Lights off, please!

Upon arriving at ORUCC early in the morning, Office Manager George Decker has noticed the lights turned on in Friendship Hall and other rooms in the building on several occasions. When you are leaving the church after your evening meetings, please be sure to turn off the lights to save energy costs.

Women’s Book Group to meet today, December 5th, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

The Women’s book group will meet in person in the Alfred Swan room and on Zoom on Thursday, December 5th at 1:30-3pm. Ginny Kruse will lead us in a discussion of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Our January 2, 2025 meeting will be discussion and choosing of books we will read in 2025. Please send me your book suggestions by December 20th so I can send out a list of suggested books prior to our meeting. Usually if the book you suggest is chosen, you are asked to lead the discussion. Contact Deanna Blanchard with questions.

Friday Breakfast Group – December 6th

The next Friday Breakfast is set for tomorrow, December 6th at 8:30 am at Denny’s, 433 S. Gammon Road. All are welcome! The group meets on the first Friday of the month and includes both men and women. Join us for this informal chance to connect and converse on many topics. Contact Louise Jeanne, Link for more information.

Words for the Beginning Advent 2024 series

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new. Christ’s birth offered a beautiful new beginning for shepherds and Magi alike—all the while, King Herod tried to bring Christ’s story to an end. When we ourselves navigate seasons filled with endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown.

We have chosen an Advent series filled with blessings, with the scriptures and reminders we need to hear again and again as we begin a new season. These reminders root us in the fundamental truths of our faith. Many of them are life lessons we teach to children—lessons that adults continue to learn and relearn. They may resemble the blessings we impart to loved ones during special ceremonies like weddings, graduations, or baptisms. And so, we invite you to move through this Advent season as if you are entering a sacred new chapter, holding fast to the reminders that will bolster you for the journey ahead.

As you journey through this season, may you find words for belovedness and hope. May you find words for beginning again. For no matter what you are facing, no matter what this new day brings, love is your beginning.

December 8 We Can’t Go Alone, Julia Burkey preach, Bell Choir

Youth Service Trip Cookie Sale

Holiday Gift Tree for ECI

ORUCC “Post Office”

New Members Joining

December 15 Hope is Worth The Risk, Julia Burkey preach, ORUCC Choir

Return Gifts: Holiday Gift Tree

ORUCC “Post Office”

Ethical Trade Company Christmas Gift Sale

December 22 Do The Good That is Yours To Do, Julia Burkey preach, Special Music

ORUCC “Post Office”

Kids’ Music Showcase 11:15

December 24 Christmas Eve Candle Light Service, 3pm Youth & Families with TRU Function & Music Connections Children’s Music 5:30pm with Madison Mennonite Church with ORUCC Choir

December 29 Don’t Forget to Laugh, Ken Pennings preach

January 5 The Road Isn’t Straight, Kate Mackey preach Epiphany Sunday

December Compassion Offering: The UCC Christmas Fund

Shepherding the Light & Being the Light

Each of us individually can be a beacon of light in our homes, workplaces, and communities. This December, you are invited to be a beacon of light through your contribution to this annual campaign, The UCC Christmas Fund. The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants for life’s unexpected events; assistance with health care costs such as insurance and other health care needs; as a pension supplement for low-income retirees; and, as a simple thank you gift during hard times.

United Church of Christ congregations and members have blessed the Christmas Fund with their generosity for many years. This year, your care and compassion will be especially appreciated by those servants of the church who are facing a time of need. Thank you for your contribution to the UCC Christmas Fund as our December compassion offering. 

Special Holiday Greeting Card Sale extended to Sunday, December 8th

Buy your holiday greeting cards at ORUCC! When you do, 100% of proceeds will help families in our neighborhood maintain stable housing. Variety packs and single design holiday cards featuring Peg Knueve’s beautiful artwork will be on sale in the foyer at the parking lot entrance before and after worship on Sunday, December 8th. Cards are $10 per pack of 5 cards. What a deal! 

Supporting Our Neighbors: Holiday Gift Tree

Our church helps support the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) in our neighborhood by providing holiday gifts for children whose families are in this program. ECI is a voluntary program which provides in-home family and parenting support and connection to community resources for families with children under the age of 4.

The tree will be out in Friendship Hall this Sunday, December 8th, while the tags last! If you’d like to buy a gift, please pick a tag and purchase one of the requested gifts (suggested price up to $40). Return the gift wrapped and with its original tag by December 15th.

**If you took a gift tag last week and forgot to record your name as a sponsor for this child, please talk to Pastor Kate! [email protected]**

ORUCC “Post Office”

Bring your unstamped holiday cards for regularly-attending fellow ORUCC friends and skip the line at the post office! There will be self-serve “post office” available during the four weeks of December. Sort your cards alphabetically by last name. There is a suggested donation of 50 cents, with all proceeds supporting next summer’s youth service trip.

