"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars.” Isaiah 21:25

On Sunday, I marveled as Amicable Church entered the Season of Advent. The church was arrayed in its traditional decorations—a beautifully lit tree near the pulpit, large wreaths on each wall, and lit garlands hanging off the balcony. After a muted Advent/Christmas Season 2020, the holiday spirit had surely returned to Amicable’s sanctuary.

The service began a new tradition for Amicable—Chrismons, literally “Christ monograms” (see my Worship Themes below to learn more). Sunday’s symbols were Stars and Crowns, and our worship theme was Hope. We sang “O Come, O Come Emanuel” outside and then everyone entered the sanctuary holding a star ornament to place on the sanctuary tree. I felt the sacredness of this procession as I watched Amicable members of all ages bringing forward stars for the tree.

I thank Leslie Simonson, Sarah Martin, and our children for leading us through our first Chrismons Advent. So often we rely on “words” from Scripture to recount our Advent stories. Through these “monograms” representing Jesus’s birth, life, and ministry, we experience the journey to Christmas Eve in a new way, as a visual imprint of Jesus.

Ironically, Sunday began Advent Season where we usually end with Epiphany and the appearance of the three magi. A new star appeared in the heavens as these learned men traveled westward to Jerusalem. As experts on the heavens, the magi knew that this celestial sign foretold of a new realm breaking forth in the world, a turning point in history. As I said on Sunday, the point of intersection for the humanity of birth and the star in the heavens was found in the most unexpected place: in a barn behind an inn where a small child was born, swaddled, and placed in a feeding trough for cattle.

As you move through Advent Season, I encourage you to stop to discern the “signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars.” What opens your heart to the news that Christ is coming to spread God’s promise of love and hope to us all? Do not look for the typical trappings of royalty—a crown or robes. Instead look for the sacred in the most humble of places, and there you will find the Christ child.
          -Blessings, Rev. Nancy

Our Worship for December 

This Advent we begin a new tradition for our worship services and Sunday School program. We are celebrating Chrismons, which simply means “Christ monograms.” Each Sunday, the children will make gold and white ornaments to be placed on the tree in the sanctuary. These ornaments are symbols associated with Jesus’s birth, life, and ministry.

Last Sunday, we began Chrismons with Stars and Crowns, which represented the sign of a new star in the sky. This celestial event was recognized by the three magi making their way westward to Jerusalem. These signs were the backdrop for the First Sunday of Advent’s theme—Hope.

Scallop Shells and the sign of the Dove are the monograms for the Second Sunday of Advent (December 5), symbolizing Jesus’s baptism. During the service, we will welcome Isla Medeiros into the Christian community through the rite of baptism. This Sunday’s theme is Peace.

Angels will be the sign added to tree (December 12) on the Third Sunday of Advent. They represent the service theme of Joy.

For the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 19), the Shepherds who received their joyful news will be held up with both Lambs and Shepherds’ Crooks as the Chrismons. We will also be treated to our children’s annual Christmas Pageant with additional music provided by adults from our music program. These gifts of narrative and music will make alive the Love that came into the world with Jesus.

On Christmas Eve (December 24), we celebrate Christ’s arrival in the world. Through lessons and carols, we will recount the prophecy of a Messiah, the arrival of angels foretelling the birth of John and Jesus, the journey of Mary and Joseph to pay taxes to the Romans, and the Jesus’s birth. A variety of soloists and duos will provide carols and special music for this 5:00 PM service.

Chrismons continues during the First Sunday after Christmas (December 26) with the calling of the Disciples as depicted by ornaments in the form of Nets and Fishes. 

On the Second Sunday after Christmas (January 2), for our Communion Service, monograms of Bread in minibaskets and clusters of Grapes will adorn the tree.

Join us for the Chrismons journey this Advent and Christmas Season!

Chrismons Tree Ornaments Needed:
Calling All Crafters, Artists & Makers of All Ages!

Amicable needs your talents to help decorate our Chrismons Tree in the sanctuary! "Chrismons" (Christ's monograms) are Christmas decorations with Christian symbols in celebration of Jesus's birthday. They are traditionally colored WHITE, symbolic of Jesus's purity and perfection,
and GOLD, symbolic of His majesty and glory. 

Each Sunday from November 28 through January 2, themed Chrismons will be added to our tree during worship. Lists of Chrismons needed and take-home kits of supplies will be available starting on 11/28. 

A Chrismons Creation Workshop will be held after worship on December 5 in the upper hall, all ages are welcome! 

Have questions or need info or supplies? Contact Sarah Martin at smartinrdn@gmail.com"

All of the donated items will be brought to First Step Inn in Fall River, a homeless shelter for individuals and families that provides residential and outpatient treatment for individuals struggling with substance abuse, addiction, and mental health issues.Please send any questions to the Standing Committee, chaired by Kristen Zeiser (Kristen.zeiser@gmail.com, 401-864-7294).

