I hope that you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and are already preparing for Christmas as we have kicked off the Advent season. If you would like to participate in a daily Advent devotion, I have a few suggestions: There is Busted Halo's which has a tv or movie clip each day along with an activity to do. There is also YouVersion.com that has multiple options, Rediscovering the Christmas Season, Countdown to Christmas (family focused), Carols (look at the words behind your favorite carols) and The Christmas Story (only 5 days long). Each of the devotions from YouVersion you can also get on your smartphone.
A Few Announcements
- Confirmation is meeting on Tuesday at 6pm
- A service of Advent Lessons and Carols will be at Christ Church (184 Cross Highway) at 4pm on Sunday December 4th
- Senior lunch is Wednesday December 7th at noon at Plain Jane's in Bethel
- The Georgetown Community Association is having a Christmas party on Friday December 9th at 6pm at Gilbert & Bennett School, bring a dish to share, drinks are provided.
Book of Faith Puzzler
The question from last week: How often did God give manna to the Israelites while they were in the desert? A) Just once B)Once a week C)Every day D) Every day but the Sabbath
In Exodus 16, God provided food for the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness, in the form of manna. It was one the ground each morning and the people would gather up what they needed for each day, except on the 6th day of the week when they gathered up twice the amount since the manna did not come on the Sabbath. Congratulation to Cheryl M for winning this week's puzzler.
This week’s question: Today is the first day of the new church year. Each year the majority of our gospel readings come from a different gospel. Which gospel will we hear the most from this year? A) Matthew B) Mark C) Luke D) John If you know the answer (or ever winning to Google it) let me know your answer by noon on Wednesday to be entered into this week's drawing. And I'll give you a hint - there is a big hint to the answer somewhere in this email.
Yesterday's Sermon
You all were fairly quiet yesterday, so answer me now - How do you see things that have failed away but God's love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and Jesus' words not passing way? When have you see love, community, caring, or forgiveness take place even after buildings have been destroyed or items have been lost, stolen or broken or even after death? If you missed the sermon you can read it here.
Serving on Sunday
The following people have signed up to serve in worship this coming Sunday
Worship Assistant: Mark H
Reader: Paul D
Communion Assistant: Cheryl M
Ushers: _____ & _______
Communion set up & clean up:________
Offering Counter: _________
Coffee Hour Host: Barbara C
If you would like to serve in one of the ways that are currently open, please let me know. Also this coming Sunday I will have a sign up sheet for Christmas Eve worship leaders. At the 5pm service we will need 2 to 3 ushers, 3 to 6 readers, 2 communion assistants, 1 prayer leader, and 1 worship coordinator. At the 10pm service we will need 2 ushers, 1 or 2 readers, 2 communion assistants and 1 prayer leader. So please start thinking about if you are able to and willing to help on Christmas Eve and at which worship.time.
Sunday's Text
During our second week of Advent, we prepare and anticipate Jesus' birth through prophecy.
The first prophecy is Isaiah 40:1-11. Isaiah talks of the voice that cries out to prepare the way of the Lord and the Lord will feed his flock like a shepherd, gathering them into his arms. How do you prepare the way for the Lord? How are you preparing for Jesus' birth this Christmas? How are you preparing others to hear more about Christ?
The second reading is 2 Peter 3:8-15a. The author writes that with God one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like one day. But we are told to wait for the new heaven and a new earth with patience and peace. Anyone who can remember childhood knows that December can seem to take FOR-EV-ER as you await to open the presents under the tree. How is the waiting for Jesus to return still taking forever, and how has time seem to have passed by quickly?
The gospel is Mark 1:1-8. We skipped ahead in Mark last week, almost to the end, but no we are back at the beginning. But Mark does not being with Jesus' birth but Jesus's baptism. And before Jesus is baptized, John the Baptist is preparing the way for Jesus. John tells the crowds being baptized that one person more powerful than him is coming and while John baptizes with water, the one to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Most of us have been baptized, often when we were too young to remember, and during the baptism we "sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever". What does that mean to you? How does the Holy Spirit work in your life? How has Christ marked you with the cross?
I hope you have had a great long weekend and are not in too much of a tryptophan coma to get back to work today
Blessings
~Pastor Becca
In Exodus 16, God provided food for the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness, in the form of manna. It was one the ground each morning and the people would gather up what they needed for each day, except on the 6th day of the week when they gathered up twice the amount since the manna did not come on the Sabbath. Congratulation to Cheryl M for winning this week's puzzler.
This week’s question: Today is the first day of the new church year. Each year the majority of our gospel readings come from a different gospel. Which gospel will we hear the most from this year? A) Matthew B) Mark C) Luke D) John If you know the answer (or ever winning to Google it) let me know your answer by noon on Wednesday to be entered into this week's drawing. And I'll give you a hint - there is a big hint to the answer somewhere in this email.
Yesterday's Sermon
You all were fairly quiet yesterday, so answer me now - How do you see things that have failed away but God's love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and Jesus' words not passing way? When have you see love, community, caring, or forgiveness take place even after buildings have been destroyed or items have been lost, stolen or broken or even after death? If you missed the sermon you can read it here.
Serving on Sunday
The following people have signed up to serve in worship this coming Sunday
Worship Assistant: Mark H
Reader: Paul D
Communion Assistant: Cheryl M
Ushers: _____ & _______
Communion set up & clean up:________
Offering Counter: _________
Coffee Hour Host: Barbara C
If you would like to serve in one of the ways that are currently open, please let me know. Also this coming Sunday I will have a sign up sheet for Christmas Eve worship leaders. At the 5pm service we will need 2 to 3 ushers, 3 to 6 readers, 2 communion assistants, 1 prayer leader, and 1 worship coordinator. At the 10pm service we will need 2 ushers, 1 or 2 readers, 2 communion assistants and 1 prayer leader. So please start thinking about if you are able to and willing to help on Christmas Eve and at which worship.time.
Sunday's Text
During our second week of Advent, we prepare and anticipate Jesus' birth through prophecy.
The first prophecy is Isaiah 40:1-11. Isaiah talks of the voice that cries out to prepare the way of the Lord and the Lord will feed his flock like a shepherd, gathering them into his arms. How do you prepare the way for the Lord? How are you preparing for Jesus' birth this Christmas? How are you preparing others to hear more about Christ?
The second reading is 2 Peter 3:8-15a. The author writes that with God one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like one day. But we are told to wait for the new heaven and a new earth with patience and peace. Anyone who can remember childhood knows that December can seem to take FOR-EV-ER as you await to open the presents under the tree. How is the waiting for Jesus to return still taking forever, and how has time seem to have passed by quickly?
The gospel is Mark 1:1-8. We skipped ahead in Mark last week, almost to the end, but no we are back at the beginning. But Mark does not being with Jesus' birth but Jesus's baptism. And before Jesus is baptized, John the Baptist is preparing the way for Jesus. John tells the crowds being baptized that one person more powerful than him is coming and while John baptizes with water, the one to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Most of us have been baptized, often when we were too young to remember, and during the baptism we "sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever". What does that mean to you? How does the Holy Spirit work in your life? How has Christ marked you with the cross?
I hope you have had a great long weekend and are not in too much of a tryptophan coma to get back to work today
Blessings
~Pastor Becca
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