|
Crosswinds Newsletter
November 16, 2022 - Volume 643
| |
|
We’re still a week away from Thanksgiving and Christmas is already upon us. Starbucks is already selling the flavors of the season. Christmas classics and Mariah Carey are already on our radios. Thanks to my amazing wife, we’ve already got half of our Christmas shopping finished.
We can agree with Andy Williams that Christmas is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” but with it comes a lot of worry and hurry. This is why the season of Advent is necessary for the church.
Advent is one of the church’s holiest seasons. The word itself means “coming” or “visit” in Latin. During Advent, we spend the four weeks leading up to Christmas reflecting on Jesus’ coming to us and anticipating His return. It is a season where the Incarnation of Jesus--God become flesh--is the lens through which we see God’s love, hope, joy, and peace in new ways.
I want to invite you to join us for the season of Advent. We have a number of ways for you to observe and participate in this season.
-Decorating our Worship Spaces – November 20th . We will be getting the church ready for Advent and Christmas. We will serve pizza immediately following 11 AM worship then start setting up Advent candles, trees, wreaths, and garland. Anyone and everyone can help! We need help with heavy and light lifting, as well as folks who are not afraid of heights.
-Discover Advent – Come Discover Advent on November 27th from 4-6 PM in the FLC. We will celebrate the beginning of Advent with making our own live greenery Advent centerpiece, a Nativity making station, cookie decorating, a take-home Advent devotional, a Christmas photo op, caroling, a short message, and dinner!
This is an event for all ages, so bring yourself, your neighbors, and your whole family to get ready for the coming of the Christ child!! There is a suggested donation of $10 per household to cover the cost of supplies and food. Click here to register, as it is required in order to purchase supplies. Must register by Sunday, November 20th!
-The Longest Night: A Service of Remembrance and Hope – Christmas is a season of joy. However, this joy can be overshadowed by the pain and grief many are experiencing. On December 21st we will be hosting a service to acknowledge our grief that we might experience God’s grace anew.
-Join us for worship on Sunday mornings! We will be taking a deep dive into God’s love, hope, joy and peace.
This is not an exhaustive list of every activity we will be doing throughout Advent, but it does capture some ways to connect with us in this season. So let us be intentional about turning our eyes and our hearts toward the Christ who has come to us and who will come back again.
Blessings,
Pastor Brady
| |
|
Last Small Group Meeting Until After Christmas
If you have not attended a discernment meeting, we encourage you to join us at 11:30 AM. Please click here to register or call the church office at 972-775-3993 and Mary Beth can sign you up. Each participant must be registered, even if it is the same day.
| |
Youth Friendsgiving Tonight | |
Youth, join us TONIGHT for FLANNEL & FRIENDSGIVING! We will share a meal (make your own pizzas) and fellowship during our regular Youth Group time. All youth, 6th through 12th grade, are invited. Don't forget to wear your flannel or plaid! | |
|
November's Next Steps class is this Sunday, November 20th at 9:40 AM. You are invited to join our pastors to learn more about FUMC Midlothian and who we are beyond Sunday morning worship over a cup of coffee in the FLC!
| |
Help Decorate the Church This Sunday! | |
Looking for Christmas Trees | |
|
Do you have an old Christmas tree you’d like to part with? We are looking for a few undecorated trees that still have some life in them. We want trees of any size, between one and twelve foot tall. So anything in good shape that you no long use and/or would like to pass on, we would appreciate - even if it isn't your conventional Christmas tree. If it has lights, working or not, we’ll take it.
We are also looking for white tree lights, a couple of 4x8 foot weathered fence panels (or something similar), and maybe even some lanterns. If you happen to have any of these items, please contact Keelee Allen or Valerie Dick or call the church office (preferably this week)!
We can’t say exactly what we’re doing - that would ruin the surprise; but you will get to see it very soon! We plan to continue to use these items each year, so please make sure you only donate items you no longer plan to use. Thank you!
| |
Must register by Sunday, November 20th! | |
Thanksgiving Meal Information | |
Church & GGP Hours Thanksgiving Week | |
|
The church office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday starting Wednesday, November 23rd at 12:00 PM. The office will reopen Monday, November 28th at normal time which is 8:00AM.
God's Garden Preschool will be closed for the holiday week (November 21-25). Thank you for your understanding as we take time with our families this holiday season.
| |
|
Sunday, December 11th, the Open Door Sunday School Class will be hosting Burrito Sunday in the Family Life Center at the beginning of the Sunday school hour (9:30-10 AM). They are asking for donations and all proceeds will be going to Food4Kids.
| | |
|
2022 Christmas Cantata
Join us Sunday, December 11, 2022 for the 2022 Christmas Cantata, "Sing A Song of Christmas", presented by the FUMC Chancel Choir! The Cantata will be performed at the 8:30 and 11 AM traditional services in the Sanctuary. Hand Bell choir will also be performing and kids' small group will be singing. The Christmas Cantata is a special musical oration that speaks to the birth of Jesus and a special tradition in our church.
Come join us to hear "why" we sing a song of Christmas!
| |
|
November 16th: Youth Friendsgiving
November 20th: Next Steps, Decorate Church for Advent & Christmas
November 23rd & 24th: Prep & Deliver Thanksgiving Meals
November 24th: Happy Thanksgiving
November 27th: Discover Advent, Advent Begins, Angel Tree
Month of December: Sheep Trail
December 3rd: GGP in the Christmas Parade
December 4th: Blood Drive
December 11th: Christmas Cantata
December 11th: Buritto Sunday
December 14th: Christmas Caroling
December 19th: GGP/MISD Christmas Break Begins
December 21st: The Longest Night
December 24th: Christmas Eve Services
December 25th: Christmas Day, No Children's Ministries or Nursery
See weekly information below
| |
|
Godly Play Children's Worship gathers during 8:30 and 11 AM worship services throughout the school year. Elementary age children are invited to go with our Children's Ministry Team to worship together. Children are always welcome to stay with their parents throughout worship.
