MMC: Baptism & the New Year

Good afternoon & Happy New Year!

I hope that you are all are adjusting to life post-holidays as the kids have gone back to school, you've gone back to work or company has gone back to their homes.  

A Few Quick Announcements

• Grow 2 Gather is this Sunday at 9am.  We will be hearing the story of Jesus' baptism and discussing the symbols of baptism as we make a reminder that we are loved children of God. 
• Confirmation is NEXT Tuesday, January 10th at 6pm.  
• If you ordered poinsettias, they are available to take home.  If you forgot what size you ordered, please ask. 

Book of Faith Puzzler

The puzzler from the last Sunday in Advent was: What is the longest the season of Advent can be? A)24 days B) 25 days C)28 days D)30 days. 

Advent starts 4 Sundays before Christmas, regardless of what day of the week Christmas is on.  This year since Christmas was on a Sunday, we had 4 full weeks of Advent, or 28 days, the longest Advent can be.  Congratulations to Ryan and Tiina H for being our winners as they duked it out and hurried to be able to count the calendar the quickest.


You should also come to worship as you never know when I'll surprise you with a bonus question and you can receive a loaf of bread on the spot.  This week's bonus question was: Sunday was the 8th day of Christmas.  What happened to Jesus 8 days after he was born?  Well my dad answered the question, even though it was his bread I was giving away, which was that Jesus was circumcised when he was 8 days old as was and is customary in the Jewish tradition.  Mark H stepped in and stole his answer in order to receive the loaf of bread. 


This week’s question:  How many days after his birth to the Magi come bearing gifts to Jesus? A)3 B)7 C)12 D)40 E)We don’t’ know  If you know the answer or willing to look it up email me by noon on THURSDAY (yep you get an extra day this week).  Thus far I haven't received any answers for this question and I have a loaf of my dad' bird seed bread sitting waiting to be given away plus I haven't baked in over 2 weeks now. 


Serving on Sunday
The sign up sheet for Sunday is blank except that Ryan H has volunteered to be the worship assistant.  If you are willing to read, usher, count, serve coffee hour, assist with communion or set up for communion, please let me know.  Try something new this year and volunteer to serve in a way that you have not served 


Sunday's Text
This Sunday we celebrate Baptism of our Lord and many of the readings concern baptism and water: Genesis 1:1-8, Acts 19:1-7 and Mark 1:1-13.  I have 3 main questions for you: What is baptism? What does baptism do? Why do we baptize?  Think about those this week as we prepare to discuss Jesus' baptism along with our own this week.


Have a blessed week
~Pastor Becca