Senoia United Methodist Church....A Missional and Discipling Congregation 
The Weekly Connection 
December 3, 2020
Please submit articles or photos for the Weekly Connection to office@senoiaumc.org
Worship Connection 
Sunday, November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
Holy Communion


Scripture:
Isaiah 9:6-7




Sunday, December 6, 2020
Second Sunday of Advent

Join us in person or
on Facebook at 10am:

Scripture:
Luke 1:46-56





Remember to RSVP to Ashley if you want to attend worship in the sanctuary. Limited seating to 25.
This Sunday we will have Holy Communion. Use this LINK to see how to take Holy Communion with individualized cups and wafers
In this edition of the Weekly Connection:
  • Order of Worship for Sunday, December 6
  • 10am Inside Worship
  • 11:30am Outside Worship
  • Video of Last Sunday's Service in the Sanctuary
  • Prays Walk
  • Poinsettias
  • Turkey Fund Donations and Pies
  • Virtual Angel Tree
  • Connexion Groups: Upcoming Gatherings
  • December Advent Study
  • I-58 Mission Current Needs
  • Love Offering
  • Wellbeing
  • SUMC Vision
  • Church Calendar
  • Church Staff
Thank you for your continued faithfulness. With your help we have been able to continue to minister to you and our community.
Order of Worship for This Sunday
December 6, 2020
Worship in the Sanctuary
Or
Join Us at 10am on Facebook Live

View the Video Afterwards in your edition of Sunday Funday
 
Worship
Second Sunday of Advent


10:00
 
 We Gather to Worship
 
Prelude
 
Announcements
 
Chiming of the Hour
 
Call to Worship
Let us prepare our hearts
as we await the coming of our Lord.
Let us watch for the one who heard our cries
and shouldered the suffering of our world.
Let us anticipate the coming of Christ’s eternal world
with wholeness, reconciliation and plenty for all.
Let us wait in expectation for the day
when God’s glory is revealed in all its fullness. Amen

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle                  Aurelia Meares
Today we light the candle of Peace - the Peace Christ brings.

*Responsive Affirmation                             Tune: Jessye's Carol
Green and silver, red and gold, and a story borne of old.
Peace and hope and love abide as Christ draws nigh. Amen.

Hymn xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
How Great Our Joy
While by the sheep we watched at night, Glad tidings brought an angel bright
How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high! Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
There shall be born, so he did say, In Bethlehem a Child today.
How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high! Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
There shall the Child lie in a stall, This Child who shall redeem us all.
How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high! Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This gift of God we cherish well, That every joy our hearts shall fill.
How great our joy! Great our joy! Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high! Praise we the Lord in Heaven on high!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


We Grow Through the Spoken Word

  
*Affirmation of Faith           The Advent Affirmation
We believe in God the Creator, our Comforter – all knowing and all loving, all powerful and all giving, who brings the universe into being and at the same time knows us completely, cares for us compassionately, and loves us eternally. We believe in the Word made flesh who came and dwelt among us – Jesus the Christ who speaks comfort to our anxious hearts. Among even our burdens and fears, he fulfills the promise of peace. His advent proclaims the kingdom of heaven is at hand, where even they that dwell on the uppermost heights and those who know the unmeasurable depths are brought together on the level plain of God’s rich and sustaining love. His coming again continues in us this ministry of consolation, ensuring that the glory of the Lord was, is, and shall be revealed, and we shall see it together.  
 
*Gloria Patri        Glory Be to God, the Father - Regent Square
Glory be to God, the Father; Glory be to God, the Son.
Glory be to God, the Spirit, ever three, and ever one.
Come and worship, come and worship
Light of lights, our star, our sun. Amen.

Children's Moment

Pastoral Prayer and The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen

Response
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray,
cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Amen.

Duet  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxNancy Lewis, Piano
Meditation on Bach’s First Prelude Incorporating Gounod "Ava Maria"
- Arranged by Preston Ware Orem

*Gospel Lesson        xx   Luke 1:46-56
Mary said,
“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
47 In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
50 He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God.
51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
52 He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.
54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy,
55  just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.

