Issuu

The First Baptist Church of Redlands

T A PE S T R Y

Dec 2021

Wo v e n To g e t h e r I n L o v e : C o l o s s i a n s 2 : 2

Issue No. 12

Close to Home A Message from Pastor Shawn

We know that if the tent that we live in on earth is torn down, we have a building from God. It’s a house that isn’t handmade, which is eternal and located in heaven. We groan while we live in this residence. We really want to dress ourselves with our building from heaven— since we assume that when we take off this tent, we won’t find out that we are naked. Yes, while we are in this tent we groan, because we are weighed down. We want to be dressed not undressed, so that what is dying can be swallowed up by life. Now the one who prepared us for this very thing is God, and God gave us the Spirit as a down payment for our home. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5)

One of the things that Rod and I have done many times over the years is go camping. Before we had kids we would often go backpacking. Once our kids came along we would go to campgrounds to which we could drive a car, unpack it, set up the tent, and enjoy. For many years, while living in Indiana, we would go to Green Lake, WI, and camp for a week. We would sleep in a tent. We always looked forward to going, planning our menu for cooking outside, finding little things that would make our tent and campsite just a little more comfortable. We enjoyed riding our tandem bicycle around the grounds and playing cribbage at the picnic table by lantern light at night. After a week of that, we reluctantly packed up our car and came home. The closer we got to home the more we wanted to get there. Finally, as we took the interstate off-ramp that would take us home, the relief of being close to home came over us. That first shower in our own bathroom, that first night crawling under the covers of our bed, were all in our thoughts as we got closer and closer to home. There are places that we drive not far from here where we see tents set up, tucked away behind bushes along the side of the freeway, or even on the sidewalk under an overpass. These are people for whom the tent is their home. They experience the uncertainty of everyday life without a house to live in to protect from the inclement elements—weather and more. One might ask what being “close to home” would mean to them. This Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany we will explore the meaning of “Close to Home,” as we look to the stories of people longing for God to come and act in history. It is what we experience, that sense of having a home but not really being home. We will contemplate what this “home” is like and how we have a taste of it now. But as the holidays are often a difficult time for those who are missing someone or whose life is not what one wants, we will acknowledge those realities as well. “Close to Home.” Let’s take this journey together. In the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love of the season, In Christ, Pastor Shawn

COVER

MISSION

A Message from Pastor Shawn: “Close to Home”

Staff and Contents

Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Haiti, Myanmar, Zimbabwe

F E L LOWS H I P

MINISTRY 3

Pastor Nick : “So Close, So Close”

Richard W. Steffen: “Advent: Behind a Shut Door”

Children’s Ministry: “Contemplative Thoughts on the Path Home”

Gregg Sneller: Update from the Williams - “When We Are The Immigrants”

Gregg Sneller: “Deborah’s House and Migrant Gifts”

NEWS

Pastor Shawn: “Since You’re Asking...”

10 Church News 11 December Calendar

S TA F F Rev. Dr. Shawn Zambrows Senior Pastor Rev. Cheryl Sneller Director of Children’s Ministry

Angel Florence Office Administrator angel@fbcredlands.org Isa Terrell Communications Specialist

Sally Rehfeldt Organist Nathan Jones Youth Director

The Tapestry is published monthly by The First Baptist Church of Redlands, 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373. All material for the Tapestry should be typed and emailed no later than the 15th of each month to tapestry@fbcredlands.org. If you would like to be added or removed from the Tapestry mailing list, please email tapestry@fbcredlands.org. Current and previous Tapestry issues are available in digital format at issuu.com/fbcr.

Contact us: admin@fbcredlands.org 909-793-3289 www.fbcredlands.org Our office will be semi-open during regular office hours. However, we are still receiving mail and phone messages. Staff can be reached by email (see above). Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

MI NI S T RY

So Close, So Close Pastor Nick Quient

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not overpower it.” John 1:5 And that, my friends, is when God acted. That is when the Word became Flesh and dwelt among humanity (John 1:14). God worked through pillars of smoke and fire, through burning bushes and prophetic words from women and men of old—and God finally decided that enough was enough. God was tired of us being so close—so close.

