This Sunday, December 23 at 10:00 am
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 For the Forth Sunday in Advent, we welcome Guest Pastor Tamara Roberts. Tamara's connection to Alki UCC dates back to 2008 when she worked with Diane and the church community as the 'Minister of This and That,' updating the website, starting a cafe ministry, and experimenting with summertime Wednesday evening church service and supper, focusing on families and storytelling sermons. She is happy to be back with the good folk of Alki for the fourth Sunday in Advent.
Sunday's service explores the texture of Advent (waiting, watching, wondering), and the tools our tradition has given us for the hard work of waiting (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love).
In sermon and song we will consider what God is up to, in us and among us, and what the stories of Christmas reveal about the nature of God. We'll also be introduced to our fourth Advent Tree of LOVE.
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Tamara Roberts (MDiv, MA, LMFTa) is on the path to ordination in the United Church of Christ. Her ministries include spiritual direction, mental health work, anti-racism training and young adult issues.
Since divinity school, she has served as a minister in several churches in the greater Seattle Area, and frequently is called to pulpit supply. She returned to Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry to pursue a post-master’s certificate in Marriage and Family Counseling, and is currently in private practice in the University District, working with teens and young adults, as well as older adults.
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First of all, I want to thank Marshan and our choir for the wonderful Christmas concert. It truly was a gift of hard work, dedication and commitment for all involved that put more people in the seats and pews of our church than any time in memory. A historic achievement for us and a great success raising more than $3,000. Thanks again to all who made it happen. Well done.
I hope you had a chance to meet with our intentional interim candidate. Negotiations are currently underway. If you have an opinion of Thom Beyers to share, please let us know, and we’ll keep you updated on any progress.
This is the season of giving and the main thing I would like to give is thanks. Thank you for faithful giving that keeps God’s voice and will alive here at Alki UCC. Thanks for the new people who have joined the choir and joined in worship with us … a New Member class is coming soon. Thanks for our board whose time and talents are generally unseen but vital to our operation.
Thanks to those in the congregation who stepped up to help bring Advent alive and coordinate worship with our Visiting Pastors. Thanks to those who quietly volunteer time and talents that keep the lights on, furnaces working, and smaller, endless project repairs. Thanks to our Treasurer team of Julia and Lowell. Thanks to our Office Manager, Larisa, and our janitor, Cleiton. Thanks to our business manager, Kristin, and our facilities engineer, Russ. Thanks to our church school staff, Julia2 and our nursery attendants. Thanks to our landscaper, Walter, and all the vendors who donate extra services to take care of our community, building and grounds.
So many people do so much for the love of this church and our members, it warms my heart and I can’t help but feel optimistic about the future.
There is one way I could feel even more optimistic. In this season of giving, if you could possibly include Alki UCC in your contributions list for end-of-year charitable gifts, it would certainly be appreciated and well-used.
With that, I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a blessed and happy New Year.
Already blessed and often happy,
Rod Peeler, Board Chair
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Christmas Eve at Alki UCC
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The Rev. Terry Teigen is leading both services.
Monday, December 24
5:00 pm
Designed specially for families, this lovely service engages children in a retelling of Jesus' birth.
What do we find at the heart of the Christmas story? The baby, the announcement, good news for ALL people, and most certainly Light.
We'll join in carols, share thoughts and hold our lit Christmas candles in a circle song of "Silent Night." A Christmas offering will be taken.
10:00 pm
We gather to sing carols, listen to wonderful choral music and hear the story of Jesus' birth. Pastor Terry will share a brief message, "When you just can't Christmas."
This service concludes with candlelight and "Silent Night." There will be a special offering.
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Rev. Terry Teigen is a retired UCC minister who lives in West Seattle. He served congregations in the Puget Sound region. His last position was as Associate Spiritual Care Director at Horizon House, a retirement community on First Hill. Terry and his spouse, Martha are the happy grandparents of three little girls.
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Call for Christmas Elves!
Volunteers Needed for Christmas Breakfast at Camp Second Chance
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 Your Outreach Team has hosted a hot Christmas breakfast at Camp Second Chance for the past several years, and we would like to continue the tradition.
We need two hot trays of egg casserole, a tray of bacon and sausage, a tray of potatoes and pastries.
