The Beacon

Newsletter

December 2, 2022 Volume 64, No 49

this Sunday: December 4, 2022

Second Sunday of Advent: Love
Theme: The Things They Carried: Anger, Impatience, and Love

This week, our sermon will ask "Is There Room for More?" using Luke 2:1-7. Rev. John P. Gardner will explore our advent theme, The Things We Carry, with an eye towards anger, impatience, and Love.

The Rev. John P. Gardner is a semi-retired pastor/teacher in the United Church of Christ. He was licensed for ministry in 1977, and ordained in 1980. From 1980-1997 he served as Pastor & Teacher of the Webster Church, UCC, in Dexter, Michigan; from 1998-2018 he served as Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC, Fort Wayne. He has since served as interim Pastor of First Congregational UCC, Angola (2019), and as Sabbatical Pastor for St. John's United Church, Chesterton, IN (2021). Currently he is involved with the Indiana-Kentucky Conference, UCC, as Secretary of the Board of Directors, and as a member of the Transitional Ministry Round Table. He additionally serves a Facilitator for a Clergy Community of Practice (CCoP) group for Members in Discernment (MID) in the UCC.

This summer John worked with the Parks & Recreation Department as First Mate on the Sweetbreeze, the canal boat replica that offers river tours on Fort Wayne’s three rivers.

Please read Luke 2: 1-7 to prepare.

Rev. John P. Gardner

Sunday, December 4
Just Neighbors: IHN
9:30 a.m.          Eat and Meet
10:30 a.m.        Worship
2 p.m. Memorial for Carole Baker
(at Manchester CoB)

Monday, December 5
Just Neighbors: IHN

Tuesday, December 6
Pastor Anna Lisa onsite.
Just Neighbors: IHN

Wednesday, December 7
Anna Lisa involved in memorial service all day.
9:30 a.m.         Food Bank
2 p.m. Memorial service for Dorothy Gall
(at Bethany Community Church)

Thursday, December 8
11:30 a.m. Worship Preview meeting
6:30 p.m. Choir Practice

Friday, December 9
Church Office closed.

Saturday, December 10
7 p.m. Family Game Night
(at Unitarian Universalist Church)

Remember to check the Breeze calendar for upcoming events and activities!

Weekly Announcements

• Remember: the Sing Me Home benefit concert is this Saturday evening at Manchester Church of the Brethren. All proceeds go to support On Earth Peace, and the event is sponsored in part by Beacon Heights’ Witness team!)

• Beacon Heights continues to support families transitioning through homelessness at Just Neighbors: Interfaith Homeless Network. We still need side dishes for Dec 4-6, as well as other donations. Contact Mark or Barb Beck to volunteer.

• December’s Eat and Meet gatherings will have a virtual option: those who wish to have a focused discussion on the Advent devotional will meet in the parlor and welcome friends to join on zoom (especially those who have flown south for the winter). If you prefer a casual Meet and Eat time, you are most welcome to stay in the fellowship hall! There are also prayer stations in the South Classroom for quieter reflection.

• The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Wayne invites us to a Family Game Night on Saturday, December 10, starting at 7 p.m. See Robyn Valdizón if you have questions or can bring snacks. Hot chocolate will be provided.

• Next Sunday, December 11, we will have a brief council meeting during the 9:30 a.m. Meet & Eat time. You should have received a copy of the proposed 2023 budget in the email with the worship bulletin, and printed copies are available on the church office counter.

• We have been invited to a Christmas Concert concert at Crest Manor Church of the Brethren on Friday, December 16.

Statistics 11/27/2022

Worship 73
Offering 11/20/2022 $2,905.00

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Food Bank on November 30:

16 Families served
62 Individuals in families

We extend our sympathy to the Runkle family following Marjorie’s death on October 31, 2022.

Christmastime is full of clutter: material, emotional and spiritual. This Advent we'll practice putting away clutter - each Sunday we'll remove something from the worship center. How is de-cluttering meaningful for your holiday season? Advent devotionals from Global Women's Project and Brethren Press will nourish the simple gifts of the season. If you have not received one yet, these devotionals are available at the church.