Sunday, December 17 at 10 AM
Come early at 9:30 AM to get a part and a costume! There are no rehearsals, no need to memorize lines, and a lot of fun to tell the Christmas story.
Contribute to our Christmas display by dedicating a plant in honor or in memory of a loved one.
Order Deadline – December 10th
Prices and options are as follows:
4 inch red – $5
6 inch red – $8
6 inch white – $8
Contact the church office at 781-944-0205 or office@churchofreading.org with any questions.
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Celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season with multiple collections!
The schedule is as follows:
- November 26 through December 3 – NEW gifts for the Christmas Shop
- November 26 through December 5 – Hat and Mitten Tree
- November 26 through January 7 – gently used coats for Anton’s
- December 10 – toiletries for Emmaus Inc.
- December 17 – items for the Reading Food Pantry
Keep reading to learn details about each collection! We will update this post as new information emerges.
Christmas Shop – due by December 3rd
All Christmas Shop items should be in the collection box outside the music room by December 3, which allows time for sorting and distribution.
NOTE: The ONLY clothing items requested are listed below. They are no longer collecting items like pajamas, sweaters, and so forth.
Christmas Shop Wish List
(All Items must be NEW/*Denotes high need items)
Gift cards (Amazon, Target, Walmart)
Toys/Games
- Infant and toddler toys
- Children’s toys
- Dolls of diverse ethnicities*
- Teen games and activities*
Books
- Children’s books, esp. books featuring people of color*
- Teen books
Clothing – Outdoor Clothing only this year
- Socks
- Coats
- Hats
- Mittens/gloves
Other
- Sports equipment
- Art supplies
- Gifts for adults*
- Backpacks, purses, wallets
Sock and Mitten Tree – Due by December 5th
CWF is again setting up the Sock and Mitten Tree in the Atrium at the end of November. Bring your socks, mittens, scarves, and winter hats in adult and children’s sizes to adorn the tree. Your generous donations will be taken to the Boston Christmas Shop at the Lexington Congregational Church. Items can be brought in on Sundays of Nov. 26th and Dec. 3rd or anytime during those weeks up to Dec. 5th. This is a wonderful way to begin this season of giving which will continue with the other weekly donations collected by our Mission Ministry. Thank you.…
Time to start planning for the holidays. We need volunteers to help us with some of the more difficult holiday decorations, including:
- Assembling the tree
- Hanging difficult to access/reach garland and wreaths
- Assembling the creche
- Installing the shelf for the Advent wreath
Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/Help-Decorate
Thanksgiving Dinner Luncheon – November 19 after church
Sign up today!
Members of the church are once again hosting a Thanksgiving meal after church on Sunday, November 19th. They will be serving turkey, mashed potato, squash, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls and butter. Donations of any flavor of pie for a potluck dessert would be appreciated.
This is a free dinner, but donations to help cover the cost of the meal would be graciously accepted. Donations to the Reading Food Pantry or any of the Advent collections for the mission committee are welcome as well.
Although latecomers will not be turned away, please make a reservation by so we know how much food to order. This meal is open to all. You do not need to be a church member to attend. Use the link below to register.
https://tinyurl.com/Luncheon-at-First-Church
Contact the church office at 781-944-0205 or office@churchofreading.org with any questions.…
Our monthly conversation group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Parlor at 1:30 PM.
This month we are discussing land acknowledgements recognizing Native American history and lands prior to colonial settlers, and how to contribute to reconciliation and justice today. All are welcome to join in the conversations!…
November 18 & 19
The Mission Ministry is sponsoring two collections in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. Saturday, November 18 will see a town-wide, curbside collection held on Sanborn Street from 10 AM to 1 PM.
The following day, we will have our traditional Food Pantry collection during the Thanksgiving church service, Sunday, November 19 at 10 AM. All items collected will be divided between the Reading Food Pantry and Neighbors in Need, a food pantry in Lawrence.
Thank you so much for your generosity!
Items needed include:
- Granola Bars
- Canned Chicken
- Beef Stew
- Oatmeal – Instant Flavored and Regular
- Decaffeinated Coffee
- Laundry Detergent
- Jarred Spaghetti Sauce (with or without meat)
- White Solid Tuna in Water
- White and Brown Rice
- Goya Products
- Tissues
Do you think you could come lend a hand? From 10 AM – 1 PM We have a number of projects:
- Remove Air Conditioners
- Moving furniture
- Cleaning
- Decluttering
Interested in a monthly Work Day?
In additional to seasonal Saturday work days, we’re thinking there are a number of volunteers available during the week that might be able to lend a hand on a monthly basis! Click the link below to fill out a survey and maybe we can get something going!
November 26 Carol Hymn-Sing & Hanging of the Greens to get us in the spirit! Volunteers to help with the heavy lifting of garlands and setting up the tree will be needed November 25.
December 3 with Communion & Orchestra
December 10 with Chancel Choir
December 17 Intergenerational Sunday with Pick-Up Pageant & Handbells
December 24 Three services!!
- 10 AM – Chancel Choir, lighting the 4th Advent Candle, and welcoming in Christmas Eve
- 5 PM – Traditional Candlelight & Family-Friendly Service with Handbells
- 11 PM – Contemplative Candlelight Service
