From the Pastor’s Study“…no eye has seen any God besides you who works for those who wait for him.”

Isaiah 64:4

Dear Friends, You would think that I would have gotten it by now, but I am surprised by it every year. The lectionary scripture readings for Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas, are not glad tidings of comfort and joy, as the familiar Christmas carol says, instead the texts talk about how much we long for God and how much we need the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

The readings are structured this way because Advent is a time of preparation. It is the season when we remember that Jesus is the light-bearer, bringing light to our darkness. So in this way, the church is counter-cultural. The world is telling us to have parties and ex-change gifts and in the church we are thinking about the reasons why we do this. We party and give each other gifts because we are celebrat-ing the truth that Jesus brings light into our darkness. This is the meaning of Advent. Advent is particularly sig-nifi cant to our church during this interim time, because we are in a

preparation time in the life of this congregation. Every Sunday we pray for our Senior Minister Search committee as they seek the Senior Minister that God is preparing for this church. And, as we go through the process of the transition, God is preparing each of us and our church to fully welcome this new Senior Minister. I pray that this Advent, each of us will have the time to prepare to receive the light of Jesus Christ ever more fully into our lives. Blessings,

Anne

Sharing Faith as a Way of Life Since 1733Sharing Faith as a Way of Life Since 1733

From God’s AcreDecember 2014

The Congregational Church of New Canaan

Join your church Join your church family to celebrate the family to celebrate the season! / pgs 2season! / pgs 2

Advent Service Opportunities / pg8Ringing bells, angel gifts, and dove boxes: learn more about Christmas love gifts.

Family Advent Wreath Making / pg7A beloved family tradition coming up on December 7!

Blue Christmas Service/ pg10A candlelight service of comfort and healing open to all in the community.

A worldwide tradition we will celebrate on Sunday, December 14!

Lessons & Carols / pg9

Advent and Advent and Christmas on Christmas on God’s AcreGod’s Acre

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES AT 8:00, 9:30, AND 11:15AM

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: NOVEMBER 30The Rev. Dr. Anne W. Coffman, preachingSECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT: DECEMBER 7The Rev. Chris M. Delmar, preachingFamily Christmas Fellowship and Advent Wreath-Making, 2:00pm in Smith Hall

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: DECEMBER 14The Rev. Timothy Peoples, preachingA Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols, 5:00pm in the Meeting House

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: DECEMBER 21, CHRISTMAS SUNDAY

The Rev. Dr. Anne W. Coffman, preachingDaniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, presented by the Chancel Choir, with brass quartet and organ

CHRISTMAS EVE: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 244:00pm Family service with Nativity Pageant, procession of lights, and all children’s choirs6:00 and 7:00pm Worship services with Antonio Abate singing “O Holy Night”, and join Nancy Upton in “Gesu Bambino”6:30pm Caroling on God’s Acre11:00pm Contemplative candlelight service with string quartet, led by Mariusz Skula, playing a contemplative prelude of Christmas carols before the service; soloists Nancy Upton, Maria Bedo, Antonio Abate, Dimitrie Lazich, and Paul Schmidt will sing anthems of the season; and homily by The Rev. Dr. Anne W. Coffman. Communion offered.

ADVENT MEDITATIONS: WEEKDAYS AT 8:30AM & 7:30PM ON WEDNESDAYS

We invite you to join your church family We invite you to join your church family to celebrate the season through prayer, to celebrate the season through prayer, worship, music, fellowship, and Scripture.worship, music, fellowship, and Scripture.

