Fort Washington Collegiate Church

THE GOOD NEWS

Fort Washington Collegiate Church

729 West 181^st Street, New York, NY 10033

Office: (212) 568-4014 Fax: (212) 568-4741

www.fortwashingtonchurch.org

Welcome

The pace of life in New York City can be overwhelming. Challenges abound. We need a place to retreat and renew ourselves; a place to focus on things that really matter. We welcome you to the Fort Washington Collegiate Church and pray that you will experience God’s blessing as we worship together. Our purpose is two-fold. We commit ourselves to create community and to connect to God. To that end, we invite you to sing and pray and listen for God’s Word knowing that, as we are faithful to our Lord, we receive strength and joy for living.

“A Season Of Psalms”

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Twenty-eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Our worship focus will focus on Psalm 139, to remind us that, as the psalmist states, “Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” The service will include an original drama called “Done With God,” written especially for our enjoyment as a church family. Reverend MaryVirginia will offer the message.

USHERS

Delfina Arias Elveda McKenzie Sylvia Rodriguez Norma Villafain

THE FACE OF THE OTHER: LOCAL FILM SERIES

Fort Washington Collegiate Church, Hebrew Tabernacle, and the North Manhattan Neighbors For Peace & Justice are working together to bring our community The Face of the Other, an effort to present and discuss films that explore issues of tolerance, racism, and peace with the hope of increasing our awareness of the diverse human experience we all share. As part of this effort, we are pleased to present FARMINGVILLE here at the church at 2:00 PM this afternoon.

Reverend Morris and Mrs. Morris will return tomorrow from the Midwest, where they have shared in the joy of a family wedding. Reverend Morris officiated at the wedding celebration.

THANKSGIVING MEAL FOR THE NEEDY

Our Thanksgiving Meal For The Needy will take place tomorrow, November 24, 3:00 – 7:00 PM. This annual effort is sponsored by the Christian Woman’s Fellowship with support from the Consistory and our entire church family. With your generous donations of time and food, we anticipate another successful event. It’s not too late to offer your help! Please use the bulletin board in the North Room or the Fellowship Hall to sign up.

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS

We’re planning to give Thanksgiving food Baskets to more than twenty families and individuals on Tuesday, November 25 and Wednesday, November 26.

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY

The Wednesday Bible Study group will meet November 26 at noon in the first Floor Conference Room. Pastor Morris will lead our continuing study of the Psalms.

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

wednesday, November 26 – 7:00 PM

Begin your Thanksgiving celebration by joining together as a church family for worship.

Pastor Morris will lead the service.

Check out the insert in the bulletin to learn about our Advent Mission projects.

NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Next Sunday begins Advent, a season marked by a spirit of expectation, anticipation, longing, and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Reverend Parrish will offer the message and help us focus on the hope that Christ brings. Our time together in worship will include the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. And as is our custom, there will be a second offering to support the work of our Collegiate Deacons. And don’t forget to look up when you enter the Sanctuary. Theme – Hope; Color – Purple.

TWO WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES ON DECEMBER 7

SHARING OUR STORIES

AND

SHARING SOME CHEER WITH CHRISTMAS STOCKING GIFTS

We invite you to join us after service on December 7 as we begin a very special two-week session on sharing our personal stories to deepen our sense of community, led by Reverend Renee House, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at New Brunswick Theology and Devorah Jones, Fort Washington Lay Leader and Social Worker. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall immediately following our worship service. A warm lunch will be served.

And as we share lunch, our stories about the Christmas season and our personal journeys with one another, we will also decorate and stuff Christmas stockings to share some cheer with our members at Isabella Geriatric Center and others who are unable to be with us in worship. Our children will also participate by making Christmas cards to be shared. By giving we are better able to prepare for the Christ child who comes. These precious gifts will go a long way in warming the hearts of those who are so missed and so loved. So please join us.

CHILDREN AND WORSHIP

Children start off their Sunday in the sanctuary, sitting with parents and friends. After our Call to Worship and opening music (about ten minutes into the service) children are invited to join trained teachers and volunteers for worship and learning activities in a kid-friendly environment.

Nursery: Infants and toddlers, ages 0 – 3. Our littlest ones can be left in the care of our nurturing staff before or during the worship service. Parents can then pick up their children after worship.

Young Children & Worship: Early childhood, ages 3 – 5. Our pre-school and kindergarten children gather in our new worship center dedicated just for them and located inside our Fellowship Hall. They will hear and see stories from scripture in a way that allows them to enter into the stories and form responses out of their own life experiences using small wooden figures and arts materials.

Godly Play: Middle childhood, ages 6-8. Children in early elementary are led downstairs to their very own worship center where they, too, experience the stories of the bible in a multi-sensory way and then respond with arts materials.

Godly Time: Late childhood, ages 9 – 12. Our older children get together in the Fellowship Hall, where they continue their exploration of the parables of Jesus and dig deeper into foundational stories.

The Connection Sunday Youth Class: For teens, 13 – 17. Youth raise and engage questions that inform and strengthen their faith, using media and the bible as tools for exploration.

Children are always welcome to remain with family in the sanctuary as we worship together.

MEMBER CARE

Our Member Care Ministry Team is here to support you! If you need support as you work through a difficult time or issue, our Member Care Team can be of service to you through loving support and the power of prayer. Call Pastor Morris or Pastor Parrish (212-568-4014) and leave a message if he or she is not immediately available. Someone will get back to you as quickly as possible. And, if you are interested in volunteering for this ministry, please call Pansy Green for more information.

OUR COVENANT TO PRAY

As a church family, we are praying for a deepening sense of God’s call to renewal and revitalization for all ministries of our greater Reformed Church family. This week pray for the Reverend Kimberly Jordan, Associate Minister, Marble Collegiate Church.

PRAY FOR