• Christmas Eve at 7 pm Saturday and
• Christmas Day at 10 am Sunday.  

All are invited to participate fully in our celebrations of Jesus' birth.

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate the beautiful feast of the Nativity in all of its simplicity:  the shepherds, the manger, the star, the animals, the Holy Family.  It is a profound thing--and yet easily comprehensible.   

The Gospel for Christmas Day is quite different.  It is the Prologue of St. John.  It speaks of holy light, incarnate light coming into this dark world. It speaks of a savior--the Word-made-Flesh--God dwelling amongst us.

Luke wrote as an historian.  John writes with the pen of theology.  They give us two different pictures of one marvelous event.   

In the baby Jesus we have a God who loves us so much that He comes into our world in a gentle, loving way.  No fanfare, no fireworks--just utter simplicity and utter love.   

John's Word-made-Flesh reverses the tragedy of Adam and Eve.  He is the new Adam, the one come to break down the gates which bar us from heaven--and to redeem all humankind, encircling us in the Light of Divine Love.   

What a gift we have this Christmas!  It is a gift for eternity. It is a gift for each one of us who claim Jesus as Lord, Savior, and Redeemer.  Where do you stand in all of this?  Do you offer Him your life, your actions, your thoughts, your concerns, your love?    

Have a Blessed Christmas!  

Bob Hufford+  

How a person is treated when they first visit an unfamiliar church can make a lot of difference in their life.  See here for a nice short article on one person's discovery of what her welcome meant.

We will have punch and Christmas cookies, wine and cheese, and other hors d'oeuvres.

Please let us know if you will be able to join us.  We don't know whether to plan for 4 or 40!  Just send an e-mail to millerw@fuse.net saying yes or no to this invitation. 

Wanda, J, and Marjorie

PS:  Whether or not you RSVP, do feel free to join us! 

... Roger Perna, Bob Jones, Jeff and Grace Staples for setting up, unloading trucks, feeding volunteers, and directing traffic, etc. at the Feed The Children distribution of Christmas food boxes to 1200 people in College Hill.   

... Ohio State Parolees who completed painting three downstairs rooms, removed junk, cleaned, repaired cabinetry and replaced ceiling tiles. Also to Roger Perna, Bob Jones, Wanda Miller and Marjorie Shaddwho supervised them and to Mary McLain and Grace Staples for preparing and serving a delicious hot meal to all.   

... Marjorie Shadd for procuring and wrapping Christmas gifts for Christ Community in College Hill.   

 ... J.  White for her efforts in finding and accommodating renters for the building.  

 ... all who responded to the call for musicians, especially for our Christmas Eve service.   

... those who provided flowers for this Christmas season:

• John Thayer, in memory of his grandparents, George and Mary Matile
• Phillis Dietz, in loving memory of her husband Jim Dietz
• and also  Wanda Miller, Mary McLain, Marjorie Shadd, Grace Staples, Chuck Bowles, Ken and Carol Lyon    

... John Hodapp and Sons Funeral Home for providing our calendars of the church     year as they have for many years. They are so helpful to Altar Guild, Worship     Committee, Lectors and all of us. Look for them in the back of the church.

We're sure that we've left out many of the people who deserve our thanks. Let us know who we've missed by clicking eGraceNotes@GraceCollegeHill.org.

It was wonderful to be home at Grace for the 4th Sunday of Advent. As I always tell others, Grace Parish is a little parish that has a can-do spirit, much like the little engine that can climb up the hill. Having been a member and worked in so many different parishes in different parts of the world, there is something unique about the parish spirit, cameraderie, support, empathy, and just plain good fellowship. Size is not important, spirit is.

I am proud to be a member of Grace, to be home to see familiar faces and renew old ties, and am looking forward to coming back on my next trip to Cincinnati. May the Spirit move you all to greater heights in 2012.

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas Eve celebration and all the best for the new year 2012!

• Carl Relyea, our friend and long-time former Clerk of Council, celebrates his 99th birthday on Dec. 29. Cards may be sent to 1346 Teakwood Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45224.

• Grace Church volunteers will again provide meals and overnight hosting to homeless families thru the Interfaith Hospitality Network on Friday, Jan. 6, at First UCC. (Other College Hill churches provide these services throughout the rest of that week.)   Please contact Mary McLain if you can provide food, activities, cleanup, etc.

• Fr. John Bower is retiring (again) after his Christmas Eve service with us.  Your cards of appreciation would be welcomed.  

• Our dear friend and former member and deacon, The Rev. Laura Chace, was honored posthumously by the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Cincinnati at the open house of its new Shelter Services Center on Dec. 2. Laura dedicated more than 20 years of her life and work to sheltering homeless families at Grace Church and Christ Church Glendale as well as serving on the IHN Board.

    
• Over the years the Choir Room has become the repository for many "treasures."  There are quite of few that need to be returned to their rightful homes.  Please check the round table toward the back of the room to see if any of this items belong to you. They include one woman's white cardigan, one Army blanket, an olive colored fringed cover that may be for a table, children's books and toys (once used in the church) and other educational materials.  In addition, there is a marvelous collection of antique books on a shelf. If anyone has a source that could repair the books please let Marjorie know. Some books need to be cleaned, others may need to be recovered. 

• Since Chuck Bowles will be leaving for new digs in Atlanta in the near future, we will need volunteers to replace him on Altar Guild and Flower Guild. Please contact Chuck Bowles at bowles1453@aol.com  if you are interested. Chuck will train you before he leaves.

• Sunday Service Volunteers are always  needed in all positions including choir members, Sunday School teachers and sitters. Training is offered for acolytes, Eucharistic Visitors and Chalice Bearers. We are a Common Ministry Parish - everyone is encouraged to serve. Let the office know of your interest for training dates.     

• The Diocese is looking for Summer Camp Counselors for Procter Center.  Read  more about it in a recent issue of e-Connections here. 

• Lectionary Bible Study won't meet December 25 or January 1.  Each Sunday thereafter at 9 am we discuss the day's Scripture lessons. Please make an effort to attend - we want to make this study a viable part of our adult formation program. We will have plenty of copies of the Bible to read from; you are encouraged to bring your own Bible, if you have one. (Not meeting on 12/25 or 1/1.) 

• A Feast of Love celebrates Christ's birth at the 26th annual Christmas Day FREE sit down hot dinner at 5742 Hamilton Avenue on Sunday, December 25, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. If you are able to help, volunteers and food are needed. If you are in need of help, everyone is welcome and no one will be denied. For more information, contact Karen Lane at 541-5676, Ext. 167. For meal delivery or transportation, call 787-0786.

• Marjorie Shadd shares information about a reading course by Dr. Christ Pramuk of Xavier University, writer of Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton to be held at St. Monica-St. George in University Heights.  Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk who was one of the leading figures within the Catholic Church in interfaith exploration.  The course that Pramuk will lead offers a great opportunity to explore Merton's insights, both his mystic theology and real-world concerns. Read more about it here.   

• Kroger shoppers can make donations to the Freestore Foodbank via tear-off coupons in denominations of $1, $3, and $5 in the check-out lane at local Kroger stores.

• The Worship Service Volunteer Schedule through the end of the year is posted here. If you're listed and can't serve on your appointed date, please find a replacement and let the webmaster know. If you'd like to be added to the rotation in any area, please contact Worship Team Leader Judy Handy 513-681-5829, jhandy23@cinci.rr.com).   

• Flowers on the altar beautify our worship and can memorialize or honor important people in our lives. You can sign up to give altar flowers here, or on a signup sheet near the upper Belmont entrance, or you can let the office know your wishes. $35 is the usual cost of flowers.