newsletter: This week at church

This Week at Church - December 16, 2024

December 16, 2024

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THANK YOU TO THE LAWRENCE E
WOLFE COMMUNITY BELL CHOIR

Thank you to the Lawrence E Wolfe Community Bell Choir
for their participation on Sunday.

HOLIDAY HOURS

With the holidays fast approaching, we will have different hours in the ELC and Church Office.

The ELC will be closed from Dec. 23-27. They will be open Dec. 30 and have a half day on Dec. 31, closed Jan. 1 and will resume normal operating hours on Jan. 2.

The Church Office will have a half day on Dec. 23 and will be closed Dec. 24-26. There will be another half day on Dec. 30 and the office will be closed on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Normal hours will resume on Jan. 2.

QUICK THINGS TO KNOW THIS MONTH:

Monday Morning group is on hiatus until March.
Dec. 18 – Blue Christmas at Mission 25 Recovery Engagement Center at 6 p.m.
The Inductive Bible Study group will NOT meet on Dec. 22 and 29. They will resume in the Hearth Room at 9 a.m. Jan. 5.
Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Service at 7 p.m./ Caroling at Parkview Whitley Hospital directly after Christmas Eve service.
Dec. 29 -- "A Karaoke Christmas Story."

SMALL GROUP STUDY - SPIRITUAL GIFTS

As we seek to live into our new vision, Love First, it is important that we understand what our gifts are. Beginning January 9 in the library, 5:30-6:30, we will begin to explore, learn, and discern our own gifts and how they can be used to Love First.

PRAYING FOR OUR SCHOOLS

On January 5, we will have a prayer event focused on WCCS teachers, staff, children, and families. Please watch for details coming next week.

INFANT TEACHER

The ELC has an immediate need for an infant teacher, 11-5 M-F.

If you or someone you know has a passion for working with babies, please contact Tammy Taylor.

tammy.taylor@columbiacityumc.org or 260-244-7671.

UPCOMING SERMON SCRIPTURES

Dec. 1 started a new sermon series, Come Let Us Adore Him.

The Dec. 22 scriptures will be Micha 5:2-5a, CEB, and
Luke 1:26-45, CEB.

Dec. 29 will be "A Karaoke Christmas Story." and there will be several scriptures. They are: Lesson: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-23, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-14, and Matthew 2:1-2, 7-11.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES

New Member Classes will meet after church on Sundays, February 2 - 23. Questions? Contact the church office.

WHAT'S GOING ON

Tuesday, December 17

9:00 am – Bible Study (211)

Wednesday, December 18

Noon – 5:30 pm - BABE open

6:00 pm – A Blue Christmas (see details)

Thursday, December 19

Noon – 5:30 pm - BABE open

6:30 pm – Choir Practice

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

8:30 am – Flock (201)

8:45 am – Prime Time Players (211)

9:00 am – Inductive Study Group (Hearth Room) (CANCELLED UNTIL JAN. 5)

9:15 am –Youth Confirmation, grades 6-12 (Prayer Chapel)

FULL CALENDAR

SERMON SERIES RECAP

December 15, 2024 - Presence
Scripture: Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 3:1-18

Christ is coming! That is the promise of the prophets.

They also told of one coming before, paving the way for the Lord. (Luke 3:4-6) John knew there were challenges ahead and he was prepared for the task. There were three types of people gathered when John was speaking: religious, rejected, and ordinary people (the crowd, tax collectors, soldiers.) John was preaching the Good News - a savior is coming. Each of the last three groups asked the same question: "What should we do?"

John told them
*If you have extra, share it.
*Be fair and Honest.
*Use power/influence for good.

These ideas are simple and practical and applicable for today. They are how we should treat others. Be about others, not ourselves. We are to set aside our own will when we repent. It is the lives of other people that should then look different. This is KIN-DOM. How we treat others because of the kingdom: God's rule through Christ.

This Kin-dom requires: self-exaination, following where God leads, and prioritizing love of others.

Put action to your faith in practical ways towards others. All of this brings life changing salvation - not just for us, but for ALL.

December 8, 2024 - ELC Program

The ELC children blessed the congregation with "The Good News," the story of Jesus's birth. The children sang "This Little Light of Mine", "Mary Had a Baby Boy", and "Bells Are Ringing." Several adults joined in the pageant portraying various people from the Christmas story: Isaiah, Mary, Joseph, shepherds. The congregation also joined in singing familiar Christmas hymns.

December 1, 2024 - Prepare
Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

December 1, 2024 marks the first Sunday of Advent, a time of preparation. This is the beginning of the Christian year, a year beginning with anticipation for the coming of Jesus.

Luke 21:25 tells us "....stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Hope is coming.

We can prepare by being alert. Stand up looking for Christ. We can also pray for strength and courage.

Don't Look Away
Look for Jesus
BE like Jesus.
Kind. Generous. Patient. Gracious. Serve. Forgive.
LOVE (first)

December 15, 2024 - Presence

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