Dear Alki UCC,
The angels appeared first to shepherds. Shepherding was not a coveted role in society. The work was hard, unrelenting, the days and hours long.
I imagine that shepherds, although vital to their economy, might have felt invisible. They were the quintessential low-wage workers of their time. They had to scrape together their earnings to get by with nothing left over. They knew their sheep. But did they feel known? Did they know their belovedness?
In the angels first appearing to the shepherds, God is saying to us, I’ll get to everyone, but first let me tell you who feel invisible, you who are weary, you who are hoping for freedom: I see you. Love knows your name.
We all long for something. In whatever you long for this Christmas, may you hear God say to you: Love knows your name. May it wash over you like a lullaby.
Merry Christmas, Dear Church,
In hope,
Pastor Emily
Christmas Eve 2024
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Invitation to Sunday Worship
"Don't Forget to Laugh"
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 Please join us this Sunday, December 29, for a fun and low-key service, titled "Don't Forget to Laugh," adapted from "Sanctified Art," the same Advent series we have been following.
We'll be weaving fun and joyful scripture readings with Christmas carols from our UCC hymnal. Gary is our liturgist and he and I will co-lead the service, and call on members of the congregation to help with the readings. Our own Kathy will be at the piano to lead us in song.
This is a day of rest for Pastor Emily and her family, after preaching every Sunday in Advent, plus Christmas Eve. The service is in person only, with no Zoom streaming
We will celebrate the end of the holiday season on this relaxing Sunday. Come casual, bring your voice and your energy and love to share with each other. Join us!
— Joe M
Image:
"Let All Creation Dance"
by Lisle Gwynn Garrity
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 Our very own Dan K was featured for his good work in the community on the front page of December 23's Seattle Times!
The article spotlights how Dan and other area people embody "How Being Alone at the Holidays Doesn't Feel Lonely. Check it out here!
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Another article worth reading is a West Seattle Blog post featuring the Westside Interfaith Network! We are grateful and honored to be part of this amazing network.
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Julia P wrote in to celebrate the overflowing gift bins for our Christmas adopted families and cozy donations for the neighbors we serve through the Westside Interfaith Network. A huge shout-out of thanks to all our wonderful Christmas elves.
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"Alki UCC by the Sea" 2024
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Last week to vote by donating!
To cast a vote for "Alki UCC by the Sea" bring your donations of  non-perishable food items to Fauntleroy UCC by January 2. See schedule below.
Food Donations Delivery Admission Schedule:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to noon
6:00 pm on Saturday, December 21
All donations are gifted to the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks
Festival of Trees at Fauntleroy UCC Fellowship Hall
9140 California Ave SW
through January 2
Read more about the Festival of Trees here.
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Abandoned Kitchen Treasures
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A major effort is underway to get the Anderson Hall kitchen to Ground Zero for the New Year. A HUGE shoutout to Julia P and Sandy for getting things cooking ... as it were.
The east Counter is loaded with items that are available to be picked up until January 5 when they will be donated to a charity.
Take a look. If you use the kitchen please keep the space neat and clean. Thank you for your help.
The Volunteer Kitchen Committee.
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Thanks to all who used our narthex Sustainable Cubbies
Sustainable Stewards Cubby Corner
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December/January
Featured Items:
Holiday String Lights. Drop off your holiday string lights that are still working and those that have lost their twinkle.
We will be collecting them through Sunday, January 12.
Styrofoam: Save all that packaging from not only your holiday shopping but also from your meat packaging and cookie trays. Bring your clean Styrofoam to the cubbies through January 12.
New Permanent Item:
Contact Lens packaging: we are making room in the cubbies to collect the contact lens plastic packaging and the foil tops.
We always accept:
Wine corks, plastic lids smaller than three inches, small batteries, bread tags, empty prescription bottles, standard size light bulbs, contact lens packaging and two types of plastic: Plastic Film (shipping bags, plastic bags, overwrap, air pillows and other stretchy plastics!) and Multi-layer plastic (food storage bags, pet food bags, frozen food bags, and more layered packaging).
We don't take plastic wrap like Saran Wrap, but any other stretchy plastic we do.
We appreciate the following cubbie donations:
New socks, underwear and toiletries. Keep them coming!
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Ever-present God, we give you thanks.
We give you gratitude for the relationships in our lives and our community of faith.
We pray for all those who grieve.
Comfort their hearts and hold them close, especially those missing beloved family and friends in the holiday season.
We pray for all those who are ill, hurting or have a concern on their hearts.
