Let Heaven and Nature Sing

On Sunday we will begin our journey of anticipation and waiting for the arrival of the Christ child. Our theme for this season is “Let Heaven and Nature Sing” inspired by the hymn Joy to the World. Christmas Eve is on a Sunday this year so this month will feel a little different. We are excited about the weekly devotionals, special services and curriculum that we are offering the congregation.

Each week I have asked one of our new members to light the Advent Candle and do the reading of the lectionary scripture. This is a tradition that was started before me. On Sunday afternoon, we will have the Advent workshop where we create some gifts to be taken to the homebound church members who can no longer attend in person. This year we also have a craft for you to take home. If you haven’t registered for this event, please do so. We need to make sure that we have enough supplies.

We will also have 3 special services during Advent. On the 17th we will only have one service at 10:00 am that will be similar to our service last year that will have music from every department in the church. There will not be any Sunday School on that day. On the 21st we will have our Blue Christmas service for those who are struggling during the holidays. This service is open to anyone so please invite others who you know may need some community and comfort while everyone else is joyful. This service will be in the chapel. On Sunday Dec. 24th, (yes, Christmas Eve is a Sunday) we will have two services. We will have a 10:00 am morning contemporary service with a children’s moment and Christmas carols. At 6 pm, we will have our traditional candlelight Christmas Eve worship service with the choir and the bells.

Next Tuesday night, I want to invite you to the Church Charge Conference on Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. Our district superintendent will be here to meet with us. It has been a very long time since we have had an individual church charge conference. We will be voting on clergy compensation, the new slate of officers for leadership for 2024 and the approval of our candidates for ministry as future United Methodist clergy. We are excited to be continuing support of Stacy Reaves who is on the elder track. Stacy currently serves as our grief group leaders and works as a hospice chaplain. Our other candidate is Patricia Cogles who is our new office manager. She is transferring in from the California Pacific conference where she attended seminary. Patty is on the deacon track for ministry. We are also blessed to have a new member who will be voted on as a certified Lay Servant. April Sellers White came to us from the Sapulpa congregation. She has offices and responsibilities at the District and Conference level. We are so blessed that she has chosen us for her home church. Please attend if you are able.

Thank you to everyone who gave of their time and energy for work day and advent decorating over the weekend. The church looks and smells great!

I give thanks for this church and for you!