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First Sunday of Advent
December 1 @ 10:00am
Communion*, Deacons'
Fund offering
"Hope as Protest" - Isaiah 40:1-11, 21-31
Rev. Chelsea Spyres,
Pastor & Exec. Director, Riverfront Ministries preaching
Rev. Chelsea
Spyres is a United Methodist Pastor serving as Pastor &
Executive Director of Riverfront Ministries, one of our PCUSA
New Worshiping Communities. Chelsea graduated from Wesley
Seminary in Washington, DC, with her Master’s in Divinity. She
enjoys creating spaces of worship and creativity in and outside the
local church, bringing people together for community support
and transformation. Chelsea began with Riverfront Ministries in
January 2020, and since then, has launched the Wilmington Kitchen
Collective, a shared kitchen space for culinary entrepreneurs to
experience community and support while launching their small
businesses. We are excited to welcome her to our pulpit this
Sunday!
About the Art:
"You Are a Blessing When You Pass Through the Waters" - Lisle
Gwynn Garrity [Inspired by Isaiah 43:1-7]. "When we began working on our Advent theme (Words
for the Beginning), we were inspired by the storied tradition of
quilting. Though I am not a textile artist, I turned to
the fabric medium I enjoy: painting with ink dyes and gold
resist on silk. As I read through my assigned scriptures for
this series, I created a list of the images and patterns I
found in my texts: water, fire, spirit, fruit trees,
mountains, stars, sky. Then, I stretched my silk and
began to paint, creating a series of 6 small banners.
Next, I moved into a digital space. I photographed my silk banners and then began drawing quilt
patterns with my stylus pen onto my iPad, collaging the photos of
my silk paintings into the designs. As I digitally stitched
together patterns and geometric shapes, I realized I was quilting,
just in my own unique way. This piece is meant to be a visual
prayer, inviting you to internalize and personalize the words
of blessing from Isaiah 43: 'When you pass through the
waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the
rivers, they will not sweep over you.' (Is. 43:2a)"
Join us for
IN-PERSON WORSHIP on Sunday at 10:00am; doors open at
9:40am.
To join in WORSHIP ONLINE this
Sunday, December 1, click on the picture above to go
to our Concord website. Near the bottom of the home page, click on
the same picture to connect with the worship video. The worship
service will be available live at 10:00am Sunday morning or later
in the day to view at your convenience.
*This
Sunday we will celebrate the Lord's Supper as part of the service.
If joining us online, please have something ready
for eating and something ready for drinking.
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Children
in Worship - Communion Sunday
This week is a
Communion Sunday, so we will not be meeting for
"Navigating the Bible." Children will bring the
communion elements forward during the first hymn. Children are
then invited to join us up front for Wondering Time. After
Wondering Time, children will stay in worship with their
families and take part in communion after the sermon. There are
quiet activities in the back of the Sanctuary that children may
take to the pews.
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 youth
group
11:30am-1:00pm every Sunday
Unless otherwise noted
We meet in the back of the sanctuary following Sunday worship and
Gathering Time.
Hoping to see you there…bring a friend! 😊
Please click
here to view an updated schedule.
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DESSERTS NEEDED FOR
ADVENTFEST LUNCHEON
Spiritual Formation is looking for
donations of cookies or bars (homemade or store bought) for the
Adventfest luncheon on Sunday, December 8. You may drop
them off in the kitchen before worship on December 8 OR bring
them to church sooner, clearly marked “Adventfest”, and place in
the church freezer. Thank you!
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Prayer
List
Prayers of
sympathy for Maria Hess & family following the death of her mother
MaryAnne Ezzi last Friday. (obit)
Condolences for the family of member David Hubinger,
who passed away earlier this month. (obit)
Healing prayers for Wayne Stahl who is
now back at Kutz Home. Prayers also for Wayne's brother
Gray, facing his own health issues.
Preschool Director Lori Schofield's daughter Lexi is now
home & recovering from treatment. Continued
prayers as she undergoes follow-up & testing.
Prayers for Carol Lind who has been in
Wilmington Hospital for the past two weeks for heart, blood
pressure & kidney issues, then follow up with rehab to gain
strength & stamina.
Prayers for the
following list of people who are in our hearts as they deal with
ongoing health struggles - Jo Ann, June, Ginnie M., Dan V., Duane,
Craig E., Sue, Eileen, Rita & Dawn.
Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!
***
If you would like to add names/needs to this list
and our ministry of prayer, please email info@concordpc.org or
fill out a "Prayers of the People" card at the Sunday
service and hand to a greeter during the offering.
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Wanted: Cookie
Bakers for the Messiah Concert Reception on Dec. 15
We will again have a cookie and beverage
reception after the Messiah, and we need
home-baked Christmas cookies. You can bake early and put cookies in
the church freezer. Please clearly mark them "MESSIAH"
since we are also baking for the Friendship House shelters. If you
do not have any time to bake, we would also gladly accept purchased
pound cakes. These can also be placed in the freezer ahead of time.
