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The Pastor's Corner 
When you live some distance from family and old friends you really look forward to hearing about their lives each Christmas. Although the Christmas cards and letters have only started to arrive, I have already discovered several friends have relocated to new homes in new cities. Several more have welcomed new members into their families via marriages or births. Most of the news is good and it reaffirms my conviction that God is good and his people are blessed through being in relationship with Him.
Almost every year I compose a one page review of our family life. I think people like to hear (or so they tell me) what the kids are doing. They don't expect much real news about Andrea and me. We are at the stage of life where the less excitement we have to report the better. No one writes about their good health. This year I am not writing a form Christmas letter. Several reason account for this. First of all the "kids' are all going through transition years, finishing college or applying for graduate school. Since they read the letters and they frequently run into people who read our letter, anything I say will just add to their anxiety and open them to more questions about a future that they cannot yet answer. Second, sharing what is going on with us, when it is going well, seems like you are boasting and compels everyone else to do the same.
In lieu of the Christmas letter I will share one Leslye Korvola wrote for the alternative Christmas celebration magazine:
Whose Birthday is it, Anyway?
Dear Friends, so at this holiday season it is my wish to share with you the reason for celebrating. I don't think I could face the challenges of life, or death, without the confidence that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who believes in him should not die but have eternal life." (John 3:16) What a blessing to believe I am here for a purpose in this world so full of injustices and wrong doing. What a blessing to be able to trust in God that in the end "All things work together for good to those that love god and are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) This gives me peace that is beyond human understanding; I am at peace with God through the grace of Christ my savior, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. It is our wish that you and your loved ones will also have that joy and peace in your life.
To Leslye's form letter I can add only, "Merry Christmas."
Peace and Joy, James Brassard
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Worship Notes
Sunday December 16th: Third Sunday of Advent Sunday's worship will feature the Children's Christmas Musical "the Tiniest Christmas Star." This 15-minute children's program will be the centerpiece of a special worship service featuring music from a combined Choir and Rev. Brassard's Homily "R U The 1" will be based on Matthew 11:2-11.
Reminder! Worship on Dec 16th, 23rd, and 30th will be held at 11 AM only. Sunday School and Adult Education will be at 9:45AM on Dec 16th and 23rd. There will be no classes on Dec 30th. Coffee will be served at 10:30 AM.
Christmas Eve Service, December 24th 6:30 and 8:30 PM: Special music will be presented at the first service and Bob Schrott will do his classic "Happy Birthday, Jesus" Children's sermon with cake for the kids to celebrate in Dodds Hall. Combined choirs and special instrumental music will be featured at the second service which will conclude with a Candlelight Communion observance. The Homily at both services is titled "Is there any room left?" A brief dramatic presentation will precede the Homily at both services.
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Christmas Eve Worship Services
Tuesday evening, December 24th
6:30 PM - Family Carol Service with Children's Message
8:30 PM - Candlelight Communion Service
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Christmas Families 2007 Update
CCPC is providing gifts for 124 children and food for 42 families this year. There are a few children who have not yet been provided for. Thank you for volunteering to help in so many ways.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, December 14 - Groceries should be at the church by this date. They may be placed in the Adult Education conference room near Dodds Hall.
FOOD SORTING:
Saturday, December 15, at 9:00 a.m. Dodds Hall - If you plan to help with food sorting, please bring a pen or pencil to check off the list, and a Sharpie marker, if you have one, to label the bags.
GIFT SORTING:
Sunday, December 16, after the second service in Dodds Hall - Gifts should be brought to the church no later than noon Sunday, Dec. 16. Gifts should be unwrapped and marked with your name and the name and family number of the child. A gift bag or box would be helpful. Please drop your gifts in the church office.
GIFT WRAPPING:
Sunday, December 16, at 3:00 p.m. in Dodds Hall - We will be wrapping about 360 gifts.Please bring scissors, tape, and a pen to address the tags.
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Children's Ministry Christmas Musical
The Tiniest Christmas Star
December 16th during the 11:00 AM worship service.
Dress Rehearsal (Saturday, December 15th at 9:30 AM)
Please join us Sunday morning for this traditional holiday program by the CCPC kids and youth. For questions or information please contact Marilee Neff..
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Youth News
For information regarding Youth activities and participation, please contact James Rada or Astrid Jonas.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15TH - Join us at the Capital Area Food Bank in DC. We will assist in the preparation of food for hungry people in our area. If you can join us, either give me a call or email me. We will meet at CCPC at 8:15AM and leave no later than 8:30AM. We will work from 9AM-12PM and be back to Bowie around 12:30PM. Drivers needed. Contact Lori Kronser.
Sunday the 16th - it's Pageant Time! There's only one service that day at 11 AM. That evening we'll all meet up at 5PM to go
Christmas Caroling! After we're done screeching, I mean caroling, we'll gather at Ann Evankovich's house for a Christmas Party and gift exchange. We ask that each youth bring a gift (value no more than $10) for the Christmas Gift Exchange. And, yes, if you'd like to make it a White Elephant gift, that's ok too!
