Christmas Eve was wonderful

We had a wonderful service on Christmas Eve. Someone suggested it was one of the best ever. The music, the setting, the congregation, the readings and the message all came together in a magical way as close to 200 people looked on. Along with the carols we had special music by Patricia Ohlund who sang "Ave Maria" and Shawn Rucker who sang "Fit For A King." The Triette of Adele DiBiagio, Mary Brockway and Cynthia Strouse sang a beautiful song and Penny Sargent and the Praise Team gave us a dramatic rendition of "The Drummer Boy."

The scriptures and short meditations were read by Nancy Allen, Mary Brockway, Cliff Vanase, Zelda Fellows, Bob Walker and Cynthia Strouse. Then I finished up with a brief message asking "What Happens Next?" All the while the lights were being dimmed and the room took on a surreal look as we were bathed in candle light.

A nice nativity scene was on display thanks to Ty Menard and Adele DiBiagio who pulled everything together to give us something a little different as a back drop to this year's services.

At the late service Rachel Lord sang a solo and we had a nice mix of carols and scriptures as we greeted the Christmas morn. There are some photos from both services below.

Cal

Saying good bye to 2008 in worship.

On Sunday, December 28 we welcomed Rev. Norman Bardsley to our pulpit. Gwyn Green was the worship assistant. Our praise team shared a special song. It was a great service to close off the year. Although attendance was down, the spirit was good.

For the last dozen years we have held our Youth Recognition Service on the last Sunday of the year. We have some great kids take turns in the pulpit going back to Kate Strouse Canada in 1994. This year we are in a "rebuilding year" in the sense that we lack a large group of high school students. So we decided to give it a rest. We hope to bring it back in a few years when our current middle school class moves up.

Congratulations to the Rezendes family.

I have some catching up to do with the blog. Between getting ready for Christmas, two bouts of sickness and a little vacation, I have fallen off the wagon. So we will get a little schizophrenic here for the next few days. I may jump around a bit until we get caught up. So here is the first joyful entry.

Congratulations to Timothy and Karin Rezendes on the birth of their first son, Benjamin Timothy Rezendes. He came into this world on Saturday, December 27 at 3:22 a.m. and weighed in at 7 lbs, 7 oz. Amy Rezendes was on hand for the birth and got to hold the little guy.

Tim & Karin live at 251 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, PA 17602.

Cal

Our prayer list

I wanted to pause before the snow flies to share some prayer concerns with you all. If you get snowed in and are looking for something productive to do, please bow and say a prayer for the following people;

Our special interest missionary Rick Barnes lost his father today. Rick was at his side in upstate New York at the time. Earlier this week Rick's grandfather suffered a heart attack. He is doing better. Keep the family in prayer.

Julia Rogers is home in Norwich tonight. Mark came home with her this morning. Her new adoptive family was there at the JFK Airport to greet her arrival. What a wonderful Christmas gift for Fran, Mark and Priscilla.

Today (Dec 18) is Edith Robinson's birthday. We think of her as she recovers from her broken hip and ensuing surgery.

We lift up Bob Booth in our continuing prayers. He is battling back from about with pneumonia.

We think of Nikki and Shane Stroud and their boys, Chase and Daniel in our prayers.

We lift up Jean Roscoe, Ken Taylor, Doris Regets, Michelle Lord andLorraine Bober in our continuing prayers.

We lift up Timothy and Karin Rezendes and their soon to be born firstborn child. (Due next week!)

We give thanks for the babe whose birth we celebrate on Christmas day - Jesus.

Faith walking between Sundays

On Sunday I caught up with a few of our members who had helped out at the Extreme Home Makeover Project for the Girard family in Voluntown. Each of them were so grateful to be a part of such a project. The truth is that there is something within all of us that wants to do something good and noble for another person. I think God puts that in our hearts.

I am working on an article for next month's newsletter that will pick up on this. For now, let me say that we are all very proud of Erica Corbett, Ken Kreger, Lisa Lapointe, Patricia and Steve Ohlund and Shawn Rucker. They stepped out and lived their faith by giving of their time and energy to this special project that captivated the hearts of our entire community.

Cal

Santa Claus Came To Town

Santa came to visit us last night and he thrilled all the boys and girls by listening to their Christmas wishes and by giving them little gifts. He also accepted soap, shampoo, toothpaste, mittens and gloves for the "Winter Survival Kits" that will be part of our neighborhood outreach project.

This year many of the girl's gifts were donated by June Deptulski. She gave us several very special Barbie Dolls. Sunday School Superintendant then went out and picked up some small gifts for the boys.

As Santa chatted with the kids, Sandy Stone and Zelda Fellows assisted him with his duties.

Cal

Happy Birthday Jesus - FBC style

Tonight we hosted our Annual Christmas Party and Pageant at Church. Heather Adams was the Narrator and our kids played the parts of all those who were there on that first Christmas morn. This was our Sunday School's way to say "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.

Sandy Stone, our Sunday School Superintendent, directed the play and had lots of help from Mary Brockway and several of the moms and teachers. Lori Lord was the pianist.

One hundred and eleven people were on hand to enjoy the production. It had its unpredictable moments but the story of Jesus' birth came through and the night mirrored God's love for one and all.

Jarod LaFlamme played Joseph and Chelsey Calkins played Mary.

Rachel Lord played the Angel Gabriel


Bethany Stone was the Inn Keeper.


Jacob Kreger played King Herod.


We had shepherds.




















We had angels.














We had wise men.


We even had barnyard friends!

What a great night! And that all happened even before the party began.

Cal