The Seed Newsletter
December 12, 2021
THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
As we swing into the third Sunday of Advent we also find ourselves moving into the town of Bethlehem. While today, Bethlehem is a bustling city, the heart of the city- Manger Square- calls to mind all of the images we have of what the coming of Jesus might have been like. On our way into town this week we will stop by the grumpy Census Taker's Office to have our passports stamped, then make our way to the inn- filled to capacity- where we will receive the same kind of hospitality that Mary and Joseph received so long ago.
Once we've left the journey to Bethlehem, we will take a few moments to think about the character of St. Nicholas. Long identified with the commercialization of Christmas, his life was in many ways a testament to what it means to follow Jesus.
Then, after worship, around 4pm, gather with your family and vaccinated friends to enjoy this year's "Virtual Christmas Concert". We will be broadcasting on the Christian Temple YouTube channel which means you can watch it live at 4 on Sunday, and then send it out to your friends who can enjoy it for the rest of the season and beyond!
Plan now to be part of the action on this Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent!
COMMITTEE SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Every year around this time Christian Temple forms a committee charged with the task of nominating a slate of officers for the year 2022-23 to be voted on by the board and congregation. That Nominating Committee has now formed, had its first meeting and invites anyone in the congregation who would like to put forward a name to be considered for any of the following offices, to do so. The offices are: Moderator, Vice Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Trustee, Historian, Elder, Deacon or Steward.The committee is already considering some names based on current service, term limits, and customs of the congregation but would welcome the input of congregational members. Anyone who has someone they would like to nominate please contact one of the following people. Kathy Gobbel, chair; Betty Moore, Donna Goon, Jean O'Donnell, or Amy Luking. This contact should be made on or before Wednesday, December 15th.
The committee plans to present its slate of officers to the board for approval at its January meeting, That slate would then go on to the congregation to be approved. Once the slate is approved, officers' terms will begin on July 1, 2022.
Any questions? Contact Kathy Gobbel at kgobbel@comcast.net.
CHILD CARE IS NOW BEING OFFERED DURING WORSHIP
We have been fortunate to secure the services of Brooke Kruse during the season of Advent and Christmas. Brooke loves kids and is eager to provide care for our littlest ones. She will be in the nursery about 15 minutes before worship begins and will stay until all the kids have been picked up by their parents. And, while she will be available for the early service on Christmas Eve (4pm), she will be attending the later service, so no child care will be available at the 7 pm service. Please note that Brooke will be away this Sunday, December 12th.
Thanks to Brooke for helping us expand our ministry in this important way!
THE UNFOLDING JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM
This year, as a nod to being careful about gathering too closely in person, we are offering our traditional Journey to Bethlehem experience in a non-traditional way! Each Sunday of Advent, during our morning worship service, we will share a couple chapters in the story.
Last week, Gabriel visited Mary, who then visited her cousin, Elizabeth. This Sunday, that curmudgeonly Census Taker will tell us how he feels about the Bethlehem crowds, and then we will stop by the Bethlehem Inn! Fans of Journey to Bethlehem are invited to experience the journey firsthand by joining us for morning worship. And, as a special bonus, you will be able to stop by a Marketplace booth prior to going into the sanctuary!
Caption: Cathy Bloedorn, as Elizabeth, and Lexi Stone-Wick, as Mary, visit one another during worship last week.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT-DECEMBER 19TH
This year, as in years past, the fourth Sunday of Advent will feature our kids becoming part of the story of the birth of Jesus. In addition to being in place to represent the characters in the nativity, they will also sing some of the songs they have been learning in Kids Choir! Plan now to join us for this festive fourth Sunday of Advent!
CHRISTMAS EVE AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
4PM INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE OF WORSHIP
This year we are bringing back our early Christmas Eve service- a service especially designed for families with children- and families who have other things to do later in the evening! The plan is to hold the service outside (weather permitting) to accommodate all those kids too young to be vaccinated. There will be carols to sing, the story to hear, a message just for kids, communion and, of course, the candlelit singing of "Silent Night". And, this year, you get to keep your candles!
Be watching church publications closer to time to see where the service will take place. But, if we are outside, we will likely be in the upper parking lot in the front of the church.
7PM CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE OF WORSHIP
Fans of our traditional service of worship on Christmas Eve are invited to come to the sanctuary at 7pm, with a mask to add to your Christmas Eve outfit. This service of music, prayer, communion and candlelight will usher in Christmas in the way to which we've grown accustomed. Keep an eye on church publications in case pandemic conditions will preclude our being able to gather together.
UPDATE: WORSHIP SIGN-IN CHANGE
Due to increased numbers of people attending worship- a good thing!- we will no longer be asking people to be "signed in" for each service. We will continue to let the congregation know immediately if anyone who has attended worship on a particular day begins to show symptoms of Covid-19 or receives a positive diagnosis. And, of course, we ask anyone for whom this might be the case to let the office know right away.
Thank you!
POINSETTIAS, PLEASE?
UPDATE: ORDERS DUE BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19TH!
We have been able to extend our due date! There is still time now to help make our Sanctuary both pretty and seasonal for our in-person and livestream services, won't you please consider contributing for poinsettias to on the Worship Center and baptistery?
If you are willing to give a poinsettia in honor of memory of a loved one, please let the office know! Online order forms are now available as well as printable forms to bring (or mail) in to Christian Temple. The price will is $11 per plant. We will also publish the names of those honored/remembered. If we get enough, we might even be able to create our poinsettia tree! Thank you for your support.
CLICK HERE FOR AN ONLINE FORM Once you complete this easy online form and submit your information, it will go directly to the church office. No need to mail it in to Christian Temple! You may pay for your poinsettia(s) on our Online Donation Site, located on the left-hand side of our Home page. You are also more than welcome to drop your payment off at church or send it in the mail!
NINE O'CLOCK FORUM
The Nine O'clock Forum session, led by Joe Pettit, is using the advent book, "Honest Advent", by Scott Erickson. Join us as we talk about the real issues that confront the world and the church during this celebration of Advent.
Joe says that, while folks are welcome to purchase the book (which is a wonderful resource) reading the material beforehand is not necessary!
KIDS CHOIR WELCOMES ALL KIDS!
Each Sunday from 10:15-10:45, the Kids Choir meets on Zoom to learn about Jesus through music. We'd love to have your child join us! The link is posted each week in the Sunday information. Also, the choir will be singing IN PERSON this week at worship! ALL kids are welcome to join us! We'll be singing "So Much", so even if you haven't been to practice, you can join us! Rather than our regular 10:15 practice, we'll be in person at church at 10:45 to sing. See you there!
And we'll be singing again on Sunday, December 19th...we'll be learning our Christmas songs beginning on the 29th of November.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO ISN'T RECEIVING THE SEED?
Our email distribution lists are almost up-to-date, but we are concerned that we may have missed a friend or two during this process. If you know of anyone who isn't receiving the J&C and/or The Seed, please ask them to let the office know. Contact Robin at 410-747-2041 or at office@christiantemple.org. Thank you!
ZOOM LINKS!
Wednesday Bible Study, Wednesdays (9:30 AM)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89678926477?pwd=Yno4ZW01RER0a00zNGlnWUFyWE9wQT09
The Well, Thursdays (6:30 PM)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89200881845
9:00 Forum, Sundays (9 AM)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/602793616
Children's Choir, Sundays (10:15- 10:45 AM)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87001372088
