Brookside Congregational Church, United Church of Christ 2013 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03104-2528 Tel. (603) 669-2807 • Fax (603) 668-9041 Visit Our Web Site: www.brooksidecc.org December, 2016 Room to Grow, Room to Serve, Room for You An Open and Affirming Congregation WHAT’S INSIDE Advent & Christmas, at a Glance A seasonal summary. page 2 Brookside Runs on Sunday Volunteers Check the schedules here. page 13 Christmas at the Brook Wrap-up A resounding success it was! page 9 Church School News ‘n’ Stuff Keep it all straight! page 4 Deck the Church with Poinsettias Please order by Dec. 13. page 7 Due Dates, Please Note 12/15 Chron.; 1/4 Ann. Reports page 12 Marlayna’s Musings Advent: read, prepare, pray. page 3 Read and Prepare for Worship Worship outline for December. page 12 Rise Up Shepherd and Follow! Music to enhance the season. page 5 Sharing Our Vitality Reach out, invite, connect! page ? ‘Tis the Season for Giving Reach out: ways to help others. page 6 Women’s Union, Thrift Shop Fun, fellowship, service – do it! page 8 CALL TO SPECIAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the Brookside Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, of Manchester, New Hampshire, will be held in the Sanctuary on Sunday, Decem- ber 11 at 11:30 a.m. The Meeting is called for the Pastoral Search Committee to present a candidate to be Senior Pastor and for a vote of the congrega- tional membership. Debi Rapson, Clerk …more info, page 3 Christmas Eve Services Saturday, Dec. 24 4:30 pm, Children’s Pageant 7:00 pm, Traditional Candlelight Service Plus, so much more! Be sure to read this whole issue.
16
Embed
December, 2016 Room to Grow, Room to Serve, Room for Youbrooksidecc.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016-12-December-Ch… · 2013 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03104-2528 Tel. (603)
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Brookside Congregational Church, United Church of Christ 2013 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03104-2528
Room to Grow, Room to Serve, Room for You An Open and Affirming Congregation
WHAT’S INSIDE
Advent & Christmas, at a Glance
A seasonal summary. page 2
Brookside Runs on Sunday Volunteers
Check the schedules here. page 13
Christmas at the Brook Wrap-up
A resounding success it was! page 9
Church School News ‘n’ Stuff
Keep it all straight! page 4
Deck the Church with Poinsettias
Please order by Dec. 13. page 7
Due Dates, Please Note
12/15 Chron.; 1/4 Ann. Reports page 12
Marlayna’s Musings
Advent: read, prepare, pray. page 3
Read and Prepare for Worship
Worship outline for December. page 12
Rise Up Shepherd and Follow!
Music to enhance the season. page 5
Sharing Our Vitality
Reach out, invite, connect! page ?
‘Tis the Season for Giving
Reach out: ways to help others. page 6
Women’s Union, Thrift Shop
Fun, fellowship, service – do it! page 8
CCAALLLL TTOO SSPPEECCIIAALL MMEEEETTIINNGG Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the Brookside Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, of Manchester, New Hampshire, will be held in the Sanctuary on Sunday, Decem-ber 11 at 11:30 a.m. The Meeting is called for the Pastoral Search Committee to present a candidate to be Senior Pastor and for a vote of the congrega-tional membership. Debi Rapson, Clerk
Brian Brady Shares Vitality Team’s Thoughts and “Doings”
We are well into the Holiday season and things are getting busy. While we are trying to manage the
stress on our time we should always keep Christ in our hearts and try our best to bring peace and com-
fort to those around us.
The Brookside vitality team has been busy working to bring our church out into our community so
that we can get to know the people around us. We had a great fall season and I want to share some of the
events we had and share a personal story.
On October 30 the Church had a blessing of the animals in Stark Park. The event was well attended
and had a great response from pet owners. Kim along with the children’s choir provided music and Pas-
tor Marlayna prepared a brief service. We look forward to holding this event again in the future.
On October 31 we set up a table to hand out Halloween candy at the end of the parking lot. The idea
was well received by families. Mike Beaule, Mary Pratt and Kristen Thayer decorated and worked the
candy table, which sparked some enjoyable conversation. The response was great and we look to expand
on this idea next year.
On Tuesday November 8th Pastor Marlayna led a silent prayer walk through our neighborhood. This
is a very important part of a vitality team plan and we hope to have more prayer walks in the future.
Please join us for the next one (December 13th, 4:45 pm – gather in church office). Whether a prayer
walk, social event or a formal event we are all called to help bring our ministry to our mission field.
Please consider your part.
So shortly after school started for the kids, Loretta mentioned to me that she wanted to schedule a
social night with the boys and planned to have them invite a friend and their mothers. She also men-
tioned that she would also schedule a similar event for the girls. I never really gave it more thought at
the time. Since the event with the girls happened with participation across a few different groups I woke
up the next morning with an aha realization that Loretta had successfully planned a couple of great
member-guest events. What made it work is these events all included members of Brookside alongside
friends from school, dance, music, the neighborhood, and work. The events were social and welcoming
and held no expectation than that everyone had a great time. The takeaway here is that planning a mem-
ber-guest event is easy and we should all be having one soon.
Today I want you to think about how you can bring the grace and joy of Brookside vitality to your
life. Is it with prayer? Is it with offering an invite to a formal event or can you organize a member-guest
event of your own? Every bit helps and we appreciate it all.
