ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2023 @ PLYMOUTH
Be Not Afraid
Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.
~Frederick Buechner
The world is always falling apart. The sun stops shining. The sky goes dark. The war in Israel is overwhelming. The divisions in our country are painful. Poverty and prejudice surround us. The angel reassures Mary, “Be not afraid..” The angels’ first words to the shepherds are “Be not afraid.” In a frightening world, we need the gifts of God--hope, peace, joy, and love.
December 3 | Luke 1:26-38 | Hope
December 10 | Luke 1:46-76 | Peace
December 17 | Luke 2:8-20 | Joy
December 24 | John 1:1-14 | Love
ADVENT SUNDAY MORNINGS | SUNDAYS, december 3-DECEMBER 24, 9:30 AM | RECEPTION ROOM
Every Sunday in Advent, we will have wonderful space to study together before worship. Come to share coffee with friends, take deep breaths, find some grounding, and listen for God. Our Bible studies will explore God’s reassurance in the Christmas story to not be afraid:
Our sessions topics will be:
December 3 | Luke 1:26-38
December 10 | Luke 1:59-79
December 17 | Luke 2:1-20
December 24 | John 1:1-14
FESTIVE COFFEE HOUR | SUNDAYS, december 3-december 24 FOLLOWING WORSHIP | RECEPTION ROOM
All through December, Coffee Hour will be held in the Reception Room filled with assorted craft stations. Come and enjoy hot cocoa and winter treats while you make paper chains, Christmas cards, orange-clove charms, and more. Take the ornaments home with you, or add them to our many Plymouth Christmas trees. Depending on the weather, we’ll even get the fireplace going!
A SERVICE OF LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS | December 6 | 6:00 PM | Sanctuary
This season of the year can be difficult when we are dealing with loss. Some of us have a heart full of emotions unlike those we have known before. During this service we will light a candle to illumine the darkness of grief we carry, and gather in communion with our God who comforts us when we’re scared. This quiet time of worship will provide an opportunity to bring what we are feeling before God and look for light as we move toward Christmas and the New Year.
the next noel: a christmas musical | sunday, December 10 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | sanctuary
All are invited to join the children of Plymouth as they celebrate God’s greatest gift by presenting The Next Noel, a musical. Leave room for the Christmas cookies that will cap off this joyful, family friendly event.
a service of lessons & carols | December 17 | 6:00 PM | Sanctuary
Plymouth Church shares the music of Christmas. Continuing Plymouth’s 91 year old tradition, our choir’s gift to the community will be an evening of beautiful music accompanied by chamber orchestra.
We hope this will be a time within your busy season to experience God’s hope, peace, joy, and love through music and readings.
Christmas Caroling in the Neighborhood | Thursday, December 21 | 6:00 pm | meet in Beecher Garden
Caroling, caroling now we go, Christmas bells are ringing!
Join us as we spread Christmas cheer through the Brooklyn Heights community . Meet us in Beecher Garden at 6:00 PM where caroling will begin. Come prepared to lift your voice and share the joy of Christmas.
CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE | December 24 | 4:00 PM | Sanctuary
We hope that you and your family will join us to sing carols, visit the nativity, and hear the Christmas story.
This service will be livestreamed on our Watch Worship webpage.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE | December 24 | 6:00 PM | Sanctuary
Mary is nine months pregnant, in the middle of nowhere and without a room reservation, but she keeps remembering the angel saying, “Be not afraid.” Christmas is the promise that God will give us strength when life is hard. We give thanks for Christmas by hearing the story of Jesus’ birth in scripture, sermon, and song.
This service will be livestreamed on our Watch Worship webpage.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS VOLUNTEER OPORTUNITIES
Give warmth to trafficking survivors and their children
Plymouth is stocking up on warm hats, scarves, and gloves to give to trafficking survivors and their children during Restore’s Holiday Fair in December. Restore is Plymouth's faith-based anti-trafficking partner, serving clients and their children in New York City. A gift of $30 buys a hat/scarf/glove set. We are looking to raise $2750, to warm 60 adults and 30 children.
Plymouth's Annual Toy Drive | November 30-December 14
We are grateful to continue the Plymouth tradition of giving joy with the Annual Toy Drive for Colony Houses South Brooklyn.
Colony has offered humanitarian services to the disadvantaged people of Brooklyn since 1904, runs over 25 day care centers and is in great need. In the wake of Covid their work has become more necessary than ever, as has the need for joy.
Our goal is 150 toys by Wednesday, December 14. Shop from our Amazon Wish List and learn more!
Volunteer for the Restore Holiday Fair | friday, december 8 | 6-9:00 pm
Volunteers are needed for the Restore Holiday Fair for trafficking survivors and their children. This is a fun event in our gym, with Santa and presents, gingerbread and holiday music. We will be working alongside members of other churches to give the gift of Christmas joy to these brave people and their children. Sign up to volunteer. Contact Beth Fleisher with any questions.
Help throw a Christmas party for Little Flower | saturday, december 9 | 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Every December, Plymouth is blessed to welcome children and their foster parents from Little Flower for a holiday celebration in our gym. Little Flower supports vulnerable children by moving them into loving and secure homes where they will be safe to reach their best potential. We need cupcake bakers, food servers, greeters, craft and game leaders, and party decorators. To volunteer, please email Allen Kraus to sign up.