Huntington Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

This Week November 24, 2024

Dear Folks,
 
Another beautiful day, but we do need rain! Prayers for a soft and steady watering for our part of the world.
 
This coming Sunday, November 24, is the Reign of Christ and our Thanksgiving Sunday. The scripture is Psalm 111:1-9. The sermon is “It’s a Vibe”. The choir will be singing. The service will be on site and live streamed. Please watch for my Friday email with the online bulletin and the link.
 
Sunday, November 24 is our Shelton Community Thanksgiving Service, at HCCUCC, 4 p.m. Following the service, there will be refreshments in the Fellowship Hall. We will be sharing your thanksgivings during the service, so if you have one, let me know ASAP. Please bring a food item for the Valley Food Bank. Offering will go to Spooner House. Please write your check directly to Spooner House. All are welcome!
 
Advent starts on December 1. Get your Reverse Advent Calendar in the Belfry or in the Alcove. A suggestion is given for each day of Advent. May it remind us of God’s great gift to us in Jesus Christ, that in gratitude we too give!
 
HCCUCC is participating in the BH Care Under the Tree program to benefit disadvantaged adults & children in the Valley. Please sign up on Sunday for a gift tag listing gift requests in the alcove and help make Christmas a little brighter for someone in need. You can share the cost of a gift with one or more people. All purchased wrapped gifts (with original tag) need to be returned by Sunday, December 8th, or you may donate monetarily directly to BHCare: https://www.bhcare.org/giving/donate/
 
The Longest Night Service will be held on Saturday, December 21 at 6:30 p.m. at HCCUCC. It will also be live streamed. Come for some quiet reflection.
 
The 2024 Christmas Fund/Veterans of the Cross Offering will be taken on December 22. The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the U.C.C. for over 100 years, with emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities, health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks to our lower-income retirees. Envelopes will be available 12/15. You may also give via our website.
 
VRRP is working to settle a refugee family of four in our Valley. Please help however you can. For more info, contact Bob Margolies.
 
The Valley Food Bank at Spooner House – There is a list of needed items in the Alcove. Please pick up a copy. Please use the box in the Alcove for donations. The Blessing Box also needs to be stocked. Our Spooner House Meal is on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Questions? See Holly or Gerry Fassbender.
 
Funds for Clean-up Buckets Urgently Needed – We are collecting monetary donations for Church World Service clean-up buckets. Please make checks out to HCC with “Buckets” on the memo line, then drop your donation in the bucket on Sundays, or use the on-line option on our website.
 
Please continue to support HCCUCC with your contributions. Now more than ever, our mission of being the beacon of love and light on the Huntington Green and beyond is vital. Contributions sent in by mail are welcome. Please consider donating at our website, www.huntingtonucc.org.  Electronic Fund Transfer giving is also available. Please email the church, hcc@snet.net if you would like a form to set that up. Any way you give is a blessing and is greatly appreciated.
 
Let us pray. O Holy God, Creator of all that is good, help us, in all time, good, and bad, to see the beauty of you and your universe and practice gratitude. May we know your presence will never leave us. Amen.
 
In Christ’s love,
Rev. Lucille