| If you opened this email last week, you noticed a new look and a new format! We have just started a new and better way of sending emails to the congregation and other groups within the congregation. Well, "we" is really our minister of music, Ryan Hostler. Not only is he a wonderfully gifted minister of music, but being in his early 30s he brings a wealth of high tech savvy to us as well. This new format is but one of those things, along with being able to hear the Sunday sermons on-line via our web site and more. This is all just amazing to me. If any time you wish to unsubcribe you can do this yourself at the bottom of the e-mails, and you can subscribe on your own or for others on our website. As this week unfolds, our Wednesday suppers resume at 6pm. Hot dogs and hamburgers are on the menu. Always a good time to be together for some good food and conversation. On Sunday, December 2, it's Advent Wreath making time! At 3pm in the Fellowship Hall everyone gathers around the wonderful pine smell of the fresh greenery from which some of the most beautiful Advent wreaths are made. There is limited space, and the cost is $15 per wreath to cover cost of materials. Call the office (772-567-2253) for a reservation and to see if there's still room for you. Sunday evening at 7pm, we are tentatively planning on meeting with members of the Coptic Church (a part of the Easter Orthodox Church in Egypt). This group of Christians meet in our Fellowship Hall every Sunday evening, and will to down with us this coming Sunday to share some of their story and what is happening in Egypt today. All are welcome. This should be a really interesting time together. Finally, now that another church year has come to a close (yesterday being the last Sunday of the church year, Christ the King Sunday), we are about to enter Advent, a season of hope, promise and anticipation. The following is a schedule of worship and special events for this time of the year. Along with our regular worship schedule of Advent services on Saturday 6pm and Sunday, 8:30 and 11am, on Sunday December 9 at 7pm we will have "A Service of Lessons and Carols". In this Advent season of hope and expectation, the whole world awaits the coming of the Savior. In this service we hear the words of the prophets. We sing of God's promises. We place our hope in God. The carols in this service will draw from a variety of countries, cultures and traditions. This special event is open to the community. So plan on coming and bring a friend! During worship the weekend of December 15-16, within all 3 services, our Sunday School Children will tell the Christmas Story. The 11am service will have the largest group of Sunday School children involved, but on Saturday night it will be high school kids and at the 8:30 service it will be Sunday School children from the 11am service. There will also be a real live "baby Jesus" at each service, if our babies are well and able at the time. J The weekend of December 22-23, Advent 4,worship will be at the regular times, Saturday 6pm and Sunday 8:30 and 11am. During those services we think of Mary's role in this miracle of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. On Christmas Eve, Monday December 24: Candlelight Communion Services at 6pm and 9pm. Christmas Day worship at 11am followed by Home Alone Christmas Dinner at noon. In light of yesterday's message about us being called to be a part of God's unfolding Kingdom, with Christ as our King, here and now, not just "out there" in the future somewhere, may your eyes and hearts be open to seeing God's kingdom showing itself in small and large ways in your life and in the world around you: in an unexpected act of kindness or generosity; in knowing God's peace in the middle of a struggle or difficult time; in some unconditional love given or received; in the wonder of God's promise to come and become one of us to bring us his Light and Love. We are entering a very special season when God has some important, Life giving things to say and do both to us and through us. Are you ready? Are you able to be a part of that? See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl + | 
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