First Sunday of Advent
Sermon
“The Waiting Makes Us Helpless and Strong”
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:
1 Thessalonians 3:9-12
&
Luke 21:25-36
~
Announcements:
This Sunday is UM Students Day. Please contribute and help students explore and grow in their faith in higher education. Together we educate students so they can make a difference in the world.
THIS SUNDAY is Adrianne Brown’s last day with us at the piano. We will miss her. Her gentle and flexible Spirit makes our worship soar. Please give her a warm Middletown send off. Thank You Adrianne…Come back soooooon!
Advent Study SENT begins THIS SUNDAY - As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them - John 17:18. God sent Christ into the world as our Savior. That’s what Christmas is all about. In turn, Christ sends us into the world. But do we really understand how, where, and why we are sent? This church-wide Advent study challenges us through story, art, and Bible study to discover what it means to be Christ’s hands, feet, head, and heart.
Next Sunday Pageant rehearsals will begin. Calling allgrandparents, parents, children, and friends! We need you to participate. You are never too old to be a shepherd or an angel! Join the fun. See Megan Camp or Becky Godwin for details.
There will be a Charge Conference on January 5th. Charge Conference Reports are due NO LATER THAN Wednesday, December 2nd. Please send an electronic copy of your report to Cyndi in the church office at churchoffice@fumcmiddletownct.org. All committee chairs and church leaders are expected to provide a charge conference report. Please contact Cyndi in the church office with any questions at 860-346-3689.
West African Drumming and Dance Concert, Friday, December 4, 2015 at Wesleyan University, Crowell Concert Hall. Master drummer and Adjunct Professor of Music Abraham Adzenyah celebrates his final performance with his students. Mr. Adzenyah is retiring in December after 45 years of sharing the vibrancy of West African music with generations of Wesleyan students. He will be joined by students of choreographer and Artist in Residence Iddi Saaka and special guests. Tickets are $8.00 and can be purchased at the door or by calling The Box Office at 860-685-7323.
Sew n’ Sew will be having their annual Holiday luncheon onTuesday, December 8th at 11:30 at The Green Room - 124 College Street, Middletown. They will also be collecting donations for the Heifer Project at this meeting. (Heifer works with families around the world to end hunger, lift them out of poverty and strengthen their communities.) All are invited and welcome to attend.
Service of Blue Christmas: A Service of Blue Christmas is a special service of remembrance for those grieving a loss during the holidays. Christmas can be a time of loneliness, sorrow, alienation, and sadness. This service offers a way for people to claim those feelings and acknowledge they are real and painful while still feeling surrounded by the compassionate love of God and the support of community. The service of song and prayer will be held at Faith United Methodist Church, 81 Clintonville Rd, North Haven CT, on Monday, December 14th at 7:00 pm. Pastor Jerry & Pastor Barbara will be officiating. It is open to anyone regardless of religious affiliation. All are welcome and there is no need to RSVP. Refreshments to follow. Please ask Pastor Barbara if you have any questions.
Amazing Grace Donations can now be brought to church anySunday. In addition to tuna and cereal, they are looking for donations of oatmeal, coffee and soup. The Missions committee will collect these items every Sunday and deliver to Amazing Grace. Please contact Marsha Judson with any questions at 860-346-0005.
Amazing Grace Food pantry would like to thank everyone at First United Methodist Church for donating throughout the year. The 237 pounds of food which you have generously donated in 2015 - including 89 pounds on 11/2/15 and 31 pounds on 10/14/15 - helped to stock the pantry shelves, fill dozens of shopping bags, and put food on the tables of our neighbors. They greatly appreciate that you are a part of this caring community which bands together to help those most in need.
We have a Facebook page! Help spread the word about the church by “liking” the church page and “sharing” posts. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-United-Methodist-Church/109638702407308).
Please Note - We are looking for everyone to update their home phone and cell phone numbers as well as their email addresses for correct communications. Please call or email Cyndi at the church office to update churchoffice@fumcmiddletownct.org /860-346-3689.