Worship with us!
The Second Sunday in Advent | Sunday, December 8, 2024
8:30 am or 10:00 am in our Sanctuary
(Sunday School at 10:00 am)
Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6
Sermon: Prepare the Way for Jesus!
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”– Luke 3: 4-6
Please submit prayer requests here or call Pastor John 508-451-5858 or Mary Anne Farley (774) 487-0719.
A Special Message from Pastor John and Mary Beth!
Featured News
THIS SUNDAY! Esprit Holiday Concert Celebrate the season with the Esprit Holiday Concert on Sunday, December 8, at 2:00 PM. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an afternoon of festive music and cheer.
Upcoming Event: Festive Christmas Sing-Along Warm up your vocal cords and join us for a Festive Christmas Sing-Along on Wednesday, December 18, at 6:30 PM. This lively evening will feature your favorite holiday songs and plenty of cheer. Come ready to sing, laugh, and enjoy the spirit of the season with friends and family.
Annual Christmas Pageant Join us for the Annual Christmas Pageant on Saturday, December 21, at 6:00 PM. We invite all children and grandchildren to participate in this cherished tradition. Please contact Pastor John at 508-451-5858 to sign up. We look forward to seeing you there!
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND HOW TO RSVP FOR THE COOKIE SWAP
2025 Pledge Campaign Update We’re making incredible progress toward our goal of $242,000 for the 2025 Pledge Campaign! As of Thursday, December 5, 2024, we have received $210,848 in pledges. Thank you to everyone who has already returned their pledge cards—your support is invaluable. We are so close to reaching our goal! If you haven’t yet submitted your pledge card, please do so as soon as possible. Let’s work together to achieve this milestone. With gratitude, The Stewardship Team Jackie and Trace Schrafft, Jack Cotton, Heather Wolfe, and Pastor John
New Directories are still available. You may pick one up in the office. They will be on the counter under in in house mailboxes.
Special Giving Opportunity for Members Age 70½ and Older I If you’re 70½ or older, you have a unique opportunity to make a financial gift with special tax benefits. The charitable IRA rollover provision allows you to donate directly from your IRA to your favorite charitable organizations without having the donation taxed as income. This option, known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), not only offers a tax-wise way to support a cause you care about, but it also counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for individuals aged 72 and older.
- The gift must be transferred directly from your traditional or Roth IRA.
- The total amount of your charitable IRA rollover does not exceed $100,000 per tax year.
- The gift must be completed during the applicable tax year.
- Certain additional restrictions may apply.
Charitable IRA rollovers have become a popular choice among donors due to their tax advantages and ease of use. For more information, please contact Gary Melville at the New England Foundation at 508-641-5568 or 800-595-4347 (103). If you are making an RMD, kindly notify the church office to expect the distribution, and request that your broker or financial advisor include your name on the distribution.
HOW YOU CAN BE OF SERVICE…
Bright Promises: Supporting Our Deployed Military Personnel Bright Promises is collecting goods to send to deployed military personnel this holiday season. We are seeking donations of:: Hand warmers, Nature Valley Peanut Butter Granola Bars, Body Wash, Body Lotion, Hand Lotion, Chewing Gum. A collection box is located in the Solarium. Your generosity makes a difference. Thank you for helping us bring comfort to those serving far from home.
Rainbow’s End Shop Hours & Donation Information Open: Wednesday through Saturday, 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM Donations: Treasures you no longer need can be dropped off anytime the shop is open until 2:00 PM. We’re excited to offer Inspire T-shirts for sale — $10 for adults and $7 for children. Thank you for supporting the shop, and we look forward to your visit! Note: We’re also in need of newspapers, packing paper, and paper bags to wrap items for our customers.
Anyone interested in speaking, greeting or ushering, please give Mary Anne Farley a call. (774) 487-0719. If you are interested in singing in our choir group, please call Daniel Shinabarger at 857-919-0238.
Miracle Kitchen Needs You Help prepare sandwiches, salads, and desserts for the monthly luncheon. Contact Patty Kilmain at 617-894-4858.
UMC-Osterville Prayer Shawl Ministry: Meets the 1st Sunday of each month from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM in the Solarium (October to June). All are welcome. Let us know if someone is in need of a prayer.
Coffee Hour Donation Basket: Contributions towards supplies can be made at the coffee hour table.
Donate Flowers for the Altar: To donate, sign up on the bulletin board by the restroom in the solarium. Arrangements are $50.
Fellowship Opportunities for You!
- Men’s Fellowship: Every Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. All men are welcome.
- Bible Study: Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. We study the scripture for the upcoming Sunday.
- Youth Group: Sundays from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
- Online Prayer Group: Email Mary Anne at booklover126@comcast.net to join.
- Book Group is taking a hiatus until Tuesday, January 29, 2025. On that date we will be discussing Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Please check in for suggested reading in the meantime.
- Mindfulness Yoga: Thursdays at 2:00 PM. All levels are welcome. Contact Karen Cheromcha at 508-397-7938.
- Choir: Interested in joining the choir? Contact Daniel Shinabarger at 857-919-0238.
- Children/Youth Choir Rehearsals: After the 10:00 AM service.
PS: If you need help with small jobs at home like moving a piece of furniture changing high light bulbs, replacing smoke detector batteries, please feel free to call the church office to inquire about getting help.
Make Someone’s Day! Wish Them A Happy Birthday!
As we gather together for another month of worship and fellowship, we are also delighted to celebrate the birthdays of our beloved members born in the month of December. It is a time to extend our warmest wishes and share in the joy of their special day. This December, we have the following members celebrating their birthdays:
December Birthdays
| Name | Birthday |
|---|---|
| Noah Sheasley | 12/3 |
| Richard Taylor | 12/7 |
| Kylie Davis | 12/11 |
| Ronald Kessel | 12/12 |
| Elizabeth Koglin | 12/14 |
| Lauren Ogonowsky | 12/14 |
| Olivia Ogonowsky | 12/14 |
| Mary Beth Taylor | 12/14 |
| Sam DeLong | 12/17 |
| Sonja Sheasley | 12/17 |
| Jessica Mohr | 12/18 |
| Jane Gray | 12/21 |
| Lincoln Crawford | 12/23 |
| Kristofer Edwards | 12/25 |
| Marlene Weir | 12/25 |
| Lucille Procaccino | 12/29 |
| Kathy Silvia | 12/29 |
| Caitlyn Sayers | 12/27 |