New World UMC E-News
December 4, 2019
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From the Heart of the Pastor
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Advent is about celebrating the coming of Jesus. We celebrate the birth of the Christ child who grew, lived, loved and taught us what it meant to love God and each other in this life. His death and resurrection offered us the gift of eternal life and as people of faith in Jesus Christ, we look forward to his coming again one day to usher in a new heaven and a new earth where God will live among His people. This time of year reminds us of the gift God gave us.
God gives us many other gifts in this life too. In my life and ministry, one of those gifts is this wonderful staff. These are people who serve our Lord every day in small and mighty ways. They are thoughtful, reflective, seek to bring a new depth of love to all those whom we serve, and truly care for and pray for many. They work long hours in and outside these walls with hearts that carry a depth of understanding and patience. These are persons who retain the perspective of how Jesus might respond in everything from a phone call, to an email, article written, financial calculation, child or adult with a specific need, a youth needing a safe place to learn and grow in the faith, a musical note that strikes a heart’s chord, making sure the building is clean, safe and things work properly to bringing the most sacred worship time possible.
I watch with awe as this team of people carry out their work with the finest professional precision and the deepest compassion and empathy. I say a prayer for each every day for all the times they carry their work home mentally and emotionally because the day was difficult, held one too many negative moments of complaint, or because they were working in their heads a way to do something even better to reach a new generation of those who feel indifference when asked about the church say they can “take it or leave it.”
And I thank God every moment for their tenacity to offer a message of hope, their belief that the love of Christ is the most important thing we can offer, and the hours spent looking for ways to deepen discipleship, offer a cup of water to one who is thirsty, and inviting all to share the story of what Jesus is doing in their life. I am so grateful for these people. They long to deepen their own faith as human beings who also live, work and walk in a world that sometimes can be hard.
Advent is about celebrating the coming of Jesus. And I thank our God in heaven, who sent His Son to touch the lives of those in this community of faith called New World UMC who serve as staff. They may serve as a full-time vocation, but we ALL are called to be in ministry with them –that’s YOU and I – in essence we are all God’s staff, sent into the world to share the stories of the coming of Jesus.
Merry Christmas to each of you!
Proud to be your Pastor,
Leslie
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As we near the end of the year, please note how your contributions to New World may be used for tax purposes. If you want to make sure that your donation is tax deductible for 2019, please make sure that it is
received in the church office no later than noon on Monday December 30
th. If you mail a check and it is post marked in 2019, it will be deductible in 2019 even if not received until 2020. During these final days of 2019, please keep New World on your Christmas list and keep us in your prayers that we might meet all of our financial obligations.
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As the holidays approach, for some it is the hardest time of the year. They are going through a difficult time in life or the loss of a person or a dream or expectation. New World UMC understands this and wants to offer a time and place to sit in the presence of God for reflection asking God to comfort the heart and provide hope. On December 8th, from 3:00-4:00 pm you are invited to a Blue Christmas worship service hosted by our Stephen Ministry and led by Rev. Leslie Byrd and Stephen Ministers. You are welcome to bring a picture of a loved one who has passed to place on a tree for remembering. The service will be held in room 25 & 26 which will offer a smaller intimate setting for a holy hour of healing and hope.
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The remembering tree is a Christmas tree where one may bring a 4 x 6 photo or smaller in a frame, or as an ornament, of a loved one who has passed away. It will be located in the concourse area and will allow you to remember and celebrate someone whose life touched yours and will be missed this Christmas. The tree will be available December 1st. You may pick your photo ornament back up after Christmas.
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For our December lunch we’ll enjoy some gospel music from Sara & John DeMore.
The meal will be catered; price TBD. No reservations required. Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 on Tuesday, December 10. Guests welcome!
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If you would like to write a prayer article that goes out each Friday, we are moving to a new format and welcome submissions from everyone in the congregation. You will send your written piece to
Virginia Lackey –
h.lackey@sbcglobal.net
or Gail Hall –
gail@nwumc.org.
