December 11, 2021
Beautiful Beloveds,
How are you? A friend of mine, when I ask this question, often responds, “I’ve got all the feels.” In this holy season of Advent, as I talk with people, that’s what I’m hearing, all the feels. There’s the warmth of home and hearth, sadness at so many losses, excited anticipation, relief at the return of some rituals of the season, the anxiety of uncertainty as the pandemic continues, mirth and melancholy, laughter and loneliness, not to mention the hope, peace, joy, and love of the season…all the feels.
As we come to the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Joy, we hear the unexpected words of John the Baptist. These words do not at first appear to be a joyful message but listen closely. John invites us to discover true joy, to invite Jesus to show us how to live God’s love in the world. Deeper than fleeting happiness, love makes all the difference, leading us to a place of true joy. John reminds us that Emmanuel, God with us, came not to a shined up world, but to our world, full of humans with all the feels. Whatever we’re feeling this holiday season: happy, sad, excited, discouraged, God meets us where we are, offering hope, peace, joy, and love.
Join us tomorrow, as we worship together, light the Advent Candles, and remind one another by our presence, God shows up. There is reason to rejoice as we remain, Together in Christ…Committed to Serve.
Peace,
Heather
**As COVID-19 rates continue to climb on Cape, our leadership team strongly encourages all who attend our indoor worship and other activities to be fully vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated, we encourage you to participate in our drive-in worship and tune into 91.5 to hear either service on your car radio. Or join our live stream on YouTube from home. Let’s continue to work together to keep one another healthy. Let’s show our love for one another by continuing to practice distancing, wearing our masks, and staying home when unwell.
Mark Your Calendars
Sunday, December 12: Third Sunday of Advent
8:30 am: Drive-in Worship
Sit on the lawn around the flagpole, or stay in your warm car and tune in to 91.5.
10:30 am Worship in our sanctuary (masks required). Please register here
10:30 am: Livestream available on our YouTube channel
4:00 pm: Youth Group Leads Advent Family Fun Please register here
Monday, December 13:
9:00 am Lend-a-Hand
7:00 pm: Men’s Study Group (via Zoom)
Tuesday, December 14:
9:00 am: Yoga
10:00 am Advent Bible Study on Zoom
12:00 pm: Deadline for “A Word on Wednesday,” AND Saturday Tidings
Wednesday, December 15:
10:00 am Bright Promises Yoga
10:30 am Chair Yoga
10:30 am – 3:00 pm Rainbow’s End Open (Donations accepted 11 am-2 pm)
7:00 pm Church Council Meeting
Thursday, December 16:
9:00 am: Yoga
Friday, December 17:
10:00 am: Al-anon Meeting
Saturday, December 18:
9:00 am: Yoga
Sunday, December 19: Fourth Sunday of Advent
**Register for Worship Here for 8:30, 10:30, and Christmas Eve Worship**
8:30 am: Outdoor and Drive-In Worship
10:30 am: Worship in our sanctuary
10:30 am: Livestream available on our YouTube channel
4:00 pm: Youth Group Leads Advent Family Fun Please register here
Together in Christ—We Tend the Spirit
Advent Family Fun Our youth will be leading a 30-minute activity for children up to 5th grade December 12, and 19. Each Sunday they’ll offer a brief Bible Story followed by a craft, game or other fun activity. Please sign up here to participate and/or help make it a success!
Weekly Bible Study via Zoom, Tuesdays at 10 am
We’ll open with prayer, and then explore the way each gospel writer tells the story of the birth of Christ. This week, December 14, we’ll read Matthew 1 together. We end our time together sharing our prayer concerns and praying together. We end by 11 am.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, December 24, 5 pm
We will gather in our sanctuary, at 5 pm, as well as transmit to your radio, if you prefer to stay in your car and live streaming for those who wish to join us from off-campus or off the cape. The recording will also be available so you can also watch it later at your convenience.
Worship with Us Outside, Inside, and Online: For the health and safety of us all, please follow our safety guidelines, listed at the end of this email. This may be subject to change as our leadership team reviews this every week. If you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please stay home and join us online.
Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 5:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Hyannis
486 Main St
This service, held on the winter solstice, is a remembrance of all who have lost their lives over the past year who have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.
Please join us…
Together in Christ—We Pray
Please pray for all who are affected by gun violence: victims and perpetrators, those who grieve the death of loved ones, those who experience trauma, first responders and legislators who work to end gun violence.
Please submit prayer requests here or call MaryAnne Farley (774) 487-0719 or Pastor Heather, (774) 994-3645.
Together in Christ—Our United Methodist Connection
Our church is one of 84 United Methodist Churches in the Seacoast District, which includes Western Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. The Seacoast District is led by our District Superintendent, David Calhoun. Our District is one of seven districts (574 churches), spread over 6 states making up the New England Conference. Our Conference is led by our Bishop, Sudarshana Devadhar.
Please pray for all United Methodist Churches who are working through the legal implications of the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy after suits related to abuse. Please pray for all survivors of this abuse and all who have been harmed.
United Methodist Women
The General Secretary of United Methodist Women says, “We’ve seen what innovative use of technology makes possible. We know the power of personal relationships with God and others. We see the needs in our communities and around the world that call us to give and serve and at the same time to speak up for justice and long-term changes.” Our UMW will be meeting again soon and presenting work and programs as our Purpose says.
Committed to Serve—We Give to Bless Others
During this Advent season out Outreach Group would like to offer the following gift-giving opportunities. Safe Harbor for women and children who need protection and assistance.
