Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sermon
"... and if you tell the story of Mary, others will find out about Jesus"
by
Pastor Barbara Marks
Children's Sermon by John Blossom
Please join us for worship
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
at
The Elk’s Lodge
44 Maynard Street, Middletown, CT
~
Scripture:
Isaiah 7:10-16
&
Luke 1:22-38
~
Announcements:
New Members – TODAY! – Please join us in welcoming Bill Collins and Rossana Barnaby as they join our church family. What a blessing! Bill has been on our Board of Trustees and Rossana has brought great depth to our Sunday studies. Praise God!.
Be the Hands and Feet of Christ - Can you, your committee, church friends, or family members, chip in together and purchase a coat or boots for needy parents that put their children first? Please sign up today! Delivery appreciated to the parsonage no later than December 19th.
Stewardship Sunday -Thank you for prayerfully considering the many gifts God has given you, as you in turn, share your gifts with the Church. We are encouraged through scripture to “have faith the size of the mustard seed.” As we commit to God to grow the Kingdom won’t you consider increasing your pledge. Your pledge helps us to set our budget for 2017.
Charge Conference Reports-are DUE. Please email them to the office at churchoffice@fumcmiddletownct.org or if you don’t do computers, please bring your report to the church office during our office hours. We are open Mon, Wed, and Fri. from 9am to 12pm.
Christmas Eve Service – Will be held on December 24th at 5pm, at the Elks Ballroom 44 Maynard Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Christmas Sunday Service – Will be held on December 25th at 9am, at the Parsonage. 221 Ridge Road, Middletown, CT 06457 – Come in and enter the story!
Advent Study- Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam- Christmas or confusion, Bethlehem or Bedlam . . . Which will you choose this year? The truth is, we don’t have to choose, because Christmas always happens right in the midst of our chaos. God breaks into our noisy disorder and is made known in Jesus Christ. Christmas and confusion—weren’t they intimately related at the first Christmas when Jesus was born? Sometimes we forget that. That’s what this study is about—how Christ breaks into our chaos and confusion and brings Christmas—Studies will be held on Sundays/Thursdays at the parsonage.
UMCOR Updates- Hurricane Matthew- When disaster strikes, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) mobilizes to respond to the most pressing human needs and then stays until recovery is complete. Through local United Methodist churches and trained disaster response workers, UMCOR provides immediate relief, assistance with cleanup and rebuilding, pastoral counseling and support for children and youth who have been through trauma. 100% of your donation goes directly to relief efforts. Donate online @UMCOR.org
The United Methodist Men - meet at the parsonage for a men’s breakfast Saturday, January 7th, and the first Saturday of each month. Bring a friend! See David Marks or Warren Western for more information.
Amazing Grace Donations – can now be brought to church any Sunday. In addition to tuna and cereal, they are looking for donations of oatmeal, coffee and soup. Please contact Marsha Judson with any questions at (860) 346-0005.