Newsweekly for Sunday, December 3, 2017

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Worship this Sunday, December 3

Worship Series: Let it be

Worship Leader: Jeremy Nafziger

Song Leader: Matt Hunsberger

Preacher: Jennifer Davis Sensenig

Children’s Story: Duane Miller

Pastoral Prayer: Dayna Olson-Getty

Prelude/Offertory: Dan Beachy, Kerinna Good, Arwen Hertzler, Jonathan Kreider

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9; Mark 13:24-37

Bulletin: 120317-bulletin

Upcoming CMC Events

Sun, Dec 10     Congregational Meeting, 12 noon, meal provided

Thurs, Dec. 14     CMC Seniors Christmas Potluck, 6 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tues, Dec. 19    Monthly Gathering, Intergenerational Hymn Sing

Sun, Dec. 24    Worship, 10 am, No Sunday School

Sun, Dec. 24    Christmas Eve Service, 6 pm

CMC Events and Announcements

New Adult Education Class. A new adult education class titled Old Testament Imagination begins Sunday, December 3. We will reflect together on how the Old Testament illumines Christian life. In December and early January, we will focus on passages associated with Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany and consider the logic of Christ-centered readings of these OT passages. In late-January and February, reflection on OT texts will include watching video recordings of related Ted and Co. shows. On a few Sundays, Ted Swartz will join us to discuss interpreting the text through theatre. This class, led by Andrea Saner, will meet in Room 109.

There will not be a potluck meal this Sunday, Dec. 3 due to the Congregational meeting next week, which includes lunch. We'll provide the following on Dec. 10: croissant sandwiches, Swiss roll ups, corn tortilla chips –GF, veggies (probably carrots), hummus, cookies, water. We will provide some vegetarian sandwiches from A Bowl of Good. We will provide some meat and cheese and GF bread, as well as some GF cookies.

CMC Congregational Meeting on December 10. Our annual congregational meeting will be on Sunday, December 10 following Sunday school. Lunch and childcare will be provided.

CMC SENIORS: A reminder of our annual Christmas potluck and Christmas hymn singing. The potluck is Thursday, December 14 at 6:00 PM in the church fellowship hall. Meat, bread, coffee and table service will be provided. If your last name ends in A through N bring a vegetable or salad. If your name ends in O through Z bring a dessert.

Advent Devotionals. Please take a look at the selection of advent devotionals on the shelf in the back of the sanctuary. You are welcome to take these to use with your family during this advent season.

Sunday School Connection. Below is a weekly note for families of children (age 4 and up) who use the Shine curriculum. Each Sunday you will find faith nurture ideas that coordinate with the weekly Sunday school session plans. Note that these stories will not necessarily coincide with the CMC worship series during this quarter.

Faith Talk. Isaiah 40: “Comfort for God’s people” Here are some ways to nurture faith at home based on this week’s story. (1) Read Isaiah 40:11. What is God compared to? (2) Isaiah 40 begins, “Comfort, comfort my people.” Make a card or gift for someone who needs comfort. (3) Share about a time when you needed or wished for someone to take care of you.

Did you know? Isaiah was comforting the people while they were exiles in Babylon.

Prayer for the week: Shepherding God, draw us near to you and lead us when we lose our way. Amen.

Children’s Bible Memory Passages This Quarter: Early Childhood: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace.” Luke 2:14a; Primary and Middler: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. Luke 2:13–16

Pastoral Support. CMC has a network of small groups and other friendships that provide a great deal of mutual care for persons in our congregation.  For some protracted or acute situations that households are facing we also have Care Teams.  These teams, led by a pastor, are usually 4-5 persons discerned by those seeking support and the pastor.  Households who might benefit from a Care Team include:  persons facing serious physical or mental illness and caregivers, challenging parenting circumstances, discernment in job transition or other major life events.  To assess whether a Care Team might be helpful, contact a member of Pastoral Team.

2-Liter Bottles Wanted: Mira Yoder is in need of empty 2-L bottles for a science project. If you have any please bring to church.

Advent Reflections and Prayers. The special seasons of the Christian calendar (Advent, Lent) provide a specific time frame for us to resolve — once again — to prioritize spiritual practices that enable us to live God’s love in the world.  Instead of offering a weekly time of centering prayer here at CMC as we did during Lent, all are invited to join brothers and sisters in our community:

** Emmanuel Episcopal @ 660 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, welcomes us to a time of centering prayer on Wednesday evenings from about 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. and Friday mornings from 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.

