This Week in Worship

Sunday, December 24, 2017 — Christmas Eve

December Worship Theme – Intention

Holiday Worship Services and Other Holiday Week Notes

CHRISTMAS EVE: Sunday, December 24

• 10:30 a.m. “Sing We Now of Christmas,” weekly worship in the Meetinghouse with Potluck Social Hour
• 5:00 p.m. A service for all ages with music, “Miracles Abound,” our pageant with a bountiful cast of players, carols, and candlelight**
• 10:00 pm. “Birthing Peace,” a meditative service with anthems sung by the Meetinghouse Choir, reflections, carols and candlelight
• NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE:Sunday, December 31
• 10:30a.m. “Beginning Without Ending: The Impossible Dream;” ring in the new year mindfully
• **All pageant players should gather in the Meetinghouse at 3pm on Sunday for a full run through before the pageant at 5. If you’ve already picked up your costume, please make sure to bring it with you. If you need a costume, we will be there starting at 2:30 to hand those out. If you have not yet signed up for the pageant but would like to participate, we are still in need of sheep, cows, and donkeys – contact Bridget or just come to rehearsal on Sunday if you are interested!

The nursery will be closed on December 24 and December 31.

• No announcements in the Order of Worship on December 24 and December 31.
• No Religious Exploration Classes, Coming of Age, Community & Activing Time on December 24 and December 31. Activity resumes on Sunday, January 7th.
• No Yoga Classes – December 25 and January 1

OFFICE NOTES:

• Deadline for The Link
• Thursday, December 21 (today) – emailed on December 28
• Thursday, December 28 – emailed on January 4
• Office Closing for Christmas and New Years
• Friday, December 22 – Monday, December 25
• Friday, December 29 – Monday, January 1
• The office is open December 26 – 28 from 10 am – 2pm, but individual schdules may vary. If you are planning to visit the office, please call ahead.
• Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

Some people ask why Unitarian Universalists celebrate Christmas Eve, since we do not worship Jesus. We do not worship Jesus as God, however we honor Jesus’ ministry, indeed, our faith heritage began with the astounding life work offered by this extraordinary, spiritually gifted man.

We gather on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus, a man whose life-spirit has inspired and changed the lives of millions toward goodwill.

We gather to honor all acts of goodwill and to honor all births: the beginning of our potential to shine our light unto the world.

We gather with our families, our friends and strangers to energize hope, enliven joy and embolden love.

We dedicate this time, embracing the stirring legend, in myth and metaphor, that inspires our hearts to yearn for peace and justice throughout the world.

Come, let us worship together on Christmas Eve.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

January Events

Time to Mark Your 2018 Calendar

Wednesday, January 3

Vespers Service for Healing and Resilience

7:30 pm – 8:30pm – Children’s Church

Friday, January 5

Spaghetti Dinner & Karaoke Night

6:30 pm – Parish Hall

Friday, January 5, will be a fun-filled night with a spaghetti supper, beginning at 6:30pm, and karaoke, beginning when the first person steps up to the mike! There will also be activities for all, as well as plenty of opportunity to chat and unwind after the busy holiday season. Bring your friends, bring your neighbors, bring your voices and enjoy!

A $5 dinner donation per person is suggested. Proceeds will help fund a spring youth service trip. This evening will be co-hosted by the Youth Group and the Hospitality Committee.

Saturday, January 6

Green Team Film & Potluck Discussion

4:00pm – 7:00pm – Parish Hall

“an inconvenient sequel Truth to Power”

A decade after Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth brought climate crisis into popular culture, this follow-up film shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution and how we can get involved. The film will be followed by a lively discussion and potluck dinner.

Saturday, January 13

Fair Foods – 10:00am

Meet at First Parish

Fair Foods Inc. rescues surplus fruits and vegetables from Boston industry source and distribute the food to those in need. (www.fairfoods.org)

Saturday, January 13

Green Team Workshop

1:30pm – 4:30pm – Parish Hall

“Our Place in the Web of Life”

led by Rev. Lisa Ward

This is the first workshop in a highly engaging series offered through the spring that can help us discover what environmental justice means to First Parish Milton and our community. Participants look deeply at the consequences of their actions on people and their environment through – music, participatory research, visual mapping, ethical reflection, mediation and ritual. If you are volunteering at Fair Foods in the morning, join us for hot soup served at 1:30

Monday, January 15

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Events planned by

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Projects to be announced.
6:30pm – Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration and Courageous Conversations, Concord Baptist Church in Milton

Saturday, January 20

First Parish Orientation

9:30pm – 12:30pm – Parish Hall

. Come learn more about Unitarian Universalism broadly and First Parish specifically. This is a good way to learn more about our 7 principles and the path to membership at First Parish. Facilitators: Rev. Lisa and Kiki

Saturday, January 21

All Church Countil

noon – 2 pm

Parish Hall

What’s happening at First Parish? What we are doing, where we are going? Come share in the experience as we build our collective vision of the future. Each standing committee will report on their activities, success, and work to be done and plans to be made for the future. All are welcome

Saturday, January 27th

10 am – 1 pm

Bystander Intervention Training

First Congregational Church of Milton, 495 Canton Avenue, Milton

Sponsored by:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT FIRST PARISH MILTON!

STAY CONNECTED

Follow First Parish on Facebook and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!

REMINDER THE LINK DEADLINE IS TUEDAYS

“Brevity Matters” – Peter Bowden, Social Media Guru and wise UU

Deadline for submissions is Tuesdays. You need to address email to both office@fpmilton.org and director@fpmilton.org to assure your announcement will be included in the weekly Link. Written announcements for the Sunday Order of Worship are derived from the announcements for The Link. We, from time to time, will also publish non-church events with a connection to a member of the church. Your submission may be edited due to space requirements. We recommend that you submit no more than 1 – 2 paragraphs.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thurday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays

SUMMER SUNDAYS

June 25 – September 3
Worship, 9:30 am in the Children’s Church
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 8:30 am in the Children’s Church
No Religious Exploration Program , Nursery Care, Choir Rehearsal

Beginning Sunday, September 10

Worship, 10:30am in the Meetinghouse
Choir Rehearsal (most Sundays) at 8:45 am
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church

EVERY THURSDAY

Silent Prayer & Meditation, 6:30pm in the Children’s Church

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday?1472051612751