Make sure to stop by each week and see what cards have been left for you!

Do you have an idea for a Compassion Offering?

The Ministry of Christian Witness & Service is responsible for designating a 

recipient organization for the monthly compassion offerings. We welcome and encourage you to be part of this process by helping to identify organizations that are both meaningful to you and in keeping with the ORUCC mission of social justice and outreach.  Consider a non-profit that aligns with our church mission and that you are willing to help us promote. Then, follow the instructions on this form: Compassion Offering Request Form. The Ministry of Christian Witness & Service will review and consider your request at one of our monthly meetings. Thank you in advance!

– The Ministry of Christian Witness & Service

Lunch and Learn Welcomes the SUNSHINE SISTERS

Wednesday, December 11^th, 11:30 am

The Sunshine Sisters (Bev and Sheila) play duets with ukulele accompaniment. They perform in area senior centers and assisted-living facilities, sharing old familiar songs; some country and folk; and uplifting songs of love, memories, and the journey of life.  The Sunshine Sisters have prepared a delightful list of holiday songs, and encourage singing along with them.

Please join us on the 11^th for a delicious luncheon ($10 per person) and fun.  RSVPs are important for our catering team.  Please email Steve Sheets: [email protected].

2024 MOSES Transformation Celebration December 14th

ORUCC members are invited to attend the 2024 MOSES Transformation Celebration Saturday December 14, 2024 @ 5:30 to 9:00 pm at the Goodman Center on 214 Waubesa Street. This annual fundraising event showcases formerly incarcerated people who are now making contributions to our community. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts created and served by youth in the Goodman Community Center’s TEENworks program. Tickets are $75 for an individual or $65 per ticket bought in a group. Proceeds support the community organizer and advocacy work of MOSES around addressing racial inequity, injustice in the criminal legal system, and racial justice for all children. You can also make a contribution to the event. Advanced registration is required using this form: https://secure.everyaction.com/25nkZFvsWEaRbpNca4ETYw2 

A Flyer with more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N5h8Qqj9oI1myrjVi6gnYIUk4RzwPV0A/view?emci=82008f3e-349d-ef11-88ce-000d3a98fa6b&emdi=749798c8-379d-ef11-88ce-000d3a98fa6b&ceid=22210

Fair Trade goods at ORUCC on December 15th

Ethical Trade Co, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering vulnerable farmers and artisans worldwide, will be setting up a table at church on Sunday, December 15th. After the worship service, you’ll have the chance to shop their selection of fair trade goods. It’s a wonderful opportunity to find meaningful gifts for your loved ones while supporting empowerment efforts across the globe.

Sign Up to Volunteer on Sunday Mornings now through the end of

December 2024!

  AT ORUCC, the Members are the Ministers!

We are seeking volunteers to serve on Sunday mornings for in-person worship. You need not be a member, simply a person who loves ORUCC and is eager to find a place to serve! Young people are welcome to sign up, too!

Would you consider serving one or more times as

a Coffee Maker, a Welcomer, an Usher, a Lay Liturgist or

to assist with Holy Communion?

Feel free to sign up as an individual, a couple, or a family!

Click here to sign up as a Coffee Maker

Click here to sign up as a Welcomer

Click here to sign up as an Usher

Click here to sign up as a Lay Liturgist

Click here to assist with Holy Communion

After selecting one or more dates, you will need to click “Submit and Sign Up” at the bottom of the page, then enter your name & email address, then click “Sign Up Now.”

Questions or problems signing up?

Contact Ken Pennings at [email protected] or 608-556-2371.

Come sing with us–join our Choir!

All singers are welcome to join our Choir! Rehearsals are Wednesday

evenings from 7:00 to 8:30pm. We sing in worship the first and third

Sundays of the month, gathering for rehearsal 9am those Sunday mornings.

Please share your voice with a group of music-loving friendly people! For more information, email Bruce Gladstone at [email protected].

College Scholarships available

Members of ORUCC are invited to apply for 2025-2026 college scholarships of $500 to $2,000 from the Frank E. Page Scholarship Fund. Applicants should be planning to begin or continue education at any accredited 2- or 4-year college or university and should have a record of academic achievement, service to church and community, and demonstrated financial need. The application deadline is February 15, 2025; contact [email protected] for an electronic application. Questions? Contact Ann Evensen at [email protected]

Spiritual

Nourishment

for you!

For December 5 – 11

Daily Reflections: December 5 – 11

We are grateful for the ministry of Jeanne Moberly who is a member of Adult Faith Formation, as she puts together a set of fresh readings every week for our devotional practice at Orchard Ridge UCC. If you know someone who needs encouragement and would like the devotional mailed to them, please contact the church office.

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

1501 Gilbert Road

Madison, WI 53711

608-271-7212

Office Hours: M-Th 8:30-12:30