Elder Diner Lunches Start Wednesday, Jan 2 Starting Wednesday, January 2 from 11 am to 1 pm in Covenant Hall, we welcome you to join us for our Elder Diner. A light lunch will be served along with some coffee and tea. This will be a weekly lunch gathering open to members and the public. Cost is $2.00 per person.

Advent Festival – Dec 2 Come join those of all ages gather on the evening of the first Sunday of Advent in the Mohawk House, from 5-7pm for a covered dish dinner and seasonal activities. For the meal at 5pm, bring food to share that begins with the letter A (for Advent—any Appetizer will do) or edibles purple or blue (contemporary Advent colors). After our dinner, the crafts commence including making lovely Advent wreaths from natural materials! We will conclude with a brief liturgy around candlelit wreaths.

Give Memorial Flowers for Christmas Each year the

church is decorated with plants and greens during the holiday season. Your loved ones will be remembered in the bulletin on December 23. The donation is $20. Even if you have donated in previous years, you need to place a new order for Christmas 2018. Please call 518-377-2201 or email the church office no later than Thursday, December 13, to make arrangements. Send payment to Chancel Guild, c/o Marlene Risseeuw, 2140 Niskayuna Drive, 12309.

St. Nicholas Breakfast Dec 9 No matter your age or stage, join us Dec 9 at 8:30am in the Dirck Romeyn

room for a complimentary Dutch breakfast of chocolate sprinkle sandwiches, strong coffee, juice, oatmeal (with a lot of options), and speculaas cookies. Followed by a visit from the just and generous Sinterklaas, telling stories and giving gifts! Christmas Offering: The MoonCatcher Project Education is the most effective means of improving the lives of girls in the world’s poorest communities. However, these girls often drop out of school when they reach puberty because they have no access to hygiene products. This leads to early marriage and a lack of financial independence. The MoonCatcher Project was established to provide free reusable, washable hygiene products that provide a way for girls to stay in school, giving them a chance to complete their education. Interested in Us? Come to an informal time to learn more about First Reformed and possible membership. It starts at 3pm on December 2, in the church office.

First Things

A Newsletter of the First Reformed Church, Schenectady, New York December 2018

Service Schedule CHRISTMAS EVE Monday, December 24 5pm ........ Intergenerational Service

This interactive early service is especially fitting for children and their families, though all are invited to the miracle and mystery of God with us.

8:30pm ............ Music of the Season Harpist Lydia Zotto is playing carols and some selections from A Ceremony of Carols, with the choir.

9pm .... Carols and Candles Service Come home. Light a candle and sing “Silent Night” again. This year we are featuring violinist Ann Marie Barker Schwartz and two beautiful anthems: Ave Maria and On this Still and Quiet Night.

11pm ......... Christmas Jazz Vespers This year our late service will feature

a local duo and quiet communion.

Music &

Worship Special Music Dates Dec 16 - The FRC Choir and Union College Orchestra will join together for the Huron Carol, Morton Lauridsen O Magnum Mysterium and How Great the Joy.

Dec 24 – For Music of the Season beginning at 8:30pm, we will have harpist Lydia Zotto for a few selections from Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols along with some tradition carols and at the 9pm service two anthems also featuring violinist Ann Marie Barker Schwartz and the choir on Ave Maria and On This Still and Quiet Night. Adult Ukulele Adult Ukulele meets Wednesday evenings from 7 - 8:15pm. No experience needed and we have a few ukuleles that can be borrowed temporarily. Contact Jamie Ipsen at 518-399-6848.

Calling All FRC and UPC Choral Alumni! This year for our 5pm Christmas Eve service we are looking to have as many First Reformed and UPC alumni who grew up in our choirs to stand and sing together. In past years, we have had a choir consisting of our recent alumni and we would like to expand our possibilities! This year we would like to include ALL of our past youth members in singing a song together. Please call Jamie Ipsen 518-399-6848 or let the church office know if you will be attending the 5pm service so she can get music to you and notify you of rehearsals. JamieIpsen88@gmail.com

FRC Orff Group The FRC Orff Group will be continuing its 4-week session during Advent. Rehearsals are on Sundays at 11:15am in the balcony, and we will be performing during service on with the ukuleles on December 23. All generations are welcome, including children age 3 and up. No musical experience is necessary, just a willingness to sing and hit things.

Fellowship Dinner & Contemplative Worship Dec 12 Consider joining members and friends of FRC for an informal whatever-you-wish-to-bring (even if it is just yourself) meal at 6pm Wednesday, Dec 12, in the Dirck Romeyn room. At about 7pm, we walk over to worship in the sanctuary with songs strummed by ukuleles and guitar, thoughtfully considered Scripture, communion and prayers shared around the Lord's Table before departing with God's blessing of peace.

