St. Albans Congregational Church

WELCOME VISITORS! We’re delighted that you’ve chosen to share our celebration of God’s grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. We pray you will be blesssed with greater hope, peace, love and joy. If you’re in search of a church home, do consider joining our faith family. Make your desire known by coming forward during the "Invitation to Discipleship" or by marking the space "Would Like to Unite With Church" on the "Visitor’s Card" handed to you by an usher. Do come again.

THERE WILL BE NO WEDNESDAY 12 NOON AND 7:30 PM ADULT BIBLE STUDY CLASSES ON JANUARY 7! Classes will resume the week of January 12, 2009.

NEW MEMBERS ORIENTATION CLASS IS SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 AT 10:00 AM! If you’re desirous of joining our wonderful faith fellowship, please attend this session for sharing personal faith journeys and church membership expectations. New members will be received in formal ceremony on Sunday, January 11!

REMEMBER TO BEGIN USING YOUR 2009 OFFERING ENVELOPES TODAY! If you have not received your envelopes, please call the Church Office at 718-657-8282. Giving envelopes will be mailed to members’ homes on a monthly basis for 2009. This change is made as a most cost effective plan for meeting our congregation’s needs for giving envelopes. Please remember to make at least a $10 gift to the special "Initial Offering" envelope in the packet to help pay our annual per capita dues to the New York Metropolitan Association, UCC.

COMING IN FEBRUARY 2009: EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES TO CELEBRATE THE RICHNESS OF JAZZ AT ST. ALBANS! Building on our nearly six year success with "Jazz Communion Vespers Services" on the first Saturday of each month, the 5 PM "Spiritual Renewal Vespers Services" for the other Saturdays will also be ina jazz format! Additionally, "Jazz with Dinner" will be offered one Friday per month from 8-11 PM at a cost of $35 per person. Watch for further detailed announcements.

UPGRADE YOUR SKILLS, LEARN ADOBE PHOTOSHOP, ILLUSTRATOR, AND GRAPHIC DESIGN. Under a special grant, St. Albans Congregational Church will be hosting a course in the aforementioned software. The course runs for 20 weeks (Saturday’s February 4th through June 27th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM). There are only 5 spots open. Must have basic keyboarding and mouse skills and at least 12 years of age. Fee is $275.00 for the entire course. See Rev. Wilson to sign up.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, YOUNG ADULT NETWORK AND BIBLE STUDY! Join other young adults (19-30) in a networking and Bible study session with Rev. Wilson. Gatherings are held every 2nd Saturday from 3:00-4:00 PM. This is an opportunity to Learn, Mature, Grow...be the best you can be for God!

THE CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 15TH AT 7:30 PM! Heads of all ministries and Boards are requested to attend.

ANNUAL CORPORATE MEETING IS JANUARY, 31 AT 10:00 AM! Every member is urged to be present for this important meeting.

CONGRATULATIONS to Elaine Davis, Winner of the Fruit Cake/Black Cake Contest. Second Place tie by Lillie Griffith, Jane Lewis and Marlene Lodenquai. Next month: Chili Cook-Off on January 25, 2009.

DONATE YOUR OLD CELL PHONES! Give the gift of hope to a victim of domestic violence. Donate your old cell phones with chargers beginning January 11, 2009. Cell phones can be left in the box in the Family Life Center. Verizon Wireless will refurbish the phones and donate airtime. This is being coordinated by the Agape (Counseling) Ministry.

REGISTRATION FOR CONFIRMATION 2009 HAS BEGUN! Registration forms are available. Parents and guardians can begin signing their young people up for the confirmation class. The retreat is Saturday, January 31 from 9AM to 11:30AM. The remainder of the classes will be on Sunday’s. See Rev. Wilson for additional information.

CHURCH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TRAINING SESSION will be held in the FLC on Saturday, January 10 from 9AM - 11:30 AM.

THE NEXT QUARTERLY GATHERING OF YOUTH USHERS, ACOLYTES, AND READERS ADVISORS will be held in the FLC on Saturday, January 10 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM.

WE NEED WORKERS, ARE YOU WILLING? On January 17, 2009, 9 AM - 12 Noon is the next quarterly work day which will include painting, cleaning and other small projects - details to follow.

THE "BECAUSE WE CARE FOOD PANTRY" IS STILL COLLECTING FOOD! Please bring your food donations to the food pantry or leave them in the lobby of the Family Life Center.

HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN OUR SPECIAL GIVING EFFORTS? If you haven’t contributed to our "Church Anniversary" or "Extra-mile Debt Reduction Drive," then please do so as soon as possible. See the insert for progress reports.