SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

join the DMCC family for the second Sunday in Advent as we will light the CANDLE OF PEACE.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 we will light the third candle in Advent the CANDLE OF

JOY. Following our 10:15 am service we will gather in Robinson Hall at 11:30 am for Soup Lunch and our annual Congregational Meeting. We will vote on the 2014 Budget and New Slate of Officers.

Then join us for a fun filled afternoon of Caroling. We will meet in the parking lot at 2:00 pm. We have plans to minister to as many homebound folks as possible.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 will be an All Church Potluck Dinner in Robinson Hall at 6:00 pm. This gathering will be sponsored by our Disciple Women.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 is the fourth Sunday in Advent! We will light the CANDLE OF LOVE, and meet for an exciting Combined Service at 11:00 am. As part of the service our youth

and young children will put on a Christmas Pageant. It is such a blessing to have children active at DMCC!! Come support their wonderful efforts and be blessed. You will not want to miss this Sunday! SUNDAY, DECEMBER

22 - You are invited to a Christmas Open House at the Home of Stan and Renee, on December 22 from 2:00-4:00 pm.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 a special Christmas Eve Service is planned at 5:00 pm. Christmas Eve is an amazing time at DMCC, and we invite you to be part of it! Join as we sing your favorite carols, enjoy the reading of scripture and understand the meaning of Christmas in a new way.

Issue 716 December 8, 2013

ADVENT SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 8

WORSHIP SERVICE (Traditional) 10:15 am

MESSAGE THE BRIGHT STAR OF BETHLEHEM

2. The Light of Peace Scripture

Luke 2:12-17

Music Director Terumi L

Elder Juanita B

Worship Leader Muriel B

Home Communion Elder Muriel B

Audio and Video David B

Communion Preparation Marie D

WORSHIP SERVICE (Contemporary)

12:00 noon

KEEPING IN TOUCH...

Last Sunday was the First Sunday of Advent, and as usual it seems like stepping onto an escalator from which there is no escape. We are delivered on Christmas Day to a higher level, if all goes well! Unfortunately, for many their Advent experience is like a descending escalator, and they arrive at Christmas exhausted and depressed.

I suppose the success of Advent and Christmas is dependent upon the degree to which we get into the right frame of mind. And the season accentuates whatever we are already feeling. If you are up, you are really up. If you are down, you are really down. And sometimes it’s hard to decide which.

In recent weeks I have gone from sitting with a heartbroken, grieving widower, to getting back into that little isolation booth on wheels and driving to the next stop – pre-marital counseling for a young couple about to get married. Too much of a difference too close together. I needed a break in between. From tears to laughter... from pain to promise.

We see it every day. The newspapers tell of the trial of a couple in a religious commune who beat their child to death “in order to teach them to obey authority,” and another column tells about a woman returning a bag full of money she finds on the street. One periodical reads that the “Economy is on the Uplift,” and another claims “We are still in a Recession.” Good grief! What are we to do with all these emotions?

Gather them up and offer them up to a God who will always offer us a sign that points to the escalator that goes up. It’s up to us to take the first step. Place yourself in the atmosphere of hope, and we will journey together during this Advent time following that bright star of Bethlehem, encouraging each other with stories of life and love and joy. It might not always be easy, but God will surprise us at even the most inopportune times.

See you in church,

Dr. Stanley D. Smith Intentional Interim Pastor PS: If you haven’t yet, be sure to pick up an Advent Devotional Booklet next Sunday. .

This is to serve as the official call of a meeting of the membership on Sunday, December 15 immediately following the 10:15 am worship service we will gather in Robinson Hall at 11:30 am. The purpose of the meeting is to take action on (1) the proposed budget for 2014, and (2) the report of the Nominating Committee for our 2014 slate of Officers which was approved by the Administrative Board and recommended to the congregation.

The Advent Wreath is a symbol of watchfulness and increasing joy as we anticipate Jesus’ birth. The wreath’s circular shape symbolizes eternity, or life without end. The candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World — he brought light and life to a dark world (see John 1:4-5). On each of the four Sundays of Advent, we light a new candle. As the light grows, so does our hope and joy.

