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Advent and Christmas Happenings at MRC

Well, here we are at the beginning of Advent. A time of watching and praying as we wait for the birth of the Christ Child — Love made flesh. Below are several opportunities for you to connect with your church family and with God during this Holy season of wonder.

December 2: The Fourth Annual lighting of the church family Christmas Tree. This tradition started in 2020 during Covid. Even though we couldn’t be together in person then we figured we could be together on our tree, and the tradition has continued! Please arrive between 4:15 - 4:30 and bring an ornament to hang on the tree. We will serve hot cocoa and cookies in the Lower Auditorium after the lighting.

December 3: First Sunday of Advent — Hope — with the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, 10:30 AM. I will be preaching from Jeremiah 33.10-18 and my sermon title is God Keeps Promises. After worship come up the hill to the Education Building for our “almost world famous” Sunday brunch. A free will offering will be received at the brunch to support the ministries of the church.

December 5, 12, and 19: Advent Soup & Scripture, 12 PM. You (and bring a friend) are invited to slow down and step away from the hustle and bustle of the season and instead embrace a space of waiting and expectation. I will prepare soup and bread for us as we study Jan Richardson’s devotional, Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas. There is no need to buy the book as I will make copies of the reading for that day. Here’s a taste of what’s to come. Richardson writes, “The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. It is not possible to keep it from coming, because it will . . . So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder.” Please let me know if you are attending by the Friday before at sheffield.tricia@gmail.com so I may prepare accordingly.

December 10: Second Sunday of Advent — Peace, 10:30 AM. Special music from the Handbell Choir, the New Jericho Choir/Krystal Bells, and the Joyful Noise Adult Choir

December 16: Middletown Helps Its Own Christmas meal and toy delivery at New Monmouth Baptist Church, 9 AM. Please let Beverly Bova Scarano know if you are able to volunteer at 908-896-1682. Also on this date, Joy to the World Cookies Assembly and pick-up 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM, respectively.

December 17: Third Sunday of Advent — Joy, 10:30 AM. A joyous celebration as our young ones will lead us in worship with our Christmas pageant, A Charlie Brown Christmas, adapted by Nancy Coffin. After worship, come to the Education Building for our annual Christmas party, complete with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves!

December 19: A special Hands and Feet of Christ Prayer Group meeting focusing on the themes of Advent — Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. On Zoom at 7 PM

December 24: Christmas Eve Family Friendly and Traditional Candlelight worship, 5 PM. Music from the Handbell Choir, the New Jericho Choir, and the Joyful Noise Adult Choir with Diane Grady and Sarah Hanvey. Come and celebrate Jesus being born and that the Light has come into the world and darkness will never be able to overcome it. Please note there will be no morning worship on this Sunday.

December 31: First Sunday after Christmas Day with a carol sing, 10:30 AM

Beloved, whether you come to worship or attend Soup and Scripture, my prayer for you this Advent is that you will experience the hope, peace, joy, and love that only God can give.

In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish

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Current Schedule:

Sunday worship at 10:30 AM in person and FaceBook live

Sunday Night Live Youth Group meeting in the Lower Auditorium, 6 PM

Mondays: New Jericho Choir/Children and Worship in the Lower Auditorium, 5:30 PM

Thursdays: Joyful Noise Adult Choir rehearsal in the Lower Auditorium, 7:30 PM.

Saturdays: Saturday Night Live AA meeting in the Education Building, 8 PM

Middletown Reformed Church (MRC) is a welcoming and affirming congregation dual affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Reformed Church in America, and we are rostered with the non-profit organization Room for All . MRC is a church where the love of God is the guiding principle for all of our ministries. We believe that God’s grace is irresistible, freely given, and available for all people. We are a church committed to social justice, living out the command to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. We are a church on the side of love for all God’s people – providing for those who are in need, advocating for all oppressed peoples, and caring for our earth – we love because God first loved us.

This is what you will experience when you worship with us. You will immediately feel welcomed, not only by our greeters, but also by the Spirit of God that is hovering ever-present in our church and among our congregation. You will be moved by our music, at times traditional, but then, at other times, a bit more eclectic. You will be stirred by the liturgy, and you will be challenged and affirmed by the sermons. If you have young ones in your family, you will find one of the most vibrant children and youth programs in New Jersey. Finally, you will find fellowship and kindred spirits during our after worship coffee hour. All of this is to say, you will feel a sense of belonging . . . you will feel God's unconditional Love.