Tuesday April 23, 2024 
Drive-Through Live Nativity
CASTLETON – “We need a little Christmas,” especially this year! Our regular routines of Christmas parties, concerts and visiting friends and relatives may not be happening this year, but we can still keep Christmas in a very special way. On Saturday, December 19 from 4:30 – 6:00 pm. the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Castleton is having a Live Nativity that can be viewed through the safety of your car. Come hear the Christmas Story told in a unique way as you drive through our Live Nativity. Through narration and song you will get to experience Christmas and learn of the Good News that the angels and shepherds told of over 2,000 years ago. We are located at 1150 Maple Hill Road in Castleton, adjacent to the Maple Hill High School. Call 518-732-7766 if you need more information. Let’s keep Christmas together!
Center Brunswick UMC suspends in-person worship
CENTER BRUNSWICK – This past year has brought many difficulties and challenges for the world and Center Brunwsick UMC. On December 10th the safety team voted to suspend in-person worship until further notice. We understand gathering together for shared worship is important. the health and well being of the community during this global pandemic is also important. With this in mind, the decision to suspend in-person worship is effective immediately.
It is with a deep sense of loss that we make this announcement before Christmas Eve. We will continue to offer Online Worship each Sunday, along with Blue Christmas and Christmas Eve. Our prayers go out to each of you, continue to hold each other, the church and everyone dealing with this pandemic in prayer.
We have also cancelled our Brooks BBQ which was scheduled for January 2.
December Events at First United Methodist Church
EAST GREENBUSH – Blue Christmas Time, December 18 at 6:30 PM followed by Youth Group Meeting
In recognition of feelings of loss for so many, especially this year, a Blue Christmas tree will be lighted in the sanctuary for each of the Advent services. The church will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for those who wish to come in and sign a star to hang on the tree in memory of loved ones or in recognition of other losses. Feel free to spend some quiet time in the sanctuary. (Please remember to wear a mask and sign in at the sanctuary door.)
December 20 – Our annual “Cookies and Carols” program of Christmas music and readings is being recorded this year and will be added to the church Facebook page at 3:00 PM on December 20. The recording will be available to enjoy throughout the Christmas season.
December 24 – Join us for a drive by living Nativity illuminated by luminaries. This will be presented by the Sunday School and youth of the church in the church parking lot from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
The Christmas Eve candlelight and Communion service will be live streamed beginning at 7:00 PM on the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FUMCEG/. Only those people involved with the production and presentation of the live stream service will be physically in the church. There will be no in-person attendance. www.fumceg.org , 1 Gilligan Rd. East Greenbush
Church of the Redeemer
RENSSELAER – Sunday services on December 20 are at 8:00 and 9:30. Our Christmas service will be Thursday, Christmas Eve at 4:00.
Your last chance to shop Thrift Shop before Christmas will be Saturday, December 19 from 9-2.Come to pick up last minute gifts, decorations, and wrapping supplies.
Hot Mess Crafters thank all those who came to our first craft sale. We are grateful to those who donated yarn and patterns during the year. You helped to make our sale successful. We will not meet again this year, but look forward to getting together again on Wednesday, January 3 at 10.
The Church of the Redeemer is located on CDTA bus route #214 at the corner of Third and Catherine Streets. There is handicap parking, a ramp in front, and a parking lot in the rear. Diocesan guidelines of wearing face masks which cover both the nose and the mouth, using hand sanitizer, and social distancing are followed at all church activities.
Fr. Robert Haskell may be emailed at rhaskell2@nullnycap.rr.com
Outdoor Carol Sing at Gilead Lutheran Church
CENTER BRUNSWICK – Gilead Lutheran Church will hold a Christmas carol sing on Christmas Eve, December 24th. It will be held outside in our parking lot with COVID-19 precautions. If you are concerned about being inside for Christmas Eve services, here is an option for celebrating the birth of Jesus with song. The service will be held at 4:00 p.m. and we welcome the community to join us. Gilead is located at Route 7 and Route 278 in Center Brunswick. Our web site is www.gileadlutheran.org and our phone is 518-279-9270.
First Reformed Church of Wynantskill Christmas Eve Service Now Virtual Only
WYNANTSKILL – Due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Rensselaer County, the First Reformed Church of Wynantskill has opted to hold our Christmas Eve Service virtually only. The service will be uploaded to our website and Facebook pages by 7 PM on Thursday, December 24. Visit frcw.org, About Us, Sermon videos, and choose the Christmas Eve Service. Our Facebook page is FRCWCommunity. The church will provide bulletins, music, and candles to anyone who would like to participate; simply call 518-283-4420 and leave your name, address, phone number, and the number of people who will be with you. We will mail all the supplies to you. This format will allow us to stay safe while singing our praise to God our Father, for the birth of His Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen. Please join us on Christmas Eve at 7 PM or at your convenience. We look forward to worshipping with you.
Christmas Eve at North Chatham United Methodist Church
NORTH CHATHAM – The North Chatham United Methodist Church will have 2 activities this year on December 24th. From 4:30-5:30 PM, we are inviting the community to bring contributions for our “Little Food Pantry” and to bring homemade
tree decorations to the church. This will be a “drive-thru” event. You can enjoy the beautiful luminaries that line the road through the hamlet, then stop at the church to add a decoration to our outdoor Christmas trees on the front lawn and/or place a donation for our food pantry under one of the trees. For your decorations, we are encouraging the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. You are also welcome to make a paper ornament with the name of a loved one who died this year that you want to remember. Decorations should be completely biodegradable (paper, yarn, or string, but no plastic or metal). On our website there is list of items we are in need of for the food pantry. At 7:00 we will have our traditional “Lessons and Carols” service via Zoom. We would rather have our normal candlelight service on Christmas Eve, but due to COVID-19 that is not a good option. The ZOOM login information is on our website (northchathammethodistchurch.org). For more information on North Chatham United Methodist Church, please call 518-766-3535 or visit our website. Thanks and we hope to see you soon, in person or on ZOOM!
Christmas Eve Worship at Church of the Covenant on Facebook
AVERILL PARK – Good news from the round church in Averill Park! At 4:00, before you sit down for that special Christmas Eve dinner, log on to Facebook for a presentation of the Christmas cantata by Pepper Choplin. This is the biblical story of the first Christmas set to music and performed by the renowned Church of the Covenant choir. During the concert you will be treated to a variety of Nativity scenes that grace the homes of folks in the community. Again, that is at 4:00, 12/24, and the entire performance is about 45 minutes. The link is https://www.facebook.com/COCAverillPark/
And don’t forget, you may use the same link at 9:30 each Sunday to virtually attend services at the Church of the Covenant.
Brunswick Cares Food Pantry Services
TROY – Brunswick Cares Food Pantry will continue to operate Tuesday 5-7pm and Saturday 9-11am with a ‘drive-up’ pre-packaged service. Social distancing rules apply:
1. Stay in car if another guest is at the door
2. Please only come to the bottom of the steps and maintain at least 6 feet and we will take your order
3. Please wait in your car and we will bring your order to you.
You can check our webpage for updates at https/brunswickcares.org