THE MESSENGER PAYSON PARK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 365 BELMONT STREET, BELMONT, MA 02478

617-484-1542 office@paysonpark.org www.paysonpark.org

DECEMBER 2017

OUR M ISSION STATEMENT “We believe God is calling us to walk in the ways of Jesus Christ

and to bear witness to the Gospel through worship and service, empowered by the Holy Spirit.”

Play it again! Play it again!

As we get ready to go to sleep at night, I will sometimes drift to my piano and play George Winston’s achingly

beautiful arrangement of “Carol of the Bells.” Patricia will call down the stairs, “Play it again,” come into the living

room, stand still by my side, and sigh deeply with contentment. Winston’s arrangement, of a song so well known,

continues to pierce our hearts with joy.

I’ve played and sung many variations of “Carol of the Bells” over the years. Set down in 1914 by a Ukrainian

composer, this carol’s music and roots go much further back in time. My mom is Ukrainian and loves this carol, as

do I. For me, this carol is evocative of family, as well as love, belonging, Christmases past and Christmases to come.

In this Christmas season, our Payson Park family is singing a carol of welcoming. Payson Park Church was

delighted to welcome eight new members into our congregation’s family, with a beautiful ceremony on November

12th. Welcome Melissa, Michael, Qing, Dan, Ruth, Godfrey, Ed, Patricia! New members from China, Uganda, New

York, Watertown, and Belmont. New members joining our singing, teaching us new arrangements of the song of

God’s love. Play it again!

This Christmas season we are ready to “Play it again!”

♫ In Lessons & Carols on December 10th we will hear again the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The people who

walked in darkness have seen a great light.” We will sing once again, “Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel.”

♫ In our Children’s Christmas pageant on December 17th, children swaddled in bathrobes will once again recite the

words of the shepherds, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has

made known to us.”

♫ In our caroling to our homebound Sunday afternoon of December 17th, we will once again sing “O Christmas tree,”

and “Dashing through the snow.”

♫ In our giving, we will once again bring gifts before Jesus. New coats for City Mission. White socks for City Reach.

Toys for children in needy families, and food for the hungry.

♫ Once again we will gather on Christmas Eve, with the sounds of children’s choirs and familiar carols. Once again

we will light our candles and sing “Silent Night.”

This Christmas season we will once again sing the carols we know so well. And once again, these words and songs

will enter our hearts. Play it again, God. Bring your Joy into our world, your son Jesus, showing us how to love each

other as we love ourselves. Bring your Hope into our world, your son Jesus, a light in the darkness, a light that defeats

all darkness.

Play it again. Play it again. Pastor Eric

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December Worship Leaders

Deacon on Duty Reader Fellowship Hour Flowers given by Ushers

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Serving communion: Brian, Cynthia, Merry & Terry

Deacon on duty: Brian C.

Al G. Al, Marty & Ann Janet Coleman in memory of her brother, Kevin Finnerty and Janet David in memory of Marion, Tom, Kathleen Serino

Susan & Carl With Acolytes

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Merry R. Sally M. Christmas Luncheon hosted by the Christian Ed. Committee

C L Benson in honor of the youth in God’s Garden

Sally & Marilyn

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Emily D. Pageant /Youth

Bill, Kay, Susan and Jane

Poinsettias in memory of loved ones

Jing & Carl

24 10:30 am

Lorraine C.

Youth Church Council Given by the Diaconate in memory of loved ones

Carl

24 5:30 pm

Holly B. Al G. Poinsettias in memory of loved ones

Cynthia, Sally & Ann

31 Pat C. Pat C. Open Caroline Russell Fund Carl

Acolytes from God’s Garden this month are Rosie and Nicole

Worship Attendance We thank you for being a part of our congregation!

October 29 - 70, November 5 - 73, November 12 - 81, November 19 - 67, November 26 - 68

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Advent &

Christmas

Services 2017

Sunday, December 3 . . . . Advent begins We begin the season of Advent, waiting for our Lord, with the beautiful carol, “Oh Come, Oh Come,

Emmanuel,” and the lighting of the first candle of our Advent wreath.

