newsletter: This week at church

This Week at Church - January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

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BAPTISM OF THE LORD SUNDAY

Congratulations to Noel Christensen on her Baptism!

REGISTER FOR PRAYER VIGIL

Kairos is dedicated to changing hearts, transforming lives, and impacting the world … one incarcerated person at a time. Their goal is not so different from ours: to offer Christ’s love first - so that hearts and lives are changed.

Their next ministry event is March 13-16 at Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, IN. They need our prayers and assistance with meals.

Paper Sign-up forms will be available for meal sponsorship and the prayer vigil on February 9 and March 9 at CCUMC.

Don’t want to wait? Sign up for a prayer vigil time now using this QR code. Interested in learning more about Kairos and how you can be involved in Kairos Ministry? Contact Hank Foy at hleef223@gmail.com or 260-503-8709.

Click the QR code to go directly to the website.

MISSION AND OUTREACH TRAINING

Want to be a part of a team that helps guide

CCUMC to faithfully serve our neighbors?

Join the Mission and Outreach training on January 14 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. to learn more about being an effective outreach team.

Contact Tammy Taylor for the zoom link for the training.

GROWING YOUNG FOR EVERYONE

Want to help your church thrive in relationships with all generations? Join Fuller Youth Institute-trained leaders for a free seminar on January 25, 10am -12pm.

Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8aw-shtqiIM3H_uEplhyEfpXDcJ4yU1qJWB5tmnvlcGZHeA/viewform.

FAITH SHARING
AND DEVELOPING CONNECTIONS

In today’s polarized and often argumentative culture, many of us are reluctant to initiate meaningful conversations with those we don’t know well. Yet, in an increasingly unchurched culture, Jesus relies on us to share the Good News. On January 23, 6:30 – 8 pm, via zoom, let's learn how to do this better together.

Register athttps://inumc.swoogo.com/sharing11125.

LET'S GO TO CAMP

It is the time of year to start registering for church camp! As mentioned during Sunday's service, registration for camps in Indiana are now open. If you are interested in going, or for more information, go to https://impact2818.org/summer-camps/.

The church does have funds designated for church camp for those who need help. Contact Pastor Christi for more information about how to get this help.

SMALL GROUP STUDY - SPIRITUAL GIFTS

As we seek to live into our new vision, Love First, it is important that we understand our own gifts. An eight week Spiritual Gifts Small Group Study began January 9 in the library from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

We will begin to explore, learn, and discern our own gifts and how they can be used to Love First. Contact Tammy Taylor with questions or to sign up at tammy.taylor@columbiacityumc.org .

COMMUNUNION

Have you ever been curious about what it is like to serve during Communion? Now is your chance to find out! If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Tammy Taylor or Judith Hays.

UPCOMING SERMON SCRIPTURES

January 19 -- John 2:1-11, CEB.
January 26 -- Luke 4:14-21, CEB.
February 2 -- Luke 4:21-30, CEB.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES

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

WHAT'S GOING ON

Monday, January 13

6:00–8:00 pm – Bell Choir practice

Tuesday, January 14

9:00 am – Bible Study (211)

3:00 pm – Your Story Matters (Library)

6:30 pm – Church Council meeting (211)

Wednesday, January 15

Noon – 5:30 pm – BABE open

Thursday, January 16

Noon – 5:30 pm – BABE open

5:30 – 6:30 pm – Spiritual Gifts Small Group (Library)

6:30 pm – Choir practice (Sanctuary)

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

8:30 am – Flock (201)

8:45 am – Prime Time Players (211)

9:00 am – Inductive Study Group (Hearth Room)

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

FULL CALENDAR

SERMON RECAP

BAPTISM OF THE LORD SUNDAY
January 12, 2025 - God's Grace in Baptism
Scripture: Luke 3:13-17; 21-22

John talks about the wheat, chaff, and an unquenchable fire in verse 17. While this could be an image of final judgment and the fires of hell, what if this was an image of God’s grace and forgiveness?

What if the chaff is our sin rather than sinful people? What if the wind that blows away the chaff is the blowing of the Holy Spirit, removing sin through the grace of Jesus Christ? What if the fire is the power of God to remove our sin and destroy its power over us?

In verses 21-22, Jesus is revealed as the Messiah as He prays, the Holy Spirit comes down in the form of a dove, and God the Father says: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

John’s baptism was an invitation for repentance and seeking forgiveness. Jesus’ participation reminds us that He voluntarily shared in the burden of our sin.

While John’s baptism was with water alone initiated by human action, Jesus calls us to a baptism of water and the Holy Spirit, initiated by God’s action of grace.

That is why, as United Methodists, we say that baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace -- God's unmerited favor.

Through our baptisms, we are:

initiated into God’s family (the church) as dearly loved sons and daughters.
cleansed of sin, and given new life in Christ.

While it is right and good for us to reaffirm our baptisms, there is never a need to re-baptize because our baptisms are dependent upon God’s action of grace, not our own. While we may fail to live up to our baptismal vows, the grace God offers through our baptisms NEVER fails!

January 5, 2025 -- Your Epiphany Awaits

Rev. Kent Lundy brought the message Sunday. "Your Epiphany Awaits!" The Magi from the scripture gives the greatest example of Epiphany. They were transformed by their 'ahha' to go be with Jesus, to bring gifts, to go home a different way.
Good news, God has many more epiphanies to give. How can we find our Epiphany?

Through humility. The Magi were "smart folk" and lifelong learners. We always have more to learn about God, His word, His plan for our life.
Through sacrifice. Our time, money, resources in the moment. Mary and Joseph sacrificed hospitality to bring in strangers, the Magi, trusting in the moment.
Facing our "Horrible Herrods".

How do you know your Epiphany? Your life is transformed, you become more loving, gentle, peace-filled.

Epiphanies/Ahha's are waiting for our youth too. Church Camp is a great place to experience those ahha moments. We are encouraged to send our youth to camp this summer. Here is the link for registration. https://impact2818.org/summer-camps/

The church does have funds designated to assist with the cost. People should contact Pastor Christi for more information.

January 12, 2025 - Baptism of the Lord Sunday

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605 Forest Pkwy

Columbia City, IN 46725-1255

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