“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” John 3: 16-17
Beautiful Beloveds,
As the days grow shorter, the nights longer, and the rates of COVID-19 continue to rise, many are feeling isolated, alone, depressed and discouraged. I hear you. As we face a Christmas unlike what we hoped for or imagined, we can sink in the depths, weighed down by disappointment. Or, we can acknowledge our need for support, and lean in. We can bring our grief, sadness, exhaustion, fear and uncertainty to God, and lean heavily on God’s love. We can lean on one another. We can lean on the hope and promise of our faith. Our God is not a distant nor indifferent God. Our God hears our cries, our hurts, our yearnings. Our God loves us so much, God chose to become one of us. Let’s lean in. Lean on the hope, love, joy and peace offered in Emmanuel, God with us.
Peace,
Heather
A song for you: Your Peace will Make Us One
PPS. Christmas Eve Worship will be offered in our parking lot, 5pm December 24. Please register here or email, text, or call me directly 774.994.3645. All will remain in their cars for a brief worship, where we’ll hear the Christmas Story, share communion and of course, Silent Night. Then at 7pm we’ll premiere our worship on Facebook, with more carols and the very same Christmas Story.
As United Methodists we promise to support the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Here are some ways you can live into those promises, this week:
Prayers:
Please pray for all who will be called out to work in the approaching Nor’easter. Please pray for all who live outdoors in this season of cold.
Please submit prayer requests here or contact Pastor Heather directly, pastorheather@umcchurches.org and 774.994.3645.
Presence
| CALENDAR | |||
| Virtual | In Person | ||
| Wednesday, December16,
Noon—Deadline for Saturday Tidings Submissions |
|||
| Thursday, December 17 | |||
| 10 am Bible Study via Zoom (Link at the end) | |||
| 6:30 pm COVID-19 Leadership Task Force mtg. | |||
| Friday, December 18 | |||
| Saturday, December 19 | |||
| Sunday, December 20 | |||
| 8:30 am Worship Premiere on Facebook | |||
| 11am Worshipful Engagement continues at the church (Register here. You can now register for the whole month.) | |||
| Monday, December 21 | |||
| Longest Night/Blue Christmas
Virtual Worship 7pm Facebook Premiere Also available at your convenience on YouTube |
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Gifts
Check out our online giving portal to support our Alternative giving, make your Christmas offering, or set up your monthly or weekly pledge.
Looking for a safe way to Christmas shop. Calendars and Note cards make great gifts and they are available at Shop UMCO right now. Submit your order and we will let you know when to pick it up. Christmas cards are also available.
Service and Witness
Decorate the Mitten Tree: Add beauty to the church grounds in this holy season and a gift of warmth for our neighbors. Stop by and decorate the blue spruce at the church with mittens and gloves, for men, women, and children. After Christmas they will be delivered to those that need them.
Zoom Links
Topic: Thursday Morning Bible Study, 10am
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
Passcode: 477955
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Meeting ID: 839 5836 0902
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