So much of the Christian life is living in the space between home and the journey to home. One might think about the story of Israel. Born from the Fall, imprisoned under Pharaoh, lost in the wilderness, and ultimately exiled into foreign lands—such a story arises from a place fixed upon journey and pain. God worked and waited as Israel struggled mightily to come to terms with her own story, ultimately moving back into the wilderness where everything seemed normal again.

And the light burst into the darkened world, and the darkness could not take back its territory. God made a home among us, bringing the sacredness back to our lands and to our bodies. Glory, it seems, became so close we could touch it. In this time of anxiety and distress, may we cling to the Light that became incarnate for us—to make us whole, to show us that the Lord is closer than we could ever hope or imagine. May that guide our prayers in this time.

Loving God This world is filled with darkness and sickness

From desert to desert.

Those who were close to us are far away

They were so close—so close—to God.

And yet you did not withhold yourself from us

And yet the world they knew was filled with darkness and agony—and so they returned to it again and again. I think that is a microcosm of the human story in relation to God. God being powerful, gentle, bright, intense, and loving is often too good to be true. God is not associated with darkness, but is instead filled with light—light that overflows everywhere. And in this Christmas season, as we press on through the darkness, we remain hopeful that the light cannot be stopped. Like in Israel’s story, maybe we feel like we are far from God. Maybe God is close, but our minds cannot fathom the nearness of the Spirit. Sometimes the journey continues on and on, and we always feel like we are so close—so close—and yet so far.

You saw the best we could offer And came down here to be close to us May your glory and truth shine through us May our lives be a testament to your goodness and mercy May we be filled with good things And may we feed a hungry world through your work In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord Who reigns forever with you and the Holy Spirit One God Forever and ever Amen

Advent: Waiting Behind a Shut Door by Richard W. Steffen, Minister of Music

Advent is here again. How will it be different than the Advent we experienced last year? We remember our longing to join together physically while we were joined together digitally. When we light the Advent candles in our sanctuary, will we sense that our community of faith is truly global through livestream and YouTube? Will we envision how God can be at work through us here and around the world? I am moved this season by carols, conversations, and memories. Here with you my faith journey has deepened, my understanding of worship has been broadened, and I am a better musician because of our experiences together. As I reflect on our Advent last year, I am remembering the past experiences of others; Germany and New York City have parts in two stories that are in my thoughts. German Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer is an inspiration. Born in 1906 in Breslau, which was then in Germany, Bonhoeffer came to the United States in 1930 for postgraduate study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He taught Sunday school in Harlem and formed a lifelong love for African-American spirituals. Returning to Germany in 1931, he was a vocal opponent of the Nazi regime from its first days. From 1933 to 1935, Bonhoeffer served as pastor to several German-speaking congregations in London, leading them to join the Bekennende Kirche (Confessing Church), which aimed to preserve traditional, biblically based Christian beliefs and practices. In April 1935, Bonhoeffer returned to Germany, where the Confessing Church was under increasing pressure from the Nazis. Bonhoeffer began to train young clergy at Finkenwalde, an illegal Confessing Church seminary which was closed by the Gestapo in 1937. The Gestapo banned him from Berlin in 1938 and issued an order forbidding him from public speaking in 1940; he was arrested in April 1943. For a year and a half, Bonhoeffer was imprisoned at Tegel Prison awaiting trial. Sympathetic guards helped smuggle his letters out of prison, and these uncensored letters were posthumously published. From prison on November 21, 1943, Bonhoeffer writes about Advent.