We ask that you send your favorite Bible verse and 3-4 sentences about why it is your favorite. We have had great feedback on those we have already posted where people have expressed how their faith was deepened hearing from their brothers and sisters how God’s Word has impacted their life and given them strength. You may submit anytime and we will print one a week as they come in. We are ALL called to deepen the discipleship of another and in difficult times, God’s Word is a powerful reminder we have a God who walks with us always.
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Are you looking for a thoughtful gift for the person who has everything?
Consider giving a Christmas Gift Card for a Good Cause!
How it works:
Make a donation of $10 or more to New World in honor of your loved one, and select one of the following charities to receive your gift:
- Heifer Project – Providing animals and economic stability around the world (www.heifer.org)
- Kids Against Hunger – We are hosting a meal packing event on Sunday, January 26th and every dollar donated provides 4 meals for hungry children in the USA and abroad. (www.kidsagainsthunger.org)
- SafeHaven of Tarrant County – providing assistance and shelter to families in need of healing from violent relationships. (www.safehaventc.org)
With your donation, you will receive a Christmas card suitable for gift giving. It’s the perfect present for those who have it all and the proceeds will make a difference.
You can make donations and receive a Gift Card for Good Cause at the table in the concourse on Sunday mornings through December 22. If you have questions, contact Becky Hankins (
Robert.hankins@tx.rr.com)
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In celebration of the Christmas Season, New World has an opportunity each year to dedicate poinsettias in honor, memory, or celebration of friends and loved ones. The cost of the plants are $10 each. Dedication slips can be found at the back of the Sanctuary with envelopes to include your payment. Purchasing your flowers online is also available. Email your dedication to the church office,
staff@nwumc.org
,
and click
here
and follow the link to submit your payment information.
To have your dedication listed in the December 15th worship guide, they must be received in the office no later than Monday, December 9th.
You may take your poinsettia home to enjoy after the final service on Christmas Eve.
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Amazon Smile
You Can Donate While You Shop!
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With the busiest shopping days around the corner, don't forget to use Amazon Smile. Amazon Smile is a way for you to support the missions of New World every time you shop with Amazon. You will find the same Amazon you know and love, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the price of eligible purchases to New World.
HERE'S HOW TO SHOP AMAZON SMILE:
- Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials
- Search & select the charity: New World United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX
If you have any questions, please contact the church office.
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On Sunday, December 15
th we will have one worship service at 10:30AM. You are invited to come an hour beforehand for breakfast and a churchwide service project!
What’s a manna bag?
Manna Bags are an ongoing ministry of our church. Each week we try to have pre-assembled bags of bottled water, nonperishable foods, clean socks and an encouraging note for church members to carry in their cars, ready to pass out to people in need.
God has done amazing things through the simple gift of sharing a manna bag. Church members have shared stories about people being deeply moved and excited over something as simple as a pair of socks. As temperatures drop, we hope to assemble 240 winter manna bags to be given to our neighbors.
You can bring your manna bag item donations to the church office anytime between now and 9AM December 15
th
.
Blessings,
Rev. Erin
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Salvation Army Kitchen Ministry
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The Salvation Army Kitchen Ministry of New World is looking for volunteers to help with the following dates in 2020.
If you or your group are available to help, please contact Sylvia Allenbach for more information.
January 11, need 2 people
February 8, need 4 people
March 14, need 2 people
April 11, need 4 people
May 9, need 4 people
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The 2020 Altar Flower Calendar is posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. To honor or remember family and friends on a special day, please sign the calendar with your name and the reason for your dedication. Cost of the arrangement is only $22.00! After the last service of the day you have chosen, you may take the flowers home to enjoy. Please return the container as it is one of a set that will be used again. We can only accommodate two arrangements each Sunday, so be sure to think ahead to see if the date you have chosen, or one close to it, is available.
We extend a special word of thanks to our volunteers who purchase the flowers and make the beautiful arrangements each week that enhance our worship experience.
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The Giving Tree Update
This Christmas season, New World UMC has partnered with Arlington ISD Student Outreach Services to help provide Christmas presents and school clothes for children in north Arlington. Many AISD students in the Families in Transition (FIT) program look like everyone else walking the halls of a school; few would know the challenges they face when the school doors are closed, challenges like homelessness and food insecurity.