** Trinity Presbyterian @ 725 S. High Street, Harrisonburg, welcomes us to a 2-hour time of lectio divina (reflective reading of scripture) on the third Thursday morning of each month from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

If you have questions, contact Jane Hoober Peifer, Keaton Shenk, or Kathy Hochstedler.

'FIRST FAMILIES' AT CMC – For a quick review of November worship services focusing on characters and relationships from the book of Genesis, check out the newest photo collage on display on the bulletin board on the west wall of the fellowship hall. The display includes several photos from the Community Preschool Thanksgiving program.  Next to it, a photo flashback to EMU's Homecoming and Centennial Weekend, Oct. 13-15, where Community folks were deeply involved in the myriad activities that contributed to the success of this celebrative and historic event. In addition, you can enter cautiously into Advent with a plethora of pundemoanium courtesy of a 12/6/08 Daily News-Record "Bishop's Mantle" column (reader beware).

SPEAKING OF ADVENT . . . return to those thrilling days of yesteryear by gazing eastward to two photo collages full of people and events from Advent 2011, shining brightly on the east wall of the fellowship hall. Do you see what I see . . .?      Jim Bishop

 

Events and Announcements from the Broader Community

An Invitation for Young Adults: Shenandoah Valley Faith & Light would like to invite young adults into friendship with persons with intellectual disabilities. Join us once a month on a Friday evening for an informal, get-to-know-you supper, followed by worship. In June, we will celebrate new friendships with a weekend worship retreat at Camp Overlook. There is no cost to you for these activities, other than your time. For more information, contact Dave Gullman (pastor at Pleasant View, dgullman@pleasantviewinc.org) or Derek Yoder (student at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, derek.yoder@emu.edu).

Shenandoah Valley Men's Chorus 2018:  Interested men are invited to join the chorus for Sunday afternoon practices (2:30 – 4:00 p.m.) beginning on January 7 and continuing through February.  Jared Stutzman is the chorus director.  A public concert is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 25 in the EMS auditorium followed by a VMRC concert in Detwiler Auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m. that day.  The concerts are free and offerings will be collected for VMMissions' workers, Jacob and Hosanna who are serving in South Asia. For more information, contact Roman Miller at romanjaymiller@gmail.com

Advent/Christmas Hymn Sing, Martin Chapel, Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Dec. 2 at 4 PM. The Advent season is an important time in the Christian calendar. A time of waiting, stillness, darkness, and hope, Advent is the pre-dawn calm just before the brilliant light of Christmas. Join us for an afternoon of singing songs of Christmas and Advent, celebrating the waiting and the promise of Immanuel — God with us. Ken Nafziger and others lead this hymn sing in the beautiful Martin Chapel at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. A free-will offering will be received to support the mission and vision of the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center. 1200 Park Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22802www.vbmhc.org/events-calendar

Water is Life Rally. There is a rally in Richmond on December 2 in protest of the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines.  Bus transportation has been arranged to travel from Harrisonburg to Richmond and back.  Would you like a seat on the bus?  The cost of the round trip bus trip is FREE thanks to the Virginia chapter of Sierra Club (please remember them in your year-end giving). The Harrisonburg bus will depart from the JMU Memorial Hall parking lot at 9:00am on December 2 and return to the same location at 7:00pm on that day. If you would like to reserve a seat on the bus to Richmond, please click on this link: Eventbrite.

Christmas Coffeehouse Concert. Shekinah and Cantore (women’s and men’s vocal groups) warmly invite you to their annual Christmas coffeehouse concert with refreshments and festive music at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9, at Park View Mennonite Church. Admission is by donation (suggested $8), and proceeds will benefit Our Community Place.

Christmas at CrossRoads. Christmas is a busy season, so mark your calendars now and come out to Christmas at CrossRoads on Dec. 9 from 2 pm to 6 pm. This is a wonderful event for children, families, and people of all ages. Enjoy breath-taking views of the Shenandoah Valley and lots of fun activities on the beautiful 24-acre hilltop campus. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students age 6 – college, and FREE for children 5 and under. Proceeds benefit the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center.