“Life in a prison cell reminds me a great deal of Advent – one waits and hopes and potters about, but in the end what we do is of little consequence, for the door is shut, and it can only be opened from the outside.” Bonhoeffer, Dietrich (translated by Reginald H. Fuller). Letters and Papers from Prison, SMC Press, 1956. Bonhoeffer was sentenced to death and executed in April 1945 at the Flossenbürg concentration camp. My other reflection this season is the story of a carol from 100 years before Bonhoeffer’s life. It is featured in this year’s Worship Choir cantata: “God Came Near” by Tom Fettke. The lyrics of “Silent Night” were written as a poem in 1816 in German by Father Joseph Mohr, an Austrian Roman Catholic priest. Two years later, Mohr asked Franz Gruber, his church’s substitute organist, to write the music for a duet and choir accompanied by guitar for the Christmas Eve Mass at his church, St. Nicholaus Church in Oberndorf, Austria. Our English version was translated by John Freeman Young (1820-1885) in 1859, the American Episcopal priest then serving at Trinity Church, New York City. His translation was written 20 years after he heard it sung in German by the Ludwig Rainer family from Austria at his church. The lyrics for our cantata are taken from a book written by Max Lucado: God Came Near. Here is an excerpt. “The noise and the bustle began earlier than usual in the village. The owner of the inn had awakened earlier than most in the town. After all, the inn was full, all the beds taken. One’s imagination is kindled thinking about the conversation of the innkeeper and his family at the breakfast table. Did anyone mention the arrival of the young couple the night before? Did anyone comment on the pregnancy of the girl on the donkey? Perhaps. They were, possibly, one of several families turned away that night. No, it is doubtful that anyone mentioned the couple’s arrival or wondered about the condition of the girl. There was too much to do to imagine that the impossible had occurred. God had entered the world as a baby.” Lucado, Max. God Came Near, Thomas Nelson, 1958. As we sing “Silent Night” this season, let us reflect on God’s generous gift to us. Emmanuel: God has opened the door.

Contemplative Thoughts On The Path Home by Pastor Cheryl

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 Paths take us home to the heart of God. God’s heart encompasses the world. When you are following a path that God has made straight, you know that path will be an amazing journey of discipleship and fellowship. “Coming Home” is not just a location but mostly it is entering a beloved community anywhere in the world. During the pandemic we experienced glimpses of our beloved Church community whether on Zoom or worshipping on the Church’s lawn. It felt so good to be part of a community that desires to gather and use their gifts and talents to serve God’s purposes. We have lost some beloved Church friends and we grieve. We aren’t sure how to function without them. All we can do is to trust in the Lord and faithfully step back on the path forward that God promises to make straight. We know that our destination will be the heart of God and finally arrive home into the very presence of our Creator.

More thoughts while path walking FBCR became Gregg’s and my church home five and a half years ago when we migrated south from Portland, Oregon. We desired a community that was warm, welcoming, worshipping and responsive to God’s leading locally and in the whole world. FBCR is our community, and we call it home. Last year Gregg retired from Rainbow Acres and we began to pray about what two senior Christ followers could do. Prayer is powerful, prayer is real. The answer to a heartfelt need can come out of nowhere or so it seems. Our prayers collided in the sky above with a small historical chapel sized church in the Adirondacks in upper state New York. They were requesting pastoral care and leadership; we were asking for a quiet place to catch our breath, escape the summer heat and enjoy the creation of our God.

Out of curiosity we responded to their magazine ad for a summertime pastor. They responded by inviting us out to their hamlet in the frontier of New York. It was an amazingly good fit for our stage in life. As a result of walking the path, we are being called away from home June, July, August and September of 2022 to serve in upper state New York. We will be sharing a very part-time position of pastoral partners for this summer-time community. While here at home we are getting to know the congregation for the next eight months on Zoom. Gregg is leading the worship service and I am leading Bible and book studies. And, we became grandparents during the pandemic. Our hearts are full. We are becoming grandparents again in November and then in February. Those of you who are grandparents have reassured us that the heart never fills up but just stretches to fit more love. Also, during the pandemic time my responsibilities with my family have increased and I am present with my Mom and Aunt more often. I am going to need to be available to them the other eight months of the year when I am in southern California and when not serving in upper state New York. So with that being said, it is time I transfer the Director of Children’s Ministry to someone that can be more available to serve the children’s ministry. Therefore, I will soon be easing back and then hand off my children’s ministry responsibilities after Easter or sooner if God leads us to another. God has called and continues to call those who have caught the vision of the importance of children to our Church community. I believe that we can begin to share the children’s ministry work even more until we are able to discern a more permanent director.