Sunday, December 10 . . . . Lessons & Carols Our talented adult choir will lead us in Lessons & Carols. This year, in addition to heavenly choir

music, we will hear from our own members and friends about their favorite carols, and then sing those carols.

Sunday, December 17 . . . . Christmas Pageant Our Youth Christmas Pageant. Once again, the Christmas story is brought to life by our youth,

through costume, words, and carols.

Sunday, December 24 . . . . 10:30 am

. . . . CityReach & Carols Our youth and confirmation class will report back to us about their overnight retreat of walking with

Boston’s homeless, bringing us news of Jesus among the unhoused. We sing Carols of Christmas!

Sunday, December 24 . . . . 5:30 pm

. . . . Christmas Eve Join us on this most holy of nights. Nursery care available. Children’s choirs. Heavenly soloists. Once

again, Joy to the World! Once again, Silent Night! Once again, Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 31 . . . . Prepare for 2018 On this day before the Year of Our Lord, 2018, we gather in our Chapel at 10:30 am for a Carol Sing, and consider our hopes and fears for the New Year.

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What’s Happening at Payson Park?

First Friday YOUTH GROUP: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 The group meets

on the first Friday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for pizza, fun activities & prayer. On

Friday, December 1, we will sort the CityReach donations (thank you), and decorate the

Sanctuary Christmas Tree, please bring an ornament to share.

Christmas Luncheon & Party, Sunday December 10 Please mark

your calendar for Sunday, December 10. Join us for this festive time filled with food, & fellowship hosted by the

Mission & Outreach Committee and the Christian Education Committee. A donation of $5.00 per person or

$20.00 per family is suggested. A gift swap with Santa will take place. Bring a gift item for the City

Mission Society annual toy drive and Santa will share a sweet treat.

Meet Grace Gaskill from POWR on December 10th

During the worship service on Sunday, December 10th, POWR coordinator Grace Gaskill will be presenting a

Moment for Mission. POWR stands for “People/Parishes

Organized to Welcome Refugees” and is a collaborative

organization that's supporting families like the Hagani's in

Belmont. Grace will also be available at fellowship hour after

the service for questions and conversation.

Christmas Pageant, Sunday,

December 17 Don’t miss the opportunity

to share this presentation with your friends and neighbors;

please invite a friend to church that day!

Hark! The Herald

Angels Sing! Annual

Caroling Event Join a choir

of angels as members and friends of

Payson Park Church go caroling on

Sunday, December 17 @ 12:30. The

joy of song and Christian fellowship will

be shared with our homebound

neighbors and friends. For more

information, please speak with Emily

Dallman, Wendy Gulley or Cindy Lou.

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What Else is Happening!

Updating & Streamlining Our Bylaws Our Bylaws Team (chaired by

Mark Clark, with Ann Alves, Lorraine Clifford, and Herb Philpott) has been working very hard this past year to

update our Bylaws. The goal was to improve the bylaws to be more helpful to the proper and efficient operation

of the church. A document showing the changes with analysis and a draft of how the bylaws will look in final

form are posted here: https://goo.gl/jbgiJ1 The Bylaws Team welcomes written feedback, questions, and

suggestions for the Bylaws and will respond in writing after careful review. Just email us at:

PaysonParkChurch+Bylaws@gmail.com. A forum will be held after church on Sunday, January 14, 2018, to

answer questions you might have and take more feedback on the bylaws changes. The final proposals related to

changing the bylaws are to be voted on at the Annual Meeting scheduled for 1/28/2018.

We Need Your Pledge for 2018 Payson Park Church is here to “Faithfully

Serve the Community.” If you have not yet turned in your pledge card, it is not too late. Please email the office for

a pledge card or pick up one in church. Thank you for your faith promise, to support our community gathered

around God’s hope, in a world that so desperately needs that hope.

