Vision

Gospel Reading for this Sunday:

Joel 2:12-13, 28-29

This Advent season we will continue our Love Without Limits series, but in a slightly different way. Since this time of year tends to get a bit frantic and stressful, let’s slow down the pace a little and encourage each other to truly enjoy the season and one another. Love [one another] Without Limits is the theme for Advent. During the time right after worship, everyone is invited to participate in traditional Advent family activities designed to foster relationships and center ourselves in the anticipation of the Christmas gift of Emmanuel, God with us.

This Sunday, December 4^th, Advent 2 Christmas Tree Decoration

On this Sunday, we will gather in the Sanctuary to decorate the Christmas tree. It will be up and full of lights. Each person is encouraged to bring an ornament or two to hang on the tree.

We will also have some simple decorative crafts ready to decorate the church for the Christmas holiday.

Sunday, December 11^th, Advent 3 Nativity Scenes

We invite you to bring your favorite Nativity Scene to the church. We will have tables set up in the Commons ready to display all the different sets that are brought in. This is an opportunity to share with each other a little bit about our personal family Christmas traditions.

Sunday, December 18^th, Advent 4 Carol Sing

Are you one of those people who feels like there is never enough opportunity to sing Christmas Carols during the holiday season? Do you have a favorite carol or two that you really like to sing? Join us after worship back in the sanctuary for a good old fashioned carol sing.

All Four Sundays in Advent: Special Holiday Treats

Do you have a favorite treat that your family enjoys each Advent and Christmas time? Please consider adding your name to the Hospitality Treat Sign Up lists and bring a treat to share!

Saturday, December 24th, Christmas Eve Service

Celebrate the birth of the Christ child on Saturday, December 24th at 4:30pm.

Exciting news for 2017!

Community of ChristChurch will be receiving $2,000 as part of the New Beginnings Local Ministry Grant from the ELCA Oregon Synod.

You may have heard about the 'Back 40' idea at worship to engage new and existing community partners for transforming the greenspace behind our building for the common good.

We will be working with City Repair, a non-profit organization located in Portland, whose work focuses on helping neighborhoods transform public spaces for the benefit of the community. You can learn more about them by clicking here.

If you are would like to be involved in this project, please send an e-mail to Jane Jackson Jackson, jane.m.jackson@intel.com.

Anyone interested in learning more about this project is also encouraged to attend the next City Repair Informational Meeting on Tuesday, December 13^th, from 6-8pm at their office location, 840 SE Alder in Portland.

In addition to collecting toys for Hillsboro Fire and Rescue ChristChurch has adopted a family in need this year. There’s an opportunity to purchase clothing, toys and household items.
Some items have already come in so please check the display in the Commons for items that are needed.

RSVP to Cindy: 503-645-9931 or cynthiak444@gmail.com.

About Holly:

As time passed (and my son grew older), I began again to paint in pastel and oils. In 2012, my husband and I moved to Alexandria, VA, and I became a member of the Alexandria Art League. While in Virginia, I had several pieces exhibited, sold some work, and received an award for one of my pastels. Then in 2015, we moved again-- this time, to Portland, OR.

What is art FOR? WHY paint? I think I paint what feeds my soul, what I need more of. I paint things that give me hope, like the child in “Forward!”, radiant on her grandfather's shoulders. And I paint things that are joyful, like beautiful koi, or parrots living free, or my cat, Singh, stretching in the sun.

I'm an artist first; a painter second. I'm a painter because it's the best way I've found to take my inner vision and bring it out into the world. Maybe there's a better way, that I haven't found yet... I don't know. I love many creative forms. Painting is simply the most effective soul-expressing medium I've found.

Find out more about Holly here.