Pretty easy if a group of us pulls together to prepare and then delivers late on Christmas morning. If you'd like to spread the joy, please contact Cinda.
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Pulpit Swap with Admiral Church for Worship
December 30 & January 6
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The worship services immediately after Christmas can feel like lost Sundays. Are we still in the Advent/Christmas season, or are we into a new year and new beginning?
Don't let those two special Sundays pass you by! We have exciting plans for worship to engage our congregation in different worship styles during this time of transition.
We will share both services with our friends from Admiral UCC:
- On December 30, Pastor Andrew Conley-Holcum leads worship at Alki UCC at our regular 10:00 am time; the Alki UCC choir is featured.
- On the following Sunday, January 6, the Reverend Joan Carter and the Spiritual Travelers explore the Epiphany story from a new perspective, collaborating with the Admiral UCC music team. Worship is at 10:30 am at Admiral Congregational UCC, just up the road at 4320 SW Hill.
We encourage you to come meet your fellow West Seattle UCC congregants, and experience two more styles of worship to launch us into the new year. — Joe Mitter
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For those grieving the recent death of a loved one:
Friends and family of Nancy Packard; Lesa Henry, Charley Rosenberry
Recent hospitalization, illness and other concerns:
Don Peterson, Kathy Herigstad's father, Dayle Banks, Larry Gill's nephew, Paul; Penny Matthews, Patty Magnuson’s brother, Shelley Webster, Jan Cochran
For home bound members/friends of Alki UCC: Ruth Okada, Doris Colbert
Wider World: Victims, communities, first responders and all those affected by the devastating California wildfires; prayers for fewer guns and for all victims of gun violence including those at the most recent mass murders in Thousand Oaks CA and at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue; for children, parents and all those affected by myriad inhumane immigration policies/practices; victims and survivors of extremist violence around the world; migrants seeking refuge around the world, and for those who are trying to help them. The rest of the missing schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram, who remain in our hearts as long as they remain missing. The hungry and homeless, the ill and the addicted, the lost and the lonely; the unemployed.
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Advent Breakfast
Sunday: 8:15 to 9:30 am
Choir Rehearsal
Sunday at 9:00 am
Sunday Worship
Sunday at 10:00 am
Christmas Eve Services
Monday at
5:00 & 10:00 pm
Merry Christmas!
Office Closed Tuesday
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Tidy-Up Elves Needed After Worship this Sunday
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Our wonderful custodian, Cleiton, is on a well-deserved holiday break, so we need some folks to stay for a bit after worship this Sunday to make sure the Sanctuary/Parlor is in shape for Christmas Eve services the following day. Thank you.
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Holiday Poinsettias for Christmas
Orders Due Today |
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Alki UCC invites you join in our yuletide tradition of designating a  holiday poinsettia in celebration or memory of a friend or loved one.
If you would like to honor someone, contact the Church Office.
The flowers adorn the altar for all Christmas Eve services. Poinsettias are $13.00 each. Additional contributions to the Flower Fund welcome.
Contact: Verona Ryan
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Come and Get it!
Last Advent Breakfast this Sunday Before Worship
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Grillmaster Rod Peeler finishes out the Advent breakfasts with pancakes and sausages.
Skip the hassle of making breakfast before worship and join us for fine food and fellowship in Anderson Hall.
We begin serving at 8:15 and serve until 9:30 am; the suggested donation is $5 per meal.
See you Sunday.
— Dave Smith
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Help Wanted!
Call for Sound System Recruits
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Come join the Sound System Team for Sunday worship!
You’ll enjoy fun, on-the-job training, a flexible schedule and user-friendly equipment.
Your salary: abundant spiritual rewards! Please contact Kathy Herigstad.
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Church School on Hiatus until January
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Children will remain in worship for the entire service. Activity packs are on the back pew or available from an usher.
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Masquerade Gala Benefit for Alki UCC
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Magic will happen on Saturday, March 2 ... we’ll dine, dance and donate together in support of our beloved Alki UCC.
More details coming early in January, so stay tuned.
Your Grateful Gala Team,
Charlie Hinckley and Julia Peeler
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Click on the big, blue donate button at alkiucc.org to make your secure online donation.
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