Worship This Sunday

In Hope

In the Gospel of Luke, the messenger Gabriel appears to Zechariah to tell him that his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son. Gabriel tells Zechariah, "Fear not." It is a message that many of need to hear. What does it look like to face our fears in this season of our lives and of the liturgical calendar? And how can we grow the light of hope?
Livestream
Bulletin

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Advent

The Advent thee from the lectionary is “Fear Not!” Our seasonal liturgy will emphasize that theme, tying us also to siblings around the world living through oppressions. Centrally on Sunday, we will hear the angelic announcement about the birth of John the Baptist. What do such births say into the midst of fear? Advent services include communion, so those participating online should have bread and/or wine or grape juice ready.
Bulletin
Reading sheet
Hymn sheet
Livestream link

 

Next Advent Lectionary Year
For Advent services beginning the new church year Sunday, we will be using Year C of the Women’s Lectionary. Similar to the “common” lectionary, it is built around the Gospel of Luke. But also considering the theological perspective of Black women, it includes some characters, stories, and readings that are typically overlooked. Click here for a chart of readings.(Passages in bold indicate at least half of that reading is not in the common lectionary.)

Just Bakery will be here on Sunday!

 

Upcoming Adult Ed

There's no Adult Ed this week, but look ahead to see upcoming topics:
Dec 8 - Ken Streit on Origins of Advent Season
Dec 15 - Pastor Nick Reflections on Ice Age Walk

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Children, Youth, and Family News

There will be no faith formation on Dec. 1. We'll continue our preparations for youth-led worship (12/15) on Dec. 8, and then have our dress rehearsal and cookie decorating on Dec. 14 at 9:00am. See more info in the Season of Advent announcement below.

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Season of Advent & Christmas Happenings at the MCC

Please click here to read about the preparations and plans for the season of Advent and Christmas, including:
Seasonal Art Invitation for All
* Deck the Halls - Dec. 2
* Advent Midweek Worship & Soup
* Sundays in the Season of Advent
* Adult Ed Seasonal Special
* MCC Caroling - Dec. 10
* Confirmation Candy Making & Sales
* MS & HS Youth! Youth-Led Worship - Dec. 15
* Sign Up for Christmas Eve Prelude Slots
* Blue Christmas Invitation
* Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk
* Christmas Eve
* Christmas Day
* Carol Sing - Dec. 29
* Epiphany Choral Service - Jan. 5

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Lussier Center Holiday Gift Drive

Thank you for all who quickly claimed the 60 tags for gifts given to young people through the Lussier Community Education Center's Holiday Gift Drive. Please drop off gifts to the office by Sunday, Nov. 30th.

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Support Triangle Ministries this Christmas Season

This year our congregation will be collecting personal hygiene items to share with the residents at the Triangle in downtown Madison. Please pick up any of the following items and bring them to the collection totes at church: shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, disposable razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nail clippers, nail files, bar soap, disposable razors, shaving cream, lotion, body wash, bath scrunchies by Sunday, December 8. If you would like to participate but would rather not do the shopping, I am happy to do that for you. Please make a check payable to the MCC with Triangle Christmas in the memo section. I will purchase items for the collection with any funds donated. The items will be shared with residents at Triangle Community Ministry’s (TCM) annual Christmas meal on Dec. 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. A few additional folks are still needed to help serve that evening. If you would like to assist, please contact Lori DeMeuse at lori.demeuse@gmail.com. Our congregation supports TCM both financially and by providing four Monday Meals each year.

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Advent Mission Endowment Fund Application Period Open

The 2024 Winter Application Period for grants from the Advent Mission Endowment Fund is now open! The members of the Advent Mission Endowment fund committee meet bi-annually to approve grants submitted for social impact and educational support purposes. The current period will be open until Friday, Dec. 20.
The criteria for being eligible for a social impact grant is that the grant support the activities of local and national faith-based social ministries serving basic human needs, new programs or ministry initiatives within the MCC, and/or environmental stewardship ministries. Financial assistance is also available for MCC members for post-secondary education. Grant awards vary based on availability of funds and the applicant’s prior funding history with new applicants being given priority.
Applicants may apply for grants only once during the calendar year. Applications may be obtained at the MCC office or click here to fill out electronically. Submit completed applications to the office or Dean Krahn, Chair.

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MCC PURLS Hats for Haiti Update

WOW! With our busy hands and your generous hearts we raised $255 for Haiti Allies to support life-changing opportunities for the people of Haiti. We'll also share over 100 wonderful warm hats, scarves, and more with our local community including Porchlight, the Lussier Center, Mendota Elementary School, and the Outreach LGBTQ+ Community Center. Thank you for your consistent support of our care ministry and outreach to these communities! If you know of other places who could use hats, please let us know.

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Insightful Thanks

Here again is a nudge to make it all the way to the bottom of these newsletters. In the section listing our thanks for the week, you can get insights into the life of the MCC that you might otherwise not know to celebrate!

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RenewALL – Stewardship for 2025

Thank you to all who have submitted renewed commitments of membership, time & talent, and financial pledges. 70 households from Advent and 24 from Hope who have responded so far
If you haven't renewed yet, please visit www.themcc.net/stewardship-2024 to find digital forms for Advent and Hope, or contact the office for hard copies (or find them at the Welcome Center).We expect that expenses will be about 6% higher next year, if that helps you gauge what you can offer. Consider how important the MCC is in your life and for our world!

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Holy Land 2025

Join a trip to the Holy Land with Pastor Nick. Besides sites of the Bible, it will be an opportunity to understand more of what has fueled the decades-long feud that has intensified in the deaths of this past year. We’ll meet fellow Christians and hear their stories. October 22-November 3, 2025. Starting price is $4460. Click here for a full brochure with more details and chance to pre-register (no downpayment needed).

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Old Email Addresses Ending

For a number of years, we’ve kept an account that forwards emails sent to old MCC staff addresses ending in @tds.net. Building Manager Anthony suggests it’s time to end those and save the MCC $500/year. Please check that you’re using the current addresses with @theMCC.net – a full list is at the bottom of this email.