upcoming services & SCHEDULE
TWO SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES: 9:30 & 11:15 AM
December 14
"Christmas Myth Busters: The Annual Children’s Holiday Pageant"
This year’s Pageant, once again created by Music Director Glenn Mehrbach, will apply a scientific and playfully skeptical lens to many elements of what we know as “The Christmas Story”: The Virgin Birth, the Star in the East, the Manger Scene, the actual birthdate of the Baby Jesus, and even where Jesus was born.
Spoiler Alert: Whether these events were created to fulfill ancient prophecies, inserted as symbols and metaphors, or actually occurred, it doesn’t obscure the sense of faith, hope, love and joy that the season brings.
Expect 40 or more children and youth of the church to act, sing and dance in bringing the story to life, with sets, costumes and original songs.
December 21
“Returning of the Light: A Winter Solstice Celebration”
This year, the Winter Solstice, when the Earth’s North Pole is tilted farthest from the sun, occurs on December 21 at 10:03 AM. To celebrate this confluence of Sunday service time and the cycle of nature, all three choirs of The Community Church will work together to bring music that starts by honoring the dark, and progresses to welcoming the returning of the light. The Community Church Choir will sing a lighthearted set of winter proverbs, among other pieces for the occasion. The Women of the Choir will sing a brand new suite of “Winter Hymns” from composer Shara Nova, accompanied by piano and viola. The Community Church Singers will offer a piece about the wonders of snow, and the Chalice Choir will sing “Solstice” by composer Randall Thompson. All three groups will join their voices to open and close the service, including an arrangement of a piece by Unitarian Universalist composer Lia Davis, created especially or the occasion by Music Director Glenn Mehrbach.
December 24
5 & 7PM Services
Christmas Eve: One More Redeemer
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
Join us at 5 or 7 PM for our Christmas Eve worship service. Both services will include familiar Christmas hymns, a homily from Rev. Thom, and Silent Night by candlelight. A Share the Plate for the Minister’s Benevolence Fund will be received at both services. This year, the message is drawn from these words by Rob Eller-Isaacs:
"Every child is born one more redeemer
In each new life is a spark divine,
One more voice for compassion, one more holy sign,
One more chance to restore and reveal and receive.
This is our faith, this we believe:
That every child born brings one more redeemer to this world."
December 28
One Service only at 11 AM
"The Return of the Question Box Sermon"
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
Join us at our single service at 11 AM; Rev. Thom will preach a sermon drawn entirely from questions from congregants. To send him a question, look for a form to submit a question in weekly communications in December, or email him.
December 14
"Christmas Myth Busters: The Annual Children’s Holiday Pageant"
This year’s Pageant, once again created by Music Director Glenn Mehrbach, will apply a scientific and playfully skeptical lens to many elements of what we know as “The Christmas Story”: The Virgin Birth, the Star in the East, the Manger Scene, the actual birthdate of the Baby Jesus, and even where Jesus was born.
Spoiler Alert: Whether these events were created to fulfill ancient prophecies, inserted as symbols and metaphors, or actually occurred, it doesn’t obscure the sense of faith, hope, love and joy that the season brings.
Expect 40 or more children and youth of the church to act, sing and dance in bringing the story to life, with sets, costumes and original songs.
December 21
“Returning of the Light: A Winter Solstice Celebration”
This year, the Winter Solstice, when the Earth’s North Pole is tilted farthest from the sun, occurs on December 21 at 10:03 AM. To celebrate this confluence of Sunday service time and the cycle of nature, all three choirs of The Community Church will work together to bring music that starts by honoring the dark, and progresses to welcoming the returning of the light. The Community Church Choir will sing a lighthearted set of winter proverbs, among other pieces for the occasion. The Women of the Choir will sing a brand new suite of “Winter Hymns” from composer Shara Nova, accompanied by piano and viola. The Community Church Singers will offer a piece about the wonders of snow, and the Chalice Choir will sing “Solstice” by composer Randall Thompson. All three groups will join their voices to open and close the service, including an arrangement of a piece by Unitarian Universalist composer Lia Davis, created especially or the occasion by Music Director Glenn Mehrbach.
December 24
5 & 7PM Services
Christmas Eve: One More Redeemer
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
Join us at 5 or 7 PM for our Christmas Eve worship service. Both services will include familiar Christmas hymns, a homily from Rev. Thom, and Silent Night by candlelight. A Share the Plate for the Minister’s Benevolence Fund will be received at both services. This year, the message is drawn from these words by Rob Eller-Isaacs:
"Every child is born one more redeemer
In each new life is a spark divine,
One more voice for compassion, one more holy sign,
One more chance to restore and reveal and receive.
This is our faith, this we believe:
That every child born brings one more redeemer to this world."
December 28
One Service only at 11 AM
"The Return of the Question Box Sermon"
Rev. Thom Belote, preaching
Join us at our single service at 11 AM; Rev. Thom will preach a sermon drawn entirely from questions from congregants. To send him a question, look for a form to submit a question in weekly communications in December, or email him.