First Forum After worship most Sundays at 11:15am in the Sanctuary, we gather to learn about new ideas and existing efforts. Suggestions for programs are welcome. Contact: Amy Brule, Peggy King, Frank Ralbovsky or Joe Doolittle. See the Sunday chart for what is up.

Dec Preacher Liturgist Reader Forum Vespers at 5pm

2 Bill Levering Daniel Carlson Carol Troost The MoonCatcher Project for the Christmas Offering

Nat Phipps, piano; Pete Toigo, bass

9 Bill Levering Daniel Carlson Amy Brule Poor People Activities and

Marches Dave Gleason- piano; Mike Lawrence, bass;

Brian Patneaude, sax; Ben O’Shea, trombone

16 Bill Levering Daniel Carlson Cynde

Schwartz Church Poinsettia Delivery Nat Phipps, piano; Keith Pray, sax

23 Abby Norton-

Levering Bill Levering Coffee and Conversation Wayne Hawkins, piano

30 Bill Levering Daniel Carlson Christine Daniels

Sermon Talk Back by Rev. Dr. Bill Levering

Peg Delaney, piano; Bill Delaney, bass. (for Bill Levering‘s birthday bash)

Youth &

Community

Youth Group Christmas

Party Dec 16 On Sunday, Dec 16 at 6pm, the J-

Walkers Youth Group will have their

own Christmas party and help another

one too. Bring an unwrapped

Christmas gift that is either re-

purposed from home or cost less than

$10. We will practice playing different

games, wrap gag presents, be a team

of hyper and happy elves, prepare

invitations for the YMCA Family

Christmas Party, and remember how

non-traditional Jesus’ family was.

Chords of Love Ukulele Choir Chords of Love (ages 8+) meets Sunday mornings at 9am in the mezzanine. These groups will collaborate to play the 3rd Sunday of each month in morning worship. Other outreach opportunities are being considered as well. NO EXPERIENCE is required - nor is a ukulele!

Kids Sunday Morning Schedule

9am Kids’ Ukulele

10am Come to Worship, Leave for Church School during worship, stay there until 11:15am.

11:15am Children’s Music

On Friday, December 7 at 6pm. We

will be showing Good Boy. If you love

dogs and think family life is

complicated, you will enjoy this movie.

It is a light-hearted film for everyone.

The movie explores how trying to be

the “Top Dog” does not help to build

community, but when we welcome

others as good friends, we are creating

a caring family.

YMCA Family

Christmas Party – Dec 30

Going Home for the Holidays is not

always easy. For some it can mean

avoiding tense arguments, juggling

time between split families, or not

being able to relax and simply be

yourself. For this reason, the Justice

Action Council and the J-Walkers

Youth Group are welcoming non-

traditional families to join us for

Christmas and a Non-traditional

Christmas Party at the YMCA on State

Street on December 30 from 5-8pm.

We will gather for food and fun at 5

pm, gifts and games at 6pm, music

and open gym at 7pm. Cost is $5 per

family.

You can make this night a special gift

to our community by:

Donating a family-fun gift to be

used as a prize.

Coming with a friend or inviting a

whole family.

Contributing beverages or snacks.

RSVP with Liam,

LiamBattjes@gmail.com

Wednesday Nights

Beginning – Jan 2

The Good Earth Cafe, Good Earth

Band, and Alternative Worship and

Conversations announce a soft

opening on Wednesday, January 2.

At 6pm, the Good Earth Band will

rehearse and prepare for playing at the

Alternative Worship Service and other

performances like the Farmer’s

Market.

At 7pm, the Cafe Style Worship

Service will include a simple meal of

soup and a bagel bar.

At 8pm, you can join Liam Battjes for

an EPIC Conversation of We Make the

Path by Walking by Brian McClaren.

Church School Children in grades K-5 are invited to go upstairs for church school after the Children's Message. Those in grades 6-8 may choose to remain in the service or help with the younger children. Tom Mancuso is teaching our K-2nd grade youth and Dave Pizzolo is teaching our 3-8th grade youth.

Support and

Care

Please Let Us Know Whenever you are ill, hospitalized, homebound, needing a meal, transportation to a doctor, or grieving a loss, we would like to know...so we can do what our Committee is named for: support and care! Please help us to help you when you are in need by calling Support and Care Chair, Barb Walton 518-346-1943 or Daniel Carlson 518-346-6416. Support and Care We invite you to consider helping with a new supportive ministry. We are looking for those interested in grocery shopping for the homebound in our midst. Give Daniel Carlson, 518-346-6416 or Barbara Walton, 518-346-1943 a call if you feel moved to care in this way.