*Presentation and Doxology     xxxxxxxxxxxx Tune: Veni Emmanuel
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. Amen.
Hymn xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1 The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
"All hail," said he, "O lowly maiden Mary,"
"Most highly favored lady!" Gloria!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2 "For know a blessed Mother you shall be,
All generations praise continually,
Your son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold."
"Most highly favored lady!" Gloria!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
3 Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
"To me be as it pleases God!" she said.
"My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name."
"Most highly favored lady!" Gloria!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
4 Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn;
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
"Most highly favored lady!" Gloria! 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sermon
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Excerpt from The Wild Knight
by G. K. Chesterton
The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here is all aright.)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's chest,
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)
The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown.
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.

Hymn xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Joy to the World
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Joy to the world, the Lord will come!
Let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let all their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We Go to Serve

*Benediction

Chimes                                                    The congregation in silent reflection
 

*Stand as you are able
Use this Link for a printable copy of the Order of Worship in the Sanctuary
Order of Worship for This Sunday
December 6, 2020
Worship Outside

Second Sunday of Advent

11:30 am
 
 We Gather to Worship
 
Announcements
 
Lighting of the Second Advent Candle                 
Today we light the candle of Peace - the Peace Christ brings.
 
*Call to Worship
 
Let us prepare our hearts
as we await the coming of our Lord.
Let us watch for the one who heard our cries
and shouldered the suffering of our world.
Let us anticipate the coming of Christ’s eternal world
with wholeness, reconciliation and plenty for all.
Let us wait in expectation for the day
when God’s glory is revealed in all its fullness. Amen
 
 
*Opening Prayer
 
*Affirmation of Faith           The Advent Affirmation
We believe in God the Creator, our Comforter – all knowing and all loving, all powerful and all giving, who brings the universe into being and at the same time knows us completely, cares for us compassionately, and loves us eternally. We believe in the Word made flesh who came and dwelt among us – Jesus the Christ who speaks comfort to our anxious hearts. Among even our burdens and fears, he fulfills the promise of peace. His advent proclaims the kingdom of heaven is at hand, where even they that dwell on the uppermost heights and those who know the unmeasurable depths are brought together on the level plain of God’s rich and sustaining love. His coming again continues in us this ministry of consolation, ensuring that the glory of the Lord was, is, and shall be revealed, and we shall see it together.  
 
 
Children's Moment
 

 
We Grow Through the Spoken Word
  
 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pastoral Prayer and The Lord's Prayer
 
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen


 
*Gospel Lesson        xx   Luke 1:46-56
Mary said,
“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
47 In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
48 He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
50 He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God.
51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
52 He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.
54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy,
55  just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home.
 
*Prayer for the Offering
 
Sermon
 
Excerpt from The Wild Knight
by G. K. Chesterton
The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here is all aright.)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's chest,
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)
The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)
The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown.
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.
 

We Go to Serve
 
*Benediction
 
*Stand as you are able
Use this Link for a printable copy of the Order of Worship for Outside
Or mail your offering to:
Senoia UMC
P.O. Box 98
Senoia, GA 30276
The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world.
Worship Last Sunday
Senoia Prays Walk
Our monthly Senoia Prays Walk is Saturday morning, December 5, meeting at 10:00 in the church parking lot. As usual, we’ll be strolling around the neighbor and downtown community, praying silently as we go.


We finish up in an hour, giving everyone time for all those other things that need to be done during this busy holiday season. Come and join us and you will find that the prayer walk has a huge impact, both on the people being prayed for and the pray-ers. There will be a handout/guideline for you to use or follow, listing some things to look for and short prayers to say silently.

Because we are in the Advent season with this first week focusing on ‘hope’, we will look for signs of hope around our town as we walk. Take an hour out of your week and come walk and pray with us! Call or text Barb if you have any questions.   
Poinsettias
The Poinsettias will be in the sanctuary this Sunday. We still have some available to purchase in memory or in honor of a loved one.

