November 26, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 25 Religious Notes Nativity hosts ‘An Advent Carol’ “An Advent Carol” will be performed at the Church of the Nativity on Sunday, Dec. 7. This performance by the Xavier Company will be held at 3 p.m. “An Advent Carol” is a musical drama celebrating the Christmas story and the journey from the Annunciation to the Flight into Egypt. The characters of Mary, Joseph, Anna, Joachim, Elizabeth, and the magi are crafted as genuine people who struggle with hopes and dreams, fears, and doubts. The Xavier Company is a group of Christian perform- ing artists in residence at Saint Francis Xavier Church in New York City. The professionally trained actors, singers, and dancers perform original works focused on themes of faith and social justice. Donations will be accepted by the Xavier Company. The Church of the Nativity is located at 315 Prospect Street in Midland Park. For details, contact the church at (201) 444-6362. Celebrate Thanksgiving at MPCRC Midland Park Christian Reformed Church invites the community to its Thanksgiving service on Thursday, Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. Music will be provided by organist Carolyn Steen and the Midland Park Senior Choir under the direc- tion of Desmond Moulton. The church, located at 183 Godwin Avenue, is wheelchair accessible. For more infor- mation, call (201) 445-4260 or visit www.mprc.org. Concert ushers in Advent season Renowned recording artist Bryan Popin will bring a Community Christmas Concert to Faith Reformed Church, 95 Prospect Street in Midland Park, on Sunday, Nov. 30. This 6 p.m. concert marks the beginning of the Advent season. The community is invited. Popin, a noted concert pianist, worship leader, licensed minister, composer, writer, and producer, brings his unique style to the piano. Donations will be accepted to support Popin’s minis- try. For more information, call (201) 444-1694 or e-mail FaithReformed@aol.com. Honor a loved one at CHCC’s ‘Tribute in Lights’ Last year, Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff introduced Tribute in Lights, a new holiday tradition that provides a unique opportunity to make a contribution in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one. This holiday season, Tribute in Lights will again illuminate a main area of CHCC’s campus at 301 Sicomac Avenue. The name of each person being remembered or honored, along with the donor’s name, will be published in the 2014 Tribute in Lights Commemorative Booklet, which will also contain scripture, poetry, and reflective writings. All donors will receive a copy of the booklet in early 2015. It will also be available on CHCC’s website at www.Chris- tianHealthCare.org. Call Mellanie Chen at (201) 848-4312 to request a form. To make a tax-deductible gift, visit www.ChristianHealth- Care.org. The deadline to make gifts to be included in the booklet is Jan. 31, 2015. CHCC provides a broad continuum of high-quality care, including senior-life, short-term rehab, and mental-health services. As a non-profit organization, CHCC delivers care to the community based upon the Christian principles on which it was founded more than a century ago. For more information, visit ChristianHealthCare.org. Remembrance Tree dedicated The Vander Plaat Funeral Home of Wyckoff and Olthuis Funeral Home in Midland Park will hold the annual Tree of Remembrance ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Cedar Hill Chris- tian Reformed Church located at 422 Cedar Hill Avenue in Wyckoff. The eight-foot tree will be decorated with ornaments personalized with the names of the deceased. Family mem- bers are invited to take the special ornaments home follow- ing the service. Preceding the dedication there will be a community outreach workshop, “Grief and the Holidays,” from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. The workshop will be held in Fellowship Hall at the church. All are welcome. CHCC Faith & Grief Luncheons provide comfort for community Christian Health Care Center, in conjunction with Valley Hospice, hosts complimentary Faith & Grief Lun- cheons from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in the CHCC Auditorium, 700 Mountain Avenue in Wyckoff. Midland Park resident Ruth Knyfd Wynbeek is a facilita- tor at these luncheons and is a long-time volunteer at CHCC and a member of the CHCC Board of Trustees. While she is very dedicated to the mission and vision of CHCC, her par- ticipation in these luncheons is also deeply personal. Knyfd Wynbeek enjoyed a wonderful 42-year marriage to her hus- band Clix Knyfd, before he lost his battle with cancer seven years ago. “Ruth has a passion for helping others through the deep grief that results from losing a loved one,” said Rev. Sandra Masters, MDIV, Heritage Manor Nursing Home chaplain, who began the Faith & Grief Luncheons at CHCC. “Her story is inspiring since she has traveled the whole journey from deep bereavement where she found it difficult to envi- sion any type of future without her husband to her recent marriage to Len Wynbeek, a lifelong friend who lost his wife. Their story of how they incorporate the continuing love and remembrance of their deceased spouses, while still being very much a part of the present relationship with each other is very special.” Knyfd Wynbeek added, “The Faith & Grief Luncheons are a blessing because they have given all of us who suf- fered the loss of a loved one the opportunity to share our experiences together and to encourage each other. It is important that we show respect for each other because we all handle grief differently. Having a scripture passage theme for each luncheon is very helpful. My faith in God has helped me through my grief, and I am so thankful that God is our good shepherd and carries us through our trials. I find it to be a blessing to share my faith in God with others who are struggling with the loss of a loved one. Christian Health Care Center is so kind to show concern for people in our community who are struggling with grief by offering these luncheons.” CHCC’s Faith & Grief Luncheon was launched in Janu- ary and all the meetings to date have been extremely well- received. The ministry originated in Dallas, Texas, and was held in churches. CHCC is the first health care facility to PLEASE REMEMBER US WHEN YOU REMEMBER THEM. EMANUEL CANCER FOUNDATION For The Children and Their Families Providing emotional and spiritual support, profes- sional counseling and financial and material assistance to New Jersey children with cancer and their families. Your donations are tax deductible PO Box 212 - Dept. H Midland Park, NJ 07432 or drop by our office 174 Paterson Avenue Midland Park, NJ 07432 201-612-8118 Pictured, from left, are Rev. Sandra Masters, MDiv, Heritage Manor Nursing Home chaplain, and Ruth Knyfd Wynbeek. provide this community service. Open to people of all faiths, these luncheons provide opportunities for those mourning the loss of a loved one to gather and be strengthened through sharing, scripture, prayer, and reflection. A complimentary lunch is provided, but donations are accepted. To attend a Faith & Grief Luncheon, register at www. faithandgrief.org. For more information, contact the Christian Health Care Pastoral Care Department at (201) 848-5839, e-mail dcioffi@chccnj.org, or visit Christian- HealthCare.org. CHCC provides a broad continuum of care, including senior-life, short-term rehab, and mental-health services. As a non-profit organization, CHCC delivers care based upon the Christian principles on which it was founded more than a century ago.