CHRISTMAS CANTATA

Sunday, December 10, 11am

Come experience some Christmas joy this Sunday as the Advent Choir, accompanied by musicians from TCU, presents this year's cantata, Christmas Canticles by Benjamin Harlan.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Sunday, December 24, Sanctuary

• 10:00am, Fourth Sunday in Advent Communion Service
• 5:00pm, Family Nativity Service
• 7:00pm & 9:00pm, Traditional Candlelight Service

We hope you are making plans to celebrate the birth of Christ with us at Aledo United Methodist Church! As the Advent Season approaches, please watch the eNews and Sunday bulletins for information about upcoming events, and mark your calendars for one of our Christmas Eve services.

LAST CALL FOR POINSETTIAS!

Sunday, December 10

We still have a few poinsettias available for purchase through this Sunday! The order form is at the Connection Center, and you may take your plant home with you following the services on Christmas Eve!

CAROLS BY CAMPFIRE

Wednesday, December 13, 6:30-7:30pm

Come get into the Christmas spirit! December 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 we will meet for a time of fellowship and caroling. All are invited, and hot chocolate will be served.

YOUNG AT HEART CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Sunday, December 17, 12pm, Fellowship Hall

All those who are forever "young at heart" are invited to our Christmas lunch, following the 11:00 service on December 17th. Bring a dish to share and invite a friend! All are welcome!

COZY CHRISTMAS AT THE QUAD

Sunday, December 17, 3-5pm

Youth grades 6-12 are invited to join us for the Quad Christmas gift exchange. Put on your coziest sweats or PJ's and bring your favorite cozy item ($15 range) for the gift exchange! We will also enjoy pancakes, hot chocolate, and a Christmas sing-along!

ADULT MISSION TRIP

February 4-8, 2024

Each year there are about 100 natural disasters in the US. These include wildfires, floods, droughts, heat waves, cold waves, tornadoes and hurricanes. Last year the cost of natural disasters was $152 billion, and countless people were left homeless and without possessions as a result.

The Mission Center in Conroe, a mission of the Texas Conference, responds to such disasters with pre-assembled kits that serve immediate needs. They include flood buckets, hygiene kits, and adult and child backpacks. In 2023 Aledo UMC made 3 trips to Conroe and volunteers helped prepare 1,763 relief kits valued at $100,491. We are doing God’s

work in Conroe!

If you would like to be part of this critical mission, please join us for four days in Conroe.

• February 4 – 8, 2024
• No trip fee; individual expenses are hotels and meals
• Sign up in the Narthex; deadline is January 14th or when filled

Can’t go this time? You can support the mission team by donating supplies for the emergency kits. Watch the eNews for a list of needed items. For more information, contact Alicia Henze arhenze@aol.com or Peggy Badlato pbadlato@att.net.

MEN'S DEVOTIONAL BREAKFAST

Mondays, 7:30am, MAC Center



Men, start your week with a brief devotional, led by David Stubbs. Burritos and coffee will be served. This is an opportunity to meet new people and decompress. The goal is for those not retired, to get back on the road by 8:15, at the latest. A donation of $5 is asked to cover the cost.

December 11 - Hebrews 11:1-6

December 18 - Psalm 119:1-11

December 25 - No meeting

BOB BULL'S COAT DRIVE

December 3 through January 31

During December and January we will be collecting gently-used coats to be distributed by Beautiful Feet in Fort Worth. All sizes are needed, children through adult! Please make sure coats are clean and in “working order”.

MANNA ROOM FOOD PANTRY

If you would like to help feed our neighbors, we are currently short of the following items: *URGENT NEED

Oatmeal (18 oz. canisters or variety packs)*

Tuna Helper*

Canned pasta sauce*

Canned chili*

Vegetable soup*

Tomato soup*

Vienna sausage

Canned ravioli

Canned spaghetti

Canned pears

Canned mixed fruit

Canned peaches

Ritz crackers

We are very well stocked with all other items.

We appreciate your faithful support of this ministry! Please no glass jars, bottles, or other breakable containers, and we cannot accept items past their expiration dates. Donations may be placed in the marked bin in the Narthex. Thank you!

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR AREAS OF LIFE

Our groups are open to adults in our community who are experiencing daily challenges.

• Alzheimer's Support Group & Kaleidoscope - meets the second Thursday of each month at 1:00pm.
• Cancer Support Group - meets the second Tuesday of each month
• Caring Hearts/Stephen Ministers - offer compassionate and confidential prayer, support, and encouragement

For more information on any of these groups go to our Ministry Page at CLICK HERE.