Please let the office or Jean Cotton ((770) 599-0993 ) know if you would like to purchase one (or more) for $10 each. We will publish the list in the Weekly Connection on December 10th.
Let's Talk Turkey, Pie and Fun
Congratulations Senoia UMC! We have raised the funds needed for the turkeys for The I-58 Mission. But we don’t have to stop there – after all, it’s Christmas. The needs are great for additional food for the families in our area. Each week we publish an updated list of needed items in this Weekly Connection.

Any additional funds collected for the Turkey challenge will be used to buy food for The I-58 Mission food pantry. They served 160 families at Thanksgiving and expect that or more for Christmas. Your donation will put you in the running for an amazing prize pie. Mark your gift ‘Turkey Fund’. If you give online, select Outreach/Turkey Fund.

Give toward the Turkey Fund, other food, household supplies or money to I-58 through December 10th and you will be put in a drawing to win one of four of Ashley's homemade pies for you to enjoy this Christmas. This is her family recipe that has been handed down...and it is delicious! The pies will be delivered frozen and socially distant on your front porch.

If you donate canned goods, Christmas gifts or household supplies to I-58 let Lee Berry know by phone, 770-599-3245 or email, office@senoiaumc.org, to be added to the drawing.
Update on the
Virtual Angel Tree
This church rocked it! We have taken care of all of the gifts except we are still in need of Target Gift Cards.

Everything is due Dec. 10. Please drop by during office hours, bring on Sunday, or leave on my porch. If you donate towards our virtual angel tree, your name will be placed in the running for a pie!
 
I will draw 4 names on December 10 for pies. Pies will be delivered the week of Dec. 14. They will be frozen and can be thawed for Christmas.  

Blessings,
Ashley
Upcoming Gatherings
December Advent Study


Our Advent study continues this week as we Travel the Highways of Advent. Last week we leveled and straightened the highways of our lives with God.

This week we will learn about the highway of reversal. This is based on the first nine verses of Isaiah 64. Part of the passage gives us pause for thought:


           If only you would tear open the heavens and come down!
                       Mountains would quake before you
                       like fire igniting brushwood or making water boil.
           If you would make your name known to your enemies,
                       the nations would tremble in your presence.
                     Isaiah 64: 1-2 CEB

Part of our focus during Advent is on the time before Jesus came. This scripture from Isaiah helps us to hear and identify with our feelings of longing and pain for those things in life that we would like God to come down and help us and be with us and reverse our direction back toward him. What a great lesson to discuss!

Come and celebrate Advent with us on our highway travels. You can begin the journey on our highway this week even if you did not go with us on our travels last week! If you have any questions or would like a book to read along with us, call or text Barb. Here are the meeting times:

  • Wednesday evening, 12/9/2020 at 7:00 either in the Fellowship Hall or via Zoom
  • Thursday afternoon, 12/10/2020 at 1:30 in the Fellowship Hall.

Join Zoom Meeting
Password: ashley
Meeting ID: 196 787 919


***********************************
Please text or call me, 419-680-2103, with all your questions about any Connexion Group. Blessings, Barb
Did you know...
I-58 updates the list of needed items every week?
This Week's Needs:

Please take a look
at this new list
for the Second Week of December:

Can you believe it! We are already preparing for the Second Sunday of Advent. Will you please keep these needs in mind?

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ!



💗You can drop off donations on Pastor Ashley's porch. OR Drop off times at I-58 are Monday through Wednesday 10:00-3:00
💗Every time you go to the store pick up 10 of their needed items.
💗Order & ship needed items straight to: The I-58 Mission. 2450 Hwy 85, Senoia 30276
💗You can send grocery store gift cards or even PayPal funds to: thei58mission@gmail.com

Donations can be dropped off at the mission Monday through Wednesday from 10 until 3pm. They can also be shipped to them at 2450 Highway 85 in Senoia

Always accepting food and other essentials
for everyday living.
‌
The North Georgia Conference
Special Christmas Planning Edition

“A weary world rejoices.” The lyrics to our beloved Christmas carol have rarely rung truer.

It’s been a long season – of disappointments, of pivoting, of letting go, and moving forward. You need rest. And rest is not lazy – it’s holy.

