Monthly News from Washington Park United Methodist Church |
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As we prepare for Christmas in our homes and at church, we often bump up to the idea that Christmastime is already here in full-swing. But our liturgical calendar helps us remember that Advent is the time of waiting and “not-yet”. It’s a tension that we live into as we sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel in worship, and then head out into a week of holiday parties and celebrations that proclaim that Christmas is already here!
But it’s not –not really. We have to wait, and waiting is not easy. But it has a purpose.
When my kids were little, I found a fabric Advent calendar that you velcro a new nativity character on the background every day of December until Christmas Eve, when you place the baby Jesus in the manger. Even though my kids are all adults themselves, we still put the calendar up and add the new figures each day to prepare our own hearts for the birth of Christ.
What ways do you find a moment during this busy season to prepare yourself for Christmas? In the midst of decorating our homes and planning get-togethers, or in the midst of struggling with the season for whatever reason. I encourage you to find something simple each day that can help you get in touch with the preparation that God desires to be born in our hearts anew this year. May you find a moment, a breath, a glimmering of hope and peace this season.
Rev. Sandi
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Sunday services can be viewed live at 9:30am on Facebook AND YouTube, or afterwards with the links found on the website and weekly emails.
December 12th – SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Christmas Choir Cantata
December 19th – THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
The Heart of Christmas: Darkness and Light
Luke 1: 39-55
** We will have our Prayer & Communion Service in person this Sunday.
CHRISTMAS EVE – December 24th
4pm & 6pm – Family Friendly Candlelight Services
(childcare available)
8pm – Contemplative Candlelight Service
*We will also have a self-guided lighted prayer walk in the courtyard between services
December 26th – Pajama Sunday
How to Keep Our Hearts from Shrinking
Colossians 3: 12-17
**Wear your coziest Christmas PJs and join us for service!
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We Wish You a Merry Christmas: Postlude of our Children's Christmas Pageant |
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Housewarming Boxes: Donations Needed
This year, we are participating in the Denver Rescue Mission’s (DRM) Housewarming Boxes as our Christmas Mission.
Give hope this holiday season by providing essential housewarming supplies. The Housewarming Box program is designed to meet the needs of families who are part of the Mission's Family Rescue Ministry and Family Refugee Services. These families receive boxes filled with household and hygiene supplies as they settle into a home of their own.
A Housewarming Box set consists of a pair: one box of household items and one box of hygiene items. There are specific shopping lists to make it very easy to fill our boxes. Our goal is to provide the DRM with four (4) sets.
The donations from each list (household and hygiene) will be packed in its own plastic storage tote. This creates a manageable way to fill and transport boxes, a practical means of storage for the families and a box size that is not too heavy for anyone to lift.
Please use this link to sign-up for the required donations. Each housewarming box consists of a household and a hygiene box. All donations must be dropped off at the church in the narthex by noon on 12/9/2021.
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Christmas in the Park: Rolling Suitcases Needed!
For our unhoused Denver neighbors, having a secure way to transport their belongings from shelter to shelter is a matter of life or death. As winter approaches, there is a palpable sense of urgency among the homeless community. Again this year, Wash Park UMC is partnering with Stigma and After Hours to provide rolling suitcases and backpacks to our homeless neighbors at our December 25th event called "Christmas in the Park." We need your help. If you have rolling suitcases you can donate, please bring them to church on Sunday mornings, or click this link for other donation options. Rolling suitcases are available in abundance at our local Goodwill and ARC thrift store locations as well. If you would prefer to make a monetary donation to our partner organization, Stigma, Wash Park UMC's own Sheri and Matt Salis will use the money to buy rolling suitcases and backpacks. Let's make this the most abundant Christmas in the Park event yet!
Matt Salis
Author, soberevolution
Executive Director, Stigma
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WPUMC Preschool In Need of Refrigerator |
Our preschool staff refrigerator is no longer working and we are in need of a replacement. If you have a used or well loved fridge you're needing to rehome, please contact Katie at [email protected] or 303-777-3043. |
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Well, as I write this our Children’s Christmas Program has yet to take place, but I know it is a smashing success. We are grateful to have an in person program along with some prerecorded scenes. Thank you to the families, church members and church volunteers who helped out with making this a success.
Sunday School is back in full swing in our downstairs class rooms. We follow COVID safety protocols outlined by the CDC, local, and state health officials to provide a safe learning environment for all students. The nursery is also open to children 6 weeks to 3 years old. We offer this so you as a parent can fully enjoy the service. The nursery is located on the main floor in our preschool classrooms past the church office.
If you are interested in volunteering to lead Sunday School, please connect with me at [email protected].
Be sure to stay informed by reading the weekly emails, checking our website and social media posts about all the sharing, connecting and education opportunities Wash Park has to offer.
Merry Christmas,
Sheri Salis
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The holiday season is upon us! To think of where we were a year ago today, it seems to me like so much has changed! We will again be able to enjoy Christmas service and music in person, and enjoy fellowship with our congregation. The holiday decorations, music, movies, treats, etc. create such a joyful time for my family and I hope the same for you.
We want to thank you for your unending support of our church and our mission, be it through prayer, participation, financial contributions, or any other way you can. In this season of giving, we want to remind you to keep WPUMC in your mind for donations as you are able. If you are not able to give financially, we always welcome your prayers.
Please be sure to fill out a pledge card for 2022; regardless of the amount. It is important for us to receive 100% participation as it helps us budget for next year. There are a number of options to fill out the pledge card:
2. text “GIVE” to (720)730-5151,
3.Venmo to the handle michelle-hoskins-17,
4. mail-in to Wash Park UMC or
5. through stock donations – see website for instructions.
We thank you again for your generosity and dedication through what has been a particularly challenging time. We look forward to a beautiful holiday season and a wonderful 2022.
Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!
Kristiana DeYoung, Finance Committee
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There are lots of ways that you can offer your gifts in service to our congregation – looking for a way to be more involved at WPUMC? Here are a few opportunities:
*Ushering – online or in-person! We schedule individuals for a specific Sunday a month for their ushering “shift”. Online ushering doesn’t require you to be in the building, but to engage with online worship participants. In-person ushering requires your presence, and includes greeting people and helping with offering and communion. Email Rev. Sandi at [email protected].
*Making Meals! Do you love to cook or offer people food? We coordinate meals for families with new babies, people who have health concerns, and other times when a meal seems to offer a tangible sign of love to our church family. To help out, email Rev. Sandi at [email protected].
*Sunday Morning Liturgist! If you’d like to help offer a greeting to our worship participants, lead the call to worship and read the scripture, email Rev. Sandi at [email protected].
There are lots of other ways to volunteer at WPUMC – if there is something specific you’d like to share, or if you are interested in a certain area of leadership, please contact Rev. Sandi at [email protected].
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December 1 Emily Haemer
December 2 Mary Bea Halimeh
December 4 Liz Bankhead
December 5 Doug Poirier
December 7 Barry Nance
December 10 Lily Griffin
December 13 Barb Gonzales
December 15 Mark Morgan
December 18 Julia Couch
December 18 Kelly Goering
December 20 Alex Halimeh
December 23 Carol Mrzlikar
December 23 Jaime Obleski
December 26 Noreen Marutle
December 27 Joey Salis
December 28 Blair Goering
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