The Open Door
The Visitors' Church for over a century: Obedient in faith we intend to work together to touch the lives of others and be disciples of the Lord.
December 12, 2024 - All things Advent, Christmas, and beyond
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Give a Poinsettia and Keep it Too!
Christmas reminds us to be grateful for all we love and all who have loved us. Our tradition of poinsettias are a lovely way to make those connections a visible part of the celebrations. Remember your loved ones with a poinsettia in their honor, and the gorgeous flowers will brighten up the sanctuary between now and Christmas Eve. After that, take yours home so it can keep your Christmas spirit alive a little longer! Poinsettias can be purchased for a donation of $20 each.
Be sure to let us know whom you would like the flower to be in honor or in memory of.
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Pick up a toy or two for a local family
Grab a tag from the poster in the narthex and buy a child a toy for under their Christmas tree!
No need to wrap, just bring your purchase back to the church before December 20th.
Our local police know the families,
so they put together the tags and they wrap and deliver
the toys.
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Surely the Lord Is In This Place
While Pastor Nicole is away resting and refueling, the congregation is invited to take some time on the weekend of March 21-23 to contemplate where our church is and where it might be headed in the near future.
Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia, director of NEXT Church, will be coming to facilitate the conversation and give us some information and some questions to ponder. NEXT Church is a network of leaders--church members, ruling elders, educators, pastors, and others— who believe the Spirit is moving powerfully in the Church today, even as what it means to be Church is changing.
On Friday, March 21st, from 6 - 7:30 p.m., over a potluck dinner, Rev. Kwong-Abazia will lead a discussion about what community is for us, and the ways in which we do and in which we might relate to the community around us. There will be a half-day leadership retreat (open to session members, deacons, and anyone who considers themselves a church leader!) on
Saturday, March 22nd, from 9am- 1 pm, where leaders will be encouraged to consider strategies for promoting the vital and relevant ministry of our church.
Finally, Rev. Kwong-Abazia will lead worship on March 23rd, and be available during a coffee hour afterwards for further conversation.
Put this weekend on your calendars now, so that you don't miss out on what promises to be an inspiring few days!
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Bible Study: The Gospel According to Luke
Join us this Monday at 4 pm in person in the Fellowship Room and on Zoom, as we allow ourselves the pleasures of reading Luke 1-2 together, the story of Jesus' birth. This is a fun, diverse group of people and always a lively discussion--come and see! Here's the Zoom link:
Topic: Luke Bible study
Time: Dec 9, 2024 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 820 1343 5473
Passcode: 316375
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Christmas Music Fest
If you love Christmas carols, plan to be at church between services on Dec. 15th, to enjoy singing and hearing lots of sacred Christmas music. Get your full dose of your favorite carols and get yourself in the right mood to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Everyone is welcome, so bring a friend!
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Path of Peace
Contact the office to add one or more lights to this year's Path of Peace.
We are again aiming for 500 lights to outline our corner of Cape May, honoring loved ones and helping us to celebrate Christmas with all who pass this way.
We will be lighting up the path on Sunday, December 22nd and it will remain lit until December 29th.
Help make it happen--we have this down to a science now, so a little bit of. your time is all we need. It's easy, fun, and conducive to the Christmas spirit!
- Stop by and help put lights into the jars, labels on, and other small tasks--in between services on Sunday or on Tuesday at 11 am or Thursday at 10 am.
- After worship on December 22nd, we will need help turning the lights on and arranging them outside--it's a great way to start your Christmas!
- We still need a couple more volunteers to be "lightkeepers." If you can stop by on Dec 25, 26, or 28th, and make sure all the lights are on, and replace ribbons, lights, or jars that are broken or missing, that will keep the Path burning bright for its whole week. Let Pastor Nicole know if one of those days works for you!
- We will need help gathering up the jars and bringing them inside after church on Dec 29th.
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For Church Leaders, past, present, and future
The Christmas Joy Offering provides assistance to current and retired church workers and their families in their time of need, and develops our future leaders at Presbyterian-related
schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
Please give generously to support those who have been called to serve.
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Spread the Word: We're starting a children's bell choir!
If you know families with kids, please let them know that they can bring children by the church any Thursday at 5 pm for musical fun! The children get a little taste of church while they develop their musical abilities and learn to work together in harmony. And parents get a little break! Age 3 and up--adults are also very welcome!
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Worship for the next few weeks
We're in a season of change here at Cape May Presbyterian, so keep checking this space for our latest times and events! We also do our best to broadcast the early service on Facebook Live and post it on Youtube.
December 15
Third Sunday of Advent
9 am traditional service with organ and choir
10 am Christmas Music Fest
11 am jazz service with our ensemble
December 22
Fourth Sunday of Advent
One service at 10 am
This service marks the beginning of our new schedule!
We will continue having one service at 10 am every Sunday through May of 2025.
Dec 24th Christmas Eve Service at 11 pm
Filled with lessons, carols, and holy magic as always.
December 29
Sunday After Christmas
Join us at 10 am for an fun and informal, post-Christmas service.
Come in your sweats or jammies or whatever's comfortable!
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Our Church Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Dr. Nicole Wilkinson
Keyboardist/Jazz Leader: Greg Pordon
Organist: Milla Smith
Office Administrator: Nancy DeSantis