Youth Led Worship This Sunday  

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This week in Shared MCC Worship, we'll celebrate the talents of our youth AND the upcoming birth of Jesus in a special youth-led service. Whether you're in the Christmas spirit or feeling a bit weary this season, all are welcome to find hope and joy in sweet voices singing, upbeat drumming, and the promise of a savior born for us. Joy to the World the Lord is come!
Livestream
Bulletin
 
Our kids requested that we keep announcements to a minimum during the youth-led service on Sunday. Instead of inviting people to come forward for announcements, we encourage all who would like an announcement to be shared at worship on Sunday to give that announcement to either Pastor Nick or Jen prior to worship. 

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MCC Announcements

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Adult Ed

Here’s the rest of our “semester” 9:00 Sunday Education Hour:
Dec. 14: Homelessness in Dane County and the work of Porchlight, with Executive Director Karla Thennes and board member Kevin Huff
Dec. 21: A return to our Tools for Resilience series, we’ll have small circle sharing groups on Keeping Christmas Calm and Bright

 

Children & Family Ministry News

I look forward to seeing everyone and sharing the joy of Jesus' story with the congregation this weekend! 
12/13 - Dress rehearsal for the Christmas pageant in the Blessing Room AND cookie decorating 9:00-11:00am!
12/14 - Please arrive downstairs by 9:45am to get your costume on for the best service of the year! NO regular faith formation class.
12/17 - Advent Midweek Worship and Soup at 6:00pm
12/24 - Christmas Eve Services at 4:00pm and 7:30pm (with musical prelude at 3:30pm and 7:15pm)
*No Faith formation 12/21 or 12/28 but we're back in session on Jan 4th with Lisa J and King cake baking for Epiphany.
If you have any questions, email Andrea

 

Advent Season

You have one more chance at a midweek gathering at 6:00 Wednesdays Dec. 17 in the Covenant Room. We begin with worship, including your favorite carols, have an ornament activity, and then share soup supper prepared by pastors, finishing around 7:00.
Livestream link
Bulletin

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CHRISTMAS SEASON

Extend Invitations!

Winter Solace (formerly Longest Night)

Mon. Dec. 22 6:00pm in Covenant Room and online – a mellow service with space for when the holidays aren’t so happy

Christmas Eve

Wed. Dec. 24 – the birth of Jesus, with carols and candlelight

• 4:00 in the Blessing Room and online, prelude 3:30

• 7:30 in the Covenant Room, prelude 7:15

Christmas Day

Thurs. Dec. 25 10:15am in the Covenant Room and online – a bright, simple celebration with carols and reflections

1st Sunday of Christmas

Dec. 28 10:15am in the Blessing Room and online – a shared MCC Sunday with your favorite carols by request
Epiphany Choral service

 Jan. 4 10:15am in the Blessing Room and online

 

Support Triangle Ministries this Christmas - Deadline Extended

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Personal Care Items for Triangle Ministries Holiday Party - Deadline to Contribute Extended to Sunday, December 14
 
Thank you to all who donated personal care items for Triangle Ministries. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. I delivered the items yesterday and some additional items are still needed to ensure each guest is able to choose 1 or 2 personal care items as part of their gifts at their Christmas party on December 15.
We are extending the deadline and kindly asking for additional personal care item donations. If you are able, please consider contributing items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, or lotion. There is a box located in the Shalom room. If you'd rather skip the shopping you can also make a check payable to MCC with Triangle gifts in the memo. Please reach out to Lori DeMeuse with any questions. 
Thank you again for your continued kindness and support!

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Confirmation Candy Sale

Peppermint bark and dipped pretzel rods remain available Sunday. Your donations fund the Confirmation shopping trip in January for the Lussier Pantry. Thank you for over $500 in contributions so far!
 

Dignity Mission Holiday Wish List

For holidays, Dignity Mission Project is joining to put together string bags with goodies for children stranded at the border.  What is needed are items for new moms and babies, the first nine (9) items at the top of their needs list.  You can purchase these at the site listed below and ship them directly. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3A8N584B37L61?ref_=wl_share
Please ship any of these items to:
Dignity Mission
c/o Dr. Eva Moya
6520 La Cadena Dr.
El Paso, TX 79912

From Palestine

Olive oil and olive wood carvings are on sale again Sunday. Consider for holiday gifting, or for enjoying with family and friends!  We take cash, check, and Venmo.

 

Christmas Fund Collection at Hope

The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees.
 
On Sunday, December 21st, Hope will be collecting offerings for the Christmas Fund. Any loose cash in the basket or checks with "Christmas Fund" in the memo line will be donated to this mission. 

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Equal Justice Initiative Calendars

The Equal Justice Initiative (http://eji.org) creates a calendar each year of racial injustice history, with daily entries spanning 400 years of US history. Informative, educational, disturbing, enlightening, for the work still to be done it can be a tool of growth and justice.
The FARE group has a set of these calendars for 2026 that we will have for sale in the Shalom room for the next several weeks for $3 each. A preview of the calendar is on the EJI site here.

 

Mission Endowment Fund Accepting Applications

Hope and Advent members: Apply to the winter 2026 Advent Mission Endowment Fund by January 8, 2026.
Grant funds provide support for: activities of local and national faith-based social ministries serving basic human needs, new programs or ministry initiatives within the MCC, environmental stewardship ministries, and post-secondary education.

An example of a past grant: Larry Henning received funding for Opportunity Palestine, which supports four K-12 Lutheran schools in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, Ramallah, and Beit Jala. Peace education and interfaith dialog are embedded in the curriculum.

Grant awards typically range from $200-$1,000. Click here for the online application or pick up a copy in the MCC office.  Submit paper applications at the MCC office or to Lori DeMeuse or Lisa Bauer.

 

 Epiphany Choir

Click here for the Epiphany Choir Rehearsal Sign Up.  If you have any questions, contact Jen or Alyssa.  
 
Schedule: 
Sundays after worship, December 7, 14, 21, 28
"Dress" Rehearsal: Saturday, 1/3 10a-12p
Before worship Sunday,1/4 @ 8:30am; Worship @ 10:15am

 

Trans Support Cards

Thank you to all who have written cards caring for the Trans and Gender Diverse community, in adult ed or at other opportunities.

Our transgender family is facing not only violence and threats, including politically. A note or letter could make a life-or-death difference. Through Meier, MCC will be continuing to collect cards and letters from across the community. You can mail or drop off at church. A special push is aiming to collect 600 letters by the holidays. Click here for the full invitation letter, instructions, and ways to support.

 

   Koats for Kids    

A bin near the front doors is collecting for Koats for Kids.  Any coats for children can be left there and there are tax receipts attached to a clipboard for the donors to take. Betty Custer will get them to a collection site at Boys and Girls Club.

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Second Wind Band Concert at MCC

Broadway Tunes concert TONIGHT!  On Thurs, Dec 11, at 7pm  the MCC is hosting a performance of the Second Wind Band. The band features several of our own musicians. The concert is free and family friendly. If you like to listen to show tunes, this concert (and reception following) is for you!!