Happy Thursday Dear Church!

It is a little hard to believe that we are approaching the 3rd week of Advent, “The Promise of Joy.” No matter how hard we try to slow things down a bit, the season is definitely in full swing. Many thanks to the volunteers/ministry partners, who spent their Saturday morning, decorating our worship space. As your pastor, It is always a blessing to step back and just watch the people. You folks are worker bees for sure. Your efforts and time produced for us, a glimpse of Advent HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE. Thank you!

This coming Sunday, we will attempt to wrap our minds around the advent ideal of JOY. As we are a little over halfway through Advent, JOY gives us a minute to take a breath; to rest from the craziness of the season and simply experience JOY, thus the bright color pink. Joy can be a challenge for many folks especially this time of year, so be gentle with everyone. I saw a surprisingly beautiful meme the other day that I try to recite every day.

“Christmas … I never meant it to be a burden”—Jesus

And yet, this season can be filled with a dwindling HOPE and a false sense of PEACE, and a lack of JOY. Maybe this is the year that you reevaluate how you do Christmas. I am not talking about how you prepare the Christmas dinner or what presents you buy, I am talking about taking some meaningful time to sit with God’s advent promises. You might be surprised how Christmas can change you.

I am not a pastor who likes the statement “Jesus, the reason for the season.” Indeed, it is OUR reason for the season. But for us to successfully live out the love of Christ, we simply must realize that this season is many things to many people. So when someone says “Happy Holidays” to you … REJOICE … Someone is taking time to say something really nice to you and isn’t’ that part of the spirit of Christmas? I think so! I love being your pastor!

Holding you close and lifting you high!

Pastor Greg

Already Not/Yet Joy

In advent we recognize that love, hope, peace and joy has already come in the person of Jesus, but that it has not yet been completely fulfilled in some way. Theologians call this the already not/yet of the kingdom of God. Our view of the already/not yet nature of things makes a big difference in the implications of our theology. For instance, when it comes to joy, do we act in the “already” as if everything is okay and we have joy even when things are clearly not okay and it is a time for mourning? Do we live in the “not yet” and succumb to a deep sadness in which we can’t see the good things and gifts God has already brought? Or can we live in the tension between the two? Some say we cannot actually experience true joy until we’ve learned to have joy in the midst of our sorrow and pain, that the two actually have to go together. What do you think? Let me know on Sunday.

Here's a fun joy song we are doing this week. Joy to the world was actually written about the second coming of Christ which makes it a great advent song recognizing the already/not yet nature of Christ’s coming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtrnuG5wZ-Y

Nations at War, Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine

Countries hit by recent Earthquakes.

Alf Clementson, recovering from surgery.

Sharon, mother of Ryan

Mae Simone-please let me know if you can provide rides to church.

Friends and Family of Tom, Marlene’s brother

Linda Hansen, sister of Colleen Clementson

David, friend of Rosemary

Family and Friends of Jim Siltanen, who passed.

Freddie, recovering from surgery.

Oscar, brother in law of Butch Young

John Savage, organizer of Ladle Fellowship

Larell, friend of Rosemary

Ivana, daughter of Anne Wallace

Dianne Florio

Joanne Jonas

Nina Melad

Our Church Leadership

New Prayer Ministry

With Pastor Debbie’s retirement just around the corner, Pastor Greg is looking for several individuals who would be open to leading our church in the “Prayers of the People/the Lord’s Prayer” weekly. In the new year, PG will work with those who are interested in serving this way. There is no experience necessary. Pastor Greg will work with you, so that you feel comfortable and prepared to lead out in this special way. Let Pastor Greg or Worship chair, Vicki Holland know, if this is something you would like to put into motion in your life.

pastorgregccppucc@gmail.com

mvholland@sbcglobal.net

Seeking dedicated individuals to contribute to the Communion setup and cleanup on six Sundays next year. Your assistance is vital, and the commitment is manageable – just six Sundays annually.

If you're interested in being part of this meaningful role, please reach out to Colleen at powclem@yahoo.com or call 858-663-6584.

Your support is greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

A LITTLE HEADS UP FOR CHRISTMAS EVE 2023

Well, the calendar is doing it to us again. This year, Christmas Eve happens on a Sunday. Christmas Eve morning, we will offer a very “unplugged,” intimate, worship time with Communion. This morning gathering will last only about 30 minutes. Then, at 6:00 p.m. we will gather in the sanctuary for a Christmas Eve Worship Celebration. Christmas Eve and Easter are two days when we put many of our eggs in one beautiful basket. We always have visitors who want to worship in a church on Christmas Eve, as well as your extended families. Make plans now to be here, family in tow, and invite someone you know who needs what we have in this beloved community. So … go right now to your paper calendars and iphones and log this information. It is going to be a wonderful holiday season

Greetings from the Outreach Ministry

Hello friends,

Just a friendly reminder from the outreach ministry.

We wanted to remind you that if you happened to take a red, white or blue star ornament from the military Christmas Wish display, those gifts are due back this Sunday the 10th.

All other gifts and different ornament shapes can be returned on Sunday the 17th.

Thank you again for helping bring joy to so many this Christmas season.

Gods blessings,

Many Blessings from the Outreach Ministry

The JOY of FOOD!

Each week there will be a “Recipe of the Week” for the Buzz!

There will be a red basket in the Narthex where you can drop off your favorite recipes or please email them to julie@ccpucc.org. It can be any recipe from family favorites to ones recently discovered! We will be encouraging you to share your thoughts after you made the dish too. 

This weeks recipe is a Rosalynn Carter’s Strawberry Cake recipe, a family favorite. Sent in by Ryan K, Thank you. Ryan for sharing this unique recipe!

Click Here for Rosalynn Carter’s Strawberry Cake Recipe!

Adult Scripture Review:

Sunday’s following worship in the fireside room!

Email Susan Gurriell

at sgurriell@gmail.com

Books & More

On Dec. 5 Books & More will begin our discussion of The Engineer's Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood. She built the Brooklyn Bridge, so why don't you know her name? Emily Roebling built a monument for all time. Then she was lost in its shadow. Discover the fascinating woman who helped design and construct the Brooklyn Bridge.

Please note that we will not meet on December 26 or January 2.

Books & More meets on Tuesdays at 10:30 am in the Fireside Room.

All are welcome to join us.  

Centering Prayer:

Tuesdays at 6:30pm

Contact Colleen Clementson at powclem@yahoo.com or on

her cell at 858-663-6584, for the ZOOM invite

Thank you for checking out our BUZZ! Here is what you were waiting for! If you have a favorite joke or any tips to make the BUZZ even better, please send emails to julie@ccpucc.org :)

This week joke is sent in by Dee L. Thank you, Dee!

Joke of the Week:

What do snowmen eat for dessert?

Ice crispies…

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