We are grateful for all that you do. We see you. We hear you. And we want to help you rest.

Rev. Lindsay Geist, LCSW & Rev. Blair Boyd Zant


PS. Below are some upcoming webinars and groups addressing grief and stress during this holiday season. Several of them are free. Check them out!

Mental Health and Care: Coping with Stress During this Season and Beyond

First two Tuesdays & Thursdays of December at 3 pm, FREE
  • Tuesday 12/1 at 3 pm EST // The Effects of Prolonged Stress: Taking Care of Yourself
  • Thursday 12/3 at 3 pm EST // Relationships in a Pandemic: Building Resiliency During Unique Challenges
  • Tuesday 12/8 at 3 pm EST // Compassion Fatigue: Helping the Helpers
  • Thursday 12/10 at 3 pm EST // Pandemic as Moral Injury: How do we React to Global Suffering?
Holidays 2.0: Reimagining the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Thursday 12/3 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, FREE

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year! Except this year it is going to be...different. For many of us, the 2020 holidays just won’t be quite the same, and that certainly brings up a lot of feelings. So what does different look like during a time of year when tradition is usually the rule? How do we make this season merry and bright when our energy is low, our patience is shot, and we’re mentally and emotionally weary? How do we navigate those tricky family relationships that have peaked and valleyed over the course of 2020?

Cultivate wants to encourage and support you as we head into a holiday season that looks different from ever before. Though we can’t be with you for our regular in-person Gatherings at this time, we’re so thankful for technology that allows us to spend this time “together” in spite of all that’s happening in our community, nation, and world. In this season of social distancing, we’re all looking for creative ways to get the encouragement, interaction, and community we crave.
Coping with the Holidays in a Pandemic & Grief Group
Four Mondays in December, 8 pm, FREE

If you are going through any type of loss, transition, uncertainty in your life and are just trying to make it through the holidays then this group is for you. It will be via zoom starting on Monday 12/7 at 8 pm. It will be a safe place to share but provide some structure to this difficult topic:
Week 1, 12/7 – Face and address the denial
Week 2, 12/14 – Define proactive vulnerability and steps
Week 3, 12/21 – Movement is critical. How can you move and give?
Week 4, 12/28 – Your path forward
Coping with a COVID Holiday Season

Wednesday 12/16 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, $60 per person

We invite you to join us for an experiential workshop that teaches self-care concepts while practicing them in real-time. Although the holiday season can often be a trying time for many, we recognize that this year is particularly challenging due to the threat of COVID-19, shifts in work and school routines, polarizing political tension, and everything else about 2020 that has added to the already-full list of overwhelming things we are dealing with this winter.

In this workshop, we will identify and practice attainable self-care strategies and present a simple framework for conceptualizing how to take care of yourself this winter. We will teach you the tools to feel relaxed, recharged, and rejoiceful even beyond this holiday season!Info and Registration





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Or mail your offering to:
Senoia UMC
P.O. Box 98
Senoia, GA 30276
Saturday 12/5
10:00am Senoia Prays Walk

Sunday 12/6
Second Sunday of Advent
9:00am Sanctuary Open for Prayer
10:00am Worship in the Sanctuary
and via Facebook Live
11:30am Worship Outside


Monday 12/7
7:00pm Advent Study

Tuesday 12/8
6:45pm Handbell Practice

Wednesday 12/9
7:00pm Advent Study

Thursday 12/10
1:30pm Advent Study



Rev. Ashley Jenkins, Pastor 

Barb Combs, Director of Programs

Jim Preece, Organist/Choir Master 

Lee Berry, Administrative Assistant & Finance Secretary 

Bereatha Brooks, Nursery Coordinator 

Polly Watson, Housekeeping 

Gail Noble and John Felbinger, A/V Technicians

Office Email: office@senoiaumc.org
(770) 599-3245

Office Hours:
Thanksgiving Week: Open Monday and Tuesday 9-3

The office is open. Staff is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9-3, either in person, on line, or by phone.
Please call for an appointment.
Masks are required upon
entering the building.
Thank you.