Walking the Path, Pastor Cheryl

Since You’re Asking... by Pastor Shawn Zambrows

We’ve had a rough couple of years! But living through a pandemic is rough. We have definitely made the best of it and we have seen God at work in amazing ways. We have seen people step up and serve. We have discovered new gifts and talents in people that we may not have noticed before. But it has been rough, and it continues to be rough. I am grateful for the patience that people have shown, and I am amazed at how creative and giving people continue to be. We have welcomed new members. The people who were new to our church when the pandemic began, have become more at home and are finding their places of service within our church family. And we have lost people. Some have found other church homes, for various reasons, and some have left us in death. That has been the hardest of all. We are experiencing change in all sorts of ways and it is unsettling. In the midst of that, we are now experiencing changes in our staff, some expected and some unexpected. We have known for a while that Richard Steffen will be retiring as Minister of Music on December 31, after 36 years of service. We are so sorry to see him leave, but we are grateful for how God has used him to bring us to this place in the history and ministry of the church. At the other extreme, we were shocked and are deeply saddened at the sudden death of Richard Colunga, our Head Custodian of 4-1/2 years. We miss him every day, when we come to church and he is not here to greet and welcome us in the way in which we have grown accustomed. Cheryl Sneller has announced that things are changing in her life, in exciting ways, and that she wants to redirect her focus, which will take her away from her work as Director of Children’s Ministries. She is graciously giving us time to make a transition by being willing to stay until after Easter. And now you are hearing about the resignation of our Associate Pastor, Nick Quient. We anticipate hearing about how God will be using his gifts for ministry in the future, but we will miss him and his family. This is a lot of change for any staff. But we can weather it. We will pray now, and we will be on the lookout for the ways that God is leading us in the future. •

We are in the process of interviewing candidates for the custodian position. In the meantime, we are thankful for all of those who are taking up the slack by volunteering to do things around the church.

•

We have formed a team that will be creating a job description and beginning the process of finding someone to lead us into the future in the area of music and worship arts. In the meantime, we have several people who are stepping up to provide music for our worship experiences. We are also looking for someone to direct the choir in the interim.

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We are beginning a search for a new Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Community Life, who will work with our congregation to help people of all ages to grow in their relationship and knowledge of God.

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The Focus Group Taskforce is in the process of finding trends and themes in the data collected these past few months in focus groups and questionnaires. They will bring recommendations to our Annual Congregational Meeting in January.

Please pray for us as a church as we listen for God’s voice in our search for these various leaders for our staff. Pray, also, as we explore ways that God is directing us in our ministry and mission as a church. I anticipate that we will look back at this time as a church as one in which we really see the hand of God at work. We thank God for all who have gone before, all whom are presently at work, and those who God is bringing into our future. Grace and peace in Christ, Pastor Shawn

missions

Worldwide Prayer Concerns “But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” Hebrews 10:32-33

HAITI Wall Street Journal Pray for the release of the 17 hostages from Christian Aid Ministries who have been held for over a month by a Haitian gang called 400 Mawozo. The gang is demanding a ransom of $17 million to release the 16 Americans and 1 Canadian citizen who were kidnapped on October 16. Five of these hostages are children, ranging in age from under 1 to 15 years old. But this is not an isolated incident. More people are being kidnapped and held for ransom as gangs control larger areas of the country in the wake of the political vacuum left by the assassination of President Moise in July 2021. With the security situation deteriorating, the US State Department is encouraging all Americans to leave Haiti while commercial flights remain available. Inflation is running at 20% and the gangs’ roadblocks make it difficult to move goods around the country. Pray for a breakthrough that will allow the people of Haiti to experience greater peace and stability in their daily lives.

MYANMAR International Christian Concerns and other sources Pray for the ongoing situation in Myanmar, as the military government continues to oppress the people of that nation. In early November, a Catholic convent and cathedral in the city of Pekhon both came under military fire. Thankfully, there were no human casualties, only property damage. Pray that they are able to repair the damage and continue to minister to people in that city. Praise God for the release of Danny Fenster, an American journalist who was sentenced to 11 years in jail by the military government for “incitement” through his work as editor of the news outlet Frontier Myanmar. Finally, pray for our friends in Bhamow and for the Roberts Mission School, which remains closed. Pray that Ja Seng Brim and Brang Ying will be able to return home and help the school reopen sometime in 2022.

