It’s amazing that Christmas is almost here! As I write this, we are only one week away from celebrating our Christmas Eve services.
There are several things that make the Christmas Eve services special for me every year. One of those I wrote about recently, which is the lighting of the candles at the end of the service. It is always so beautiful to look out over the sea of faces lit by the many candles and picture the multitude of Angels on that first night. Another one of my favorite things of Christmas eve is the singing of the Carols. I love to join with sisters and brothers and sing out the carols of our faith.
Over the past several years I have grown to especially look forward to something new for me, the Christmas offering. While every church I have ever pastored has had a Christmas offering, it is the fact that this offering is designated for a mission project that has made this so special for me. Several years ago our leaders made the decision to lift up our Christmas Eve offering fully as a gift for serving others. This year our offering will go in full to provide food for the hungry; half being used locally to serve our food pantry and half going internationally to help feed children in the Congo.
Christmas Eve is really all about giving. God giving us the gift of his Son Jesus Christ and us giving gifts of love to the world around us.
I look forward to seeing you on Christmas Eve for our outdoor and virtual services (3:00 pm and 5:00 pm) and I look forward to blessing many in need all around the world through our offerings.
|
|
Dear Lake Deaton Family,
We are so overwhelmed by your generous outpouring of love for the Staff Love Offering. Your generosity has touched us and we thank you all. We are wishing for all of you a very Merry Christmas and many blessings for the New Year!
Lake Deaton Staff Members
|
|
Take a moment each week to watch.
The pastors and staff members weekly record Couch Talk. Couch Talk is full of useful announcements for the coming weeks.
|
|
|
Get to Know: JulieAnn Davis |
|
JulieAnn Davis is wherever she is needed. She sings with the Praise team & choir, processes incoming merchandise at Bargains & Blessings, and serves meals at the Wildwood UMC dinner drive-through, organized our chili cook-offs, and serves our church as a front desk receptionist.
Her passion is volunteering with the Red Bird UM Mission Camp in Kentucky. This work camp helps train and provide people that are in chronic poverty. JulieAnn also is involved in the Disaster Recovery Team, and Early Response Team (ERT). The mission is to resource and equip local United Methodist churches and districts as they assist their communities and individuals to prepare, respond and recover from disasters.
JulieAnn Davis feels her greatest achievements is marrying Ken, her high school sweetie, graduating from college and being the recipient of Women Making History (in Erie County, PA). Recipients receive this award by their dedication in helping others and by their strong, moral values.
|
|
Movies on the Lawn
Join us each Wednesday at 6pm. 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.
December 23
Double Feature Wednesday
|
|
Christmas Tree Decorating!!!
Each weekend you are invited to bring a special ornament to put on the Christmas tree at church that reflects the Advent Theme. After your time of reflection, you can either create an ornament or use an ornament that you already own to share on our tree.
4th Sunday of Advent (Dec 19/20) - PEACE - Isaiah 9:6-7
|
|
Worship
Sat. Dec 12, 5:00 pm - 51 Online, 41 In-Person, Total: 92
Sun. Dec13, 9:00 am - 149 Online, 95 In-Person, Total: 244
Sun. Dec 13, 10:30am -51 Online, 51 In-Person, Total: 102
Weekend Totals - 251 Online, 187 In-Person, All Total: 438
Please Make Sure You "Sign In" on the Connection Pad. Just click this link!
|
|
Walk Away the Pounds with Leo
Do you want to jump-start your New Year’s
fitness goals? Join us each Tuesdays and Thursdays for this 3 mile indoor walk. Program includes some light cardio/aerobic exercise. If you have weights or bands, bring those, too! Work at your own pace. Cost is $10 at your first visit and no charge thereafter. No class on December 24, 29, 31.
|
|
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. 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 for Tim Truax, husband of Anita, as he recovers from COVID
Prayers of healing for Tim’s aunt and cousins
Prayers of comfort and healing for Teri and her family
Teri, is the daughter-in-law of Jim and Linda Madigan
|
|
|
|
Prayer Service
Take time to pray. This is a 15 minute video for self-guided prayer.
Click on image and learn with Pastor Jill Beck how to connect with God in prayer
|
|
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
You can make a request for a prayer quilt on our website by clicking here
|
|
Discipleship & Connecting |
|
Are you interesting in becoming a member or just like to know a little more about Lake Deaton UMC?
Sign up is now open for our early 2021 C offee with the Pastors classes. Sign up today!
|
|
Christmas Joy - an Alternative Christmas Gift
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.
|
|
Save the Date
Virtual Mission Trip Coming on January 19, 20 and 21 from 8am to 9:30am each day. Visit Rwanda, India and Kenya from the comfort of Lake Deaton. Click here for more information.
|
|
Bloom Live: Flying Into A New Year
Fly into the new year as we reflect on what we can say good-bye to, what opportunities to say hello to. Join us Tuesday, January 12th @ 10:am In-Person, wearing a mask & social distancing OR watch it LIVE online with Facebook, YouTube, or our website. There is no fee but registration is needed: click here to register
|
|
Men's Breakfast on Wednesday, December 30th will be ZOOM only. The office and church building will be closed for the Christmas Holiday.
|
|
An Invite from Rick & Constance Rademacher
You are invited to enjoy a Christmas light show at: 3610 Quietwoods Drive - Village of Lake Deaton - 6 PM until 9PM (or when the last group leaves)
Tune the radio to 98.7 FM and hear the music that the lights will dance to.
Praying that everyone stays healthy and will receive and retain that Christmas spirit. Click here to see a preview of the light show. |
|
Our church calendar is now LIVE on our website. Check it out by clicking here.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