Calling all Gingerbread Architects! Get out your blueprints and square your angles…the Great Gingerbread House Contest is on at Christmas at CrossRoads. Bring your Gingerbread House to the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center before Dec. 9 to be judged at Christmas at CrossRoads. Houses will be judged for Decoration, Design, and general Delightfulness. Drop off submissions at 1921 Heritage Center Way, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 next to Harrisonburg High School and across from Bluestone Elementary School.

Hark! A Walking Roots Band Christmas. Mark your calendars for the Walking Roots Band's Christmas CD release show on Dec. 10 at 6 PM here at CMC. Last year's Christmas show at CMC was the first ever for TWRB, and it was so much fun they turned it into an album! Hark! A Walking Roots Band Christmas features classic Christmas hymns, new arrangements of old Christmas texts, and brand-new original TWRB Christmas songs. Doors open at 5:30 PM for snacks and CD sales, but don't wait to claim your copy of the new album. Pre-orders are going fast via Kickstarter: http://kck.st/2hCZt6Z. A portion of sales of this album go to MCC; check out the Kickstarter page for details. Can't get the link to work? Just visit thewalkingrootsband.com and follow the links there. Admission to the release show is free; a free-will offering will be received to support the music of the Walking Roots Band. Donations for snacks/drinks will go to VMMissions' local Kids Club efforts and The Center for Faith and Leadership in Fredericksburg, VA. –Greg Yoder

DoveTale. Fun for the whole family, DoveTale will be performed at EMU's Lehman Auditorium Sunday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. Written 20 years ago by CMCs Ted Swartz and Lee Eshleman, together with Ingrid DeSanctis, this warm, moving and hilarious account of the Christmas story will create a lasting memory. The show — in honor of EMU's centennial celebrations and Lee Eshleman  — is a benefit for EMU's student financial aid through its University Fund. As CMCers, you know and love Ted Swartz and many have cherished memories of Lee. In addition, newer CMC member Braydon Hoover will be playing the part of the Angel Gabriel. Please join the celebration, reflection and special memories! Entry of $15 at the door per adult is suggested with freewill offering also taking place. Questions? Contact dev-events@emu.edu. Doors open at 6:45. No pre-ticket sales available.

Christmas Lessons and Carols. Eastern Mennonite University invites you to Christmas Lessons and Carols, December 11 at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium. This classic service features Christian scriptures, university choirs, congregational singing and the premier of a choral piece from composer, Gwyneth Walker. A free-will offering for the EMU compassion fund will be received. Everyone is welcome.

ACRS Gathering. We welcome Myrrl Byler to Monday morning's ACRS regular gathering, December 11th from 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. in the West Dining Room, Northlawn, EMU. Myrrl’s theme is "Christian Forum for Reconciliation in North East Asia".  Myrrl Byler is EMU's Cross Cultural leader to China. To learn more, check out this web site https://emu.edu/now/news/tag/myrrl-byler/

Good Company invites you to their annual Christmas concert on Friday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Park View Mennonite Church. This festive family-friendly event will feature arrangements of favorite carols, old and new, and a reception will follow. Good Company is a 6-member a cappella group based in the Shenandoah Valley, and will be joined for portions of this concert by local harpist and organist, Virginia Bethune. Admission by donation. For more information, visit goodcompanyacappella.com.

Shenandoah Valley Choral Society Concert. The Shenandoah Valley Choral Society, led by Curtis Nolley, presents its annual Christmas concert on Friday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m. at Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. The concert will feature G. F. Handel's “Messiah” accompanied by the SVCS Chamber orchestra, and guest soloists.  The second half of the concert includes a variety of new and traditional carol settings, and will feature the premier of a new carol by local composer John G. Barr. Tickets are available at the door, locally from Choral Society members, Red Front Supermarket(Harrisonburg), Bridgewater Foods (Bridgewater), and on-line at www.singshenandoah.org. Admission is $15 for adults/$12 for seniors and students.

Longest Night Service. Trinity Presbyterian Church will hold a Longest Night service on Dec. 21 at 7pm. This is a service designed to offer space to name and hold in prayer our losses and struggles during the Advent and Christmas season, and to share the deep peace of Christ in the midst of the busyness.

 

 

Community Mennonite Church
70 South High Street Harrisonburg, VA
office@cmcva.org
540-433-2148