Today -             Worship Services, 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.  
                        Second Sunday in Advent
                        Carol Sing,   8:20 & 9:45 a.m.                    
                        Sunday School, 10:00 a.m.   
                        Youth Choir, 11:15 a.m.
                        Youth Group Christmas Party, 11:30 a.m. (Gr. 4-12)
                        Las Posadas, 1:00 p.m. (meet at Deep River Library)
Monday -         Trustees, 6:30 p.m.
                        Confirmation Class, 6:30 p.m.
                        EDA, 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday -         Gentle Yoga Class, 10:30 a.m.
                        Green Team, 6:45 p.m.
                        A.A., 7:30 p.m.                     
Wednesday –   Staff Meeting, 12:00 p.m.
                        Pinochle Group, 1:00 p.m.
                        HVN Support Group, 1:00 p.m.
                        Bell Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 p.m.
                        N.A., 7:30 p.m.
Thursday -       January Messenger Articles Due Today
                        Shoreline Soup Kitchen, 5:00
                        Senior Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 p.m.
                        A.A., 7:00 p.m.
Friday -            Transitions Academy
                        Pet Therapy Dog Evaluations, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday -       Women’s A.A., 8:30 a.m.
Sunday -          Worship Services, 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.  
                        Third Sunday in Advent
                        Carol Sing,   8:20 & 9:45 a.m.                    
                         Sunday School, 10:00 a.m.   
                         Youth Choir, 11:15 a.m.
                         Birthday Party, Lower Fellowship Hall, 1:00 p.m.
                         Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, 5:00 p.m.

Deacons in Charge for December
David Blifford is the Deacon on Call.  The Sanctuary Rep is Dwight Palmer and Keith Jones is taking care of Greeters, Lay Readers, and Flowers.

Birthdays This Week
Don Grohs, Matthew Haston, Susan White (Today); Kacey Mulligan, Anna Benson (10); Jim Dee, Nancy (Grohs) Eaman, Cameron Lyons, Craig Milton, Roger Tryon, Rita Thorpe (11); Bess Ensinger, James Farrell (12); Julia Anderson, Nate Wilkos (13); Erika Lynn Anderson, Chloe Lyons, Jane Syme, Linda Tower (14); Kathy David, Katie Lynn, Justin Norris, Nicholas Schultz, Allyson Titcomb, Hank Grabowski, Madelyn Riebold (15).

2018 Pledges
We are so appreciative of your financial support.  We are coming to the close of another fiscal year.  Please remember to fulfill your 2018 pledge before the end of the year.  Thank you.

Please join the PRAYER PARTNERS…use the list to hold up these individuals, whether you know them or not….and please contact Kris Lindner (860 526 5045 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you know someone in need of prayers from the faithful.

New Requests:
The Bush Family
Karen

Continued Prayers:
Rev. Bill West                Rev. Chris Horvath                                
Kathy K                        Steven
Matthew V                    Marion Beemer
Sandy                          Sally S
Ruth S                         Scott Robinson
Lana                            Noah Krebs                  
Anthony                       Lyn & Harry
Phil Kurze                    Bob & Carol
Darlene Bach               Sheryl
Jim Rankin                   Roger Cole
Roberta                       Scott J.
Jayne                          Karen
JR                               Bill
Dilger Family               Carolyn Wehr
Blifford Family              Victims of CA fires
Fremut Family              David C
Rayner Family                      

Middlesex Association Prayer Requests for the Week of December 2nd     
As Advent begins today, please pray that the congregations of the 21 churches of the Middlesex Association will make this a time of inspirational preparation for God's gift of the Christ child.

Volunteers Are Needed to Host Coffee Hours
Hosts for Family Fellowship Hour are needed for December, 9th  & 16th!  Please do not feel that you have to provide food—all we need is “Coffee and Conversation.”  There are directions for preparing the coffee posted in the kitchen and some members of the Deacons are more than willing to show you how to use the large coffee pot.  There is coffee and sweeteners in the kitchen.  All you have to bring is milk or cream.  Please sign-up on the Volunteer Sheets across from the kitchen or contact Kris in the office (860-526-5045 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

2018 Pledges
We are so appreciative of your financial support.  We are coming to the close of another fiscal year.  Please remember to fulfill your 2018 pledge before the end of the year.  Thank you.

The Board of Christian Service Giving Tree will have tags available in Fellowship Hall for local families in need on December 2nd and 9th.  Please consider taking a tag to help make Christmas special for someone in need. Gifts will need to be returned by December 16th.

‘Las Posadas’ Parade Today!
Again this year we will hold our annual Las Posadas Christmas Procession down Main Street TODAY, Dec. 9th, beginning at 1:00 p.m. It will be led by Mary and Joseph and their donkey in the style of the 400-year-old Mexican tradition.
Individuals and families of all ages are invited to gather at the Deep River Library and parade several blocks to the church, singing carols.  At the church children will participate in the festive breaking of a piñata.

Advent is Here. . .
Today, we begin a new Church Year as Advent begins.  Come early throughout the season to join in singing your favorite Christmas carols.   Gather at 8:20 or 9:45 to sing carols before each of our Advent services.

Advent Bible Study
Our Advent Bible Study meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., in the Upper Room to help prepare us for Christ’s coming at Christmas. The group will use a video series entitled Sent: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas. The video features the dynamic United Methodist pastor Jorge Acevedo and will help us to discover Christmas’ deeper meaning.  Please come and share in this informal gathering to grow in our faith.