We are actively seeking new vitality team members. If you are interested in supporting our mission,
please let us know. We meet once a month and come up with ideas that help Brookside grow.
Thank you, Brian Brady
Another Word from Our Vitality Team
We hope that you will consider our Advent/Christmas activities as potential ways to introduce
friends and neighbors to Brookside. Do you have children or grandchildren who like to go Christmas
caroling outside? Bring them with you to our Living Nativity at 3:30 pm. in Stark Park on Saturday, De-
cember 17, which will be followed by Friends of Stark Park Community Christmas Caroling at 4 pm.
Do you have friends who enjoy music? Invite them out to attend our Christmas Concert with you on
Sunday afternoon, December 18, at 2 pm (carillon plays beforehand, 1:15-1:45). Do you have neighbors
who aren’t connected with a church? Invite them to come with you to Christmas Eve services at
Brookside. May this Advent/Christmas season be a time when we deepen our connections with God and
our neighbors.
December, 2016 12
15 15 15 15 Chronicle Deadline 15 15 15 15
Please submit all items for the January (yikes!) Chronicle by Thursday, December 15. You can
deliver them in person, send them by mail, or e-mail them to: [email protected]. Thank you.
Due Date for Annual Reports Covering 2016
Please submit all Annual Reports by January 4 at the latest (if via email, send as a
Word document to [email protected]) – but, the sooner, the better! Financial
reports should be submitted as soon as the data is available. This timeframe is neces-
sary to have the booklet ready by January 13. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for
Sunday, January 22, immediately following worship.
Help Celebrate a Milestone
Please join us to celebrate Fran Hakenson's 80th birthday after worship on Sunday,
January 1, in the Manning House. No presents, please. A light lunch will be served. If you
are able to join us, please RSVP to Sarah Duffley in person or at [email protected]
by December 27.
Sunday Scripture and Worship Themes
Each issue of the Chronicle features monthly Bible readings. Here is what
is planned for December; read passages ahead of time if you wish to have a
head start on that Sunday’s theme!
December 4 – ADVENT 2; COMMUNION – Isaiah 40:1-5; Mark 1:1-8. ~ “Preparing the Way”
Sermon will be based on the Gospel reading and explore the question of how do we “prepare the
way of the Lord” in our lives. December 11 – ADVENT 3; PASTORAL CANDIDATE PREACHES – Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 1:26-38.
~ “Pregnant with Possibilities.”
A special meeting will be held after worship to vote on the Search Committee’s recommendation. December 18 – ADVENT 4 – Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25.
~ Cantata presented by the Chancel Choir: Shout the Good News! December 25 – CHRISTMAS DAY – Lectionary Readings are: Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20).
As we will have worshipped the night before, we will not hold a worship service at Brookside on
Christmas Day. You are invited to join worshippers at First Congregational Church, 508 Union
December 4 December 11 Bob Merrill Bruce Richards Sarah Merrill Joe Nenni Richard Rodman Sally Sederquist David Gates Virginia Mabie December 18 December 24, Xmas Eve Herb Pence Deacons Usher Tricia Lucas for both Services, Jeff Rapson 4:30 and 7:00 pm Don Waldrupe
NURSERY/CRIB ROOM
December 4 December 11 Abby & Katy Easterly Laura Schneider
December 18 December 25 Sandy Mun — —
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The objective of The Brookside Chronicle
is to disperse church news; inspire people to
a new awareness; and interpret the ministry
of our church. We will be faithful to the truth,
honest and caring, and strive for accuracy.
The Chronicle staff appreciates and wel-
comes input from all organizations, ministry
groups, officers, members and friends of
Brookside Congregational Church. We re-
serve the right to edit, cut or leave out articles
according to available space, timeliness and
priority.
DEACONS OF THE WEEK
December 4 December 11 Scott Milne Denise Forest Brian Brady Scott Milne
December 18 December 25 Scott Milne (No Worship Service)
Note: Generally, only church-related activities are listed here; however, be aware that many outside groups use space in our facility on a regular basis, as well. Be sure to check the full calendar online before assuming a space is free.
1 2 3 9 am – 1 pm 9 am – 1 pm 9 am – 1 pm
Thrift Shop Thrift Shop Thrift Shop
10:00 am
Parish Nurse
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9:00 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal Pastor’s Day Off 9:00 am No Green 9 am – 1 pm 9 am – 1 pm 9 am – 1 pm
10:00 am Worship – Advent 2 (PDO) Bananas Group Noon-4 pm Thrift Shop Thrift Shop Thrift Shop
(Communion; Loaves & Fishes) Thrift Shop NO Nurse Today
11:15 am Visitation Ministry 5:30 pm Decorate 11-2 Women’s
11:15 am Advent Workshop & Lunch 6:00 pm Sanctuary Tree Union
11:30 am Junior Choir Rehearsal 6:45 pm Interfaith Handbell Choir 6:00 pm Pot Luck 2:30-3:30 Meet &
11:30 am Stewardship Ministry Women of NH at 7:30 pm Dinner with Pastoral Greet Pastoral
First Cong. Church Chancel Choir Candidate Candidate
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9:00 am Chancel Choir Rehearsal (PDO) 9-1 Thrift Shop 9 am – 1 pm 9 am – 1 pm