Thank You for Fulfilling Your 2017 Pledge! Please note, the year-end

deadline for having your contributions appear in 2017 for tax purposes is Wednesday, December 27, 2017. Any

money received after December 27 will be recorded in 2018! Thank you for fulfilling your 2017pledge.

Theology, Literature & Coffee (TLC) News

On Sunday, December 10, at 9:00 am, TLC will finish the discussion of the second of the two connected

Robinson novels, Home (the first being Gilead), and choose a new book for January.

Just four years after Gilead, Robinson published Home, an unusual exercise: a concurrent companion to Gilead,

not sequel but sibling, narrating the same events as that novel, but in the context of a different family history and

from different perspectives. In the midst of John Ames's elegiac reminiscences in Gilead suddenly appears his

namesake, John (Jack) Ames Boughton, the prodigal son of Ames's best friend, the reverend Robert Boughton,

a Presbyterian minister. Home retells Jack Boughton's story from the point of view of his younger sister, Glory,

who has reluctantly returned to Gilead at the age of 38 to care for her dying father.

We will compare a few scenes that occur in both books and also discuss the shared themes of race, baseball, the

relationship between father and son, and grace. We will learn how Gilead and Home intertwine and complement

one another in the grace, reconciliation, and forgiveness of the Christian faith.

Join us on Sunday, December 10, at 9:00 am as we come to know one another and our God better in the

discussion of these theologically rich, beautiful novels written by a sister of ours in the United Church of Christ,

and as we choose a new book for January.

Please feel free to contact Bill Ragan at minassoc@paysonpark.org or on his cell: 484-860-4108 with any questions

about this adult education opportunity.

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Mission Happenings @ PPC

City Mission Coat Drive The deadline for the collection of coats for Boston school

children, sponsored by City Mission, is December 3. Reminder: brand new, warm and sturdy winter coats, sizes

toddler to teens, including adult sizes. Place donations in the COAT BOSTON box in the Narthex (not the

CityReach box). Inner city children and parents will be grateful!

A Community in Action: Our Active Prayer of Thanksgiving

Please bring in new canned goods and dry food items on Sunday, December 3, to continue the mission project

supporting local food pantries.

Bristol Lodge Food Kitchen Both cooks and servers are needed for our

December 26, 2017 meal. If anyone can help, they should contact Kay by phone (617-489-0072) or email

(kayhudgins@gmail.com). If cooks cannot deliver, we can arrange for delivery. Given that it is a very busy time

of year and we cook the day after Christmas, we will be serving lasagna, salad, and rolls, a meal that has always

been well-received in the past.

Christmas Shop Donation Drive, City Mission Share the joy of the

season! Payson Park is giving gifts of the heart to help families and children in need. The gifts collected are made

available to Homelessness Prevention participants, benefiting hundreds of families. City Mission believes that all

of God's children deserve respect, love and a gift to call their own during the Christmas season. The gifts that we

donate are not sold but are available at several Boston locations for children and adults to select for gift-giving to

their families. Below is the list of suggested NEW items that are needed, with an emphasis on socks for children

and adults and toys for all ages:

Sweaters and sweatshirts Hats, mittens, gloves and scarves

Socks and underwear Blankets and backpacks

Toys, books, games - all ages Gift cards from Target, Marshalls, CVS, etc.

Collection boxes will be in the Narthex December 3 & 10. Children may

bring an UNWRAPPED gifts to Santa at the Christmas Party at

church on December 10 & Santa will share a sweet treat in return.

Thank you for your generous support!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow…

but, please, not on Sunday!

As we enter the winter season, the Diaconate reminds you that Sunday morning worship services will be cancelled

when a parking ban is in effect in Belmont. To confirm such a cancellation, please call the church phone, 617/484-

1542, after 8:00 am on the Sunday in question. The recorded message will provide information about the morning

service. If you call the church and do not hear the recording, please call again. The line may busy with another

caller. Thank you!

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City Reach Retreat at Common Cathedral

We need New White Socks, Used Coats & Toiletries

Our youth and entire Confirmation class will be spending a weekend with the homeless in Boston over

Dec. 15-16, 2017. CityReach is an amazing experience. We meet & get to know a Christian community of

Boston’s homeless, and walk with them to make a difference.

