| Date | Events |
|---|---|
| Saturday, December 20 | 9:00 am – Yoga 10:00 am – Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 10:30 am–3:00 pm – Rainbow’s End Open |
| Sunday, December 21 | 8:30 am – Early Worship (Sanctuary) Live stream on Facebook 10:00 am – Worship in the Sanctuary & Christmas Pageant Live stream on YouTube |
| Monday, December 22 | 9:00 am – Lend-a-Hand 6:30 pm – Advent Study Session 7:00 pm – Men’s Study Group |
| Tuesday, December 23 | 9:00 am – Yoga 10:00 am – Men’s Fellowship Group |
| Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) | 10:30 am–3:00 pm – Rainbow’s End Open 12:30 pm – Bridge Group 1:15 pm – Chair Yoga 5:00 pm – Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship 7:00 pm – Candlelight Christmas Eve Worship |
| Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day) | Merry Christmas to All!!! |
| Friday, December 26 | 10:00 am – Al-Anon 10:30 am–3:00 pm – Rainbow’s End Open |
| Saturday, December 27 | 9:00 am – Yoga 9:00 am – OA Group 10:30 am–3:00 pm – Rainbow’s End Open |
| Sunday, December 28 | 8:30 am – Early Worship (Sanctuary) Live stream on Facebook 10:00 am – Worship in the Sanctuary |
Sunday Worship – December 21, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Advent:
8:30 AM – Early Worship (live stream on Facebook)
10:00 AM – Worship in the Sanctuary & Sunday School (live stream on YouTube)
Sunday School takes place during the 10:00 AM service.
Sermon: Does Your Soul Magnify the Lord? – Pastor John Wesley Taylor
Scripture Readings: Luke 1:39-55
Worshipping online? Access our bulletin HERE.
Prayer Requests
We warmly welcome your prayer requests. Please submit them here or contact Pastor John at (508) 451-5858 or Mary Anne Farley at (774) 487-0719. Or go to this link SUBMIT PRAYER REQUESTS
Featured News
Save the Dates!
- January 7, 2026 —Church Council Meeting at 7:00 pm in the Solarium. The Zoom Meeting ID 844 2073 4553. Passcode 060 368
- January 10, 2026 — Cookie Swap in Fred Curtis Hall, 1:00–3:00 PM
- January 23, 2026 — Pot Luck Supper
- February 8, 2026 — Sonshine Sunday
- February 18, 2026 — Ash Wednesday Soup & Bread Supper
🌟 Christmas Pageant – All Children Welcome!
Our Christmas Pageant will take place during the 10:00 AM worship service on Sunday, December 21.
All children in our church — and beyond — are warmly invited to participate in this joyful telling of the Christmas story.
Rehearsal:
🗓 Saturday, December 20 at 10:00 AM
Sign up / Questions:
📧 Email Sara Lovelette at slovelette@comcast.net
📞 Or call 508-776-4056
A heartfelt thank-you to Sara Lovelette for overseeing this year’s Christmas Pageant. Please help spread the word and invite families to join in! The Christmas season is upon us, inviting us to slow down, prepare our hearts, and rejoice in the miracle of Christ’s birth.
Advent Study with Pastor John & Mary Beth
Pastor John and Mary Beth will be leading Advent Study sessions on
📅 Final date: December 22
⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM
This is a beautiful opportunity to gather, reflect, and prepare our hearts during the Advent season. You are warmly invited — please join us!
Advent: A Season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
We are in the midst of the Advent season — a sacred time of preparation, anticipation, and reflection. For four Sundays leading up to Christmas, we light the candles of the Advent wreath as we focus on the gifts Christ brings into the world: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. With each candle, the light grows brighter, reminding us that God’s love is already on its way.
🕯 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Tuesday, December 24 | 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM Join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Services—an evening of worship, music, and reflection filled with the peace that passes understanding. Invite a friend or neighbor to come with you as we celebrate Christ’s birth together.
🎁 Youth Group Christmas Party
The Youth Group Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, December 28 at 4:00 PM at the home of the Houghs. We hope to see all our youth there!
Rainbow’s End Reopening Update
Rainbow’s End is getting a facelift! New front windows are being installed, and the shop is expected to reopen the Wednesday after New Year’s, operating Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thank you for thinking of Rainbow’s End—we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
📌 Not Getting the Tidings Email? Check This First
If you’re not seeing the Tidings in your inbox, please:
- Check your Spam, Junk, or Promotions folder and move it to your Inbox.
- Mark the message as “Not Spam” (or “Report as not junk”).
- Add our email address to your contacts/address book.
- Let the church office know if you’ve recently changed your email address.
You can also read the latest Tidings anytime by visiting www.ostervillechurch.com and opening the weekly edition every Saturday morning published by 9:00 am.
Sock Drive — Help Us Warm Hearts and Feet
We are collecting new socks (white and black) for those in need. Every donation makes a difference — the more we collect, the more people we can help!
The 2026 Pledge Campaign
We are still looking for a few more of you to turn in your pledge cards. Please submit them ASAP. We need the total soon to put together a budget for 2026. You Are the Difference! We’ll celebrate our success as soon as the totals are in. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
— The Stewardship Team
Mindful Chair Yoga: Breath, Strength & Balance
Join us for Mindful Chair Yoga, a gentle seated and standing practice focused on breath awareness, strength, and balance. We meet at Fred Curtis Hall for a supportive and accessible class. Four times a year, our practice concludes with tea and friendship, offering time to connect and relax together. A suggested donation of $10 is appreciated, with all proceeds benefiting the church.