Please let Dottie Lund know what and how much you are
contributing (dottielund@comcast.net
302-230-1522). Thanks for your help!
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Advent
Devotional Booklet Available
This devotional contains art, poems, hymns, commentary, and
reflection prompts. It is meant to be read at your own pace
throughout the season of Advent and Christmas; it concludes with
Epiphany. The booklet is great for older youth and adults of all
ages—and especially for those who are hungry for weekly readings
and prompts.
Pick up your copy in the back of
the sanctuary today or our friends at Sanctified
Art have provided a special e-reader version of this
year’s Advent devotional, which you can access on your computer
and mobile devices: online.flippingbook.com/view/811735764/ (In order to protect their work, please refrain from
sharing this link or posting it on social media.)
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NO MUG & MUFFIN - WED., NOVEMBER 27
Our weekly MUG &
MUFFIN Bible study will
not be held this week due to the Thanksgiving
holiday. We will meet again via Zoom on Wed.,
December 4 from 10:00-11:00am, led by Pastor
Eric Markman. To join the Zoom gathering ONLINE,
click on this link.
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The Perfect Gift
We trust in the hope of the Christ
Child, the perfect gift, for whom we prepare a way so he can
prepare a way for us to know the fullness of God’s love. Through
the Christmas Joy Offering, we reflect God’s perfect gift to us.
Our gifts smooth the path for our current and retired church
workers and their families in their time of critical need; and
prepare the way for our future leaders at Presbyterian-related
schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
The Christmas Joy
Offering will be received throughout the month of December.
Envelopes are available in the pews or you can donate online.
When we all so a little, it adds up to a lot!
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Contributions
for the Flower Fund for Christmas
If you would like to contribute to the
Flower Fund for the upcoming holiday season, please make your check
for $20/poinsettia payable to Concord Presbyterian Church, memo:
“Christmas Flowers.” Place it in a designated envelope in the
offering or the Church Office mailbox. Be sure to include a note
stating how you wish the acknowledgment to read in the bulletin.
Contributing to the grace and beauty of our Christmas decorations
is a lovely way to remember or honor a loved one.
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Advent Is the Season of Giving!
Mission & Congregational
Life invites you to take part in this Reverse Advent Calendar activity to benefit our community! Instead of
receiving a little daily gift as we count down the days to
Christmas, we will give back
daily by placing a non-perishable food
item in a bag each day at our own homes.
Bring your items to church each
Sunday in December and place them by the empty manger in the
narthex. We will be sharing these gifts with the community by
placing them in the Blessing Box outside Concord Church.
Suggestions: dry pasta,
spaghetti sauce, canned tuna & chicken, cereal, PB&J,
canned fruit & vegetables, canned soup & broth, oatmeal
packets, boxed mac & cheese, granola/protein bars. Smaller
containers are best, as the box provides for short-term needs and
space inside is limited. (No glass or expired items, please.)
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Share the Spirit!
Cock-a-doodle-do!
Have we got a gift for you...
This Christmas, we are supporting the Chicken
Project of the Guatemala Partnership of New Castle
Presbytery. You can help give a woman in Guatemala a starter set of
chickens which helps address food insecurity and provides women who
live at a subsistence level with another source of income. Please
make your contribution through Concord (memo Guatemala Chickens) or
at https://mailchi.mp/637434c252f3/gift-of-chicks-advent-2024.
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Concord Photo Gallery
Show
us your activities, vacations, special occasions, children
or pets being adorable...! If you have photos you'd be
willing to share with your Concord family, please send them to Margaret. We'll
try to include your photos in Concord Connects as space permits.
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Here they are - the
Concord Christmas Elves! They dress in Christmas colors and work
behind the scenes to make sure that seafarers receive their ditty
boxes and Concord members have bulletins on Sunday mornings. Thank
you, Dottie Lund & Wes Diemer!
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A belated but HUGE
thank you from Phoebe Rowe, for all of the generous donations on
her behalf for the UnLocal team in the NYC marathon! Thanks in part
to Concord’s kindness, UnLocal was able to raise over $20,000 to
support the immigrant community in NYC. And Phoebe finished the
marathon in just over 5 hours, with her knees only a *little* worse
for the wear. Thanks again!
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Christina on vacation
- meeting mammals & making friends!
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Gathering
Time (Refreshments after Church)
Please sign up online to bring snacks &
a beverage to enjoy after our Sunday worship service. We will set
up in the back of the Sanctuary and provide the coffee. This is a
great time to enjoy fellowship with our members & guests. Our
Congregational Life Committee encourages all (men & women,
individuals, families & friends) who are able to take a turn.
Keep it simple and remember to include some gluten-free snacks. Thanks for your participation!
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