We need your donations, gently used clothing: new white socks, used warm coats & jackets. Hoodies

and sweat pants, sweaters, T’s, long sleeve tops, jeans and pants (80% for men), waterproof boots, shoes,

sneakers, hats & gloves, used backpacks, small suitcases on wheels, travel size toiletries such as soap,

deodorant, lotion, Chapstick, toothpaste, shaving cream, and toothbrushes, or sleeping bags and blankets.

We will collect all donated items in the Narthex green barrel at church. Deadline Dec 10. Thank you!

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♫ Happy Holiday Season to one and all! The choir continues to thrive

and enjoy our part in each Sunday service. We are planning our Lessons and Carols service and looking forward to

another beautiful Christmas Eve service at Payson Park Church. If you are interested in joining the choir for our

Christmas Eve service, please let me know! I will be sure to program things that are easy and accessible to all. This

is the most beautiful service of the year as the electric lights are dimmed, the candles are lit and our gorgeous

stained glass windows glow in this holy light of the season while all join in the singing of Silent Night. It is my

personal favorite moment of the season. As always our doors are open to all every Sunday morning at 9:00 am.

A love of singing is all that is required to join the choir! Come one, come all. Good health, happiness and peace to

you all. Megan Henderson, adult music director

♫ The Children’s Choir December is a season full of wonderful opportunities for us all

to get together, and especially to make music! Our annual Christmas pageant, performed by our youth, is one of

the highlights of my year. I hope it is one of yours, as well. I am so proud of each of our youth here at Payson

Park. The way they tell the Christmas story is heartfelt and beautiful, and done with enthusiasm and teamwork. I

also appreciate all the parents and my fellow staff members who help make these productions a great success. My

special thanks to Cindy Lou! See you on December 17 for the pageant. Thank you.

Molly Jo Rivelli, youth music director

♫ The Revels at Sanders Theater in Cambridge, with 18 shows from December 8 to 27. This will be the

2nd Christmas Revels production with our own Megan Henderson as the music director, and the theme this year is

A Venetian Celebration of the Winter Solstice with music and dancing. See http://www.revels.org for more infor-

mation.

♫ The Gulley’s on Stage Hear Carolyn & Ned Gulley sing with the Newton Family Singers.

Presenting “One Love, People Get Ready” Celebrating the Music of Bob Marley. 4 pm on December 10,

2017 at Ellsworth Theatre, Pine Manor College, Chestnut Hill. If interested in attending with Cindy Lou, please

contact her in the church office. http://www.newtonfamilysingers.org/

♫ The Philpott’s on Stage

Herb, Sandy, Ryan, & Katie Philpott will once again be performing in the Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Bos-

ton’s annual presentation of “ChristmasTime”. Based on the original Radio City Christmas spectacular, the produc-

tion features singers, dancers, kids, a full orchestra, professional sets and lighting, a live Nativity, and even an ap-

pearance by Santa himself. The show is fun for all ages. Performances are at the Robinson Auditorium at Waltham

High, 617 Lexington Street in Waltham, on Saturday, December 2, and Sunday, December 3, at noon and 4 pm;

and the following week on Friday, December 8, at 7 pm, and Saturday & Sunday (December 9, 10) at noon & 4

pm. Tickets and additional details are available at http://www.reaglemusictheatre.com, or call the Box Office at

781-891-5600. Be sure to look for Herb and Sandy among the Victorian carolers in the lobby before the show!

Music Happenings @ PPC

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Celebrating the Birth of Christ:

Poinsettia Order Form

Join in the festive and loving spirit of this sacred season!

Poinsettias will adorn our worship space Sunday, December 17 and Christmas Eve.

Donor Name & envelope # __________________________

I would like to order # 6.5” poinsettia (s) for the altar at $7.00 each. Enclosed is

$____________

I would like the flower (s) to be given:

In memory of _____________________________________

OR

In honor of ____________________________________

After the service on Sunday, Dec. 17, I would like to: (please check one)

__ Take my plant with me OR

__ Have my plant (s) shared with others.

ORDER DUE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10TH

Checks may be made payable to Payson Park Church.

