Sunday Worship Guidelines Update Starting on November 7, we will begin to incorporate congregational singing into worship. Only vaccinated individuals should sing. Masks will be worn during the singing just as they are throughout the worship service. Initially, we will sing the doxology and recessional hymn (the section leaders will continue to lead the other musical parts of the liturgy). Our hope is that over time we will be able to gradually increase the amount of congregational singing during worship.
As the weather cools, please dress appropriately for Sunday worship. We plan to keep the sanctuary doors and windows open as deep into the fall as possible to maximize airflow. A sweater or jacket may be necessary. When temperatures drop extensively, the windows and doors will be closed. The air exhaust system in the sanctuary will continue to be run throughout the winter months to ensure we are meeting the standards for air circulation.
Thank you for all your help in making the first two months of indoor worship a success!
Live-streaming IPC worship services will still be streamed after a return to worship in the sanctuary. Watch the worship services on Facebook Live or on our YouTube Channel.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCSK-tCPuoETKH7O_Xlvb9SQ
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Greening of the Church will take place on Saturday, December 18th from 9 am – 12 pm. We will be decorating (or greening) our Sanctuary for Christmas. Come and join us. More information will be sent at a later date.
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On December 19th at 4PM, Jonathan Riss, IPC Director of Music will perform an organ recital with seasonal selections. Please attend in person, or watch via live stream on YouTube.
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We will have a Family Christmas Eve Service at 3PM outdoors with a re-enactment of the Christmas story. Children will sign up for roles in Sunday school and arrive in advance of the service to dress in costumes. We will sing carols acappella. Depending on the weather the service will be 30-40 minutes long.
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We will have a Living Creche on Christmas Eve. The hours will be 4:30 to 6:00 pm and 8:00 to 9:00 pm.
This is for children in grades 4 and up (younger with parents) and adults. Friends are welcome! This is a wonderful way – now more than ever – to let the community know we are here and want to share our good news. Please come out and be a part of the Living Crèche this year. Sign-up for one or more ½ hour slots, and choose who you want to portray.
Sign up here: https://www.
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The Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be in the sanctuary at 9PM with section leaders, chancel choir and the congregation singing. Reservations and proof of vaccination required for in person attendance. The evening service will be live streamed on YouTube. CANDLE LIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE RSVP LINK: https://bit.ly/30Opz0F
Live-streaming IPC worship services are now streamed solely on our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCSK-tCPuoETKH7O_Xlvb9SQ
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Sunday School
All children, youth and teachers are required to wear masks and will be distanced where they meet.
December 5 – Meet in the Auditorium at 10:30 for Chapel Time. All grades will return to their classrooms for lessons/activities until the conclusion of worship.
December 12 – Meet in the sanctuary for worship at 10:30; kids will then be dismissed to Sunday School.
December 19 – Meet in the sanctuary for worship at 10:30; kids will then be dismissed to Sunday School.
December 26 – No Sunday School on Christmas weekend.
We need you! Please, consider teaching a Sunday School class. We’re looking for:
Sunday School teachers – K-3rd grade in the Winter and Spring; 4th-5th grade in Winter and Spring Sunday School Superintendents – Winter and Spring
If you are interested in teaching, leading a Chapel Time, or if you have questions or ideas about Sunday School, please contact Lisa Niven at [email protected].
Bible Study
Bible study will break for Advent/Christmas and reconvene in mid-January. Ideas for topics? Reach out to Rev. Crawford at [email protected]
Adult Education
The Gospel and Inclusivity continued
Sundays, November 14, 21, December 5, 12, 19 in the Upper Room, 9:00-10:00 am
What does it mean to be God’s people? Christ reveals that this identity hinges on the inclusion of “every nation, tongue and tribe.” This study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians looks at the importance of inclusion in the church’s mission of reconciliation in the world, and how the Holy Spirit leads us to envision an inclusive IPC of the future. Led by Barbara Hanna.
Book Club
Tuesday, December 14 at 9:30 am via Zoom
Maggie Dove and the Lost Brides by Susan Breen.
SUSAN BREEN is the author of the bestselling Maggie Dove mystery series, winner of the Westchester Library Association’s Washington Irving Award for “readability, literary quality, and wide general appeal.” The series is set in a small village in the Hudson Valley in New York. Maggie Dove, an amateur detective, is drawn into solving a crime when a friend is accused of murder. The January gathering will be an opportunity to suggest and select books for the remainder of 2022.
Please contact Susan Breen for Zoom link at [email protected] .
Youth & Church-Wide Mission
- St. Barnabas will have a MIDNIGHT RUN on December 3rd. They are asking for our help in providing items for distribution including gloves, hats, backpacks and sturdy shopping bags. You can drop off donation items in the Christian Ed office by December 1st. Also, they may have room for a few people (high school-ers and up) to go on the run. If you are interested, please let me know as soon as possible. [email protected].
- IPC with St. Barnabas Episcopal Church are co-sponsors of an Afghan refugee family. We are calling ourselves “The IPC/St. Bs for Refugees.” Volunteers are welcomed from our two churches and the community. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please speak to Barbara Hanna, 951-314-5065. As a gathered body of disciples we ‘welcome the stranger’ and serve them in the many ways needed such as transportation, housing, education, health care and employment. Our agreement to co-sponsor the family will be with HIAS which was originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. We will partner with Rivertowns for Rotary and Hearts and Homes for Refugees. We have agreed to accept a family with three members: a 29-year-old husband who worked as a linguist hiring Afghan interpreters for the military, the 24-year-old wife who worked with the UN and the 20-year old brother who also worked with the US military. They are all fluent in English; all three held professional employment in Afghanistan, and are eager to work in the US as soon as possible. Their closest relative is an uncle in Queens. Continued on next page. By the time you read this newsletter, we expect things will have moved quickly. The core volunteers will be trained and have back ground and driving checks. The family may arrive around Thanksgiving or shortly after. Given the need for long-term affordable housing, it is likely they will live in White Plains or Yonkers. Funds will be needed for the initial months while they settle and look for jobs. The youth of both churches will hold an Advent fundraiser to benefit the family. Financial contributions are welcome. Our donor site, Realm, has a drop down category for refugees or checks can be mailed to the IPC office. We are excited to work together with other people of faith and good will to help those in need.
- Advent Angel Tree During the season of Advent, we will be raising money to support the resettlement of a refugee family in Westchester County. An Advent Angel Tree will be set up at the back of our sanctuary, decorated with angels. Our Sunday school students have decorated and prepared the angels, which include a dollar amount. The angels list a variety of amounts with the hope that people of all ages will be able to participate. Angels and offerings will be formally presented as part of worship on December 19. Gifts can also be placed in the offering plate (with the angel if possible) or can be given (and designated) through the church’s online giving portal. We hope to raise $7500 through these efforts. Thank you for your generosity.
- We are supporting Children’s Village kids and their families by participating in Make a Child Smile gift drive again this year. A collection box will be in the Auditorium for contact-less drop off (unwrapped) gifts until Sunday, December 12th after worship. There are 2 ways to participate: 1)Bring a gift for a child to give their parent/s. The children will wrap and take them home for their families. Some ideas: cologne/perfume, soap sets, gloves and wallets, jewelry, scarves and cosmetics. 2) Bring a gift for a child to open. For ideas see the children’s wish list on Amazon Smile link at https://amzn.to/3cJAlaI
Chancel Choir rehearsals
We are trying out Sunday morning rehearsals for some time in the hope of accommodating busy weekday and weeknight schedules! For more detailed information please contact Jon Riss, Director of Music at [email protected] .
