Merry Christmas Everyone!

First Central Congregational Church UCC wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Precious Memories by Joanna Fuchs
May this holiday season leave you with precious memories:
A Christmas filled with love and light, perfect gifts, delicious foods, love and joy all around.
A New Year with continuing blessings— friends, family, good work, great fun, and delightful surprises. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Posted by the Blog Administrator. Poem source: http://www.poemsource.com/Christmas-poems.html

Holiday Cheer

What a busy, busy holiday season it has been. I don't know about you but it seems like November and December have gone by in warp speed. I still have most of my holiday shopping to do!

But the one thing I love about this time of year is the cheer that is in the air. People seem to be happier. Excited even. I hear well wishes in the halls more often and see smiling faces. And I know those baked goodies hit the spot for a lot of people.

So with all this holiday cheer, I'd like to ask you to share it with a friend, a co-worker, your pet, a stranger...anyone that you see needing a kind reminder that life will get better and that they are not alone. Anything is helpful - a warm hug, holding the door for a person who is burdened with Christmas packages, a donation to the food bank, volunteering one hour of your time to give presents to kiddos, even cleaning out your closet and donating warm sweaters to our thrift shop or local shelter.

Why choose community service this holiday season? Because it is a gift that keeps on giving. When I was about 8 or 9 my parents dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Clause for a local charity. Having a fluffy white beard and a jolly laugh, my father fit the part to a tee. My sister and I were the elf's who assisted the Christmas duo in giving away gifts. At the time, I was a bit young to recognize the impact this had, but now upon reflection I am truly grateful that my parents decided to do this AND bring us kids along. What amazing gift they gave the community and to us. It was extremely powerful to see how the children reacted - happy faces all around. They had a blast telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas. And they even pulled his beard to see if it was real (Ouch- Sorry pops!). So this year, pass on the holiday cheer with a gift of your time and support.

Below is a link to organizations that First Central partners with to help our community and impact social change. We encourage you to spread the holiday cheer by serving our community (what a great new family tradition that could be!).

http://www.firstcentral.org/ministries/outreach.shtml

Happy Holidays!

Posted by Hanna W.

Advent 101

Advent (from Latin, adventus, meaning "coming towards") is a four-week season of preparation for Christmas. The First Sunday of Advent (November 29, 2009) marks the beginning of the church's year.

Advent and Christmas focus both on the past--the coming of Jesus as an infant born into poverty in Bethlehem, and the future--the coming of Christ. This past and future orientation is reflected in the readings appointed in the church for each Sunday of Advent.

The color purple--Purple is the main sanctuary color during Advent. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King.

Also, during Advent many churches decorate with evergreen wreaths, trees and other items symbolizing the birth of Jesus and new life present.

To learn more about Advent such as the lighting of different colored candles and the history of this church season, please visit Cri Voice: http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html.

Sources: http://www.ucc.org and CRI Voice.
Posted by Blog Administrator