Emergency Contact Info It has been very

helpful to have the emergency contact information for members, especially--but not limited--to those who live alone. If you would like us to keep track of this for you, fill out a white card in worship or call or visit the church office.

Entered into Eternal Rest Joseph W. Lovell – Nov 8, 2018 A service was held on Nov 17.

Volunteers are needed on Sunday, December 16 to deliver poinsettia plants to homebound church members. The plants, along with addressed cards for each recipient, will be available after the service. This is a meaningful opportunity to extend our care and support to church members not able to join us for worship.

Open Hearts Please join us on the third Sunday of the month at 11:15am in the Mohawk House – Lunn room for a brief time of sharing and praying in an intimate and safe group. Please see Karen Gonda if you have questions. Care & Prayer Need a moment for prayerful support after worship? Trained Stephen Ministers will be available in the Dykstra Chapel right after the service on the last Sunday of each month to sit with, listen to, and pray for and with you. Please stop by if this sounds like it may be just what you need.

First Fellowship At the Eddy Maria Todd leads a monthly group at the Eddy. It is an informal get together to share our life experiences and enjoy friends from FRC. The meeting takes place every 3rd Monday at 10:30am - 11:30am in the Fireside room at the Eddy.

Holiday Heaviness Help Its not at all uncommon for this time of the year to be among the most difficult for those who are grieving a loss or facing a big change in life. Thanks to the blessing of our congregation's Stephen Ministry, you don't have to bear the burden alone, We have trustworthy, compassionate, skilled, faithful Stephen Ministers who are available to accompany you through whatever times of darkness and distress you may be facing. They are ready to provide one-to-one compassionate Christian care. Contact one of our Stephen Leaders for more information: Maria Todd (518-429-7931) Joanne Arnold (518-526-0840) or Daniel Carlson (518-346-6416).

Knitting Prayer Shawls and Baby Blankets The Support and Care Committee encourages people who enjoy knitting to consider making prayer shawls or baby blankets that can be presented to our church family members in times of concern, like illness or grieving, and in times of joy, like the baptism of a new baby. These items are extremely meaningful and we want to continue this caring tradition. If you need more information or the pattern for a prayer shawl, Gini McDermott or Mary Jewett will be glad to help.

Advent Note From Your Senior Elders On behalf of The Consistory of First Reformed Church of Schenectady, we welcome you to the upcoming season of Advent. As we celebrate the coming of the lord with the birth of Jesus, we invite you to focus on the meaning of the Advent wreath and candles. The Wreath becomes a never-ending circle representing the promise of eternal life. On each of the four Sundays before Christmas, we light one candle for Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace. On Christmas Day a fifth candle is lit and symbolizes Light and Purity on the birth of Jesus. As we light, each candle we are reminded that Jesus came as light into the world to shine through the darkness for all. As we pause to reflect on the season of Advent, we offer prayers for our brothers and sisters who may be feeling alone, living in fear, suffering in grief, or dealing with an illness/ declining health. May their hearts be comforted with God’s grace and love. We encourage you along with us to be a light for Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace this Advent season in the way we live, in being kind to others, and in what we say. May you and your loved ones be blessed with Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace this Christmas time and all through the year. Consistory Senior Elders Amy Brule, Del Pierce & Retiring Senior Elder, James Gonda.

The Chrismon Tree Chrismon are a type of Christmas tree decoration used

in many churches and often in the homes of Christians. They were first made by Frances Kipps Spencer at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia in 1957. Chrismon are white and gold decorations with beads and ribbons. “Chrismon “is a word coined from “Christ “ and “monogram”. The symbols represent a variety of Biblical concepts that are well known to most believers. Mrs. Harrison Todd made a Chrismon Tree for a festival at the Schenectady Museum. After the festival she donated the decorations to First Reformed Church. Take some time during the season to enjoy the tree donated and decorated by George and Kitty Trimarco.

Horizons Bible Study Advent Devotions Please come to Horizons Bible Study Tuesdays during Advent, December 4, 11, and 18, at 10am in the Mohawk Presbyterian Room. We will share Advent and Christmas stories, poems, music, e.g., Amahl and the Night Visitors, Gift of the Magi, The Friendly Beasts - devotions meaningful to us as we await the birth of Jesus.