Advent and Advent and Christmas Christmas

on God’s Acreon God’s Acre

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Advent is a season of preparing for Christmas — of waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. In Advent, we’re reminded of how much we ourselves also need a Savior, and we look forward to our Savior’s second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his fi rst coming at Christmas. Indeed, the word Advent means “coming” or “arrival”. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, this year on November 30, and can range from 22 to 28 days, depending on which day of the week Christmas falls. Advent has been observed for hundreds of years. It is unclear when Advent was introduced as a part of regular Christian practice, but it likely began during the 6th century. A well-loved Advent tradition is the Advent wreath—which families can make together on December 7 (see page 7!). Advent wreaths typically have four candles, one for each Sunday of Advent. The four candles represent hope, peace, joy, and love. Three of the candles (for hope, peace, and love) are purple, which represents seriousness and repentance. The candle for the third Sunday stands for joy, and is pink to refl ect that joy. Often a fi fth, white candle is placed in the

center of the wreath. This is the Christ Candle, and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to show that Jesus Christ has come into the world. Many families light their advent wreaths each night during dinner (lighting only the number of candles as we have had Sundays in Advent). Families who attend the December 7

Advent Wreath making will receive a devotion booklet with scripture, carols, and prayers to say during the lighting of the candle each night. We have Advent meditations at 8:30am each weekday and at 7:30pm on Wednesdays during Advent in the Chapel, with communion offered on Wednesdays. In addition, each Sunday in Advent will have special music for the season, including a Service of Lessons and Carols on December 14; see page 9 for more information. Advent, of course, culminates in the celebration of

Christmas. Our church holds four services on Christmas Eve: a family service at 4:00pm which will include the Nativity Pageant; two beautiful services at 6:00 and 7:00pm, with caroling on God’s Acre at 6:30pm; and a contemplative, candlelight service at 11:00pm. We hope you will join us as we prepare for the joy of Christmas!

Advent:A Season of Expectant Waiting

Page 3

BaptismsOskar Emerson Lombardozzi, son of Christy and Gennard Lombardozzi, on November 30, 2014 in the Meeting House. The Reverend Chris M. Delmar offi ciated.

Helen Linda Anne Hughes, daughter of Roger and Joanna Hughes, and granddaughter of Michael and Linda Avgerinos, and Anne Hughes, on Novem-ber 30, 2014 in the Meeting House. The Reverend Chris M. Delmar offi ciated.

Memorials & IntermentsArthur Richard Mardoian on November 1, 2014 in the Meet-ing House. The Reverend Chris M. Delmar offi ciated.

Eleanor K. Booth on November 1, 2014 in the Chapel and Me-morial Garden. The Reverend Chris M. Delmar offi ciated.

Parish News

During Advent, why not don’t you try out not don’t you try out the 8:00am worship the 8:00am worship service on Sundays?service on Sundays?

This casual service is a great option for busy Sun-days when it is not pos-sible to get to the 9:30 am or 11:15am services. We worship together in the chapel, hear a shorter version of the morning’s sermon and celebrate communion together. We are done by 8:40am at the latest. Families are welcome!

The Senior Minister Search Committee continues to pursue our three pronged approach to identify and recruit the best possible candidate to lead our church here on God's Acre. We have received a number of qualifi ed applications and, with assistance from Vanderbloemen Search Group, we have been networking across the country and reaching out to potential candidates.

Recently we have reviewed profi les of a few fi ctional, but representa-tive, candidates with Vanderbloemen to give them clear feedback on the characteristics and qualifi cations of the candidate we seek. This

process has re-sulted in helpful discernment for both our commit-tee and Vander-bloemen.

We continue to make good prog-ress and it is our hope and goal to have a new min-ister in the pulpit by the start of the new church year.

Christmas FlowersChristmas FlowersThe joy of Christmas comes alive each year in the Meeting House with a beautiful fl oral display organized by the Flower Committee. The congregation is invited to make contributions to create a living tribute to our love of the season, our families and friends. Contributions and bulletin listings should be sent to Debbie Chapman in the church offi ce by Tuesday, December 16. The fl owers will be on display beginning the fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21.

Christmas Flower DeliveryChristmas Flower DeliveryDeacons and members of the Pastoral Ministry Team deliver the fl ow-ers on Christmas Day or the day after, but extra help is needed to make all the deliveries. If you can help, please contact Deb-bie Chapman by Tuesday, December 16. Debbie will have a list of recipients and it’s possible that someone may live very close to you!

