CHRISTMAS WEEKEND EVENTS
Fri, DEC 22
- 6:30pm • BLUE CHRISTMAS
Sun, DEC 24 – ADVENT 4: Love & CHRISTMAS EVE
- 9:15 • CHOIR PRACTICE
- 9:30/9:45am • PAGEANT PREP
- 10:30am • ADVENT 4 & PAGEANT SERVICE (In-person & Zoom)
- Harp music: Dominique Dodge
- Christmas pageant with carols
- Includes performance by Christmas Choir
- Guest: Santa Clause (arrives 11am)
- Zoom: Link and password required
- 11:30-Noon • SANTA PHOTOS (in-person) & HOSPITALITY
- 5pm • OUTDOOR WORSHIP (in-person)
- Guitar & Piano: Sharon Novak
- Scripture: Christmas Eve
- Message: Rev Gail Doktor
- Solo: Robert Carper
- Hot cocoa station: Sue Carrigan
- 9pm • CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP (in-person & livestreaming to jxncc.org
- Piano & Guitar: Sharon Novak
- Piano: Maisie Brown
- Scripture: Christmas Eve
- Special Music: Becca Gottlieb – solo
- Special Music: Gia Osborne
- Special Music: Sharon Novak
- Message: Rev Gail Doktor
Mon, DEC 25 – CHRISTMAS MORN
- 10:10am / 10:30am • PAJAMAS & BELLS (in-person & livestreaming to jxncc.org)
- 10:10am • Haydn Prelude by Sue Titus Reid
- 10:30am • Carols & story & prayer: 10:30am
- Carols on piano: Sue Titus Reid
- Story: Rev Gail Doktor
BLUE CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS MORNING with Jackson Community Church
THURS, Dec 22 – BLUE CHRISTMAS @ Jackson Community Church
- 6pm • In-person only
- Worship service
- Gathering to observe a time of solemnity, sorrow, and hope in the midst of the holiday season
CHRISTMAS EVE, SAT, Dec 24 @ Jackson Community Church
- 5pm • OUTDOOR SERVICE with CAROLS, LESSONS & CANDLELIGHT
- Hot cocoa
- Caroling as we walk the journey of the holy family
- Scripture
- Candlelight & prayer
- Dress warmly!
- 7:30pm • CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
- In-person & zoom (link & password available by emailing church by noon on Sat, Dec 24: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org)
- Traditional indoor service with carols, scripture, candelight
- Harp with Dominique Dodge
- Solo by Becca Gottlieb
- Piano by Maisie Brown and Sharon Novak
- Candellight
- Carols
- Live music
- Zoom
- 10pm • CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
- In-person and zoom (link & password available by emailing church by noon on Sat, Dec 24: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org)
- Tradiotional indoor service with carols, scripture, candelight
- Debut of Christmas song written and performed by Sharon Novak
- Candellight
- Carols
- Piano with Sharon Novak
CHRISTMAS SUNDAY, Dec 25 @ Jackson Community Church
- 10:30am • STORIES & BELLS
- In-person and zoom (link & password available by emailing church by noon on Sat, Dec 24: jcchurch@jacksoncommunitychurch.org)
- Piano: Sue Titus-Reid
- Interactive Message: Gail Doktor
- Text: Children’s Story
- Come in your pajamas or favorite casual attire
- Bring a sleigh bell or jingle bell if you have one, but we have plenty to share
- Prepare to sing and ring jingle bells
Advent Daily Devotional: BIRTHDAY of CHRIST: Day 28-Sat, Dec 25-Christmas Day
… It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them. — Isaiah 63:9
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. — James 1:17
The Lord is God, and he has given us light. — Psalm 118:27
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Light the final, fifth candle. Doing so, welcome Emmanuel—God with Us— into the world and into your life.
Godself is the holy source of love and light. Yet each person bears that light on behalf of the One who lived among humans, died as a human, and returned beyond death itself to meet you where you are on your own journey. Across centuries, your spiritual ancestors have taught that your hands and feet, your heart and mind, your acts and words embody and reflect the life of Christ.
In this imperfect, impermanent way, you carry holy light within you. Perhaps, by itself, your light is small in scale. Yet it changes the darkness and creates a point of focus and transformation. Then your singular light connects with others, multiplying its energy and effect.
The final candle you light on Christmas Day is an echo of the first and eternal light from which all other lights take their meaning and power. Thus God’s gift of love, reborn into the world, renewed in your heart, reawakened in your community, changes the world one light and one life at a time: beginning with you. Let it burn! — Rev Gail
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Agape doesn’t love somebody because they’re worthy.
Agape makes them worthy by the strength and power of its love.
Agape doesn’t love somebody because they’re beautiful.
Agape loves in such a way that it makes them beautiful.