Advent Visions
Today, as we begin the season of Advent, there will be a daily reflection on our church Facebook page featuring a photo taken by a member of our congregation and a meditation by Rev. Haut.  The title of the series is “Advent Visions.”   You can find each day’s message on the Facebook Page of “First Congregational Church of Deep River, CT.”   Or you may find them at the Deep River Dreams blog at http://deeprivertim.blogspot.com.
 Look through your photo gallery, or keep your eye open for a scene depicting hope, peace, joy, or love, or some other image of the Christmas season, and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   

Poinsettias-Please Order by Wednesday, December 12th
Traditionally, we decorate our Sanctuary with Poinsettias on Christmas Music Sunday, which falls on December 23rd this year.  The flowers are given in memory and in celebration of loved ones or events and you are invited to take part.  The 4 ½ inch plants are $5.00 and the larger, 6 ½ inch plants are $10.00.  The order forms are in the Narthex and church office.   You may purchase the plant to take home with you following the 10:00 service on Dec. 23rd, or you may wish to donate the plant to be distributed to our “Treasured Members,” those who have been ill, suffered a  loss, or is a shut in.  Be sure to indicate on your order, whether you will take your poinsettia home or donate it.  Please contact Kris in the Church Office with any questions:  860-526-5045 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Thank you.  

Christmas Pageant
Calling all Angels, Wise Men & Shepherds! We need you for the Christmas Pageant held on Christmas Eve at 5:30 p.m.  All youth of DRCC are invited to participate and should attend the rehearsals on Sundays December 16th  & 23rd , both at 5:00 pm. Contact Candi Turner or Sybil Higgins for more information.
Also, VERY IMPORTANT:  help will be needed on Sunday, December 23rd, right after the 10:00 service to put up the Pageant Scenery.  It needs to be brought up from under the Sanctuary and put together.  Assistance will also be needed to take down the scenery, after the pageant, to be ready for the 11:00 Candlelight Service.

Advent Service for Healing and Peace
The season leading up to Christmas can be one of the most beautiful and most difficult seasons for many people.  For others it may be a time of loneliness or pain, So you are invited to come and share a time of peaceful songs and prayers to bless this holy season in our lives.  Our next Service of Prayers for Healing and Inner Peace will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

The Board of Christian Service Giving Tree will have tags available TODAY in Fellowship Hall for local families in need.  Please consider taking a tag to help make Christmas special for someone in need. Gifts will need to be returned by December 16th.  (THE GIVING TREE is a wonderful opportunity to help two programs of the church.)

The Nuts Have Arrived!
Our Nutty Bell Choir Fundraiser is alive and well! We will be selling the nuts after both services Sunday morning. We have pecans, walnuts, deluxe mixed nuts, chocolate covered raisins, almonds, and cashews, as well as an assortment of specialty nuts that are mouthwateringly good! Thank you in advance for supporting our Chancel Handbell Choir.

GOOD NEWS FROM GL SCRIP!
We have been thrilled to offer Adams cards and GL Scrip cards to help you get ready for the holidays.   We encourage you to think about giving a GLScrip gift card to friends and relatives.  It is easy to order; remember when you purchase a gift card for someone or for your own use, you are helping our church with its various missions.  Meanwhile, enjoy the Holiday Season and drop by Jane and Elizabeth’s table to find out more about the GLScrip and Adams Cards program.

The 2018 Church Directories are available in the church office.

Church Street Child Care is Hiring!
Are you or someone you know looking for a part time job?
Do you love children and watching them learn through interaction and play? Well, we have the perfect job for you!
Church Street Child Care is looking to hire someone 18 years of age or older for a part time position. Monday – Friday, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
For further information please contact Stacy Bowe
 (860)526-2176 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MORE VOLUNTEER DRIVERS ARE NEEDED for FISH
FISH (Friends In Service Here), a non-denominational, non-profit corporation provides free rides to medical and dental appointments to residents of Chester, Deep River and Essex.  Its 15 female and 33 male volunteers enjoy providing this service to their neighbors on one or occasionally two days per month.  FISH has provided this service for almost 50 years but a greatly increased request for rides caused FISH to seek your help.  Currently 40% of the calls are from Deep River residents, and only 1 volunteer of the 48 volunteer drivers is from Deep River!  Please think seriously about volunteering for this much needed service.  
If you are under age 80, have a clean driving record and would like to learn more about FISH, please call us at 860-388-2693.
Thank you.

Community Announcements:
•    The Deep River Historical Society is pleased to announce their Sixth Annual Festival of Trees holiday event at the Stone House: 245 Main Street, Deep River.  You are welcome to attend this free event on TODAY, from 12-3.  The Carriage and Stone Houses will be decorated and open for viewing with trees designed by non-profit organizations in Deep River.  Winning trees will be on display for Sunday’s viewing.  For more information, contact, Sue Wisner at 860-526-9103 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
•    Christmas Volunteers Needed for Holiday Meals.  The Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries are currently recruiting volunteers to assist with our meals on Christmas Day. We need kitchen staff, set-up and clean-up crews, and other essential helpers. If you are interested in volunteering, you can attend orientation on Tuesday, December 11th, at Grace Episcopal Church, 336 Main St. Old Saybrook.  Start time is 5:30 p.m. for mandatory community service volunteers and 6:30 p.m. for all others.  For more info: 860-388-1988.

Support Groups at Our Church in Lower Fellowship Hall

Mondays at 6:00 p.m. - EDA
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. – AA
            Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. – HVN
            Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. – NA
            Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. - AA
            Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. – Women’s AA

       Shoreline Soup Kitchen serves a meal here at 5:00 p.m. every Thursday