Monday Announcements, Poems Read in Worship, Christmas Eve Services!

Longnight Service Friday, 7:00 pm. Those missing loved ones, those whose relationship has ended or is struggling, those who have lost work, or just had a hard, hard year can find it very difficult to be in touch with “merry and bright.”

For just that kind of healing, Union Church is again opening our doors for a service of prayer and “come as you emotionally are” Christmas. You, a friend, or anyone in the community who is having a blue Christmas is welcome to come, be surrounded with gentle music, and reminders that the Light of the world is a healer of hearts.

The simple service will be held in Cowan Chapel. With readings, with songs, with prayer we’ll simply hold those in need in the Light of God’s love. For those who wish, there will be communion and personal prayers for healing of body, mind, and spirit. Please join us for this special reminder of the “reason for the season.”

Last call!! Dancers of all abilities and skills are enthusiastically invited to help us dance in the light on Christmas Eve. Dancers begin the service with slow and lovely music as we light the worship candles for the service. If you would like to join (no experience necessary), contact Maggie Park — 330-277-7738 or maggiecatherinepark@gmail.com .  Rehearsals to begin VERY soon!  We’ve love to include male and female dancers in the group!

Candle-lit Christmas Eve Services at Union Church

Early: 5:00 pm-6:30 pm Candle-lit service with Music of the Season, Christmas Story, and  finger food reception afterwards. 

Late: 11:00 pm. Quiet Intimate Service in Cowan Chapel with Holy Communion.

Bless Your Creche! We have learned of a South American custom of bringing the babies from family nativities to the church to be blessed on Christmas Eve. If you would like to participate in a Union Church version of this custom, bring your Christ Child to the 5:30 pm Christmas Eve service.

Online Alternative Giving Market.  What to get that friend or family member for the holidays?  Does your sister really need another sweater?  Why not give alternative gifts this year that reach toward your loved ones’ hopes and dreams for a better world?  Maybe what your friends and family really want for this year is health care, food and housing for those in need – or maybe disaster relief. Visit  https://union-church.org/donate/acm2018/  and shop for that alternative gift for your loved ones.

Looking for Help? If you´re looking for help checking everything off your list this holiday season I am looking to work for you! I can help with cleaning/organi-zing, errand running present wrapping, decorating, childcare or house sitting between December 19 and January 12! Please contact me at (859)-582-3220 or dellaw98@gmail.com. Thanks – Della Walters

Have a Heart For Fellowship, Communication and Welcoming New Members? We Need 3! The Community Life and Growth Board of the church helps “outsiders” become “insiders” by helping Rev. Kent welcome new members, get people acquainted with each other for ministry and spiritual support, and oversees our website, social media, and media outreach (advertisements, banners, webcasts, etc). We need three people to help fulfill this vital work with our pastor. Is one of them you? Please contact Carla Gilbert of the Nominating Board: carla_gilbert@ windstream.net or call the church office!

LOOKING AHEAD:

Ordination Service of Leslie Small Stokes, here at her home church! January 6, 4:00 pm. The service will be followed by a reception. Can you help? Call Mary Lou Wiese at 260-571-4959. Thanks!

On Jan. 22, the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy will hold their annual conference from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at Embassy Suites Lexington, 1801 Newtown Pike.   It will be a full day of presentations and discussions about the issues facing Kentucky during the 2019 General Assembly and beyond.  Keynote speaker will be Mehrsa Baradaran, author of How the Other Half Banks and The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap.  For more information, go to https://kypolicy.org/events/Registration fee is $25.  Scholarships are available by contacting Sarah Zeller at sarah@kypolicy.org.

Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher!  Please use our electronic sign up system at union-church.org, and click on “Volunteer.” You can pick a date that works for you!  OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.

The Light of Joy

Let this time of waiting—this Advent season

be filled with the Light of Joy

Be still… and let Joy flow

Unleashed,

Joy—like water—finds a way

Place a rock in its course, Joy flows around

Build a dam, Joy tunnels under, or spills over

Joy weaves a determined course

Be still… and let Joy flow

As these days grow shorter

And nights grow longer

Be still

As the Holy One draws near

Step into the stream

Offer your truest gift—your unique Light

to the unceasing flow

And as each stream converges—

as our tributaries flow into the larger beloved community—

Be still and know

That all those bobbing bubbles of Light

are the Light of Joy

In the Light of Hope,

And arising from the Light of Peace,

The Light of Joy—already ours—

spills into our gathered midst

Be still… and let Joy flow                                      

                                   — Jennifer Even Melton

After Zephaniah 3:14-20

From the midnight-dark,

sleep-drunk brain, when

worries erupt and spin

their ceaseless, spiked wheels,

Hold the warmth

of small gifts given—

the joyful eyes first

beholding the new born,

miles of crows-feet played

above the smiles of

fingers grasped, that

first passing of the peace

No less has it been,

will it be, is it now,

as you, walking in

kindness, have sparks

lifting from the puzzle

of your days, through

whose cracks angels

are cheering, like

when you walk into this

sanctuary how they

just start carrying on,

exalting, all the light

of the windows but

a glimmer of God’s gladness

and belief in your goodness

that mixes with all the doings

of those who have passed,

and are with us still,

all they brought, and bring—

They rejoice and dance

in the harbor of all that

your heart and hopes hold,

each twinkling, each embrace,

all whooping and stamping

for God’s got a party alright,

eternal, and here and now,

and then, and will be, and you—

it’s for you, because God’s always-

already got right with the world,

and, rolling on your pillow,

you’re beyond all bounds

from this long arriving,

and have heard

and have wondered

of a gathering in the cold,

hands given to hands,

so go with haste and find

Mary and Joseph,

the child lying in the manger.

— Chris Green