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Update on the Senior Minister Search

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WE ARE THE CHURCH2015 Covenant Campaign

Save the Date!Worship 101

Join our Director of Music Ministries, Dr. Jo Deen Blaine Davis and members of our Mu-sic Ministry Team on Tuesday, January 6 from 7:30-8:45pm in the Parlor as they talk about the basics of Worship and its importance to us all.

Adult ChristianFormation

Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts 101: December 3, 7:30-8:45pm

Have you ever wondered what God wants you to do with your life? Un-wrap your spiritual gifts to fi nd out! The Spiritual Gifts Team is hosting a Spiritual Gifts 101 class on December 3, 2014 in the Church Parlor.The full class will be offered retreat style Friday evening and Saturday January 9-10, 2015. For more information, visit us in Smith Hall during fellowship hour or contact Kathy Johnston kjohnston4@optonline.net or (203)561-8519.

Women’s Fellowship Christmas Open HouseWomen’s Fellowship Christmas Open HouseMonday, December 15

11:00am - 1:00pmAt the home of church member, Jenny D’Alba; 23 Llewellyn Drive

Optional: Please bring a small, unwrapped gift for the women of the Mid-Fairfi eld AIDS Project

Gift ideas: picture frames, gloves, scarves, candles, bath sets, gift cards(McDonalds, Walmart, CVS), socks, hand towels

Three ladies will win a Christmas gift!Please come and enjoy fellowship and Christmas spirit

with the women of the churchQuestions?

Stephanie Radman at stephanieradman@aol.com or (203)966-4439 or Kelly McGinn at kellymcginn@yahoo.com or (203)966-2651, x26

Rides are available

Donations NeededConfi rmation is having their next annual Midnight Run on December 5, serving home-less men and women in New York City. Donations of new or slightly worn men’s large seasonal clothes are needed. Donations can be dropped off in Smith Hall.

Children & Family Music

Our Annual Family Christmas FellowshipOur Annual Family Christmas Fellowshipand Advent Wreath Making!and Advent Wreath Making!

Sunday, December 7 from 4:00-6:00pm!Sunday, December 7 from 4:00-6:00pm!

December 28 is Church School Break! There are no classes offered on this Sunday, however children are welcome to stay with their parents in worship.

Childcare for infants through 4 years will be available in the nursery.

Page 7

A beloved holiday tradition in our church, your family's advent wreath will help to center your hearts on the reason for the season, and spark meaningful devotions together each week.

All supplies and dinner are provided. Cost is $20 per family.

Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Family Worship Service and Nativity PageantFamily Worship Service and Nativity Pageant

Children’s MusicThere are many opportunities to sing in the children’s choirs this holiday season! Join us for rehearsals on Wednesdays if you’d like to be in the choir, or mark your calendar to listen to these special performances!

Sunday, December 14 Sunday WorshipSunday WorshipCherubs, Grace Notes, and Spirit Singers Choirs Sing!9:30am service/8:30am rehearsal

Sunday, December 14Lessons and CarolsLessons and CarolsJoyful Noise Sings! 5:00pm service/4:45pm rehearsal

Wednesday, December 24Christmas Eve Family Worship Christmas Eve Family Worship and Nativity Pageantand Nativity PageantAll Choirs Sing!4:00pm service/3:00pm rehearsal

The Children and Family Ministry Team invites you to

Wednesday, December 24 at 4:00pmWednesday, December 24 at 4:00pmWe hope you will join us for this beautiful candlelight service as we hear the Christmas Story, told by our 3rd grade class in our annual Nativity Pageant. Special anthems and carols will be sung by our wonderful Children’s Choirs.

Missions & OutreachPage 8

Love Gifts for ChristmasRING THE BELLS!

Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Walter Stewart’s.12/5-6, 12/12-13, 12/19-20

BE AN ANGEL!Buy a gift for a child who otherwise might go without.

