Saxapahaw United Methodist Church
December 2, 2020
|
|
Message from Pastor Mitzi
The Many Faces of Advent – Including Yours
Have you ever thought about how little we know about the infant Jesus? The Gospel writers, instead of focusing our attention on the Light of the World, pull our gaze slightly above, below, and to the sides of him. They tell us of the Light, but never really show him to us in all his glory. What they show us instead is the way his light is reflected in the faces of the ones who prophesied his coming, who prepared the way, who gave birth to him in the flesh, who gathered to worship him: Isaiah the prophet, John the Baptist, Mary, the Shepherds. These are some of the faces we meet as we dive into the scriptures of Advent.
Advent is the first season of the Christian church year, the four Sundays leading up to Christmas when our re-telling of the coming of the Christ child prepares our hearts also for Christ’s second coming. It is also the season we search familiar Biblical faces. Why? As preacher Tom Long once wrote, “to find our own faces reflected there, to find ourselves once again filled with wonder, to ponder these things in our hearts, to contemplate the possibility that we, too, might glorify and praise God.”
As you plan your worship for Christmas Eve, I invite you to participate in one of two ways that will allow you to SEE the faces of your church family and revel in the light of Christ you discover there.
|
|
Christmas Eve Zoom Service, 7:30 p.m.: We will gather via Zoom to hear the Christmas story, a brief homily, pray together, light a Christ candle in our own homes, see and hear music from our praise team and others. You will also be able to show us your favorite Christmas ornament (if you like) and wish one another Merry Christmas. For your privacy, this service will NOT be recorded or shared on Facebook. Click link to join Zoom Meeting on Christmas Eve: https://nccumc.zoom.us/j/8479646631
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 847 964 6631
Indoor Worship, 6:00 pm: Those with limited access to technology are invited to attend this small Christmas Eve service in the sanctuary. Due to Covid restrictions, we can only open the sanctuary to a limited number of people. Please sign up here or register with Laurie Newlin. This service will be live-streamed and recorded for Facebook.
|
|
Second Sunday of Advent
December 6
Worship Indoors & Online
John The Baptist:
Prepare The Way (Mark 1:1-8)
Zoom (Video) or by phone: Dial +1 646 558 8656, enter, meeting ID: 98064557041
**Tithes and Offerings: To support the mission and ministries of Saxapahaw UMC via saxumc.org, click here. (Form has been recently updated).**
|
|
Youth Group Schedule
5-6:30 pm, Sundays
-
December 6 - Make quick bread, soup, and dessert for communal dinner.
-
December 13 - "White elephant" gift exchange; Christmas movie and popcorn at Mary's
-
December 20 - We are working on supporting a Christmas Cheer family. Stay tuned.
-
December 27 - No Youth Group
Questions?
|
|
Opportunities to Participate and Worship this Christmas
Spend Time in Daily Devotion
Stop by the church narthex and pick up a free daily devotional to prepare your heart and mind to celebrate Christ's birth. Each day's reading, from December 1 to Christmas Day, is based on the Revised Common Lectionary and includes the Scripture, a short devotion, and a brief prayer.
Pastor Mitzi's Favorite Christmas Stories on Video
Join Pastor Mitzi and others, virtually, around her family's Christmas tree for a reading of her family's favorite Christmas stories. The link to this pre-recorded video will be made available by Sunday, December 6. Parents and grandparents may choose to play it for your young ones any time in the Advent season. (Hint: Great for Christmas Eve or any time you need a moment to help the elves wrap their presents).
Christmas Eve Worship
Indoor Worship, 6:00 pm
Those with limited access to technology are invited to attend this small Christmas Eve service in the sanctuary. Due to Covid gathering restrictions, we will open the sanctuary to 10 people and 5 in each side room. Please sign up here or register with Laurie Newlin.
