First Friday: Comin' Down First Friday Lane
Friday, December 7
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Mortimer, right down First Friday Lane! We’ll be making our list and checking it twice; so make sure your child—whether naughty or nice—is on the list for December 7 at 6:30 pm. Mortimer will entertain you with his latest escapades and Santa will share cookies with all until 9:30 pm. Sign up at church on Sunday, November 25 or online by Wednesday, December 5 at https://www.lrucc.org/first-friday.
The cost is $20 per child, with a family maximum of $50. If you’ve already completed a registration form for the 2018/2019 program year, please email firstfriday@lrucc.org by Wednesday, December 5 to let us know your child(ren) will be attending.
First Friday is a kids' night out program designed to give parents an evening to themselves. Volunteers provide creative and exciting entertainment for the children in a safe and fun atmosphere at the church. First Friday is for children aged six months through 12 years.
All children in our community are welcome, whether or not their families attend Little River UCC, so spread the word and make your plans!
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Greenspring Ministry
Wednesday, November 14
On the second Wednesday of the month, Pastors David and Alexis visit with our church members at Greenspring Village, a retirement community in Springfield. This visit happens in the Craft Room at Hunters Crossing from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. If you or someone you know lives at Greenspring, be sure to let them know about this opportunity to get together with their neighbors and church friends!
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Annual Community Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
Join members of the community from various faith traditions for an ecumenical Thanksgiving worship service. A goodwill offering will be collected to support the work and ministry of ACCA (Annandale Christian Community for Action). The service takes place on Tuesday, November 20 at 7:00 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (3439 Payne Street, Falls Church, VA 22041).
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Shaw Community Ministry Thanksgiving Gift
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice is grateful to the Little River United Church of Christ community for generous gifts that were received as part of the 2018 Easter Offering. As a result of this generosity, the board was able to fully fund the Rise Against Hunger meal packing event and fully fund 20,000 meals. In addition, this year the board has designated the remaining funds to continue Little River's generous support of the Shaw Community Center's Thanksgiving ministry including gift cards for Shaw families and support for the Elders Thanksgiving luncheon. Thanks again for your generous support.
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Church Floor Plans Needed
Little River UCC needs fairly accurate drawings of the church floor plan — nothing exotic or very detailed. The drawing would show layouts of both floors, including rooms and entry/exit and interior door openings. The layouts can be on 8 1/2 x 11 pages. If you are interested and can help produce these plans, please contact Mike Nagy.
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Thanksgiving Special Collection – Deacons and Pastors Benevolence Fund
Sundays, November 18 & 25
While we collect offering every Sunday, several times during the year, on Sundays, November 18 & 25 we will collect for special off-budget benevolence funds. This collection will be used to replenish the Deacons’ and Pastors’ Benevolence Fund. The Benevolence Fund is modest, but it is a critical part of our ministry. Our pastors – or the Chair of Deacons – can use this fund to provide emergency confidential assistance to members or friends. In the past the fund has been used, e.g., when a family breadwinner is between jobs, or facing eviction, or confronted with unanticipated medical expenses. The assistance is always confidential, and it is always appreciated. Please be generous for the Benevolence Funds offering this year. Please mark "Thanksgiving Offering" on the memo line of your check or use the special Thanksgiving envelope so we know where to direct these donations.
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Little River UCC Photo Directory
Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1
Little River is doing a new pictorial member directory! We want everyone to get a picture made so that our new directory will be complete. IT WON’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT YOU! You can schedule a photo appointment on the sign-up sheets in the narthex, on-line here, or by calling the church office.
Photo appointment dates are available on:
Friday, November 30 (2:30 – 8:45 pm)
Saturday, December 1 (10:15 am – 4:30 pm)
Please allow approximately 1 hour for your appointment. You will have a professional photography session, see your proofs immediately on the computer, and have the opportunity to purchase extra portraits for family and friends. Every family photographed for the directory will receive a copy of the directory and an 8x10 portrait at no cost.
Sign-up ends on Monday, November 26 at Noon, so please sign-up today!
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Gratitude for God’s Blessings
Saturday, November 17
As we anticipate and enter a season of gratitude, the Women’s Ministry Team invites church members and friends to a morning of reflection on Saturday, November 17. Breakfast and fellowship will begin at 9:30 am in Room 8. At 11:00 am, we’ll adjourn to the sanctuary for meditative worship, supported by piano, cello, and voices. This opportunity will help us prepare for the busy holiday season soon to be upon us! All are welcome, but please sign up in the atrium, especially if you’re planning to join us for breakfast.
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Senior Pastor Blog Post
Our Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. David B. Lindsay periodically writes for the UCC's Center for Analytics, Research and Data (CARD) blog, Vital Signs and Statistics. Here is his latest blog post: What Kind of Leadership Does the UCC Need for its Future?
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Advent Fun Shops and Hanging of the Greens
Sunday, December 2
Enjoy a joyful and magical Sunday afternoon together celebrating the approach of Christmas. Immediately after worship join us for an all-church potluck. Please bring a dish to share and make sure that you fill out an LRUCC Special Dietary Restrictions card to label the ingredients in your dish. Cards will be available at coffee hour on November 25 and in the kitchen on December 2.
Starting at noon in the Jubilee Room, we will have many Advent-centered crafts, and a holiday movie for the kids. In addition, a table of wrapping supplies will be available so you can wrap your gifts for the White Gift Service to be held on December 9.
In the meantime, a merry crew will deck the halls and sanctuary. All are invited to join the fun, and give the church a “sprucing” up for the Advent and Christmas season.
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Bereavement Tea
Thursday, December 6
Our annual Bereavement Tea will take place on Thursday, December 6, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. It will be held at Greenspring Retirement Community in the Village Square building. The Bereavement Tea is for those at Little River who have lost an immediate family member during the past year. Invitations to those we know have lost a close loved one will be mailed in November, but please feel free to reach out to Carrie Douglas, Amy Mireku , Pastor David, or Pastor Alexis if you would like to attend.
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