| Peru Community Church Weekly Announcements |
Rev. Phil Richards, Lead Pastor
Rev. Leigh McCaffrey, Assoc. Pastor for Growth |
Welcome to Worshipwith Rev. Phil Richards |
Sunday - December 21, 2025
9 a.m. - Worship Service ~ In-person and via Zoom
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Fourth Sunday of Advent | Love Grows HereFriends, This Sunday’s worship service is an Advent gathering inspired by A Charlie Brown Christmas. Rather than a pageant or performance, we will share scripture, reflection, music, and prayer that echo Charlie Brown’s honest question:
“What is Christmas all about?”
Through the familiar story of the little tree that just needs care, we’ll reflect on the Fourth Sunday of Advent theme of Love—a love that doesn’t arrive perfectly decorated or fully formed, but grows slowly through presence, compassion, and community. Like Charlie Brown, we’ll pay attention to the small, overlooked moments where meaning begins to take shape.
Rooted in the Advent lectionary and shared across generations, this service invites children, youth, adults, and elders to worship together and listen for the quiet ways God is with us—Emmanuel—right in the middle of ordinary life.
Come as you are. Love grows here. God is with us.
See you Sunday! Pastor Phil |
IMPORTANT! Volunteers Needed for Christmas Eve:
Ushers needed for 4pm and 6pm services
Ushers will greet and distribute bulletins and candles (glow sticks) to visitors. Help with seating, log attendance, provide directions to rest room, gather the offering, assist with candle lighting, collect used candles as visitors leave and straighten up for the 6pm worship. 6pm ushers will do the same, including straightening up for Sunday worship.
Advent Candle Readers needed for 4pm & 6pm services
Read a short, easy script and light the candles on the Advent wreath.
Zoom operators needed for worship
Running Zoom involves turning the computer to follow the action, admit attendees, and record worship. Helpers will be standing by. |
Zoom.us
Meeting ID: 884 4689 4229
Passcode: 579851
Phone: 1-646-558-8656
Bulletin content and Hymns are subject to change. |
| Please wear your name tag during worship and coffee hour. |
Meetings - Events - Announcements |
12/21: Fourth Sunday of Advent - Love 9 am in Sanctuary & on Zoom 12/21: Christmas Sweater Sunday 12/21: Coffee Hour in the back room after worship. Come for fellowship.
12/22: Advent Evening Devotional 6:30 pm on Zoom 12/22: AA 7:30 pm
12/24: Family Service at 4:00 pm with candlelight (glow sticks for the kids) Traditional Service at 6:00 pm with candlelight (glow sticks for the kids) Other Nearby Christmas Eve Services within the "Five Churches" Group Plattsburgh UMC: Noon and 4:30 pm Saranac UMC: 7:30 pm
12/25: Have a Blessed, Merry Christmas! Office Closed 12/26 - 1/2: Office Closed
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Prayer List
Debbie & Howard Bell; Dan Ferris; Denise; Susanne & Eucky Jones; Bonnie Mahnk; Barb & Roy Perry; Courtney Raymond; Rick; Evelyn Rinella; Anne Stevensen; Dave & Theresa Viti; Jane Way; Thomas Wetterling; Alice Winternitz
The family and friends of Pricilla (Pam) Altizer who passed away on December 12th.
Please contact the office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list. Thank you! |
"Undecking the Walls" As much as we all love "Decking the Halls" of our church, we need to put things away too. On Sunday, January 4th the Worship Team invites you to stay after worship and help clear away the decorations until Advent 2026. Many hands make light work - thank you for helping! |
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Donations for Peru JCEO this month. |
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Celebration Wreaths
This Advent and Christmas we are bringing back a favorite tradition with a different spin. "Celebration Wreaths" will allow you to place names of loved ones, in memory or in honor, on tags on the wreaths in the sanctuary. These wreaths will be hung in the windows and on the inside doors on either side of the altar. There are envelopes marked "Celebration Wreaths" in the windows where you can list the names on the envelope and place your donation in the plate. Suggested donation is still $1 per name. The last day to submit names is today! |
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Christmas Sweater Sunday Invitation December 21st – 9:00 am Worship |
You’re invited to bring a little extra joy and color to worship! Sunday, the 21st is Christmas Sweater Sunday at Peru Community Church—whether you wear a cozy classic, a silly reindeer, or your most gloriously “ugly” sweater, come as you are and join the fun.
We’ll celebrate the season with warmth, laughter, and community as we gather for 9:00 am worship.
Wear your favorite sweater, bring a friend, and help us fill the sanctuary with holiday cheer.
All are welcome—sweaters optional, joy encouraged! |
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Looking to Volunteer at Plattsburgh UMC's Christmas Day Buffet?
We would love your help! There are several ways to serve this year:
🎄Christmas Day Buffet – December 25 9:00–11:00 a.m. – Help welcome guests, serve food, and share the joy of Christmas morning. 🍴Food Prep – December 23 (Morning) Join our kitchen team as we chop, bake, and prepare the delicious dishes that will be served on Christmas Day. ⛪Social Hall Setup – December 23 (Evening) Help transform the space into a warm and festive dining area for our community. If you’d like to volunteer, please follow the link below: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd.../viewform... Thank you for helping us share love, hospitality, and Christmas joy with our neighbors! |
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Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir 58th Annual Christmas Concert
Jeanette Woodruff ~ Conductor Steve Collier ~ Accompanist Steve Woodruff ~ Organist Two concerts Saturday, December 20 at 7:30pm - St. John’s the Baptist Church, Keeseville and Sunday, December 21 at 7:30pm - St. Augustine’s Church, Peru Free admission |
| Many thanks to the helpful volunteers who moved bell tables across the street, who moved ice melt into the giant container, and who raised the outdoor banners announcing Christmas Eve services. We appreciate you so much. |
🌟Star Words for Epiphany - Pick up your Star Word on January 4th during worship!🌟 As we celebrate Epiphany, we remember the story of the Magi who followed the star to find and honor the Christ Child. Just as the Magi were guided by a bright light, we invite you to receive a Star Word—a single word chosen by you—to carry with you through the new year. Your Star Word can be a source of inspiration, guidance, and reflection, helping you notice God’s presence in everyday life. It is an invitation to pause, pray, and listen for how God might speak through a single word in the months ahead. Keep it in your wallet, on your mirror, in your journal, or wherever it will remind you of God’s light guiding your path. When: January 4th, during worship - you will pick up your word as you come up for communion or after worship!
Who: Everyone is welcome
Come and receive your word, just as the Magi followed the star. Step into 2026 with hope, intention, and the guidance of God’s light shining before you. |
Are you interested in meeting with one or both of our pastors?
They invite you to reach out to them by phone call, text, or email. Their contact information is listed below. |
Mooers UMC 8 am; Three Steeples UMC 9 am; Peru Community Church 9 am; Plattsburgh UMC 10:15 am; Saranac UMC 11:15 am |
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