Greetings Lake Deaton Family,
It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us. I think this year more than most I am ready for the fun and cheer of the Holidays. Even if we are unable to do all the normal things we typically do during the Christmas season, we can still focus on what this time of year is really all about, Jesus!
In fact, maybe this one fact, the centrality of Jesus, can make this an especially wonderful season. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this next week, let us begin our season by focusing on the wonderful gifts that God has given us––especially the most wonderful gift ever, Jesus Christ! Then continuing into Advent, let’s prepare out hearts for the coming of our Savior and in that preparation spend time focusing on the blessings we have through our relationship with Jesus.
This year we may not have all the holiday parties or the social gatherings that we are used to having during the Christmas Season, but let's covenant with each other to make this a very special time as we recommit ourselves to the story of our faith, the story of Jesus Christ.
I hope you are able to worship with us this weekend, either online or in person as we welcome our friend Kris Schoenwolf as our special guest preacher.
Blessings,
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Couch Talk
Each week the pastors and sometimes staff members record a segment called couch talk. Couch talk is full of useful announcements for the coming weeks. We hope you take a moment each week to watch.
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Get to Know: Denise Herzberg
Denise has been with the Lake Deaton congregation since they began worshipping at Big Cypress Recreation Center. At that time, her volunteer work was to place a tablecloth, candle, and a small blue cross on a 4 ft square card table that was being used as an altar!
One of the ministries Denise volunteers in is now known as Worship Design. She is a big part of planning and designing the decorations at Lake Deaton UMC. This includes the narthex, stage back drop, classroom chapel and preparing a 12 ft altar for service. She also helps brainstorm ideas with the Worship Design Team.
Denise has served as a Bloom board member, taught a Grow Night Class, is in the Flutterby Garden Club, and serves on the Worship Committee. She also finds time to work part-time at Lake Deaton UMC in Care Ministry. The Care Ministry serves our community with hospital visits, Prayer quilts and shawls, sending greeting cards -just to name a few things.
Her interests are card making, woodcarving and gardening.
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Discipleship & Connecting |
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Have you signed up yet?
Each day during Advent, starting on Sunday, November, 29, you will receive an email devotion directly in your email inbox. Each devotion is written by staff or a member of the congregation. Along with the devotion you will have a scripture to read, a few discussion questions for you to consider on your own or with loved ones (even your Small Group) and a prayer for the day.
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Mark Your Calendars
We are having our Annual Songs and S'mores gathering this year on December 13 at 5pm.
Bring a chair! We will have safe s’more set-ups for you. This will be a great time for us to gather together for some fun, music and fellowship.
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Want to learn more about traveling with us in 2021 and 2022? Join us on either December 10 @ 4pm or December 15 @ 5pm in the CLC. You can also check out the link below to find out more about these exciting trips! Click here for more information.
In the October of 2021 we will be hosting a trip to Israel and in August 2022 a trip to the Oberammergau Passion Play and Italy. These trips will be great ways to learn and grow in our faith while experiencing the beauty of the Holy Land, Germany and Italy.
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Card Making Class is Back!
Back for December, January and February is the favorite of many! Cards are used by the Lake Deaton UMC Care Department. Bring your own scissors and adhesive to class. Don't forget your mask as well. Click here to sign up for one or all of these classes.
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We believe that meeting the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of our church and neighbors is what showing the love of Christ is all about. We have volunteers devoted to the care of persons, including ministries of prayer, meals, and member connection. If you are facing a challenge, have a prayer request, or want to serve as a volunteer, please let us know. In case of a death of a loved one or a hospitalization, let us know so a Care Minister can support you through this time.
For Prayer and Care Ministries needs, please email Denise Herzberg by clicking here.
We are now able to visit congregants in the hospital!
Please let us know by calling the Care Department when you, a relative or a friend is in the hospital. We will schedule a visit from one of our pastoral team.
Prayer Concerns:
Prayers of healing for Rose Arnstein as she recovers from hip replacement
and strength for her right knee. Prayers for Gianna, friend of Laurie Dennison,
for positive follow up results. Prayers for comfort, strength and healing for
Vannakay Hurnevich as she prepares for surgery.
Prayers of comfort, strength and healing for Gregg Dietz, as he
battles his illness.
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This Prayer Quilt is for
Kathy Simpson
Prayers for health and healing.
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You can make a request for a prayer quilt on our website by clicking here . At times there will be a quilt on display in the Narthex.
When on display please stop to pray and tie a knot for those in need of
comfort and hope.
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Prayer Service
Take 15 minutes of your time to pray. This is a 15 minute video for self-guided prayer. Click to this link and learn with Rev. Kris Schonewolf how to connect with God in prayer.
