And So This is Christmas
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined." (Isaiah 9:2)
John Lennon wrote “Happy Christmas” as a protest song to the Vietnam War. You’ve heard it plenty of times. It has been a regular Christmas song for decades. Here are some of the lyrics:
So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun.
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear.
Lennon used “Happy Christmas” as an appeal to “stop all the fight.” After 9/11/2001, Rev. Lawrence Becker used terrorism as a reminder to how much we need the light of Christmas. He wrote:
“The events of September 11th brought a significant amount of darkness into our world, our time. Those who had a general belief that people were generally good and kind were suddenly confronted with the reality of evil that citizens in the rest of the world often experienced on a daily basis. Our cultural isolation ended, and we found ourselves in the darkness with the rest of the world. In reality, of course, we were already in darkness before that…. Only now, for the first time for many in our country, the bubble of our cultural facade has been popped and the reality of the rest of the world has invaded our cozy existence…. If we go through life avoiding the darkness, the hard things, they only get worse, and we miss amazing things like relationships restored, lives redirected, love given and received. This is what Christmas means.”
John Lennon and Rev. Becker remind us how much this dark world of sin, pain, and toil needs the light of Christ. Most of us were able to celebrate Christmas 2019 with our normal traditions. Christmas 2020 was disrupted by Covid and in some ways, even social unrest. Christmas 2021 will probably still be different, and not easy for many in society, including members of our local church. May God shine the light of Christ on you with blessings and peace this Christmas. As the apostle Paul described it; “may the light of the gospel shine on you, displaying the glory of Christ, who is the image of God!”
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Mo
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If you would like to place a wreath on the grave of a veteran, we have a limited supply available at the church on a first-come basis. Wreaths are available for pick-up during normal office hours or after worship on Sundays while supplies last. |
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Children & Youth Ministries |
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Kids Sunday School
Each Sunday Following Worship & Fellowship Time (approximately 10:10am)
Wednesday Nights at 6:30pm
December 1 & 15
Christmas Program Practice December 5, 8 & 11
Theme: Best Gift Ever
Wear Red, Green, or Christmas shirts this month
Christmas Party on the 15th
All kids Kindergarten - 6th grade are invited!
Family Meal and Games start at 5:45 pm for those interested
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Youth Sunday School - Each Sunday following worship
Youth Meeting - Wednesday, December 8 at 6:30pm
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Adult Studies
Each Sunday following Worship
Study of Luke- Rm 2
Relying on the Holy Spirit - Rm 5
Angels- Fellowship Hall
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Community Breakfast
Saturday, December 4
7:30-10:30am
If you can lend a hand,
contact Joyce Cavanaugh or
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Help make homemade noodles!
Tues., Dec. 7 & Wed., Dec. 8, 1pm
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Saturday, December 11
9 am - 4 pm
Bring your current scrapbook project and come work and share with fellow scrapbookers.
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Sunday, December 12 at 9am
Come and worship as the kids and youth share their talents and celebrate the special night that God sent His Son to us! Sparkle and friends will join in the celebration, and a birthday party for Jesus will follow the worship service. Invite friends and family to this delightful Sunday of praise!
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Homemade Donuts Drive Thru |
Homemade Donuts Drive Thru
3rd Saturday of every month
Next date: Sat., December 18
starting at 7am while supplies last
Ayersville dozen for $4
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Sunday, December 19
Worship will begin at 10am on this Sunday and the Banquet will immediately follow.
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Menu includes: Fried and Baked Chicken, Beef Roast, baked potato bar, green beans, cole slaw and
a dessert bake-off
All food is provided but you may like to bring a dessert to enter the dessert bake-off for a chance to be voted Best Christmas Baker
and win a great prize!
Sharing their gift of music with us will be the Rhythm Travelers
Great food, fellowship & fun for all!
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Friday, December 24, 7pm
Come and worship
the newborn King!
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Click here or on the picture for December's Church Events Calendar.
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Continue to
Worship God
through Giving
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Offering plates are in the back
at each worship service or
Send donations to:
27728 Ayersville Rd.,
Defiance, Ohio 43512
or a donation drop box is available
under the carport at the church
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Give online through Tithe.ly |
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2022 Estimate of Giving Cards |
If you have not yet done so, please remember to turn in your estimate of giving cards by December 5. We thank you for your generous support of God's missions and ministries through AUMC! |
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With grateful thanks for all God has given to us, this Christmas remember His church with a special Christmas offering. Envelopes will be available at the church beginning this Sunday. You may also give online through our website. |
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Happy Birthday!
Shayna Booher December 1
Denise Austermiller December 2
Eowyn Noaker December 4
Sharon Waldron December 11
Mary Brown December 19
Brady Zartman December 23
Anthony Wallace December 29
Bryson Stevens December 30
Sonny Miller December 31
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Happy Anniversary!
Bret & Shayna Booher December 7
Rod & Mary Martin December 24
God's blessing to you on your special day! If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary this month, we rejoice with you too! Please let us know so we may add it to our calendar.
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A little boy returned from Sunday School with a new perspective on the Christmas story. He had learned all about the Wise Men from the East who brought gifts to the Baby Jesus. He was so excited he just had to tell his parents:
"I learned in Sunday School today all about the very first Christmas! There wasn't a Santa Claus way back then, so these three skinny guys on camels had to deliver all the toys! And Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with his nose so bright wasn't there yet, so they had to have this big spotlight in the sky to find their way around."
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Ayersville United Methodist Church, 27728 Ayersville Rd., Defiance, OH 43512
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