Starts 11/16, Gifts returned by 12/7

SEND LOVE ON A DOVE!Supply food, or scholarship and emergency assistance funds tolocal area families in need. Starts 11/16, Gifts returned by 12/12

Sign-ups in Smith Hall at Coffee Hour.Questions? Marianna Kilbride at (203)966-2651, x32 or

marianna@godsacre.org

Page 9Music

After their Christmas break, choirs will resume the week of January 5, 2015

Cherubs: Monday, January 5 at 4:00pmGrace Notes: Monday, January 5 at 4:30pmSpirit Singers: Wednesday, January 7 at 4:00pmJoyful Noise: Wednesday, January 7 at 5:00pmChancel Choir: Thursday, January 8 at 7:30pm

A Festival of Nine A Festival of Nine Lessons and CarolsLessons and CarolsSunday, December 14, 5:00pmSunday, December 14, 5:00pm

You are invited to A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols pre-sented by the Chancel Choir, Joyful Noise, and readers from the church.

This candlelight service of scripture, carols, and anthems is a tradition in our church and around the world. The entire family will enjoy this Christmas service, which is open to the all families.

Childcare provided upon request by Thursday, December 11. Please reserve at music@god-sacre.org or (203)966-2651, x4.

“Tune In. . .To Music”Wednesday, December 17

11:15am with lunch following

Dr. Jody Blaine Davis, our Direc-tor of Music Ministries, presents “Tune In . . . To Music”, a series of informal and informative talks, about Daniel Pinkham and his famous work: Christmas Cantata.

This work will be presented Sun-day morning, December 21 at the 9:30 and 11:15am services. Hear about this interesting work in the Meeting House with a compli-mentary lunch to follow.

Christmas Cantata by Daniel PinkhamSunday, December 21

9:30 and 11:15am servicesPreludes begin at 9:15 and 11:00am

The Chancel Choir sings Pinkham’s famous Christmas work: Christmas Cantata, accompanied by a brass quartet and organ. Guest musicians are provided through the generosity of the Mary Bradley Clarke Fund.

Preview Christmas Cantata, as sung by CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists) at: http://youtu.be/CS9pnolfMik.

The church was recently given a Steinway Grand Piano for the Meeting House by Pam Roberts. The piano is dedicated in memory of Park Street Singers’ director, Barbara Donalds.

We are grateful to Pam, a long-time church member, who sang in the Chancel Choir, was former Chair of the Music Committee, and was pianist for the Park Street Singers. Pam and Al Roberts live in Apollo Beach, Florida.

Steinway Piano Given to Church

Composer Daniel Pinkham

See the complete music schedule for See the complete music schedule for Advent and Christmas on page 2!Advent and Christmas on page 2!

Music

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICEBLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICEThis service is sponsored by Pastoral Care Ministries

Saturday, December 6 at 10:00am in the Chapel

The holidays are diffi cult for many. The holidays are diffi cult for many. This Blue Christmas service is a candlelit service of comfort This Blue Christmas service is a candlelit service of comfort

and healing, with optional sharing.and healing, with optional sharing.Please bring a free will donation of canned goods for the food pantry.

The service is open to all in the community.

Coffee and cookies will be served after the service in the Church Parlor.

For further information, contact Chris Delmar at (203)966-2651 ext 2, or Avril Sweeny at (203)972-8407.

Page 10

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. -Colossians 4:2Do you know we have an active confi -dential prayer chain ministry available for all our members? We welcome the opportunity to pray for you, your family and friends in your time of need.

Just email kjohnston4@optonline.net and we will gladly hold up your re-quest in prayer.

Interested in participating in this meaningful ministry? Email Kathleen Johnston at kjohnston4@optonline.net to learn more.

In Need of Prayer?

Youth Ministries

Youth WorshipOn Wednesday, December 17 we will have our winter Youth Worship.

Guppies through YG are all invited to this worship service that is all ours; we will share a meal together, sing our worship songs, and hear from our peers.

This month the theme is tradition, we will hear about other people’s traditions, as well as what tradition means to us as Christians.

Please join us for dinner at 6:30pm followed by worship from 7:00-8:00pm.

Working with InspiricaWorking with InspiricaThe Youth Ministries are always happy to be working with our great partner, Insiprica, especially after focusing on learning more about homelessness last month. Both MSYG and YG continue working with Inspirica this month in different ways.