Epiphany Party – Jan 5 Save the date and plan on joining us from 5-7pm, concluding the 12 days of Christmas with our festive semi-annual inter-generational event! We'll gather once again to fellowship, feast, and sing. We'll discover magi in our midst, who, once in costume and bedecked with gifts, shall lead us in circuitous quest, following the "star of wonder, star of night." We'll recall the story of Jesus being discovered by these stargazers, who will finally bless the home and lead all who are able to a bonfire, where we'll lift in prayer those upon whom we ask the light of Christ to shine. There is no sign up--but don't show up without bringing a gift of some favorite food and/or drink to share as you are able! Just like the magi, we're uncertain on which house the star will shine this year; the location will be announced as soon as it's determined.

Narthex Display Cases The Narthex display cases during Advent and Christmas will feature two beautiful displays of nativity scenes. One, will contain the Van Voast family crèche which has been displayed during past advent seasons. The other display case will contain a display designed by Kathy Petersen. Kathy has a vast collection of miniatures depicting the holy land that tell the whole story of the nativity. She has a family tradition of turning a room in her house over to the display of the nativity during advent and Christmas. The Narthex display case will feature a smaller version of her collection. Please take the time to view both beautiful displays during advent and Christmas.

Groups

The PHD* Stitch Group will not meet in December. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, January 3 at 10am. We meet in the Mezzanine in Walton House. All are welcome to finish a project or start a new one. *Projects Half Done

Group V – Dec 3 We will meet Monday, December 3. Contact Maria Todd with questions

Saturday Breakfast Dec 8 Features Wayne Hawkins Our Saturday

Breakfast for December will be held on Dec 8 in the Mohawk house. We are trying a new time, to please some folks who think that 8am is too early. We are going to compromise and start at 8:30am. The program will be provided by Wayne Hawkins, our Church Musician. Wayne will tell us about himself and his prior experience, and he will play a short program of holiday music for us. This is a good opportunity to get acquainted with Wayne and to enjoy his musical talents. You can confirm your attendance by e-mail to Gene Rowland, erowland@nycap.rr.com or Joe Doolittle, aldenjoe@nycap.rr.com.

Johnson Library There are three new books on the library’s shelf in the Heritage room. The first is This Child of Faith, by Sophfronia Scott and her son Tain Gregory. Tain Gregory was present in his 3rd grade classroom the day of the Sandy Hook shootings. As part of his healing process, his was asked, what is most import to you? Tain Gregory answered “God”. This is the story of the spiritual journey of Twain and his parents. In American Wolf, Nate Blakeslee writes poignantly about animals, values and living on this earth through the story of one amazing wolf. Marsha Gessen follows the lives of four people from the dawn of the possibility of democracy in Russia to today’s mafia state in The Future is History. Look for the library collection of Christmas Books in the Heritage Room

Pastor’s Party Sunday Dec 30 5pm – 8pm Dr. Levering’s annual holiday party celebrating Christmas, New Year’s and his birthday has been held at various places over the years. This year, the party will be in the new Covenant Hall on December 30 in conjunction with Jazz Vespers. As always, there will be photo booths, tattoo stations, crafting, jigsaw puzzles, great music, wonderful food and a festive atmosphere.

New Kerygma Conversations – Nov 28 All those available most Wednesday mornings 9:30-11am are welcome to join us for a new session discussing Watch For the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas, an intriguing collection of writings by a variety of authors, living and deceased, for each day of these holy seasons! To get a running start, we will actually begin a bit before Advent, on November 28 and conclude just after the Epiphany, on January 9. Gently used copies of the book $10 will be available for in the Faith Bookshop by November 25, for pick-up and a few days reading before first gathering. Contact conversation leader, Daniel Carlson, for further information.

Short-Short Writing Group

The FRC Short-Short Writing Critique Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7pm., Short-Shorts include fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, essays, and travel pieces told in 1,000 words or less. The group’s mission is to help one another improve as writers.

The Perfect Gift

The Day By Day Devotional Calendar is reusable year after year. It has religious and Non-religious quotes. It comes wrapped with a ribbon. The original flip booklet was organized by Group V in 1981. Find the perfect gift in the bookstore or call Maria Todd. To order several at time.

Interested in Solar? If you are interested in reducing your carbon footprint by supporting solar power without installing solar panels on your roof - there is another option: “Community Solar.” Community Solar allows households to purchase solar energy from local solar “farms”.

Because there are several companies offering Community Solar, FRC’s Creation Care Committee (CCC) is surveying their offerings. Besides the reduction in carbon emissions, early indications are that Community Solar could reduce a household’s electricity bills by 5-10%.

The CCC plans to complete our effort late this year or early next year. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more please talk to CCC members, Peter Lion, or Johnny Willis.

Finally, to learn more about

Community Solar, Google “NYSERDA

Community Solar” and stay tuned for a

2-hour presentation on what the CCC

learns.