We pray for Pastor Emily's friends Rich, Julie and Bryson, our Peruvian immigrant friends and for all who seek peace and safety in our country, for Sandy J's cousin Barbara, Dan K facing various health issues, Rev. Joan C, Cinda's mother Jackie S, Julia C's friend Jessie T and family, Amy Y's mother Corlene, Davney and Bob S, Sue's B's friends Mary and Louise, and Nick L.
We pray for our wider world.
Our hearts go out to the many people who are suffering in areas affected by natural disasters and the ongoing effects of climate change.
We pray for all the people and places in our world affected by war. We ask for wisdom for decision-makers and strength for justice-seekers. We pray for victims of violence, for refugees and asylum-seekers. We pray for all who are hungry, desperate, and in need of support.
In all of these things, we trust that you are with us. In all of these things, we ask for you to strengthen us. Help us to see you in those around us. Help us to love as you love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Please contact the church office to add or remove a prayer request. |
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Sunday Worship Videos Posted on YouTube
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 Sunday Worship recordings now online! |
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For secure, online giving through Give Lively, click the button, OR, send your check, made out to "Alki UCC," to: 6115 SW Hinds,
Seattle, WA 98116
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6115 SW Hinds
Seattle, WA 98116
206/935-2661;
Church news/calendar updates at alkiucc.org.
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Worship this Sunday,
December 29
at 10:00 am
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Sunday after Christmas
Words for the Beginning:
"Don’t Forget to Laugh"
A Lay-Led Service
Worship Leader:
Joe M
Liturgist:
Gary G
Scriptures:
Luke 2:10, Isaiah 9:2-3,
Matthew 2:10, Psalm 148,
Psalm 126:1-3, Isaiah 55:12-13
Kathy O
Accompanist
Music Highlights:
#136 Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child
#132 Joy to the World
#126 Angels from the Realms of Glory
#132 Joy to the World
#135 O Come,
All Ye Faithful
#144, Hark! The Herald
Image:
"Let All Creation Dance"
by Lisle Gwynn Garrity
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Sunday's service is in-person only. No Zoom streaming to give our Tech Host a well-deserved break.
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UCC Christmas Fund Special Offering this Sunday, December 29
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For more than one hundred years, The Christmas Fund has provided direct financial assistance to United Church of Christ ministers, church workers, and their families.
You can read more about the Christmas Fund here.
Donations will be received during worship this Sunday or any time online by clicking the DONATE button on the Alki UCC website and designating your donation to The Christmas Fund.
Please give online via alkiucc.org link above and not the UCC site to ensure the church receives due credit.
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As the end of tax year 2024 nears please be reminded what Alki UCC means for each of us.
It is because of the thoughtful and generous
congregation this beloved community endures. Our programs and services are a result of all these efforts and giving.
There is still time to give a little more to support our ongoing efforts to continue "sharing God’s love with each other and the world.”
Please consider writing an extra check, putting extra cash in the collection plate or donating online.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
— Your Financial Team
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Kitchen Item Donations Needed for a “Fill a Bin” Project
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Through our association with the Fauntleroy UCC Immigration Task Force, we learned that the asylum seekers at Riverton Park Methodist Church have been receiving work permits and jobs and are moving on with their lives furnishing their new homes. A "Fill a Bin" project is helping provide kitchen basics.
Attached is a list of needed items. This is a perfect opportunity to downsize your kitchen equipment and gadgets to help new residents set up housekeeping.
Thanks to all who have already donated. We're accepting your kitchen donations for the next several weeks.
Just bring your items the next time you're at church.. When we have collected a fair amount, we will sort through them to complete some bins for this project.
Thank you for considering this way to help immigrants.
Your Outreach/Social Justice Team
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Tuesday and Sunday Zoom Bible Study
Schedule Update
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• There will be no Bible Study on Tuesday,
December 31; Tuesday Bible study resumes on January 7.
• Bible study is canceled this Sunday, December 29 and the Sunday series resumes January 5.
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Participants are welcome to attend either on Tuesday at noon or Sunday at 5:00 pm (or both sessions!) on any given week ... whatever is most convenient.
There is a separate Zoom registration link for each series:
Tuesday registration link
Sunday registration link
Once you register, you will use the personal link for each series sent to you by Zoom. Pick up your copy of the Advent devotional this Sunday or request a link to the digital version from the church office.
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Sunday Worship Registration
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If you've already registered on Zoom, just use your personal link. If not, welcome! You can register here.
When you register, please use your first/last name plus your email.
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