The Beacon
Newsletter
December 22, 2023 Volume 65, No 52
This SUNDAY: December 24, 2023
Christmas Eve Service
On Christmas Eve, we will gather at 6:40 pm for beautiful music shared by musicians in our community. Our service will then begin at 7:00 p.m. and promises to take us more deeply into what it means to make room for Jesus. We will peek into a conversation shared around a table with a simple meal of bread and tea as friends talk about what is happening in Bethlehem the night that Jesus is born. We will share communion with the same (gluten-free) bread and tea that those friends shared. The choir and bell choir will help us celebrate, and favorite Christmas carols will be sung, including “Silent Night” with candle-lighting. An offering will be collected as a gift to both International House and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Following worship, you may continue to visit in the fellowship hall as we share tea and a special dessert used traditionally in some cultures to celebrate the birth of babies. Join us for this meaningful service that celebrates the coming of Jesus into our lives.
Pastors Paula Ulrich and Anna Lisa Gross
Sunday, December 24
10:30 a.m. Brunch
6:40 p.m. Pre-service Music
7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
Monday, December 25
Tuesday, December 26
9:00-2:00 p.m. Office Open
Wednesday, December 27
9:00-2:00 Office Open
11:30 a.m. Worship Preview meeting
Thursday, December 28
Office Closed
Friday, December 29
9:00-2:00 p.m. Office Open
Saturday, December 30
Sunday, December 31
9:30 a.m. Meet & Eat
10:30 a.m. Worship
8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. New Year Party
Remember to check the Breeze calendar for upcoming events and activities!
Worship on 12/17/2023:
In-person attendance 67
Offering 12/10 $7,488.00
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Food Bank on 12/20/2023:
Individuals: 21
Families: 88
Christmas Eve Brunch and white Elephant Gift Exchange
Join us Sunday, Dec. 24 at 10:30 for breakfast, followed by a gift exchange. If you wish to participate in the White Elephant gift exchange, please bring a wrapped present (used gift paper or newspaper wrapping is fine). It may be something from around your house, a joke gift or a food item. Your trash may be another's treasure! When we exchange gifts, you'll have the opportunity to pick (steal) a gift that has already been opened or select a wrapped gift. Let's share in the joy and fun of Christmas gifts as we celebrate God's greatest gift of all.
2024 Beacon Heights Directory
Please make any corrections or additions to your entry in the directory on the office countertop. You can also email Alexis at office@beaconheights.net with any changes or additions you would like to make before the 2024 directory is printed!
A Special message from Don and Joyce Jordan
Don and Joyce wanted to share how thankful they are for the carolers last Sunday! They appreciated all the warm hugs and handshakes as well.
Christmas bureau
Thank you to everyone who made donations of gifts and time to the Christmas Bureau families this year! Your generosity is much appreciated.
Refresh update
We celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year with a refreshed kitchen thanks to the generosity and hard work of our faith family. May it enhance the health and well being of all who are served by it! The committee has also enhanced the north entryway with beautiful new art to reflect the beauty of wintertime. In 2024, the ReFRESH committee will recommend additional updates to the congregation for updating our church building and ways to provide financial support for whatever projects are selected.
Extra 2024 Calendar?
Do you have extra 2024 calendars? Please donate them to the food bank for use by our clients.
Weekly food bank update
Thank you for all your donations! Currently, the most needed items are broth, rice, and pancake mix. Monetary donations are also appreciated.
Shoppers are needed for January 24th and February 14th and 21st of next year if you would like to sign-up! The sign-up sheet is located on the office countertop.
11th Annual New years eve
game night
Everyone is cordially invited to the Eleventh Annual New Year's Eve Game Night. Bring cards, games, snacks, knitting, beverages - and - a smile! Beaconers and friends will meet in the Parlor from 8 p.m. to midnight. Hosted by Janet Mitchell and David and Daniel Mitchell-Dix.
Thank You for Your Support
Our Beacon Heights fellowship continues to support families transitioning through homelessness at Just Neighbors: Interfaith Homeless Network. We will be providing, but at not serving, dinners at the Just Neighbors home a few blocks from Church on January 7, 8, and 9. This will be the first of 3 rotations this year. Please be part of the team providing meal items on one of those evenings. Food dishes will be dropped off, in nonreturnable containers, at the IHN administration office 2925 E. State, back door, prior to 5:00 PM each day. Staff can reheat as needed. Currently nine families (23 individuals) are in shelter. Other supplies are always appreciated, such as bathroom tissue, cleaning supplies, diapers, lunch food, and can be dropped off at Church or directly to Just Neighbors-IHN. Click this link for the full donation wish list. https://www.ihnfamily.org/wish-list.php
Sign up on the poster in the Fellowship Hall or contact Mark/Barb Beck at 637-2144 or 403-6220 or email markabeck@hotmail.com with questions or to volunteer.
Mark and Barb Beck
Adult Education Opportunity: In six evening sessions, Dr. David Lindquist will be teaching a course entitled "Confronting the Shoah" that explores events of and attitudes contributing to the Nazi Holocaust of World War II. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Fort Wayne, the class will be held from 7:00 - 9:00 each Tuesday evening beginning January 9 through February 13 at the Peggy Murphy Community Grief Center (5920 Homestead Road). The fee of $5 covers the cost of supplies and registration can be made by calling the Jewish Federation at (260) 456-0400 or office@fwjf.org. Consider attending with a friend to share a deeper understanding of the growth and impact of antisemitism. For more information feel free to contact Carol Lindquist (260.402.2994).
NEXT SUNDAY: December 31, 2023
Theme: Wrapped in ritual: the comfort and the challenge
Just what counts as ritual? Habits like brushing our teeth? Group ecstasy like when our team wins the game? It’s more than these, your gut says…. And what about rituals that are getting in our way - even harmful? New Year’s Eve is a great time to meet up with the Holy Family, Anna and Simeon in the temple and reflect on the rituals of our lives.
Pastor Anna Lisa Gross
Published by Beacon Heights
Church of the Brethren
Editor: Alexis Shoda
Phone: (260) 482-8595
Email: office@beaconheights.net
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