Hercules Heater
Our Trustees purchased a Hercules heater to use in our church office. It turned out that the other heater could be repaired so we do not need this heater. It is advertised for $429. We want someone who needs it to have it for a reduced price of $350. It also comes with a 5-year warranty which costs extra to purchase. You can see it at the link below. The box has never been opened. If you are interested, please call the church office, 508-428-2811 or Heather 850-320-0123. Please go to this LINK for more information.
Looking for New Board Members for United Women in Faith
We are seeking new board members to join our team! If you are interested, please reach out to one of our current board members: Alice Murphy, Linda McKeown, Lois Taylor, Julie Immelt-Wheldon, Mary Beth Taylor, Jackie Schrafft, Sue Wiper, or Kate Edwards.
“The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
All are invited to take part! Prayer changes everything! “Be anxious for nothing—Pray about everything.” – Philippians 4:6
Everyone is invited to take part in OUMC’s Prayer Ministry. Prayer is a gift for all people and has the power to make a difference in countless ways.
Prayer Box in the Narthex
A prayer box has been placed in the narthex at church. You are welcome to write down your prayers on the prayer cards provided and place them in the box.
🙏 Lifting Up Prayers Together
You are also encouraged to visit the church, reflect on the prayers that have been submitted, and lift them to God in the sanctuary.
Prayer Cards from Rainbow’s End Thrift Shop
Prayers collected from our thrift shop, Rainbow’s End, will also be added to the church’s prayer box, ensuring that all requests are held in prayer by our community.
Rainbow’s End is open Wednesday through Saturday 10:30 am till 3:00 pm
Come in and see our new fall clothing. If you have treasures that you need to get rid of, please donate them to the shop. They can be dropped off at any time the shop is open until 2 pm. Thank you so much for thinking of the shop and we look forward to seeing you.
How You Can Be of Service…
🌍 From the Outreach Team – Alternative Giving for Christmas
Many thanks to all who have participated in our Alternative Giving Program. Our church family has shown remarkable generosity as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
We are just a few gifts away from completing our goals:
- 6 additional $25 donations for CHAMP Homes
https://www.champhomes.org/ - 5 additional $25 donations for A Baby Center
https://www.capecodcouncilofchurches.org/a-baby-center
Donations may be made this Sunday after the 8:30 AM or 10:00 AM services. Donors will receive a card noting the gift was given in honor of someone as a Christmas gift.
🙌 Other Opportunities to Serve
🥫 Food Pantry Collection 🥫
For December we will be collecting granola and cereal bars. Your help for October and November helped many have a better Thanksgiving—- thank you for your continued support.
🍽️ Miracle Kitchen Needs You!
Miracle Kitchen Needs You Help prepare sandwiches, salads, and desserts for the monthly luncheon. Contact Patty Kilmain at 617-894-4858.
🧶 Prayer Shawl Ministry
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
Coffee Hour Donation Basket: Contributions towards supplies can be made at the coffee hour table.
🌸 Donate Flowers for the Altar
Donate Flowers for the Altar: If you would like to donate flowers for the altar, please sign up on the bulletin board by the restroom in the solarium and fill out a form for Jane. Leave it on her desk. The arrangements are $50.00. You may leave a check with your order or drop one off when convenient.
Volunteers Always Needed! Speakers, Greeters & Ushers
If you are interested in serving as a speaker, greeter, or usher, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to Mary Anne Farley at (774) 487-0719.
🌈 Rainbow’s End Thrift Shop
Rainbow’s End Closed for Thanksgiving Break
Rainbow’s End will be closed November 27–29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Support Rainbow’s End! Shop Hours & Donations Rainbow’s End is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. We’ve stocked up on beautiful spring and summer clothing—come take a look! Have gently loved treasures you no longer need? Donations are welcome anytime the shop is open, until 2:00 PM. Thank you for supporting the shop—we can’t wait to see you soon!
Fellowship Opportunities for You!
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌍 Holy Land Trip – February 17, 2027 | Pastor John and Mary Beth have booked a Holy Land Trip departing February 17, 2027! There’s plenty of time to pray, plan, and prepare for this unforgettable journey through the sacred sites of the Bible. If you’re interested or would like more details, please contact them. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk in the footsteps of faith. |
| 🎶 Choir | Interested in joining? Contact Daniel Shinabarger at 857-919-0238. |
| 👧 Children/Youth Choir Rehearsals | After the 10:00 AM service each Sunday. |
| 🧘 Mindfulness Chair Yoga | Thursdays at 2:00 PM. All levels welcome. Contact Karen Cheromcha at 508-397-7938. |
| 🙏 Online Prayer Group | Email Mary Anne at booklover126@comcast.net to join. |
| ✨ Youth Group | Sundays, 5:30–7:00 PM. |
| 📖 Bible Study | Thursdays, 10:00–11:15 AM. Pastor John leads a discussion on the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. Available on Zoom (Meeting Code: 753843). |
| 🤝 Men’s Fellowship | Tuesdays, 10:00–11:15 AM. All men are welcome. |
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 November. It is a time to extend our warmest wishes and share in the joy of their special day. This November, we have the following members celebrating their birthdays: NOTE: If you do not want your birthday listed, please email sonja@ostervillechurch.com
🎂 Wish Someone a Happy Birthday! Make Their Day!
| Noah Sheasley | 12/3 |
| Richard Taylor | 12/7 |
| Daniel Tambascia | 12/8 |
| 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 |