As we began the season of Advent on November 28th, 2021, we also began a new church year. That church year is marked by a new set of scripture readings from the New Common Lectionary. The Revised Common Lectionary is a lectionary of readings or pericopes from the Bible for use in Christian worship, making provision for the liturgical year with its pattern of observances of festivals and seasons. So, as we begin year A, we will be experiencing a new set of scriptural readings for Sunday worship.
Of course, this is just the beginning of some of the new and exciting things happening at Emmanuel UCC. I have been performing the Sunday worship service at St. Peter’s church in Hobbie after the retirement of Pastor Jim Stanley. The folks at St. Peter’s are happy with this arrangement, and it was the consistory and me who decided that this was a great ministerial outreach to a sister UCC church as well as forging a closer relationship with our neighbors in faith.
What makes me especially happy and proud is how certain church members have grabbed the reigns of the Sunday school and continue to work with our young people every Sunday morning. They are very serious about the lectionary I described above and teach to that lectionary which makes us all on the same page of God’s glorious Sunday message.
Bingo is nothing but a joy to our church! How pleased we are to see members of our church and community come to share a game where they are happy and well pleased with our beautiful church hall. The profits from this Bingo will continue to provide us the opportunity to continue our mission outreach around the world.
In closing, consider the new ministry I am starting to help reach out to those not able to attend church. This ministry will take 1 hour a week to make those home bound continue to be part of our faith family.
My family and I are hoping that December 2021 brings happiness and peace, especially during the time of Christmas. And always remember, all of us together can work toward exposing the wonderful events and glory we experience as a family of Emmanuel United Church of Christ to all we meet! Merry Christmas and a beautiful December,
