The Best Part of Christmas by Pastor Michael

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1 Newsletter Title December Worship, 4 p.m. 2 Men s Group, 7:30 a.m. Yoga, 6:30 p.m. 3 MADD, 6:30 p.m. 4 Decorating Party, 6 p.m. 5 Supper Center, 12:30 p.m. 6 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. 8 Worship, 4 p.m. Community Carol Sing, 7 p.m. 9 Yoga, 6:30 p.m. 11 Pageant Rehearsal, 6 p.m. Book Club, 7 p.m. 12 Supper Center, 12:30 p.m. 13 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. 15 Worship, 4 p.m. 16 Yoga, 6:30 p.m. Pub Theology, 8 p.m. 18 Pageant Rehearsal, 6 p.m. 19 Supper Center, 12:30 p.m. 20 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. [Service of Poetry & Carols] 22 Worship, 4 p.m. 23 Yoga, 6:30 p.m. No Taizé 24 Children s Pageant, 6:30 p.m. Candlelight Service, 9 p.m. 25 Building & Office Closed Merry Christmas! 26 No Saturday Center 27 No Adult Christian Ed 28 Building & Office Closed 29 Worship, 4 p.m New Year s Eve The Best Part of Christmas by Pastor Michael We have officially entered my favorite time of the year Christmas! I love the decorations. I love singing Christmas carols. I love giving gifts (and receiving them!). And I love the general good cheer that is in the air. But what moves me the most is the birth of hope that stands at the center of the season. In the birth of a little child, the hope was kindled that there is something more available to us. We easily settle for a life that lacks meaning and significance, just going through the motions to get through another day. With the birth of Jesus, imaginations were enlivened and the spark of faith took hold that there can be more to life. This gift of hope continues to be offered to all of us. It is ours to unwrap and see what possibilities await us. Waiting in Light by Pastor Jes As the seasonal decorations light up the city, I feel both the joy of this season along with the longing for hope in this broken world. The season of Advent is a time in which we prepare for the coming of Christ. We light candles and sing songs that express our hopes for a world where God s kingdom come is actualized in every person, in every place. The deep purple of this season, not unlike Lent, represents the longing for a world made right by the reign of Jesus. In Advent we confess and we cry out for all to be made right. In Advent we dare to The force of this usually hits me when the final Christmas Eve service has finished, we blow out the last candle, and I begin my walk home. Even when the weather is cold and the snow is blowing; even when sirens are blaring and cars are honking their horns; for me, it is always a Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. No matter what is going on around me, I stroll along filled with hope because Christ the savior is born. No matter what is happening around you, may the hope of Christ be within you as we celebrate that something more that is offered to all. -Pastor Michael believe that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome the light. This season, join us as we proclaim the promise of the light of Christ. Each Sunday we experience this light and experience the grace of God to then share this with the world around us. A world that is in need of a word of grace and hope. Advent light to each of you Pastor Jes

2 Page 2 We will meet on Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 a.m. Our Men s Group is a casual meeting that allows us to build friendships and share life together. We d love to have you be a part of this. Music Notes from Cynthia Powell Follow us on Want to keep up with what s happening with your WECC family? Go to Facebook : WestEndChurchNYC and It s a great way to stay connected to our community. December is here and along with it some terrific musical offerings. Advent opens with the ancient matin (morning) introit set by Palestrina: I Look from Afar on November 29, the first Sunday of Advent. The anthem for that Sunday is E en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come by Paul Manz. The Advent theme continues through the Sundays in December with a beautiful new setting by the British composer Will Todd, titled My Lord has Come. The Choir is busy rehearsing for a unique new service on Sunday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m. In addition to a slightly truncated regular worship service, it will include a special component of Christmas poetry, anthems and carols, read by members of the congregation from the youngest to eldest. Modeled on the Festival of Lessons and Carols, so beloved among many churches, we ll have an instrumental ensemble of harp and the Momenta String Quartet to accompany the program. Momenta is a cutting edge ensemble and it has received worldwide recognition. What a great way to introduce friends to the extraordinary beauty of our church and its music! Don t miss our Annual Community Carol Sing on Tuesday, December 8 at 7 p.m. It s a fun -filled hour of calling out your favorite carols and singing both sacred and popular Christmas songs at full throttle. Be sure to bring the children because we'll be singing all their favorites, too! Following the carol sing, we'll have cider and cookies. And it's FREE. A special West End Christmas Choir is forming to sing a gorgeous piece called I Wish You Christmas by John Rutter in worship on December 20. Open to all adults music reading isn t required - learning materials will be supplied. We will rehearse IMMEDIATELY following the services on December 6 and 13 in the Sanctuary and immediately prior to the service on December 20. See me after church for your copy of music or me at cpowell@westendchurch.org and I'll send you a PDF and listening file. Our Taizé services continue every Wednesday throughout the year in the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. The sanctuary is bathed in candlelight, and melodies to chant or listen to are accompanied by oboe, flute and keyboard. Readings from scripture and poetry. The service lasts about 45 minutes, and offers a chance to unwind from the hustle and bustle of New York. Finally, the traditional Epiphany service will grace our worship on Sunday, January 3, at 11:00 a.m., with the West End Choir and Melodia Women s Choir. Music, readings and the congregational circle of light signify Jesus message of peace, justice and hope to the world. See you in church! Cynthia Powell Minister of Music

3 Page 3 December 16th at 8:00 p.m. Pub Theology: Joy Come and experience some joy this month and what better way to experience joy than with presents! Wrap up something in your apartment that you don t want anymore and bring it to the pub for a white elephant exchange as we talk about living a joyful life. ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION On Sundays, December 6, 13, and 20 (no class on December 27) we ll study Scripture from the Lectionary. Join us in Room 6 at 10 a.m. Meditation Circle Join us on Tuesdays December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 for meditation, contemplation and prayer from 7 to 7:45 p.m. in Room 5 Our circle is a quiet place to connect with yourself, others and God. Together, we share prayers of thanksgiving and support.

4 Sermons December 6 Finding Our Path December 13 The Forgotten Jesus December 20 Blessed A Service of Poetry & Carols December 24 Children s Christmas Pageant, 6:30 Candlelight Service, 9:00 December 27 Losing Jesus BOOK CLUB On Friday, December 11, we will discuss The Elegance of a Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. We will meet at 7 p.m. in Rooms 1 & 2. On Friday, January 22, the book is The Golden Egg by Donna Leon. For more information contact Kay at uyterlinde@hotmail.com or call Participate in the Pledge Campaign The Pledge Campaign has begun and we invite you to prayerfully consider participating in it. Your contributions support and expand the possibilities for our ministries. From feeding the homeless to nurturing the faith of our children, from worship that centers us to a place to go in our brokenness, together our gifts make this possible. Through your pledging and volunteering, you are the driving force behind the good we do in our community both inside and outside the church's doors..... There are pledge forms in the back of the sanctuary or you can your pledge to rdavis@westendchurch.org. You can also pledge online by going to westendchurch.org. A Neighborhood Church for all People

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