CHAMP Homes provide transitional housing to homeless adults on the Cape.
Gifts to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund and to Sierra Leone.
A Gift of gloves or mittens to our Miracle Kitchen guests.
December Food Collection for Local Food Pantries.
You can contribute to any of these causes through our online giving portal. f you have any questions, please call Jane Gray at 508-428-2811.
December Food Collection for Local Food Pantries: We are collecting winter foods such as canned soups, stews, chili, LaChoy canned meals, baked beans saltines, instant coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate, powdered creamer, sugar cubes, etc. The homeless are also in need of underwear and socks. Please place non-perishable, non-lass items in the large “treasure can” near the front door of the church.
2022 Calendars are on Sale this Sunday. Order blanks are available or you can call in your order (508-428-2811) or send us an email at office@umcchurches.org. They come in small ($8.95) Large ($12.95) Small frames ($5.00) Large Frames ($9.00.) You may pick up your calendars and any other of a few Christmas treasures that are on display in the Solarium on Sunday or on Monday through Thursday between 9 am and 1 pm.
Order Holiday BIC Gift Cards and help end homelessness on Cape Cod. There is a list of vendors available in the Solarium next to the Calendars that you may pick up on Sunday. Kathy Sandell will need your order by Monday, December 13, to get the BIC cards to you by the 19th.
Christmas Poinsettias: You can click here to order your Christmas Poinsettias ($10/each) or pick up a paper copy of the form on Sunday.
Rainbow’s End, our church thrift boutique, is open Wednesday and Thursday, 10:30-3 pm. Stop by to shop and/or donate goods, particularly, Fall and Winter Clothes. Bring them in on Wednesday and Thursday between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Thanks so much.
To volunteer, donate or consign items, or find out other ways to support our store, please call shop manager, Pamela Turner, at 508-548-2245.
A Few Tax Savings Ideas from the New England United Methodist Foundation.
- Direct Charitable gifts from your IRA will not be taxed. The distribution will be tax-free if you are over 70 ½ years old.
- No Capital Gains Tax will be due if you give stocks or mutual funds to the Foundation. They will forward the sale proceeds to your church.
Learn more about charitable giving and the work of the Foundation, at their website umfne.org.
Give online. Visit our online giving portal, to set up your pledge, make a one-time gift for a special project, support the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, make memorial contributions, and more. You can use your credit card, bank card, or set up an electronic funds transfer.
We’re here to help. Give Jane Gray, financial secretary, a call at 508.428.2811 if you need help navigating the online giving portal.
Worship with Us
Outside, inside, or online
If you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19, or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, please stay home.
Please register here for December Worship
If you prefer not to register online,
please leave a message at the church at 508.428.2811
or text Pastor Heather, 774.994.3645.
8:30 am Gather On the Green (Outdoor Worship):
- We are now inviting congregational singing outdoors.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, our online-giving portal and a music playlist to compliment the day’s themes. Registering also helps us with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.
- Please stay home if you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Masks are optional. Please honor the choices that others have made to mask or not.
- Please continue to practice risk-reducing distancing, staying about 6 feet apart.
- If, after worshiping with us, you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is important to the health of our congregation that you let us know so we can notify others who may have been exposed. This will be treated carefully and confidentially, so that we can care for another. Please call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645.
- Worship will feature pre-recorded music, and we encourage you to stay in your cars when it is wet and/or cold.
10:30 am In Our Sanctuary
- We strongly encourage all who attend indoor worship and activities at our church to be fully vaccinated.
- If you register, you will receive an order of worship for the day, including links to scripture, hymn lyrics, our online-giving portal and a music playlist to compliment the day’s themes. Registering also helps us with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.
- Please stay home if you are feeling unwell, tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- Please wear a mask. If you forget, we’ll have plenty available.
- Sanctuary Shepherds will be there to greet and guide you, as you enter and exit our building
- Please enter through the main sanctuary doors, where you will be “checked-in,” and invited to use hand sanitizer. Communion Elements, in pre-packaged containers will be available. You can also grab a mask if you need one, and pick up a Bible if you choose. At this time we will not be using hymnals or paper bulletins.
- After you are “checked in” you will be led to a seat by a sanctuary shepherd. We will be seating individuals and families at least six feet apart from one another from the front of the sanctuary to the back. Please sit as close to the colorful dot as possible.
- We will have one or two singers, but not congregational singing at this time.
- The ionizers will be on, and at least one window will have a fan running, and other windows will be open. Additionally, all doors will be open. Please dress warmly and feel free to bring a lap blanket.
- Please exit through our solarium as directed by our shepherds.
- An offering plate will be available as you enter, as we will not be “passing the plate.” Don’t worry if you forget, or are moved to give more, there will be another place to give on your way out.
- We will be live streaming our sanctuary worship, so you catch it on YouTube, or if we need more seating at the church, in Fred Curtis Hall.
- If, after worshiping with us, you test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed, it is important to the health of our congregation that you let us know so we can notify others who may have been exposed. This will be treated carefully and confidentially, so that we can care for another. Please call Pastor Heather directly, 774.994.3645.
**Our COVID-19 Leadership Task Force is watching the rates of COVID-19 on Cape Cod. We will gather in our sanctuary on Sunday and will decide week by week if we will continue to do so. If a change is needed we will communicate quickly, clearly, and in a variety of media.
Zoom Links:
Tuesday Morning Advent Bible Study, 10 am
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 882 0619 5080
Passcode: 103388
One tap mobile
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Or Call:
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Meeting ID: 882 0619 5080
Passcode: 103388