Week of December 17, 2017 - Church of the Apostles UCC

Food Bank
Needs: cold cereal, potatoes (dry or canned), mac ‘n cheese, tuna or hamburger helpers, cookies, canned items including: tuna, fruit, soups, and canned meat

Apostles Assistance Fund
Needs: laundry detergent, women’s deodorant, paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes

Market Basket
During the first three Sundays of each month, you have the opportunity to buy grocery cards in the office after service. You can buy cards for the following month and pick up the ones you ordered last month. Remember, the discount we earn from purchasing cards in bulk from Giant, Stauffers, and Weis provide food for the Saturday Breakfast downtown once a month. Helping others is easy, as well as a wonderful thing!

Nursery Changes
The Education Commission is in the middle of reorganizing the Nursery. We are currently searching for a paid staff member, but, in the meantime, we are looking for extra volunteers who already have their clearances on file with the church. For the 9:15 service, we will need to have two volunteers for the Nursery for ages 0-3. For the 10:45 service we will have the Nursery open as a crying room only without volunteers.

Lifetouch Photos
If you did not order a photo package to be delivered to your home, your free 8×10 is now available to pick up in the lobby.

December 24 Services
There will be one worship service on Sunday, December 24 at 10 am. Our 3 pm and 7 pm Christmas Eve services will recall the birth of the Christ Child and provide the opportunity to sing beloved carols. The afternoon service will be a traditional service with candlelight and communion and will feature our children’s choirs, solo instrumentalists, and vocalists. The evening service will be a traditional service with candlelight, and feature an orchestra plus our adult choirs. Let’s celebrate the gift of our Savior!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!
All classes are welcome to gather in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 24 during Sunday School to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday. Come join the party!

Pajama Party
Our annual Pajama Party will beheld on Sunday, December 31 during normal Sunday School time in the Fellowship Hall. Come to church wearing your PJs! We will have games, crafts, and food to get ready for the new year!

Bethany and Hoffman Homes
As in the past, our Christmas Eve offerings will be dedicated to UCC affiliates Bethany and Hoffman Homes, which serves young people with residential and mental health needs. Donations to these special homes provide safe, comfortable, and spiritually- nurturing environments. Please use your special offering envelope on December 24^th to give generously to support these homes.

Crown Volunteers
If you have a few hours once a month to help prepare the Crown for mailing, please contact Audrey Markle at (717) 368-2409. The next date volunteers are needed is December 28 at 9 am. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Congregational Meeting
Please join us for a Congregational Meeting to vote on current Council members to serve another term on Sunday, December 31 between services in the Sanctuary.

Wishing Well
Many thanks to everyone who participated in our Holiday Gifting Ministry! It was a huge success! We partnered with the Preschool to gift 61 students at Martin Elementary school and made their holiday more joyous! We also gifted five children who were in need in our community. Warm hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves collected went to the school district of Lancaster for students who were displaced from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands due to hurricanes. Thanks to your continued generous support, we have been able to brighten the holiday season for many children!