Families with Children This Sunday, December 8, 2013 Second Sunday of Advent 8:30 - 12:30 Childcare for Babies and Toddlers, 6th Floor 9:00 Chapel Worship with Eucharist Godly Play, Advent Children’s worship Preschool and older, 6th floor 9:45 Family Fellowship and Playtime, 6th Floor Friends, fun, and refreshments! High School Youth Group, Wesley Room 10:00 Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Wesley Room 10:45 Preschool Arrival & Kip Sharing, 6th Floor 11:00 Sanctuary Worship, Middle and High school Youth 11:30 Children’s Worship, 6th Floor 12:00 Dismissal - Kindergarten and older, Wesley Room All others, 6th floor Children’s Choir, 6th Floor 12:30 Dismissal, Wesley Room Children’s Worship and Wonder – Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12 Even children have moments in the proverbial “wilderness”. Like separation, transitions to the unknown, night time fears. It is your and other adult’s voices that bring hope and light to a sad or scary time. This week we remember the darkness that was the wilderness which the prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist punctured with their voices, asking for the aspirations of humanity to help prepare the way for new life and light. ENTER: ADVENT @ CONCOURSE HOUSE GIFT DRIVE Each Sunday in Advent You are invited to sign up at either Coffee Hours on Sunday to give a gift of pajamas for a child and/or slippers for a Mom who resides at the Concourse House, a transitional housing facility for homeless women and their young children. Contact Lynn O'Neil for more information or to sign up via email. Please return gifts no later than Dec. 22 December 7 Saturday Families with children are invited to join the Methodist Home volunteers on December 7. Residents love the company of their Christ Church friends and seldom get to interact with children and babies. Our Sunday morning kids made beautiful ornaments and bird feeders and have been encouraged to go and help with the giving of them in person. For more information, contact Tracey Gmoser December 8 Second Sunday of Advent Lori Wiesner Connections Coordinator In the 11:00 Worship service we will receive New Members. If you have considered joining the church, this is a wonderful time to clasp hands and journey with the Christ Church family. Classes will meet on December 1st and 8th at 9:45. Contact Lori Wiesner for more information. The Children’s Choir will help to lead in worship on this Sunday also. Blessing of the Animals, 2:00 The sanctuary will be filled with neighbors of all faiths, furs, tails, and scales! It’s noisy and joyful as we give thanks and blessing for our animal friends and family. Our clergy will be joined by Rabbi Peter J. Rubinstein in this celebration of God’s creation, sponsored by Cindy Adams and The NY Post. December 13, Friday 7:30 p.m. "Seek Him the Maker of the Seven Stars”: A Christmas Concert of Star Music Featuring the Christ Church Choir, Bells Choir, and Brass Octet Reception following December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent The Children’s Choirs will complete this year’s final Advent Sunday liturgy at 11:00 with this sweet choral story. Families with children in kindergarten and older are encouraged to begin the worship hour together in the sanctuary. Christmas Feast and Carol Sing Following the 11:00 service in Phillips Hall -Gather ‘round the piano with your church friends and family for a rousing celebration in song and good cheer. We will sing the carols, break the bread, and rejoice in all that our Christian tradition and family means to us. To help provide the feast, contact Lori To support the caroling, contact Kathryn Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Journey to Bethlehem in story, song, and sacrament. We celebrate the birth of Christ in a family friendly worship service with a simple, but multi-sensory presentation of our shared story. All are invited to enter into this Holy mystery in Communion and Candle light. Tree trimming and refreshments immediately following 6:30 p.m. The Nativity of our Lord Festival Worship with Holy Eucharist and candle light.