Sunday the 23rd - once again, only one service at 11AM. And, please note, there will be NO EVENING YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS ON SUNDAY THE 23RD OR SUNDAY THE 30TH!
There is one more item on the calendar before we say goodbye to 2007. We know that after a few days of Holiday Happiness, folks may start to feel a bit cooped up - and perhaps even a wee tad ornery. So, have we got the stress reliever for you.
On Friday December 28th - we're going LASER TAGGING! We've reserved a spot for 4pm on Friday the 28th. The facility is located right up the street in Laurel, just across from the Laurel Mall. If you've never been, it's TONS of FUN. Unlike Paintball, you don't have to go running around - we'll be inside in a building about half the size of Dodds Hall. And, also unlike paintball, in Laser Tag, when you're hit you get to keep playing. At the end of the games, they'll even give you a printout so you can see how many times you got hit and how many times you hit others. Trust me, it's a LOT of fun. We've reserved space for 30 people. We need RSVP's from those who want to attend. The cost will be $13/person with 30 ppl. And, if folks would like, we could have everyone bring $20 and go out for pizza afterward. Please let me know.
James Rada
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Poinsettia Orders For Christmas
Poinsettias are reserved at Behnke's! December 16th is the deadline date for orders. (Order forms are available in the Narthex at CCPC). 7" pots are $12.00 or you may purchase an 8" pot for $23.00.
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Church Corner
Ricci Rogel Music Studio Recital - Student vocal and piano- December 15, 2007 at 3 PM. Free! Open to CCPC and the general public.
Music Performance: Arundel Air Chorus of Sweet Adeline's will be performing on Tuesday, December 18th, 7 PM at the Bowie Senior Center.
Also, come out to hear the Bowie Senior Chorale at the BRAVA (Bowie Center for Performing Arts) on Dec 19th at 7 PM. Admission: Donations are accepted for both events or bring a canned good donation to benefit the Bowie Pantry. Several CCPC members sing with this group. Thanks, Effie Grubb.
Special request: Please save your cancelled stamps for Jane Sumner. You can drop them at the church office.
Thank You.
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Choir & Clinquant Practice Schedule
Clinquant Practice December 13: Just a reminder that we will meet at 8 PM on Dec 13.
On Dec. 20, we will meet at 7 PM, and
on Dec. 22, Clinquant will rehearse from 11 AM to 12 PM. We'll be practicing everything for the Dec. 23 (10:30 AM-Special Music) and Dec. 24 (8:30 PM) services.
The pieces are:
Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella Silent Night Go Tell It On the Mountain Adeste Fideles Fanfare Wassail Song
Vocal Choirs: will meet Saturday, Dec. 22 from 9AM-11AM.
NO REHEARSALS for vocal choirs or Clinquant on Dec. 26 or Dec 27.
Please let me know (if you haven't already!) if you're NOT able to come to these rehearsals -- we really do need everyone to come to each rehearsal. Thanks very much -- looking forward to a great Christmas Ring-Fest!
Thanks, Susan.
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News and Happenings
Happy Birthday!
To all those celebrating birthday's during the month of December.
May God bless you.
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Bowie Interfaith Pantry
The Pantry is in need of the following: juice (64 oz), juice boxes, canned fruit and canned beef stew.
We are open for Distribution and Service from 9AM-11AM on Mon, Wed and Friday. We are closed on holidays.
Donations are accepted at: Christian Community Presbyterian Church - 3120 Belair Drive, Bowie MD 20715. Visit our website, Bowie Interfaith Pantry or e-mail us: Bowiefoodpantry@gmail.com Phone: 301-262-6765.
Thanks for your continued support!
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Reiki Night at CCPC
The Next Reiki Energy Class will be held Monday, December 17th
Join Jan Bridger, Linda Miller and Sherrie Ruhl at the CCPC Sanctuary every third Monday evening at 7PM for half hour sessions.
Reservations are helpful so we will know how many tables to set up, but walk-ins are always welcome at 7PM.
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Snow Lottery
Please sign up in the Narthex to win a chance
(you pick the date)
for a day in the snow.
All tools will be supplied.
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Lost and Found
If you have misplaced an item, please call (301-262-6008), stop by the church office or email us at ccpcbowie@verizon.net.
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Caller Schedule & Article Deadlines:
December 17, 2007 - LAST CALLER UNTIL JAN 7, 2008
January 7, 2008
(articles due no later than [1 p.m.] Thurs-Jan 3, 2008)
January 14, 2008
(articles due no later than [1 p.m.] Thurs-Jan 10, 2008)
January 21, 2008-NO CALLER-MLK Observance
January 28, 2008
(articles due no later than [1 p.m.] Thurs-Jan 24, 2008
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