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Looking for a Unique Way to Give? |
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Blood Drive coming to Lake Deaton! It's Sunday, December 6 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. For your convenience the Bloodmobile will be here during our outdoor services on the first Sunday in December. Click here for the link to sign up for appointment. When you give blood you will have an opportunity to enter your name into a basket for a special gift possibility. |
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The Worship Team is ready to decorate the narthex lobby for Advent and Christmas! We need your help. If you could donate a faux, potted poinsettia plant to help create a festive Christmas experience. Please drop off plants in the lobby starting today! We would like mostly red, however pinks and white will work also. We can accept the poinsettias through Tuesday, December 1st.
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Christmas Tree Decorating!!!
This year we are offering two different opportunities for you to help us decorate the church Christmas trees. The first one involves decorating the trees in the narthex. We still need a groups to adopt the following trees: It's a Wonderful Life and The Small One
Our second opportunity to decorate a tree is available to EVERYONE!
Each weekend you are invited to bring a special ornament to put on the Christmas tree at the church that reflects the Advent Theme. We invite you, each week, to reflect on the Bible passage and word for each week of Advent. After your time of reflection, you can either create an ornament or use an ornament that you already own to share on our tree.
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1st Sunday of Advent (Nov 28/29) - LOVE - Zephaniah 3:14-17
Example of Ornament: A heart, photo of grandkids, ornament of Jesus in a
manger Christmas ball with word “Love”, etc.
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2nd Sunday of Advent (Dec 5/6) - HOPE - Isaiah 9:2-3
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3rd Sunday of Advent (Dec 12/13) - JOY - Luke 2:8-14
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4th Sunday of Advent (Dec 19/20) - PEACE - Isiah 9:6-7
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Join us for movies on the lawn starting Wednesday, November 25 at 6pm. Each Wednesday we will be showing a special Christmas movie. We invite you to bring your lawn chair, a blanket and a friend for this fun, weekly event. You can also watch from the comfort of your car or golf cart. Click on the movie title to watch a preview for the movie.
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The end of 2020 is near, and many of us can’t wait to move on from all that we have experienced! It also means that Christmas is just around the corner. Each year we “surprise” our staff with a love offering to show our appreciation for all they have done throughout the year.
As the Chair of our Staff/Parish Relations Committee I ask each of you to join with me by contributing toward this Love Offering. All contributions raised will be divided equally and presented to our staff during their annual Christmas party on December 16th. In years past the Pastoral Staff was included in sharing the Love Offering. This year, Pastors Jim, Loida and Kristyne have asked that they not be included so that the administrative staff can realize a greater appreciation for all they do!
There will be specially marked “Love Offering” envelopes available in the sanctuary and narthax. You may drop them off at the office (during business hours), in the offering baskets, or mail your contribution to the church: 6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785. Please clearly mark your check or donation as “Staff Love Offering” on the memo line. All contributions must be received no later than December 13th.
God’s Blessings,
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Chair, Staff/Parish Relations Committee |
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Worship Attendance
Each week we calculate our online attendance from three sources: YouTube, Facebook and our Website. We also make a physical count at our in-person services.
Sat, Nov 14, 5:00 pm - 63 Online, 40 In-Person, Total: 103
Sun, Nov 15, 9:00 am - 162 Online, 94 In-Person, Total: 256
Sun, Nov 15, 10:30am - (web partly down) 31 Online, 47 In-Person, Total: 78
Weekend Totals - 256 Online, 181 In-Person, All Total: 437
Make sure you also "sign in" on the connection pad. Just click this link!
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The Gift That Keeps Giving |
As we prepare to experience again the coming of Jesus this Christmas season, we encourage you to think about alternative ways to gift your family and friends. With so many people hurting locally, regionally, and globally, what better way to celebrate God’s love than through alternative gift giving. There are two programs through Lake Deaton for your consideration.
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Christmas Joy - an Alternative Christmas Gift
Looking for an opportunity and a special way to honor your family and friends by contributing in their name! A brochure with ministries you can support is available at church or on the website or click here.
You can give your gift online by clicking here , by writing a check and dropping it off at the church office, in the offering basket on the weekend, or by mailing it to the church. Please write "Christmas Joy" and the name of the project you wish to support on the memo line.
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Bloom...Live: Have You Heard the Latest?
Join us Tuesday, December 8th at 10am for our next Bloom Live.
Come in-person (just like we have safely done for our in-person worship), wearing your mask to enjoy our program -OR- view it LIVE on Facebook, YouTube or the website (just like online worship).
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Do You Need Social Interaction?
Are you missing the social contact of the church? We have a way...
Volunteer to staff the front receptionist desk on a weekly basis or as a sub. What better way to see some of your church family?! Contact Marilyn Booth at 352-571-4665 or email her by clicking here with any questions. We hope to see you soon! |
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Make a difference this holiday. Shop for gifts at
Lake Deaton United Methodist Church.
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Our church calendar is now LIVE on our website. Check it out by clicking here.
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Connect with Us
Mailing Address:
6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785
Lake Deaton Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm
Office: Call 352-571-4665
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