 service today. Next Sabbath the visitors will be invited to the Creighton’s home.

HOMECOMING WEEKEND Welcome to all our visitors!
Ø Today:
€ After Church: Fellowship dinner. Members: bring your favorite holiday foods.
3:00 p.m.: Hymn sing in the sanctuary: “Sing the Season,” with Michelle Williams & friends. There will be many instruments and soloists, including the organ and piano. Come and enjoy!
€  8:00 p.m.: Atlantic Union Wind Symphony Christmas concert in Machlan Auditorium, under the direction of Earl Raney.
Ø Tomorrow:
€  1:00–5:00 p.m.: Holiday Festival for all ages at Thayer Conservatory. Holiday crafts, food, a silent auction, mini-concerts throughout the afternoon.

OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH in Westminster is having its annual outdoor nativity today and tomorrow from 6:00–8:00 pm. It’s always very enjoyable. Dr. Ray Sauls & family and animals will present our Live Nativity here at the College Church on Sabbath, December 17, at 3:00 pm. Plan to invite someone to come with you and stay for SLA’s Evensong program at 4:00 pm in the sanctuary.

PASTOR “MO” & JANE will be away December 5–15. If you need pastoral assistance please call the church office as others on the pastoral staff will be available.

STERLING HEALTHCARE MINISTRY Our monthly service will be this Friday at 10:00 am instead of the fourth Friday this month. Interested in participating? Please contact Michelle Willliams at 508.728.6495.