Sunday, December 8 2nd Sunday in Advent - PEACE ▪Worship Service 10:15 am

▪Fellowship Time 11:30 am ▪Worship Service 12:00 noon ▪Prayer Meeting – church office 12:15 pm

Monday, December 9 ▪Chalice Deadline 10:00 am Wednesday, December 11 ▪Finance Ministry Team – 5:30 pm Church Office ▪Administrative Board Meeting 7:00 pm In Robinson Hall ▪Christmas Pageant Practice 5:30-7:00 pm in the Sanctuary Thursday, December 12 ▪Music Rehearsal – Sanctuary 5:00 pm ▪Bible Study – Robinson Hall 7:00 pm Sunday, December 15 3rd Sunday in Advent - JOY ▪Worship Service 10:15 am ▪Congregational Meeting 11:30 am

We will enjoy Fellowship Time following the Congregational Meeting. Homemade soup will be served! ▪Worship Service 12:00 noon ▪Prayer Meeting – church office 12:15 pm

▪Caroling 2:00 pm

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For web privacy

We are excited to announce that we have two new members who joined on Sunday, October 10th.

Amber H Keren H

Welcome to the DMCC Family of God!

The joy of wishing your church friends a “Merry Christmas” here at DMCC has been an annual program to donate your postage to a special cause. You may bring a Christmas card and post it on the bulletin board in Robinson Hall. The cost of Christmas cards and the postage you save may be considered as you make your donation to this Christmas Card Program. Donations will benefit the “Door Project” for replacement of the doors on our Educational Building.

Sunday, December 15th everyone is invited to bring a Poinsettia Plant to church. A dedication sheet will be available for you to dedicate your plant “In Memory” or “In Honor” of a loved one or a friend. Those names will be included in an upcoming issue of the Chalice. Please leave your plants in the sanctuary through the Christmas season and they may be taken home after our Christmas Eve Service on Tuesday, December 24.

Did you know that 100% of your gifts support Pacific Southwest Regional

Ministries!

With the gifts they receive, Regional Ministries support congregations through:

Planning, visioning, pastoral care and conflict management

Empowering leaders through workshops, resources and networking

Strengthening ministry through calling new ministers

Licensing, ordaining and maintaining current ministers

Growing faithful disciples through camps, conferences, youth ministries and ministries to men and women

Providing outreach through establishing new congregations, and eradicating racism

We will be collecting this offering on

December 15 and 22.

Many Thanks for the lovely Secret Sister Gift!!

Floralie A

BLENDED

WORSHIP SERVICE Sun., December 1

11:00am

Attendance 38 General Pledges $649.05

Outreach $290.00

Our gathering on Saturday, November 23 was another great success!!

Everyone gathered for a Workday last Tuesday, November 26 to set up the Sanctuary in preparation of the Hanging of the Greens, which was this past Sunday, December 1. The Sanctuary looks gorgeous! Thanks to all who helped make it possible!

Prices reduced for your holiday needs!

The display cabinet has some wonderful products for your holiday shopping. Come look and see how you can support DMCC with this fundraiser.

Coffees: $10.00 Organic Blend of Medium and French 14oz. Coffees: $9.00 French Vanilla, and Organic Decaf Teas: $5.00 These are wonderful teas! Organic Hot Cocoa $8.00 with a rich chocolaty flavor. Organic Ecuador Dark Chocolate Bars $3.00 This chocolaty silky origin bar. Organic Milk Chocolate with a Hint of Hazelnut $3.00. Deliciously rich and creamy! Organic Dark Chocolate Minis - 150 minis $35.00. Organic Milk Chocolate Minis with a Hint of Hazelnut -150 minis $35.00. Foliage Scarf $23.00. Vibrant purple leaves pop in a gently swirling, hand embroidered pattern. Wild Flowered Scarf $18.00. A colorful scarf inspired by local Indian wild flowers. Analise Cluster Earrings $8.00. Multicolored glass beads mingle with brass filigree orbs. Danica “Glass Pendent Necklace $12.00. A cluster of colorful beads clings to a smooth brass frame, falling from a delicately beaded chain.

Your purchases make a difference in the world!

If you have any questions or wish to purchase any items, please contact Marie Durflinger

(562) 863-5650 or (562) 818-5132.

Downey Memorial Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) 8441 E. Florence Ave. Downey, CA 90240 562/869-7291 www.downeymemorial.org

Advent joy - and dread - is overflowing, my sisters and brothers! I'm sure you are all up to your clerical collars in the seasonal activities of your places of ministry. The children running up the aisles in holiday abandon. The wonderful smells wafting down the halls from the special dinners and treats. The warm generosity of the season softening the faces you meet. But some of you are also confronted with the sorrow of the first holiday without a loved one. The family struggling to get by who you want desperately to help. The lonely who haven't found their way to a welcoming table. I give thanks for all of you. You are the forward edge of mission, and I know that sometimes the work of congregational or chaplaincy ministry can leave you feeling fragmented as you walk alongside God's people. I hold you in my prayers, asking that our bountiful God of abundance hold you safe and give you a peaceful sense of wholeness throughout this busy, busy season. Blessings abound –

Sharon Watkins General Minister and President