We hope everyone is staying safe, warm, and maybe even enjoying a little extra hot cocoa during this snowy, wintery stretch! Even though the weather may have kept us apart physically, we’ve made sure you can still be “in the room” for worship this week.
Pastor Christi has recorded a special message just for you — in case you missed it on Facebook or email — so grab a blanket, settle in, and watch this week's message at the bottom of this email.
If you have any questions or want to dive deeper into this week’s message, Pastor Christi would love to hear from you! You can reach her at christi.murray@columbiacityumc.org.
Let’s keep the spirit of worship alive — wherever we are! 💙
DAILY ADVENT SCRIPTURE READINGS
We invite you to join us in a meaningful rhythm of daily scripture reading and reflection throughout this series during Advent. Here’s how you can participate:
Start Each Day with Scripture
Use the daily scripture readings provided below. These passages are designed to help you connect personally with God’s Word.
Practice Personal Devotion by:
Slowly read the verse(s), looking for a word or phrase that stands out.
Meditate on the word or phrase, repeating it and letting it speak to you personally.
Respond to God in prayer, speaking from your heart what has been stirred in you.
Rest in God's presence, letting go of words and simply being with God in silence.
HOLIDAY OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
Christmas Mission Project — There is still time to shop, wrap, and return the gifts to the tree. Wrapped gifts, gift cards and donations must be turned in by Sunday, Dec. 14th.
YOUR DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Thanks to your generosity, our most recent food donations were delivered to The Impact Center, where they provided meals and hope to families in need right here in Whitley County. Every can, box, and bag you give helps someone facing hunger — and together, we’re making a real impact in our community.
Want to keep the momentum going? You can bring food donations to the church lobby every Sunday. Your contributions help us share God’s love in a practical way. Let’s continue to be the hands and feet that serve those who need it most!
UPCOMING SERMON SCRIPTURES
December 7 -- Mark 1:1-8, CEB
December 14 -- Luke 1:24-45, CEB
December 21 -- Matthew 1:18-25, CEB
December 28 -- Matthew 2:1-18, CEB
THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
Monday, Dec. 1, 10:00 am – Women’s Bible Study (200)
Sunday, Dec. 7 – 8:45 am – Prime Time Players (211) 9:00 am – Inductive Study Group (Hearth Room) 9:15 am –Youth, grade 6-12 (207) 11:15 a.m. – Advent Study
Holiday office hours are as follows:
Christmas: office will be closed December 24-26
New Years: office will be closed December 30-January 2.
End of year giving: The office will be open December 29 or if mailed must be postmarked by December 31 for tax purposes.
November 30, 2025 - Sanctuary:Room for All Joshua 2: 1-21, CEB
Today marks the beginning of the Advent season. A candle was lit reminding us of God's love. God makes room for us. He loves us and fills us with all sorts of possibilities for our lives.
Today's scripture was the story of Rahab. Rehab tells us about preparation and making space. She was under pressure from every side. She had heard about the spies yet welcomed and hid them. Rahab knew the Lord had given the land she was living in to the Israelites yet she was the rescuer of the spies. Rahab was the beginning of the ancestry line that led to Jesus's birth.
What can we do to make room for Jesus and people He has called us to love? We can make room in our lives, homes, and church creating a safe and welcoming space for others.
Rahab's story is a reminder that God uses unlikely persons for his purposes. Rahab trusted God's will for her and her family. God often makes room for people pushed to the margins.
How is God moving you to make space for an unlikely person this year? To make room for the preparation and celebration of the greatest rescue story of all time in Jesus? November 23, 2025 - Grounded in Gratitude - City Kids' Preschool Sunday
We were blessed and filled with gratitude in sharing the baptism of a toddler during our Sunday service.
The City Kids Preschool children shared a skit focusing on the story of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4-7) The shepherd had 100 sheep, but one was lost. Just like the caring shepherd, God cares for us and is always looking for "the lost one."
Children sang: "I Wanna Be Thankful."
The children and congregation were reminded that God hears our voices, even when we might be "lost."
God loves and cares for us. He will never give up on each of us.
In keeping with Thanksgiving, the children were asked what they were thankful for. Many said mom, dad, sibling, etc.
Being asked the same question, congregation responses included: family, health, God, freedom.
What are you thankful for in this season of gratitude?
November 30, 2025 -- Room, When Pressure Is Closing In