Christmas gifts for the Men of City Mission Suggestion cards can be taken from the small Christmas tree in the Dirck Romeyn Room. Buy new gifts and bring them back unwrapped and place them by the tree Sunday, December 2-16. Warm clothing and coats are suggested. Contact Amy Brule with any questions.

A Special Viewing of Church Artifacts November 28 FRC members are invited to Beneath Schenectady at Begley Library, SUNY Schenectady County Community College between 4:30pm and 6pm on Wednesday, November 28 to see artifacts that were found in the Church’s front yard during excavations in 2016. The exhibit represents the work of more than 150 CAP students, and showcases the unique history of Schenectady. Join us at this special showing for FRC. Otherwise, the exhibit is open to the public during library hours until December 15.

Give Household Goods

The Home Furnishings Program is always looking for household items in great condition to pass on to others in need. To donate, call Jamie Doriguzzi, at 518-346-2444 or email her at homefurninc@aol.com to arrange for warehouse drop-off.

Post-Worship Hospitality Needs Please consider hosting our post-worship fellowship by signing up for a couple of Sundays during the year. The sign-up sheet and instructions are in Dirck Romeyn room. .

The church office will be closed on Dec 24 and 25

2019 Offering Envelopes are available about the middle of December.

End of Year Stock Contributions

We love to receive contributions of stock and they are a good way to get a deduction for appreciated stock without paying tax. However, sometimes brokers do not tell us. So if you give a gift of stock, please let us know so that we can get the right number in the right place. Contact Heather, let her know, and thanks.

Pledge Update Our pledge response has been good so far. Have you

made your pledge for 2019? The easiest way to do it is to go online at 1stReformed.com and you will see a link at the bottom. It takes less than 30 seconds. If you are busy and have pledged before, we will guess that you would like to help again in 2019.

First Reformed Church

8 North Church Street

Schenectady, NY 12305

(518) 377-2201

December Birthdays During December

1 Betty Bumgarner

Elizabeth Gallagher

Liesl Tobin

Johnny Willis

2 Christine Boger-Walthers

Wayne Hawkins

3 Sarah McCullough

Charles Tobin

4 Richard Bennett

5 Meghan Collins

Jeanette Mitchell

6 Atlas Parker-Spagnola

6 Lilith Pennant

Courtney VanNorden

7 Arthur Hudak

8 Lorraine Cox

Rachel Hewitt

Elizabeth Taft

Andrew Wiltz

11 Duane Ball

Sean Collins

Hudson Walthers

12 Laura Lee

Jason Rickard

13 Dan Ipsen

14 Daniel Carlson

Michael Collins

Arthur Shultes

William VanAlstyne

15 Hans Erickson

16 Catherine deSalle

Carol Troost

17 Kenneth Rimany

18 Jerry Griggs

Natalie Pizzolo

21 Eloine Lion

22 Raymond Beland

Pat Countermine

23 Leah Fernandes

Cathleen Wisniewski

25 Jesus

26 Richard Gardner

31 Scott Ebeling

Every Sunday Choir Rehearsal, 9am Cord Of Love, 9am Worship, 10am Church School, 10:15am Children’s Music, 11:15am Forum, 11:15am Vespers, 5pm Weekly Monday: Men’s News Group, 9am Tuesday: Morning Prayer, 9am Horizons Bible Study, 10am Wednesday: Kerygma, 9:30am

Adult Ukulele, 7pm Thursday: Bible Bunch, 7:30am Ensembles, 7pm Chancel Choir, 7:30pm

Monthly Group V, 1st Mon., 11am Eddy Group, 3rd Mon., 11:30am Support & Care, 1st Tues., 11:30am Writers Group, 1st & 3rd Tues., 7pm Archives, 2nd Tues., 6pm Consistory, 2nd Tues., 7:30pm Contemplative Worship 2nd Wed, 7pm

Community Meal 2nd Wed, 7pm Archives, 2nd Wed., 1pm Stephen Ministry, 3rd Thurs., 6:30pm What’s What, 1st Sun., 3pm Care & Prayer, Last Sun, 11am Open Hearts, 3rd Sun, 11:15am Upcoming Events 2: Advent Festival 2: What’s What @ FRC 3: Group V 7: Youth Pizza and Movie Night 8: Saturday Breakfast 9: Breakfast with St. Nicolas 11: Committee Meetings 11: Consistory Meeting 12: Archives 12: Contemplative Worship

12: Community Meal 16: Poinsettia Deliveries 16: Open Hearts 16: Youth Group Christmas Party 20: Stephen Ministry 16: Open Hearts 30: Care & Prayer 24 & 25: Office Closed 30: Pastor’s Party

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