ZIMBABWE

www.internationalministries.org Did you give to One Great Hour of Sharing? If so, some of your gift may have been part of the relief grant that helped provide tens of thousands of liters of water to help 100 families for 45 days in the town of Norton. Global Servants Christina and Lance Muteyo witnessed the joy of the women and children who gathered to fill their water buckets with this clean water, untainted by diseases such as dystenary, cholera, or typhoid. While the OGHS grant was only a stopgap measure, the Muteyos shared that that they are hoping to help drill a permanent borehole that will be powered by electricity. Pray for this project to be completed so that all the families in Norton can have clean water for drinking and cooking.

- Jonathan Peske If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.

f e l l o wship

Update from the Williams in Thailand Whom We Support

When We Are The Immigrant By Gregg Sneller

This month, our family spent four hours in the waiting room at the Immigration Office in Chiang Rai applying for our visas. Katrina was applying for a Teaching Visa through CRICS (Chiang Rai International Christian School) and the rest of the family was applying for visas to follow her. This is the third type of visa that our family has applied for to live in Thailand just over two years. With each new visa comes a list of requirements, complete with its own stack of paperwork. In addition to that, approval is at the discretion of Immigration and sometimes the specifics of how to fill out or present documents are not completely clear to us (as foreigners with only a very basic understanding of the language and culture). Suffice it to say that none of these visas would have been granted to us without significant guidance from Thai people that view it as part of their ministry to help guide expats through this process. Thankfully, after four hours of waiting (during which mistakes were found on our paperwork and corrections were completed and rushed to us by the gracious staff at CRICS), our visas were granted! Our kids weren’t thrilled, but I’ve never been more grateful for a four hour wait. The kindness of the CRICS staff and the patience of the Immigration officers while explaining the errors and changes that needed to be made were an added blessing. After reflecting on how many people have surrounded us with care, love, and kindness throughout our time living as expats in foreign lands, I find myself with a profound sense of gratitude for everyone around the world that extends these kindnesses to strangers. Paperwork to live or work outside of the US is just one of the ways strangers have come alongside us in ministry. Others ways include helping us find housing and vehicles, setting up our utilities, giving us tours, teaching us language, spending hours answering our questions about culture, and providing community. Some of these are services we are privileged to be able to pay for at times, while others must be offered freely. To immigrants and expats all around the globe, these types of services and care can mean the difference between a smooth transition, a stressful one, or even a hurried evacuation. No matter where you are reading this from, there are most likely people attempting to make these types of transitions in your community. I encourage you to prayerfully consider the ways you, your church, or another community you are a part of, could reach out to people trying to settle into a strange land. On behalf of the Missions Commission, thank you church family for how you have welcomed Brang Ying and Ja Seng Brim into our midst and community.

Deborah’s House and Migrant Gifts By Gregg Sneller

Deliris and Moise are starting up in Tijuana serving migrants and at Deborah’s House. They are living in Tijuana now. One of the things the women and people really appreciate is blenders and toaster ovens. They cost about $25 in Tijuana and this saves a border crossing with a lot of new items. They are so grateful for your past support of the work being done. On January 8th they are planning a party for the women. Besides some $$, Deliris said, the following would be helpful. “Here are some items are always welcome for children and adults. Scarfs, gloves, jacket, blankets, sweaters, new underwear for women and children diapers (all stages) and shoes in very good condition or new. We are still having to investigate with one of the Migrants Shelter what are their needs. There are children from different ages and about 35 adults. If the Spirit leads you to give, lives will be deeply touched. A table, next to the Family Service table will be set up on December 12 and forward to receive your gifts of love. We will make a delivery in early January for the party for the women. Checks can be made out to First Baptist Church of Redlands and mark in the memo line: Deborah’s House New Years Party. Thanks to each of you for your care.

The Williams family

Deliris and Moise Carrion-Joseph

Ne ws HAPPY December BIRTHDAYS TO... 2 3 5 7 7 9 10 11 16 17 17 18 21 22 22

Marge Emrick 22 Johndalene Mitchell23 Janet Johnson 23 Alexander Brown 26 Melinda Kluza 26 Alex Lowe 26 Emma DeDoes 27 Matt DeDoes 28 Charlie Zureick 28 Allison Kishimoto 29 Lyla Schultz 31 Kate Applebee 31 Jose Mendoza 31 Darla Dillow 31 Scott Nelson

Katie Zabaleta Colin Melcher Ross Melcher Nicholas Daniel Giselle Martinez Melody Wolfe Chris Keierleber Erin Estey Janet Lee Brendan Morgan William Sullivan Carol Townsend Ellen Tseng Maja Whitley