 A New Star Christmas Pageant Rehearsals

December 5: Mike and Sarah rehearsal

December 12: All rehearsal

December 18: 2:00 PM Full dress rehearsal in Upper Hall 

December 19: All arrive at 9:15 for costumes

Sunday School to host Coffee Hour

The mission provides foster children with personalized duffle bags, replacing the garbage bags many typically use to carry their belongings. Each bag has the child’s name embroidered on it and is filled with several age-appropriate wrapped gifts and comfort items.

A $25 monetary gift covers the cost of one bag but any amount is welcome. You may place your check (made out to Amicable Church with “Bags of Hope” on the subject line) or cash donation (with a note designating its purpose) in the collection plates in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings. You can also mail your donation to the church office or place it in the black “Church Office” mailbox at the north entrance of the church building. We will compile all of the donations and submit a check to Bags of Hope for the total raised by the Amicable community.

Please contact Kristen Zeiser with any questions
(kristen.zeiser@gmail.com or 401-864-7294).

To thank you for your donation, Bags of Hope has made Christmas tree ornaments featuring the names of foster children receiving bags of hope this year. These ornaments will be available in the Upper Hall beginning December 5th.

Thanksgiving Basket Mission:
Huge Success

We distributed 125 turkeys, a few chickens and much, much more (all the fixings, milk, fresh vegetables and fruits, groceries and non-food items.  Countless people were benefitted by what we provided.  This would not have been possible without the co-chairs, Kim Goncalo, Chris Messenger and Sandra Lovley.  Many from our church and community donated their money, product and time to help us make this happen.

We have a surplus of funds and food from the Thanksgiving Basket mission so we are also going to provide a Christmas meal for those who are identified as most needy.  This will take place December 18 at the Tiverton Public Library. 
It will be a much smaller scale but a basic meal. Look for more details in the weekly emails.

Thank you everyone,

Pat Campion

A.C.T.S. Thrift Shop to Close...

for one month. We will close on Saturday, December 18th and re-open Thursday, January 20th. Our team has spent 3 and occasionally 4 days each week working in (and for) ACTS for the past year. We are very much in need of a rest! We will of course still be there cleaning, sorting, organizing and arranging during this hiatus only without the pressure of being open to customers.
And, as always, we NEED help to get ready for re-opening.

As you look to the new year please consider giving ACTS a bit of your time, an hour or two here and there, in the weeks and months ahead. We desperately need help to stay in operation and continue our service to Amicable and the wider community. And of course, If you can provide one or more hours helping, please contact:  Gail  ducks4jkj@yahoo.com (401-624-2260) or Martha  m.s.macnaught@cox.net (401-624-2323)

Let's Be Hospitable

We hope that other members of the congregation will join in re-forming a Hospitality Committee, which will support our fellowship efforts. Doing hospitality after services is simple especially now that we don’t have to move furniture! We want to cast our net of hospitality wide to include more members of the congregation who will offer provide this important part of our Sunday mornings. If you are interested, we can explain how to do it. Just let us know is you are interested in doing hospitality for a Sunday morning and/or in joining a Hospitality Committee, please contact Ray Medeiros at medeiros7@cox.net.

Financial Notes of Interest –
November 2021

• Pledged/donated collections picked up a little in November and should end up close to the planned receipts by end of the year.
• Cleaning, maintenance, and general expenses were similar to last month and should end the year less than budgeted.
• We are still operating without a Secretary so these expenses are not accumulating.
• Thrift Shop again had a great month and has already doubled its planned receipts for the year.
• There might still be one or two final Major Maintenance expenses to finish up the year, but the MM expenses will still end up less than what was budgeted for the year.
• The Trustees will take the full 4th quarter General Endowment Withdrawal.
• 2021 should end up in a positive financial position, barring any unexpected expenses.
• Trustees currently plan to move any 2021 surplus funds into 2022 as supplementary income.
• 2022 Budgets for Operations, Benevolence, and Faith Formation/Christian Ed were reviewed and approved at the November 14th Business Meeting.

       Respectfully Submitted: 
           Treasurer, Roger Gauthier

End of Year Contributions and Tax Deductions
As the year comes to a close, please note that for contributions to be deductible in 2021, they must be given to the church in 2021 or mailed and postmarked in 2021. A contribution given in 2022, even if the check is dated for 2021, is only deductible for 2022. Contribution receipt statements for your 2021 contributions will be mailed out the middle of January 2022. If you plan to declare your contributions in your 2021 tax return, the IRS regulations state that you must not file your tax return before you receive your contributions statement. Some other IRS regulations regarding deductibility of contributions: Cash or Check contributions of $250.00 or more must have a receipt from the charity. Contributions under $250.00 must be substantiated by reliable written records (receipt, canceled check, etc.) If you have questions concerning your contribution receipt statement, or need additional details, please contact
Roger Gauthier, Church Treasurer, 401-624-2323

Employment Opportunity

 There is a Church Secretary position available, which is a part-time 10 hour per week role payable at $25.00 per hour. If anyone is interested please send an email to office@amicablechurch.org or call the church office at 401-624-4611.
We are looking for an individual who has experience with MS Word, Excel and Google document management. 

Milestones

Amicable Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

3736 Main Road, Tiverton, RI

Just north of Four Corners

401-624-4611

www.amicablechurch.org