Christmas Readings

Readings from Christmas Eve (Dec. 24/25) and the First Sunday after Christmas Day (Dec. 30), Year A

Readings from the Fourth Sunday in Advent

Readings from the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Year A (Dec. 23)

Annual gift to community: "A Living Nativity" on historic church grounds Dec. 22

In the Parish House at the New Utrecht Reformed Church, in Bensonhurst, Robert Buonvino presents a $1,000 check he received from Maimonides Medical Center to Susan Hanyen, vice president of Consistory at the church, to be used for "A Living Nativity" at New Utrecht Saturday, Dec. 22, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mr. Buonvino, president of Friends of Historic New Utrecht, had received the check on behalf of the church as representatives of 20 parishes and other faith communities gathered at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Ridge for the annual kickoff to the Celebration of Light program. Thanks to Maimonides, in Borough Park, checks were distributed to support outdoor Christmas trees and lights. The New Utrecht church, at 18^th Ave. and 84^th St., has been presenting the Living Nativity to the Bensonhurst community for decades. Each year hundreds are attracted to the manger scene for the program of Christmas carols and live animals, as children and adults take part in an outdoor manger tableau.

Also at New Utrecht, on December 15, a "Peace Lamp," brought from Bethlehem via Austrian Airlines, will be available at the church for anyone who wishes to bring their own candle to be lit from the lamp to take back to their homes for Christmas. That evening, The North Shore Pops Concert Band, with Eric Albinder conducting, presents "Holiday with the Pops," a free community concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will be held in the Parish House next to the main church building, closed since Dec. 2003 for a $2 million repair and restoration. The Brooklyn landmark, with its world-known stained-glass windows and pipe organ, was built in 1828.

The following week, at the time of the Living Nativity, the Peace Lamp also will be available for visitors to take light from the flame.

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Saturday, Dec. 22: The Living Nativity, 3-6 PM

The Living Nativity will take place in front of the New Utrecht Reformed Church on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 3 to 6 p.m. The program, with Christmas carols and live animals and an outdoor tableau of the manger scene, with children and adults as actors in the scene, is free to the public in the historic church complex at 18th Ave. and 84th St. Each year the Living Nativity, which has been presented to the Bensonhurst community for decades, attracts hundreds of visitors a few steps from the main church building, which has been closed since Dec. 2003 for a $2 million repair and restoration. The Brooklyn landmark, with its world-known stained-glass windows and pipe organ, was built in 1828. A press release about the Living Nativity will be issued shortly.

Readings from the Third Sunday in Advent

Readings from the Third Sunday in Advent, Year A (Dec. 16)

Photos of Advent Dinner

The New Utrecht Reformed Church Parish House was filled with 30 guests at the feast of the Advent Congregational Dinner, which took place Saturday night. Lasagna, turkey and ham were among the main entrees at the dinner, followed by a dessert that included cookies and brownies, coffee and tea. Christmas Carols followed dessert. The dinner was preceded by many blessings from the dinner guests and a prayer by Rev. Terry Troia, New Utrecht's minister.

Photos by Rev. Terry Troia

Thrift Sale Photo

Photo by Vincent La Marca

Clothes, jewelry, glassware, books and toys attracted many community residents to the New Utrecht Reformed Church in Bensonhurst at a thrift sale, which was held on Nov. 17, with proceeds going toward restoration of the landmark main building in the historic church complex at 18th Ave. and 84th St.

Readings from the Second Sunday in Advent

Readings from the Second Sunday in Advent, Year A (Dec. 9)