The Presbyterian Church in Burlington, Massachusetts --- 01803

Sunday, December 18 - Fun for all Ages

Three o'clock will be the rallying time in the church parking lot. Join a caroling caravan that will take us to various places such as senior residences, nursing homes, and homes of shut-ins. If you have suggestions for places to carol this year, speak to Rod soon! We will finish by 5:30 or 6:00 with a simple but nose-and toes warming supper. If you'd like to be our host this year, and you live not far from the church, we'd love to have an invitation. It's a truly intergenerational and heartwarming time. Look for signup on church bulletin board.

A Family Tradition,with Crèche, Carols and Candlelight
Saturday, December 24 - 7:00 p.m.

It's a long-lived tradition at BPC. There will be nativity tableaux vivants (or living scenes) featuring young folks, and some older helpers, in the roles of Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds and wise men. Choir and congregation will join in many carols. The service will end with a spreading of candlelight throughout the sanctuary. Mr. MacDonald will give a brief message. The Christmas Joy Offering will be received. This service is a wonderful way to introduce friends and neighbors to the church - and maybe to make a difference in their lives.

Notice the time of the service will be 7:00 p.m. this year. Come early for a good pew! Children of all ages are welcome; the nursery room will be warm if any little ones need a "change of scene."

The Christmas Joy Offering is one of four special offerings of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This offering is used to assist active and retired church workers in times of need and to provide scholarships for students at eight racial-ethnic church related schools and colleges. Our Christmas Joy Offering is received on Christmas Eve. If you are unable to attend the Christmas Eve service, please use the Christmas Joy envelopes in the pews to contribute at another time. In the aftermath of the hurricanes and other disasters, many church workers are in need of assistance. Our help is badly needed and will be greatly appreciated. Come for an informal service of Welcome to the Christ child in our midst. PJ's and slippers OK! There will be child care, but no classes. Worship will be family-friendly.

Betty Doubek and Nancy Stalker will be collecting orders for Christmas poinsettias through Sunday, December 4. Poinsettias will cost $8.00. Please make checks payable to Burlington Presbyterian Church. The poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary on December 18, and may be taken home on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Our church will be helping with the Wish Tree at the Burlington Mall. Our dates are November 25th, November 29th, December 6th, and December 10th. There is a sign up sheet in fellowship hall. If you can spare two hours or more to help out, it would be greatly appreciated.

If you have taken a card for pajama and underwear requests, please remember that the items are due at church by December 11th. If you haven't taken a card, see Laurel Collins - there may be a few left!

Priscilla Kelso reports that the health and education project in Cabanlutan Village, which Burlington Presbyterian Church has been supporting faithfully, is doing well. She and her husband, Bart, pastor of Cambridge Presbyterian Church, spent several days there last August and met with the rural Christians who have been the beneficiaries of the annual gift from the Burlington congregation.

One encouraging improvement is in the nutritional health of the school children in the village school. Priscilla and Bart visited the classrooms of elementary and high school students in Cabanlutan. The health center is being used by medical doctors and nurses from a nearby city who conduct free health exams for the villagers, many of them working as subsistence farmers.

May God continue to bless this partnership between Burlington Church and a Philippine Village halfway across the world.

The Adult Sunday School class will be studying the book of Micah during the advent and Christmas seasons. Please consider joining us on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please speak to Mary Anne McDonald. Thank you.