Announcements

LESSONS AND CAROLS- This Sunday we will have a service of Lessons and Carols. Lessons and Carols was first done in the late 19th century but later made popular by King's College, Cambridge, who held their first service in 1918.  Readings and music are paired as we recall God's historic willingness to bless, and the fulfillment of blessing in the coming of Jesus Christ the Lord. Along with congregational singing and Advent Wreath Lighting, the music in this year's Lessons and Carols features the Chancel Choir, Collegiate Singers and Dr. Nathanial Brown on organ in a variety of beautiful and uplifting Christmas anthems, traditional carols, Christmas solos and instrumentals.

BUCK IN A BASKET for this Sunday will go to support Churches United in Christ Help Ministry (CUICHM). Buck in a Basket Offering is an opportunity to consider contributing during the offering for a particular mission not included in our regular budget.

AN ADVENT DEVOTIONAL is available at church for those who would like to pick one up or an e-copy of The Advent Devotional is available on the Church’s website. This year’s devotional in includes artwork from our youth.

YOUTH GROUP will meet this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for wrapping Angel Tree gifts. Bring your gifts and join us in the fun of wrapping.

TOPPER CAMPUS MINISTRY will NOT meet the remainder of December.  They will reconvene on January 18, 2026.

DAVID’S ROOM IN THE INN (DRITI) DRITI is in effect for another winter season. This overnight shelter assistance for our local homeless population is a community-wide effort. We will host each Thursday night through the winter. Signup sheets for volunteers are ready at the chapel landing. Helpers will be needed for meals, setup and cleanup, inn-keeping, dinner hosting, etc. Check it out the next time you visit church. You may sign up for only one, or for more than one Thursday in a slot. Everything helps!

ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL  Join us in a time of inter-generational discovery as we gather in the fellowship hall for Sunday School on the Sundays of Advent: December 14, and 21. We will gather at 9:15 am each Sunday for breakfast treats and coffee. At 9:30 am Sunday School will begin with singing and the sharing of scripture, followed by a special reading and sharing of a special Christmas story led by one of our members. The experience will be capped off with a craft designed for children of all ages!

WEDNESDAY EVENING DINNERS AND PROGRAMS DURING ADVENT – December 10 and 17– 6:00 p.m. Join us on Wednesday evenings for fellowship, a soup supper, and a program. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The menu for tomorrow, December 10 is vegetable soup, chicken salad, and Texas chocolate sheet cake for dessert. Please sign up on the Pew Pad or call the church office by noon on Wednesday if you’re coming, so we know how much food to prepare. Donations are welcome to cover the cost of the meal.

THE PRESBYTERIAN COOKING CLUB will be preparing soup suppers on Wednesdays during Advent - December  10 and 17. We will gather in the church kitchen on Wednesdays at 4:00 for lots of interesting conversation mixed in with the chopping, dicing, and stirring. We welcome you to join us for one or both Wednesdays. If you would like to join this group, please contact Mary Evans at 270-791-7205 to let her know of your interest.

OUR ANGEL TREE  Please ensure that all your gifts are wrapped and returned to the  office by December 14 with the angel attached so we can have them organized for delivery on December 20. If you need assistance with wrapping your gifts, our youth will be glad to help you wrap your gifts. Any questions regarding the Angel Tree can be directed to Terry Johnson at administrator@bgpres.org or you can call the church office at 270-843-4707. Thank You.

SATURDAY MEALS We would like to thank everyone who participated in our canned peas drive for the Saturday Meals Holiday boxes.  We have met our goal of 240 canned peas in advance of our December 14 deadline.

SOUP/SANDWICH POTLUCK AND CHRISMAS Caroling Prepare your favorite winter soup or sandwich and join us for our Fellowship potluck after worship on December 21 at 11:30 p.m. After enjoying our potluck meal, we will go caroling in small groups. This fellowship event will be fun and festive as we go caroling at some of the local care homes, and visit those who are unable to come to worship. If you are donating cookies or bringing in cookie tins for the event, please bring them in by Friday, December 19 (we will also take some cookies with us as gifts).

INSPIRATIONAL MEDITATION Starting in January, the Tuesday Inspirational Meditation class will have new hours. Class will meet here at the church on Tuesday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. If you would like the opportunity to learn how integrate your mind, body, and spirit to align with God's Spirit, please come join this class. Instructor: Trudy Burkeen.

Thank you!

This Sunday: Lessons & Carols

CALENDAR

Wednesday, December 10
7:00 a.m.             Breakfast Group
9:30 a.m.             Crisis and New Creation Class
9:30 a.m.             Wed. Morning Young Mothers and Others Circle
5:00 p.m.             Chancel Choir
6:00 p.m.             Wednesday Evening Advent Dinner and Program
Thursday, December 11
6:00 p.m.             David's Room in the Inn
Friday, December 12
7:30 a.m.             Men’s Breakfast Group
Sunday, December 14
9:15 a.m.             Advent Sunday School Gathering
9:30 a.m.             Sunday School
10:30 a.m.           Worship: Lessons & Carols
5:00 p.m.             Youth Group-Angel Tree Wrapping
5:30 p.m.             Circle 9-Christmas Party
Monday, December 15
9:00 a.m.             GOD/DOG is Love
Tuesday, December 16
9:30 a.m.             Inspirational Meditation
11:00 a.m.           Special Care
6:00 p.m.            Session Meeting
Wednesday, December 17
7:00 a.m.             Breakfast Group
9:30 a.m.             Crisis and New Creation Class
5:00 p.m.             Chancel Choir
6:00 p.m.             Advent Dinner & Program