eNews for Friday, December 16
My Bailiwick
Dear Pilgrims,
Mercy, this is a lot of snow! It’s of a type perfect for snow statues and travel disruptions. I hope you are all safe and that adjustments to schedules have been easily made.
We have two wonderful services of worship coming up this week. On Sunday morning, our wonderful Music Director Patrick Colvin, along with Jessica Schroeder, our choir, and guest musicians—both choral and instrumental—have prepared a Service of Lessons and Carols. According to Wikipedia, the first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College Cambridge was held Christmas Eve in 1918. “During World War I the dean, Eric Milner-White, had served as army chaplain in the 7th Infantry Division and he was concerned that the distress of the ‘Great War’ had hardened attitudes against religion. Taking advantage of the established choral tradition of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, he introduced this carol service to King's as a means of attracting people back to Christian worship.”
Then, this coming Wednesday, December 21, we will gather to celebrate “The Longest Night”. This quiet service (in the sanctuary at 7:00 pm), includes music (handbells, cello, and piano), songs, readings, and prayers. It’s a service that gives us some quiet reflection during an otherwise busy time, offers moments of thanksgiving for the return of the light, and helps us remember and pray for dear ones who may be caught in times of personal darkness.
I hope to welcome you to either or both of these lovely times of worship, and again on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
Love to us all,
Carla
Ms. Cupcake's Story Hour
Families with children are invited to a Drag Queen Story Hour at Pilgrim on Saturday, December 17, 10:00-11:00 am. Join us for a celebration of Love, Friendship, and Family.
You can read more about the event at the Duluth News Tribune.
UCC Christmas Fund
The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees. Please show your continued gratitude for our active and retired UCC clergy who need our support by encouraging your congregation to give generously to the Christmas Fund this year. Envelopes will be provided at Sunday worship this week.
Men's Breakfast
Our men's fellowship group meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 8:00 am. Starting this month, they meet at Vanilla Bean Restaurant at 1608 Woodland Avenue in Duluth.
Poinsettias
If you'd like to dedicate a poinsettia to a loved one for our Christmas Eve service, get in touch with the office. Each plant costs $15.
Advent Events
- Sunday, December 18: Lessons and Carols. Join Pilgrim Choir for a service of Lessons and Carols, featuring familiar tunes in fresh, new arrangements, plus a few surprises.
- Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 pm: Longest Night. Join us in the sanctuary for a quiet service of readings, music, prayers, and candlelight, as we observe the longest night of the year. Music will include cello, piano, handbells, and hymns.
- Saturday, December 24, 5:00 pm: Christmas Eve Worship.
- Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day Worship. An informal time together to begin the day of rejoicing!
Pilgrim Calendar
| This Week at Pilgrim | ||
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, December 17 | 10:00 am | Drag Queen Story Hour |
| 12:00 pm | Lessons and Carols Rehearsal | |
| Sunday, December 18 | 9:00 am | Pilgrim Choir |
| 10:00 am | Sunday Worship: Lessons and Carols | |
| 11:00 am | Coffee Hour | |
| Tuesday, December 20 | 8:00 am | Men's Breakfast |
| 12:00 pm | Knitting Group | |
| Wednesday, December 21 | 3:45 pm | Bellissimo |
| 7:00 pm | Longest Night Service | |
| Saturday, December 24 | 4:00 pm | Pilgrim Choir |
| 5:00 pm | Christmas Eve Service | |
| Sunday, December 25 | 9:30 am | Pilgrim Choir |
| 10:00 am | Sunday Worship: Christmas Day |
Sunday Worship at Pilgrim
Join us Sunday at 10:00 am for Sunday Worship at Pilgrim, in person or online. You can view the service on Pilgrim's YouTube channel.
You can download a Bulletin here. Readings are in the bulletin.
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 95
YouTube views: 38
What Patrick's Listening To
The wonderful early music group Jupiter is out with some new Handel recordings—this aria from Semele is so fiery