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Children’s Christmas Play Weeknight Practices — Every Sunday from 12:00 noon-2:30 pm beginning November 5th
Advent (5 Week Study) — Who exactly is Jesus? What kind of God would come to earth as a human? As Christmas approaches, the season of Advent offers us a chance to reflect on our savior, his purpose, and the surprising ways he invited people near to him. Join pastor Derwin Gray in this five-session Advent study as he unveils King Jesus—the God-man who defied expectations, the king of all creation who humbled himself to serve and die, the friend to sinners who wants to lift us up. We will meet downstairs in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday at 9 am as we kick off this new video-based study about Advent. Want to follow along at home? Log on to our Right Now Media account at https://app.rightnowmedia.org/
Children’s Annual Christmas Musical — The Christmas play, which is free to the public and family friendly, will be on December 10th @ 5pm. A light supper will follow the performance. All are welcome.
Christmas Caroling—the Outreach Committee is planning an afternoon of Christmas Caroling in the McConnell Trails neighborhood on Sunday, December 17th. Meet at the Church at 3:30 pm and we’ll carpool together. We’ll walk around the community singing some of our favorite Christmas Carols and then return to the Church for pizza. Everyone is welcome to join us—make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Blood Drive — Saturday, November 11th from 8:15 am – 1:30 pm in the Bloodmobile in our lower parking lot. Sign-ups are open on vitalant.org. (You can search with the date, by using the church’s zipcode-15057, or by using the church’s group code UG0010167 ) Thank you to those who continue to give blood at our drives. The blood supply in our area remains in an EMERGENCY SHORTAGE; if you are able to donate, please do!
Tween Time (Youth Group for 2nd-6th graders) — Tween Time is scheduled for the last Monday of the month in November. Children in 2nd-6th grade are invited to Tween Time—a small group just for them including a Bible lesson, fun games, yummy snacks, and a service project. If you have questions or have never been to Tween Time before, please connect with Deb Robertson or contact the office. Too old for Tween Time? Youth Group for 6th-12 graders is available every Monday evening.
Christmas Caroling—the Outreach Committee is planning an afternoon of Christmas Caroling in the McConnell Trails neighborhood on Sunday, December 17th. Meet at the Church at 3:30 pm and we’ll carpool together. We’ll walk around the community singing some of our favorite Christmas Carols and then return to the Church for pizza. Everyone is welcome to join us—make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Pew Bibles – the Worship Committee has purchased new Pew Bibles. Our current Pew Bibles look good and have held up well, but they are the 1984 translation of the NIV which is no longer in print and Pastor Patrick prefers to preach from the ESV Bible, (English Standard Version). He has been preaching from the NIV so far, but will use the ESV beginning in January. Those two details were factors in the committee’s decision to purchase new Bibles. If you would like to purchase one in honor or memory of someone the cost to do so is $10 per Bible. Please contact the church office.
Cans for Cameroon has a new donation box! A new patio storage box has been placed next to the dumpster in the lower parking lot. It’s labeled “Cans for Cameroon.” Remember to save your aluminum cans and place them in the collection box. We are still recycling cans and donating the money we receive to support the Bakossi Literacy Project in Cameroon, Africa. The literacy project helps to train and support teachers who help the Bakossi people learn to read the New Testament in their native language.
Christmas Play – Children and Youth who want to participate in this year’s children’s Christmas musical should please let Lisa Hradil know by today. Everyone can mark your calendars for the performance—Sunday, December 10 at 5:00 pm.
Tentative Rehearsal Schedule:
Every Sunday from 12:00 noon—2:30 pm beginning November 5th
Weeknight Practices:
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 6:00 pm—8:00 pm
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 6:00 pm—8:00 pm
Saturday, December 2, 2023 10:00 am—12 noon
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 6:00 pm—8:00 pm Tech Practice (with wireless mics)
Thursday, December 7, 2023 6:00 pm—8:00 pm
Saturday, December 9, 2023 9:00 am—12 noon DRESS REHEARSAL
Sunday, December 10, 2023 5:00 pm THE PLAY!
Pastor Patrick’s Sabbath Day is Monday meaning that Mondays are a day off for our pastor. Let’s help him to get the rest he needs by refraining from phone calls and e-mails that can wait until later in the week. You can always contact Jess in the Church Office. In the event of an emergency or urgent need she can alert Pastor Patrick. Thank you!
Staying Connected Via Email – Did you know we have e-mail lists for the Prayer Chain, the bulletin, and all church e-mail announcements? The prayer chain and bulletin lists are limited to those who have requested to be part of those lists. Prayer Requests are sent as we are made aware of people and situations needing prayer. The bulletin is sent on Friday afternoon when it is completed. If you have given your e-mail address to the Church Office, you will occasionally receive e-mails with updated and announcements. If you are not receiving e-mails from the Church Office and would like to be on the Prayer Chain, bulletin, or the “all church” list, please e-mail Jess at office @ venice-church.org.
Cecil Community Cupboard – Thank you for your continuing support of our “Little Free Pantry” in the lower parking lot. If you would like to make donations of non-perishable food items or toiletry products, the Pantry Donation Box is in the overflow room at the entrance to the Sanctuary (behind the sound board).
Offering Envelope Reminders — Please remember to put your name on your envelope if you aren’t using a current 2023 envelope with an assigned number. Please do not use old envelopes from past years with old numbers. The assigned member numbers changed for many people in 2023.
We would like to highlight other community events that might be of interest to our church members; however, we are not responsible for registration to these events. Please contact the event host directly.
Cecil Township’s Parks & Recreation Upcoming 2023 Events
Venice Presbyterian Church
3694 Millers Run Road
McDonald, PA 15057
Phone: 724-745-8362
Fax 724-597-7265