“Advent: Bearing the Light”

A few years ago, Sara created an Advent devotional guide.  This year she is sharing it again on her website (www.saramsnyder.com).  I highly encourage you to utilize this resource as we navigate our Advent journey to the manger. 

Blessings, Chris

This Sunday marked the first week of Advent. Like many, our celebrations this year were somewhat muted by the global pandemic that continues to impact everyone’s daily life. I don’t know about you, but 2020 has felt like a mighty river rolling through our lives at peak flood stage. I’ve felt overwhelmed at times, exhausted at trying to stay above water and just praying for some dry ground to appear. So how appropriate is it that we come to the close of this turbulent year in the midst of Advent. Advent has long been one of my favorite seasons. First and foremost, Advent is a season of hope. Advent is the hope that comes when you see the small beacon of light from the lighthouse piercing the darkness just beyond the rugged shore. Advent is a hope born of yearning…the fierce belief in the idea that there is something amazing and profoundly better on the horizon. Advent is a season of twilight… we walk in the darkness, but the light is coming.

A few years ago, I developed a daily Advent devotional. This year, I thought I would share it with you. Each day, there will be a small Scripture passage followed by some thoughts and a guided prayer. I encourage you to find some time in the midst of the busyness of the holiday season to take a walk with God, anticipating the light that will break through the deepest night. We are all yearning for something. Let God meet you where you are and show you his promises for your life.

Blessings and Peace, Sara

Advent is the time when we prepare for the coming of Christ into the world.  It begins with an acknowledgement of the darkness that surrounds us—the grief, the injustice, the poverty and the oppression. Begin, then, by making a list of the darkness that surrounds your life right now. If you feel led, write down those things in a journal. Ask God to show you the light in each of these circumstances.

Christ is the light that enters into this darkness, bringing with him the gifts of justice, hope, peace and love.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be bearers of the Light.  We must clothe ourselves in God’s justice, hope, peace and love so that we might share these gifts with the world. How can you clothe yourself in God’s justice, hope, peace, and love today? What would that look like in your life? Where do you see each of these traits of God around you? Write those down, as well. Give God thanks for each of them.

This guide is designed to help you both experience and share the Light that is Christ with the world.

Today, pray that God will clear a space in your life to receive his gifts of justice, hope, peace and love.  Then, ask God to give you opportunities to share those gifts with others. Choose one concrete action you will take today to show someone else God’s justice, hope, peace, or love.

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday will be the second Sunday of Advent.  This week the message will look at the world in which Christ entered as described in the Gospel of Matthew.  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from Matthew chapter 1, verses 18-23:

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to. Divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

We will begin our service with the song God With Us by We Are Messengers.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is The Thrill of Hope, by Christy Nockels.

COVID Precautions

Please remember the new COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are now required for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing is expected, we will be disinfecting pews between services and we have modified our worship schedule to accommodate for having no more than 25% capacity (50 people) in our Sanctuary.  Our services are now at 8:00, 9:15 & 10:30.  We also request you not hang out too long after the service is over so we can have enough time to wipe down the pews and prepare for the next service.

We know there are many who do not feel comfortable attending worship at this time. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:30 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

Announcements

Thank You – Our blood drive held earlier this week was a great success!  Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and gave blood.  25 units of blood were collected, helping up to 75 people!  Thank you again.  Stay tuned for another opportunity in a couple of months. 

More Thanks – To all those who have given so generously to our coats for kids program.  You are what makes this program a success!

Angel Tree Gifts – Please bring your wrapped gifts for the Angel Tree this Sunday so we can dedicate them and have them ready for distribution on Saturday, Dec 12. 

Salvation Army Bell-Ringing – We are scheduled to “ring the bells” at Walmart on Saturday, December 12, 2020. A few more volunteers are still needed.  Please check the sign-up sheet in the East wing narthex (where we serve refreshments after worship) for more details.

Christmas Poinsettias – If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory or honor of a loved one, please pick up the order forms in the Sanctuary and return them to the office by Dec 15.  The list of poinsettias given in memory and honor will be included in the Dec 20 bulletin.  Please make checks payable to Nelson Memorial UMC with “poinsettias” in the memo line. 

Christmas Program Rehearsals Have Begun – Practices for the children’s Christmas program are under way.  Mark your calendar for the Children’s Christmas Program to be presented Sunday, December 20 during the 9:15 & 10:30 services.

Christmas Cards for NMUMC Elders and Friends – Please include the following members and friends of Nelson Memorial on your Christmas Card list: Doc & Florence Banion (Karma Haller’s Parents), Guree Beam, Francis Bradley, Virginia Brownfield, Mary Margaret Browning, Ada & Wes Gingrigh, Marjorie Harman, Ann Hartman, Margaret Hopkins, James & Dixie Lloyd, Bart Riley, Carol Schenck, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, Hessie Watts, and Dorothy Whitten.

This year due to COVID, we are asking the congregation to mail Christmas cards rather than drop them off at the church.  The addresses for the names listed below are available in the East Wing entry area.  A supply of Christmas Cards are available too if you would like them.

Christmas Eve Services – Christmas Eve Services this year will once again be at 3:00 and 7:00 pm (on the 24th, of course). But, with this being 2020, there will be some differences. Our services will be held outside with the Living Nativity as our backdrop. We encourage you to bundle up, bring a blanket and come ready to have your heart warmed by this unique and special service. Additionally, we plan to offer the parking spots immediately adjacent to our yard as a “drive in” option.

We are looking to borrow a couple of items for our Christmas Eve services – 2 or 3 fire pits and a sound system that can be set up outside. If you would like to loan us any of these items, please let Debra or Pastor Chris know. Thanks for your help.

Events this week:

Sunday, December 6: Dedication of Angel Tree gifts during Worship

Youth Group, Fellowship Hall @ 5:00 pm

Monday, December 7: TOPS, 9:30 am

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, December 9: Al-Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

CMCA Christmas Boxes Assembly, 5:30 – 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Saturday, December 12: United Methodist Men’s Meeting, 8:30 am

Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Wal Mart, 10 am – 6 pm

Angel Tree Party, 11 am, Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall

Christmas Parade, 2 pm, Main Street

CMCA Christmas Box Distribution, 2 pm, Fellowship Hall

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry.” ― John Wesley