WEDNESDAY Dinner on the Lawn December 1 – BBQ Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans; Brownies for dessert. December 8 – Scalloped potatoes with ham, Fresh Baked Rolls, Roasted Veggies; Peach Cobbler for dessert. December 15 – Mexican Fiesta dinner featuring Enchiladas and Tamales; Pineapple Upside Down Cake for dessert. December 22 – Chili and Baked Potato, Roasted Veggies, Corn Bread; Cinnamon Rolls for dessert December 29 - No Wednesday Night Dinner

A Farewell

Submissions for the Tapestry should be sent to tapestry@fbcredlands.org by the 15th of each month.

In Memory

Richard Colunga 4/29/1968 - 11/3/2021

You are invited to a reception honoring Richard Steffen. Sunday, December 19, following Worship, in the Chapel After 36 years as the Minister of Music Richard Steffen is retiring. Come celebrate his many years of service to and through The First Baptist Church of Redlands. Cards and monetary gifts made out to Richard directly will be received.

Pray for Focus Groups

Pray for Myanmar

10:15 a.m. Worship in-person: Sanctuary and Livestreamed

7 p.m. Executive Council online

29 Pray for the Earth

Separated Families

28 Pray for

26 Pray for the Weary

5:45 p.m. Dinner in the Chapel

22 Pray for Safe Travels

6:45 p.m. Christmas Ornament Craft Night

6:45 p.m. “The Longest Night”worship service

27 Pray for Zimbabwe

Pray for the Church

5:45 p.m. Dinner in the Chapel

6:45 p.m. Hanging of the Greens

5:45 p.m. Dinner in the Chapel

Youth Christmas Party

10:15 a.m. Christmas Cantata

9 a.m. Sunday School Classes

21 Pray for Good Health

6:30 p.m. Commission Meetings

19 Pray for Joy

Pray for College Students

6:45 p.m. Zoom Conversation with Global Servant, Melanie Baggao

Pray for Leaders

Pray for Widows and Widowers

30 Pray for Brang Ying

23 Pray for Community

6:30 p.m. “Corner Booth” Class online (check with leader)

5:45 p.m. Dinner in the Chapel

Pray for Giving Spirits

Thursday

1 Pray for those suffering from HIV/AIDS

Wednesday

7 Pray for Service Workers 8 Pray for the Poor

Tuesday

7 p.m. Commission Meetings

Pray for Ja Seng Brim

Pray for Missionaries

Monday

10:15 a.m. Worship in-person: Sanctuary and Livestreamed

9 a.m. Sunday School Classes

12 Pray for those living with harsh weather conditions

10:15 a.m. Worship in-person: Sanctuary and Livestreamed

9 a.m. Sunday School Classes

Sunday

DECEMBER 2021

Pray for Togetherness

- New Year’s Eve -

31 Pray for Guidance

- Christmas Eve -

7 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship and Celebration

7 p.m. Family Christmas Movie Night

Your Neighbors

17 Pray for

Pray for Haiti

Pray for the Homeless

Friday

Pray for Justice

- Christmas Day -

25 Pray for the less fortunate

7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It

18 Pray for Felllowship

7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It

11 Pray for Wisdom

7 a.m. Walking for the Health of It

Saturday

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The First Baptist Church of Redlands 51 West Olive Avenue, Redlands CA 92373-5243 909-793-3289 | www. fbcredlands.org

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First Sunday of Advent “Close to Home” - Lighting of the Wreath Sunday, November 28, 10:15 AM “Hanging of the Greens” Family celebration to adorn the Sanctuary Wednesday, December 8 5:45 PM dinner, 6:45 PM program Christmas Ornament Craft Night – for all ages! Wednesday, December 15 5:45 PM dinner, 6:45 PM crafting Family Christmas Movie Night With a special “visit” Friday, December 17, 7:00 PM Christmas Cantata – “God Came Near” Sunday, December 19, 10:15 AM “The Longest Night” A Service of Remembering and Healing Wednesday, December 22 5:45 PM dinner, 6:45 PM worship Christmas Eve Worship and Celebration Friday, December 24, 7:00 PM