Small & Mighty

Small changes can be a lever for big transformations.  Often-overlooked actions, people and practices can have incredible power in our world and in our lives.  Through the Advent season, we’d like to share stories – both ancient and modern, from many cultures – in which the power of a single step, a single person, a single action had a major impact.

This Week in Worship

Sunday, December 22, 2013

10:30am  WORSHIP

Sermon by Rev. Parisa Parsa

Music by Emma Jean Moulton and the Meetinghouse Choir

LAST REHEARSAL before the Pageant!!  December 22nd – CALLING ALL MANGER ANIMALS, ANGELS, SHEPHERDS…

Would you or your child like to take part in our annual Christmas Pageant?  We’d love to have you!

Rehearsals will be from 12-1pm in the Meetinghouse, Pageant is on Christmas Eve at the5pm service — SIGN UP HERE

Here’s a video from the 2008 presentation of this pageant for inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg3EXRW-79Q

Are you a parent of a teen who could use some extra support? Please contact Rev. Parisa to discuss some upcoming possibilities here at church. minister@fpmilton.org or 617-698-6329 x102

Religious Exploration

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Spirit Play (Pre k – 2nd grade)

3rd – 6th Graders will begin in the Meetinghouse before being dismissed to their Religious Education classes.

7th Graders will meet in the Library.

Youth Chat will meet in the youth room.

News & Announcements

Still Need Volunteers Christmas Eve: 4 pm.

We need help lighting and placing the luminarias made at the Children’s Church this month before the 5 pm service. Please consider helping, particularly if you have a child in the pageant. Contact Rev. Parisa. (minister@fpmilton.org)

Gift Wrapping Fundraiser

December 15 and 22

The youth group will be doing a holiday gift wrapping fundraiser on Sundays December 15th and 22nd. There will be a drop-off table in the Parish Hall from 9:30am-10:30am before church, and all gifts may be picked up after service from 11:30am-12pm.

The youth will be wrapping gifts for the following suggest donations:

• Small: $3
• Medium: $5
• Large: $8

Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

Friday, December 27th, 7:00pm in the Parish Hall

Merry Christmas!
Happy Horus!
Cheery Mithra!
Joyous Yule!
And don’t forget Krishna! And Attis! And Dionysus!

After all the mad rush of Christmas is done, join 1st Parish’s Earth-Centered-Spirituality Group in a celebration of the “Reason for the Season” – the rebirth of the sun at the Winter Solstice in the great wheel of the year.
All are welcome!

We’ll celebrate with song, prayer, and merry-making, including a gift lottery. Please bring a potluck snack and libation to share; if you are interested in participating in the gift lottery, also bring a wrapped $20 gift…gift need not be bought:might be some treasure you already have (something you like ,and would be happy keeping…makes the best gift you know!…)(don’t have to bring a gift!…just yourself is fine!)…see ya!…

Friday, December 27th, 7:00pm in the Parish Hall

God rest ye merry, paganfolk,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember that the Sun returns
Upon this Solstice day.
The growing dark is ending now
And Spring is on its way.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

First Parish Cookbooks on Sale December 22 at social hour. Ellen White will be selling the last edition of the cookbook for $5.00 a copy. A good last minute gift item

*Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cranberry Pie* Several people asked for the recipe to the cranberry pie Michael Chinman brought to last Sunday’s social hour. It is in the church cookbook (Ellen White does have some copies left for sale), but here it is too:

• 2 cups cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/4+ sticks butter

Set the oven to 325 degrees

In 10” pie plate,

• Spread cranberries
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar
• Sprinkle nuts

In separate bowl,

• Beat eggs
• Add melted butter
• Mix in flour and sugar
• Pour over berries

Bake 60 mins

Kiki’s Corner

Snow Cancellations. Please check Channel 5 (WCVB) if you think we are
cancelling services due to snow. You may sign up for email and text alerts through their website www.wcvb.com. We also will post on our web page. Decisions will be made by 8 a.m.

There are still many needs to provide gifts for children or make donations to worthy organizations.   Interfaith Social Services in Quincy is one such organization.  WCVB’s Chronicle spotlighted them on  December 17. Check out www.wcvb.com under Chronicle tab to find more information on the ways you may help.

Holday Schedule for the Office:  We will be closed Christmas Day, December 26, and New Year’s Day.  We will have coverage on the other days intermittently through Thursday, January 2nd  It is best to give us a call or send an email if you want to come meet with us.  The office workweek is Sunday to Thursday.

SAVE THE DATES

Sunday January 26th and February 9th. New Member Class will be offered.

Sunday January 26th – All Church Council

SNOW VOLUNTEERS: December, January and February.  We are looking for some volunteers to become a snow shoveler brigade.   Both adults and teenagers are welcome to join.  Teenagers may receive community service hours for the work.  Please contact me  at director@fpmilton.org with your name and dates available.

EVERY SUNDAY
Worship, 10:30am in the Meetinghouse
Meetinghouse Choir Rehearsal, 8:45am in the Parish Hall
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church

THE SUNDAY PLANNER
Please consider volunteering for important Sunday worship positions like ushering, hosting social hour, providing flowers for worship, and lighting the chalice.
SIGN UP HERE