Sunday School Classes meet between worship services from 9:45-10:45 AM.
+Children's Sunday School, Sanctuary building
+Youth Sunday School, FLC upstairs
+Bill Theiss Fellowship Class, FLC 109
+Adult Bible Class, FLC 110
+Upper Room Class, FLC 201
+Open Door Class, FLC 107
+Servant's Hands, FLC 204
+New Horizons Class, FLC 203
Men's Monday Night Bible Study meets Monday nights from 7-8:30 PM in the Sanctuary Building Workroom. The study is coordinated by Don Garret.
Hand Bell rehearsals are Mondays from 6-7 PM in the choir room! Email Laurie Duke with questions.
Chancel Choir rehearsals are Wednesdays from 6-7:30 right now due to the Christmas Cantata. Normally it’s 6-7 PM in held in the choir room. Email Laurie Duke for information..
DivorceCare and DivorceCare4Kids meets each Wednesday from 6:30-8 PM in the FLC, rooms 201 & 203. Email Monica Wilson for more information.
Discipleship Groups meet at various times throughout the week. New groups can form at any time! For more information, please contact the church office.
God's Garden Preschool follows the MISD school calendar and is only open on MISD classroom days. GGP hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM, during the school year.
Next Steps is the second Sunday of each month in the FLC at 9:45. Meet with the pastors during the Sunday School hour to learn more about FUMC Midlothian. November Next Steps is the third Sunday.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 AM - 4 PM and Friday from 8 AM - 12 PM. Pastors are available for non-emergencies, Monday through Thursday during office hours. Please contact church staff during office hours.
Have you borrowed something from the church? Don't forget to return it. Please contact the church office to arrange the returning of larger items, such as chairs and tables. Thank you!
| | |
|
|
November 20th
"Building Your Life"
Matthew 7:24-29
8:30 & 11 AM Traditional in the Sanctuary
11 AM Contemporary in the FLC
| |
Waypoints is a weekly devotional, written by our pastors to dig deeper into the current sermon/series. | |
|
Children's Sunday School meets 9:45-10:35 AM in the sanctuary building.
Godly Play is Children's Worship released during all Sunday morning services.
Creation Kids Links:
Elementary Student's Remind
Early Childhood Remind
Stay connected in Creation Kids Children's Ministry! Follow us on our Facebook page, Creation Kids, and our Instagram page, @creationkidsfumcmidlo, to keep up with resources for connection. For more information, email Keelee Allen.
| |
|
Jr & Sr High Youth Sunday School meets 9:45-10:35 AM in the FLC.
Youth Group meets Wednesdays. We'll eat at 6 PM and gather at 6:30 PM.
Stay connected in FUMC Midlo Youth Ministries! Follow us on our Youth Facebook page, FUMC Midlo Youth (public) and our Instagram page, @fumcmidloyouth. Youth and Youth parents, join our private Facebook Group, FUMC Midlothian Youth. For Remind 101 for Youth, text @midloyouth to the number 81010. If you have any questions, please email the Youth Team.
| |
We offer Nursery and Early Childhood Care (infant through pre-k) during our Sunday morning worship services. Please email Keelee with any questions. For information regarding God's Garden Preschool, go to God's Garden. Thank you! | |
Visit God's Garden online to learn more about our highly sought after, accredited preschool. We follow the MISD school calendar and are only open on MISD classroom days. GGP hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM, during the school year. | |
|
Please send your prayer request to MaryBeth or Joy. If you want to join our Prayer/Card Ministry group, send your request to Joy. Not everyone sends cards, but you can pray, thus Prayer/Card Ministry.
New Prayer Requests
2 month old Baby Tatum - (Granddaughter of Clarice Bishop) - Home from hospital
Continuous Prayer:
Karen Wilson, George & Dee Culps, Don Lish, John Lowe
Military:*
ARMY - Matt Carroll, Tim Kruettner, Harold Barton, Josh Schenck, Austin Lockwood, Trey Ditto
NAVY - Matthew Price, Andrew Cantrell, Zachary Tucker, Thomas Shirley, Matthew Watford
AIR FORCE - J.D. Culps, Andrew Miller
MARINES - Josh Dunaway, Bradley Perez, Elizia Delapaa, Cash McAdoo
NATIONAL GUARD - Derek Boots
TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD - John Jackson
Dereck Vance
Remember in Prayer:
Our world, our country, our community leaders, all our military troops and first responders around the world, our church, our pastors, the staff, church members, visitors, and Midlothian community
*Our list of military members needs to be updated. Please take 20 seconds to update us with basic information for each person related/applicable to you by clicking military update.
| |
Thank You for Your Generosity | |
Thank you for your generosity! We continue to do great ministry as a church because of you and your faithfulness. We encourage you to continue giving to the church's ministry either by mailing in your financial gifts or giving online by clicking on the button below. Every gift helps us do greater things for God's Kingdom! | |
Office Hours: M-Th: 8 AM - 4 PM, F: 8 AM - 12 PM
Pastors are available for non-emergencies M-Th during office hours
| |
| | | | |
