Prior religious knowledge not necessary.
Casual dress.
We think of ourselves as a “community church.” That means we share life together – male and female, all ages. We look forward to meeting you!
WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday 10:00 a.m., Sept. 4, 2011-June 24, 2012
Communion, First Sunday of every month
Church School, 10:15 a.m.
Connect Café: 11:00 a.m.
Dear Members, Friends, and Guests – Greetings!
When Christmas & Sunday occur on the same day – what’s a church to do? This December “dilemma” raises a broader question for Christians: Should Christmas Day be a time for faith or family, or both? What’s your answer?
Christmas Day on a Sunday! That’s special. A Sunday Christmas is a double blessing. It gives us an opportunity the same day to celebrate the birth & the resurrection.
Once every five or seven years, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. In America,
most everyone is home that morning opening presents, sharing a leisurely
breakfast. I will suggest doing something counter-cultural: after breakfast, arrive at church by 10 a.m. (come in your ‘jammies if you’d like!) to offer worship to God’s Gift of Love, and then go home to exchange gifts with one another. Celebrating with family and friends is certainly important, but let us remember the "reason for the season."
Since Christmas Day does fall on a Sunday this year, we have an entire
weekend for meals and gifts. Let’s take an hour to honor the Christ child by coming to worship on December 25 - come to a joy-filled celebration.
This year we will have
• 5:30 p.m., Saturday, December 24. A Candlelight Service, We Welcome the Light of Christmas. Carol singing, soloists, special music, candle lighting, followed by a celebration of Communion. The evening’s offering gifts will benefit the United Church of Christ Christmas Fund.
• At 7 p.m., December 24. The Holyoke, South Hadley and Granby United Methodist Church will sponsor a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service in our sanctuary.
• 10:00 a.m., Sunday morning, December 25. We will gather again. This service will be a relaxed, casual, intimate time, and include singing of Christmas music. The interactive message (sermon) title: The Gospel That Stole Christmas.
Please make worship a part of your Christmas weekend celebration.
See you in church, Pastor Dolores
and that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Philippians 2:10-11
May his love, his life, and his glory
be magnified in your heart
this Christmas!
MUSIC PROGRAM: instrumental and voice. Like to sing? Like the idea of singing? Play an instrument? All levels of experience and inexperience welcome! We are expanding our music offerings and we want you – members of the community! Give it a shot! Come join the fun!
Come and explore possibilities. Prior experience not necessary. Perhaps you have an undiscovered talent. Contact: Eric Frary, Music Director, via email: ccoshfmusic@email.com or tel: 413.301.2674