Sharing & Caring

Dear Marty and my PPC family,

Many many thanks for the beautiful flowers! It was wonderful to visit with Marty on Monday and receive the

gorgeous bouquet! The cheeriness continues to bring a smile to my face and I do love them.

You all are a very special bunch and I appreciate the support of PPC, always. Although I am not in church often, my

heart is there and I think of all of YOU and send my love and hugs.

My health is better than a year ago, but not by a huge amount. It is still a daily practice of balancing the line of not

overdoing it, but dipping my toe into activities when I can. My endurance is low, but this month I have new hope as I

was finally able to see a new practitioner (after a 5 month wait) and am hopeful that a “new set of eyes” may push the

needle of my health in a positive direction.

Jean and the kids (no longer “kids!”) are doing fine. They are my rocks and a consistent source of daily love.

Sending my best to all of you. Thank you all for the prayers. I am so grateful. Love, Gretchen

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers during my recent illness. I'm especially grateful to Eric for his

phone calls and to Marty and Al Gledhill who stopped in to visit me in Jacksonville. I think of my Payson Park family

often and miss you all. Regards, Joan Blackman

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 6:00 PM First Fridays Youth Group

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

9:00 AM Chancel Choir rehearsal

9:00 AM Child Care in the Nursery

10:30 AM Worship & Pageant rehearsal

11:30 AM Fellowship Hour

11:30 AM Pageant rehearsal (sanctuary)

12:00 PM Mission meeting

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 2:00 PM Faith, Hope & Love 6:30 PM Church Council WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 9:00 AM Belmont Clergy THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 10:00 AM Faithful Reflections Bible Study

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10

9:00 AM Chancel Choir rehearsal

9:00 AM Child Care in the Nursery

9:00 AM Theology, Literature & Coffee

9:15 AM Youth Choir rehearsal

10:30 AM Worship & Pageant rehearsal

11:30 AM Christmas Party & Luncheon

12:00 PM Confirmation

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 12:00 PM C. Ed. Communities of Practice 2:00 PM Faith, Hope & Love 6:30 PM Finance & Property meeting WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 (Messenger deadline) 10:00 AM Christian Education THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 10:00 AM Faithful Reflections Bible Study

December 2017

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

9:00 AM Chancel Choir rehearsal

9:00 AM Child Care in the Nursery

9:00 AM Pageant rehearsal

10:30 AM Worship & Pageant 11:30 AM Fellowship Hour 12:30 PM Caroling TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19 6:30 PM Diaconate WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 (Messenger deadline) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21 7:00 AM Men’s Breakfast 10:00 AM Faithful Reflections Bible Study

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24

9:00 AM Chancel Choir rehearsal

9:00 AM Child Care in the Nursery

10:30 AM Worship & One room schoolhouse

11:30 AM Fellowship Hour

5:30 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with

Nursery care TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26 (Office closed) 5:00 PM Bristol Lodge Food Kitchen, serving THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28 11:30 AM Messenger Mailing

DO YOU NEED TO REACH THE PASTOR?

The Rev. Eric Wefald, Pastor,

can be reached through the Church Office, 617/484-1542 or by email at pastoreric@paysonpark.org

The Rev. Bill Ragan, Ministerial Associate,

can be reached on his cell phone 484/860-4108 or by email at minassoc@paysonpark.org

THE MESSENGER

The deadline for submitting articles for the

January 2018 newsletter is

Wednesday, December 20. The January newsletter

will be mailed Thursday, December 28.

Thank you.

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THE MESSENGER

PAYSON PARK CHURCH

365 BELMONT STREET

BELMONT MA 02478-3438

Celebrating the

Birth of Christ:

Join in the festive and loving spirit

of this sacred season!

Poinsettias will adorn our worship space on

Sunday, December 17, Pageant Sunday

and the Christmas Eve services.