YG teams are all

taking turns this winter serv-ing a meal in their shelter while MSYG will turn the Parlor into the North Pole on December 7 from 6-7:30pm and wrap gifts for the boys and girls that Inspirica works with.

Christmas BreakChristmas BreakWhile New Canaan public schools go on break so will

Youth Ministries.

We won’t be meeting after December 21 but can’t wait to see you again January 4!

Make sure you relax and spend some extra time with

your families!

Salvation Army Bell RingingSalvation Army Bell RingingJYG, MSYG, and YG are all tak-ing turns bell ringing for the Sal-vation Army outside of Dunkin’ Donuts this month. Small groups will take turns the second and third week of December to raise as much money as possible and spread Christmas cheer!

YG TeambuildingYG TeambuildingThe Covenant Event for YG this month is Teambuilding on December 7, from 2:00-5:00pm! Anybody who is planning on traveling on either the Ski Trip or Mission Trip this year is expected to attend. Make sure you come for this great opportu-nity to work on your problem solving skills with your team.

Pick up and drop off will be at the New Canaan Country School, 635 Frogtown Road.

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Notes from Youth MinistriesNotes from Youth MinistriesChristmas WorshipChristmas WorshipThe last event before Christmas break for all of Youth Ministries is a Christmas worship service. Each group will celebrate in its own special way but everyone will have a snack and hot cocoa!

Our Church Community

MinistersThe Rev. Dr. Anne W. Coffman, x1

Interim Senior Minister

The Rev. Chris M. Delmar, x2Minister of Pastoral Care and Nurture

Caroline Ainsworth, x34Minister to Youth

The Rev. Timothy Peoples, x5Interim Associate Minister

StaffLaurel Carr, x33

Administrative Assistant

Kim Case, x39Youth Ministries Program Coordinator

Debbie Chapman, x31Pastoral Care Coordinator

Dr. Jo Deen Blaine Davis, x4Director of Music Ministries

Anthony JonesSexton

Marianna Kilbride, x32Director of Missions & Outreach

Christy Lombardozzi, x35Director of Christian Formation & Music

Emily Mackay, x21Youth Program Assistant

Marie-Ange Masters, x23Director of Accounting

Kelly McGinn, x26Christian Education Coordinator

Kelly Morrissey, x22Chief Administrative Offi cer

Anne Wilkinson, x36Director of Communications

Church Lay LeadershipTim Ford

Chair, Board of Trustees

William PicardChair, Board of Deacons

Jay TwomblyChair, Nominating & Governance

Roger BoltonChair, Personnel

The Congregational Church of New Canaan23 Park Street • New Canaan, CT 06840

(203)966-2651 • www.godsacre.org • youth.godsacre.orgWE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CHURCH

Submissions for the January Newsletter are due December 15. Email submissions to Anne Wilkinson at anne@godsacre.org.

History Committee: Christmas on God’s Acre

Christmas was not cel-ebrated in the early years of our church’s forma-tion (1771-1800). Obser-vance of Christmas was generally forbidden in Connecticut as “unseem-ly to ye spiritual welfare of ye community.”

The Reverend Swan, minister from 1864-1866, was the fi rst to have Christmas enter-tainments. However, our church was slow to give Christmas presents, and our scholars were dissatisfi ed at not receiv-ing presents, as other churches in the area had already been doing this.

The giving of presents fi rst started with Reverend Greenleaf ’s minis-try (1871-1888). The congregation also passed cake during the cel-ebration (the sexton had quite a task cleaning up the following day).

This practice was continued until the start of World War I. The Civic League was the sponsor of the fi rst Christmas Carol Sing on God’s Acre nearly 100 years ago, in 1916. It was held around a Christmas tree that had been cut and donated by the South Norwalk Light Company.

The following year, the Civic League had Hoyt Nurseries plant a live tree on God’s Acre. Since then, we always have had live trees.

Between our church’s two Christmas Eve services, the Town Band has been playing for the carolers for many years; rain, snow, or shine.

What a wonderful tradition for all! Merry Christmas!