Christmas Eve Zoom Service, 7:30 pm
Join our church family live online on Zoom on Christmas Eve for a different kind of service. We'll hear the Christmas story, pray together, hear Christmas carols, and light our own "Christ candles" at home. You'll also have the opportunity to show us your favorite Christmas ornament or decoration or show off your Christmas tree! Click link to Join Zoom Meeting on Christmas Eve: https://nccumc.zoom.us/j/8479646631 +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 847 964 6631
O, Zoom all Ye Faithful Christmas Play
In lieu of the traditional Christmas play/soup luncheon, children are invited to participate in a recording the Christmas play "O Zoom All Ye Faithful". The play will be presented as a part of the Sunday, December 20 worship service. Please contact Pastor Mitzi mjohnson@nccumc.org for more details.
|
|
Opportunities to Give This Christmas
Snack Pack Christmas Tree for S.A.F.E.
Saxapahaw UMC and Saxapahaw Village Kids (SVK) are building a Snack Pack Christmas Tree for the Kids Snack Pack Program at S.A.F.E.! Our goal is to collect lots and lots of items on this list for children in our community:
- Individual applesauce cups
- Individual juice
- Individual fruit snacks
- Individual cereal bars
- Individual packs of crackers-various nabs (ex. peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers)
- Individual bags of chips
- Canned Chef Boyardee or substitutes
Bring in your donations by Sunday, December 20.
Spread Christmas Cheer for a Family in Need
The Saxapahaw Youth and Andrea Green are in the process of adopting a family for Christmas. We are partnering with SAFE for the meal portion, and Saxapahaw UMC will sponsor the gifts. Details coming soon.
Christmas Offering to Support our Children
Once again, our Christmas offering will support our children. Your gift will feed hungry children in our community through SAFE and empower orphans in Zimbabwe through ZOE Empowers. Give any time before the end of the year. Please write Christmas Offering in the memo line of your check or you can donate online at https://www.saxumc.org/giving-1 to donate through our GivePlus form and select the Christmas Offering selection.
ZOE Friendship Soup Mix
We still have limited amounts of Beef Friendship Soup and Vegetarian Friendship Soup mix in festive jars available for purchase. To purchase, go to the church and pick up the desired number of jars ($10 each) from the front pew and drop your check in the offering box (write Zoe on memo line) or pay online by clicking here to pay through our GivePlus form and select the Zoe Empowers selection. If these remaining jars all sell, we will be able to send almost $700 to support our Zoe family in Zimbabwe!
Give a Gift to the Church in Honor or in Memory of a Loved One
These gifts support the mission and ministry of this congregation and, with our Tithes & Offerings, undergird all of the many ways we seek to know Christ and make Christ known. Write "In honor/memory of ___" on the memo line of the check. Alternatively, you can give online by clicking here to donate through our GivePlus form and select the Tithes & Offerings selection. If you give online please email Laurie Newlin at saxumcbulletins@gmail.com with the amount of the gift and a note referencing to whom the gift is given in honor/memory of.
|
|
SAFE Food Ministry
RADA Knives Fundraiser!
In the past, some of you have ordered RADA knives from Barbara and a couple of you have asked about ordering again. If you’re interested you can use the link below to look at the catalog and order. Their tomato knife is the best! Proceeds will go to SAFE Food Pantry. They make wonderful Christmas gifts. This is an open, ongoing fundraiser so you can use it anytime. Thanks!
|
|
Alamance Eldercare: Encouraging the Heart
of a Caregiver
Join Alamance Eldercare online using your computer, tablet or smart phone.
Advance registration is required, click here.
|
|
Financial Support for Those in Need
Saxapahaw UMC offers two financial resources for local families and individuals in need:
Micro Loan Program - Loans of $250 to $2,500 along with relational support. During the pandemic health crisis, all or part of the loan may be forgivable. Loan applications confidentially reviewed by Pastor Mitzi Johnson and our Finance Team. To learn more, click here.
Pastor's Discretionary Fund - Smaller grants ($30 and $150) for one-time crisis assistance (utility bills, medicines, etc.)
|
|
Need Someone To Talk With?
Pray With?
|
Contact Pastor Mitzi
919-522-5540 (voice or text)
Pastor Mitzi observes Sabbath on Mondays but can still be reached in case of immediate need.
|
|
|
Have Information for the E-Newsletter, Calendar, Bulletin, or Prayer List?
Contact Laurie Newlin, Administrative Assistant
336-266-0743 (voice or text)
|
|
Saxapahaw United Methodist Church | PO Box 268 | Saxapahaw, NC 27340 | 336-525-2545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
