The Seed Newsletter
December 5, 2021
THIS SUNDAY AT CHRISTIAN TEMPLE
The second Sunday of advent will pick up right where we left off last week with plenty of music and an opportunity to follow along with the Journey to Bethlehem. This Sunday's service will begin with a rendition of Handel's "Every Valley Shall Be Exalted" performed as a prelude, and hearkening back to last week's words from the prophet Isaiah. Then we will turn our attention to the drama involving Mary, Elizabeth and the angel Gabriel. Our worship will provide lots of music of the season- something for which we've all been hungering. So, join us this Sunday for worship at 11. Remember we will remain masked during the season.
After worship the CYF will meet to talk about the birth stories in the Bible and what they might have to say about who Jesus came to be.
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.
Thanks to Brooke for helping us expand our ministry in this important way!
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!
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 we heard from the prophet Isaiah. This week, Gabriel will visit Mary, who will then go and visit her cousin, Elizabeth. 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!
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.
SNEAK PEAK: ANNUAL LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTIAN TEMPLE CHRISTMAS TREE
A hearty crowd of kids and adults gathered in the front of the church for story, song, lights, treats, and hot chocolate!
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES! THANK YOU!
Thanks to your generosity and the hard work of the Christian Temple Women's Group, care packages were prepared and mailed this week to our college students.
Besides those in the photo, Cheryl Haymes, Jean O'Donnell and Amy Luking were there packing the boxes
Kecia Johnson, Sonja Scott, and Terri Parke joined us on zoom.
And Sue Medicus delivered the boxes to the post office, and so many more contributed! Thanks to ALL!
THANK YOU EVERYONE!
A big thank you goes out to everyone who brought in canned goods when they came to worship last Sunday. Rest assured that these food items will find their way to the Grace AME Food Pantry in Catonsville over the course of the next month. And thanks to Kari Barnes for delivering the goods!
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!
CYF MEETING THIS SUNDAY!
This week we meet (first Sunday of the month) after worship at the church. We'll meet from 12:30-2pm. If you come to worship, you can just hang around until we start! Thanks to The Mills as they are bringing lunch for us.
The theme this year...is Who is this Jesus? This month we'll look at Jesus' birth...How could he be both a human baby AND the Son of God? Let's look at the story and see what we can learn! We'll start with a quiz about the birth of Jesus...let's see what you know!
It would help if you let Jayna or Rick Powell know if you are coming...so we can be sure to have enough food! Hope to see you Sunday!
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