— Rob Bell
… the light is all. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Christmas Eve 10pm Reflection
JCC 122418 – 1000PM from architect on Vimeo.
This Week: Mar 25-Apr 1 — Holy Week Events & Other Activities
SUN, MAR 25: Palm Sunday
- INTERFAITH GATHERING
8am • Madeline’s Deli, Jackson, NH
Reflection & prayer using literature, sacred texts, personal sharing. - ADULT CHOIR PRACTICE
9am • Jackson Community Church - PALM PROCESSION
9:45am • Jackson Community Church - WORSHIP: Palm Sunday
10:30am • Jackson Community Church - Community Event: Bliss Yoga
3pm • Be Well Studios New Hampshire, 3358 White Mountain Hwy Unit 3, North Conway, NH
Yoga with Anjali Rose, $20/pp
MON, MAR 26
- REIKI WORKSHOP (closed class, April class has openings: contact Rev Gail if interested)
6pm • Classroom/Betty Whitney Library, Second Floor of JCC
TUE, MAR 27
- Community Event:
HOMELESSNESS COALITION in Tamworth, NH
10am-Noon • TriCounty Cap, Sununu Room, Tamworth, NH
Overview of issues and initiatives to address homelessness and housing needs in Carroll County/Mt Washington Valley. Rev Gail will attend this meeting along with other valley clergy, and representatives of local agencies and nonprofits, focusing on this issue. Interested individuals are welcome to attend to learn more.
WED, MAR 28
- PASTOR’s DROP-IN
7-9am • JTown Deli.
Come for caffeine, cuisine, and conversation. - TUNE UP (Fitness) with LAURIE McALEER
9am • Parish Hall, Jackson Community Church.
Free. Join members of the women’s group and fitness trainer Laurie McAleer for a gentle, introductory fitness class for beginners. Wear comfortably clothing, sensible shoes, and bring a bottle of water. Bring a ski pole. Men and women both welcome to come try this class. Laurie will lead a fitness class that can be customized to each person’s abilities, and help improve overall wellbeing, as well as focusing on body areas that may need additional support and care. - WOMEN’S GROUP
10am-Noon • Parish Hall
Come for social time, refreshments, and to prepare eggs for Easter Egg hunt on April 1
THURS, MAR 29
- INTRODUCTORY YOGA with Anjali Rose
9am • Parish Hall, Jackson Community Church
Men and women invited to join instructor Anjali Rose for a gentle, introductory yoga class. Wear stretchy fitness clothing, bring a matt and a cushion/blanket if you have them. $10/class for 6 weeks; payable at beginning of session. Scholarships available. This session runs through April 19. - YOGA & MEDITATION with Charlotte Doucette
3:30pm • Parish Hall. $10/pp fee. (Scholarships available) - MAUNDY THURSDAY OBSERVANCES: Bread & Blessings
5pm • Parish Hall of Jackson Community Church.
Gather with members and friends for dinner and worship. This evening is derived from events surrounding the ‘Last Supper’ and will include a meditation on bread and blessings. - AA
6-7pm • Church Library
THURS, Mar 29 – FRI, MAR 30: HOLY FRIDAY VIGIL
- VIGIL
6pm Thursday until 1pm Friday • Shifts held at home, although church is open 24/7 and people are welcome to hold vigil at the church. Individuals and families can sign up in one-hour shifts from 6pm Thursday until 3pm Friday, to pray, meditate and stay awake during the hours of Christ’s arrest, trial and crucifixion. This vigil will be held ‘by trust’ in people’s homes, or at church if they so choose, so that each person who takes a one-hour shift to keep vigil may do so in their own environs. Sign up at church on Palm Sunday.
FRI, MAR 30: HOLY FRIDAY
- WAY of the CROSS
1pm • Jackson Community Church
Come for journey through ‘stations of the cross.’ Walk the stations, or meditate with Stations coloring pages - HOLY FRIDAY SERVICE
6:30pm • Bartlett Congregational Church.
Ecumenical worship services organized by Clergy of the Eastern Slope and hosted at Bartlett Congregational Church.
SAT, MAR 30: HOLY SATURDAY
- Community Event:
HEALING SERVICE
1pm • Christ Episcopal Church, North Conway, NH
SUN, APR 1: EASTER
- SUNRISE SERVICE
6:30am • Gazebo by Jackson’s Historical Society. Gather outside for worship & song. Return to Jackson Community Church for hot beverages and breakfast. - EASTER SERVICE
10:30am • Jackson Community Church.
Easter worship with “flowering of the cross.” - EGG HUNT
Follows worship service • Jackson Community Church. Hunt for eggs on grounds of church. Hunt will take place outdoors if weather permits, inside if weather is inclement.