In the past month, members of New World have generously sponsored all 99 Giving Tree children for Christmas gift giving!
If you sponsored a child, your donated presents are due back to the church office today, Wednesday, December 4.
Another way to get involved: Homemade cookies are needed!
As the over 40 families come to New World Dec. 9-11 to pick up their presents, we would love to bless them with a tin of homemade Christmas cookies.
Please bring gallon size bags of cookies labeled “The Giving Tree” to the church by 5PM on Sunday, December 8.
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“Rooted” New World UMC Women’s Retreat
Friday, January 17- Sunday, January 19
Camp Hoblitzelle, Midlothian
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All women are invited for our relaxing and uplifting Annual Women’s Retreat, January 17-19, 2020. This will be a wonderful weekend away for women of all ages for relaxation, building friendships and growing in our faith. We will be staying in the beautiful Alamo Lodge at Camp Hoblitzelle, and we will offer several workshops and small group times. Our guest speaker will be the inspiring Rev. Joy Dister-Dominguez of Arborlawn UMC in Ft. Worth. This is the perfect opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor.
Cost of the retreat is $170 and includes all meals and a 2-person hotel-style room. Scholarships are available. Space is limited to 40 participants, so reserve your space now by signing up in the Fellowship Hall, or emailing Rev. Erin (
erin@nwumc.org) and paying your $85 nonrefundable deposit.
If you have already signed up, here’s a friendly reminder that deposits are due Sunday, December 15
th
. You can pay by check to NWUMC, or simply pay online at
www.nwumc.com/give
just designate that your payment is for “Women’s Retreat.”
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help lead, contact Rev. Erin
erin@nwumc.org
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****Youth Parents and Church Members
Who Love Our Youth****
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Interested in hosting appetizers for Progressive Dinner?
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This Friday evening, December 6, from 6:00 - 8:00, the Children in 3rd grade - 6th grade will be ringing the bell at Kroger - 945 Lamar Blvd.
It is a lot of fun ringing the bell and to collect needed funds for the Salvation Army to help our neighbors in need. We will sing Christmas songs as we ring the bell. Please drop your children off at 6:00 and pick them up at 7:45.
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Joyful Noise and Good News Choirs will meet this Sunday, December 8 for their last rehearsal before their performance on December 15 in the one worship service,
"HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"
Please make every effort to have your children here for this final rehearsal.
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Bible Explorers will meet this Sunday, December 8 for their last time for this year.
Joyful Noise, Good News Choir and Bible Explorers will begin again on January 26, 2020.
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Save the Date
Christmas Caroling - December 15
(Following the One Worship Service of Music)
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The children and youth are going to sing Christmas Carols for the residents at the Waterford on Cooper. We will have pizza for lunch and then caravan to the Waterford.
In Sunday school, we are making a giant Christmas Card to give to the residents for their Dining Hall. This is a wonderful opportunity to spread Christmas joy with others in our neighborhood.
Put this date on your calendar and join us.
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The children will be reenacting the Christmas story during our 6:00 pm worship service.
All children
are invited to participate. There is not a rehearsal for this. As you arrive for worship, drop by the Fellowship Hall with your children let us help them select a costume.
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Important Youth Dates
December 8
Shine ~ 5:00 - 7:00
December 14
Progressive Dinner ~ 6:00 - 9:00
Don’t forget a white elephant gift, your Christmas best attire,
and invite a friend!
December 15
One service – no Sunday School!
Christmas caroling with the children’s ministry immediately following the service at The Waterford on Cooper.
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**MID-WINTER 2020**
January 31-February 2, 2020
Individual registration for mid-winter is now open. Mid-winter is a retreat for grades 6-12 at Glen Lake Camp in Glen Rose, TX.
It is a weekend full of games, devotionals, worship, and fun.
Contact Sarah with any questions!
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“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
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Text To Give:
817-789-4129
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2201 N. Davis Drive . Arlington, TX 76012 . 817-460-4212 .
nwumc.org
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