As we enter this Christmas weekend, many are unlike any other Christmas we have ever had. I am reminded of a Divine family Christmas years ago when our son, Jonathan brought the flu home from school. By Christmas morning, everyone was sick, except for Jonathan.
We did not have a big Christmas meal and barely made it through opening presents. Most of us laid around all day, a bunch of pitiful souls. While it was a hard Christmas, it seems to be one Christmas that our kids always talk about. Shared experiences, even when experiencing pain, can bring us, ultimately to joy.
This year we have been reminded over, and over again, that our hope in the Christmas celebration is found in shared experiences; first, the experience of our relationship with Jesus. Second, our relationships with others. While we may not be present physically with all our family this year, we are working hard to make sure our relationships stay strong and our hearts connected.
We pray for a safe Christmas time for all of you. Whether you can be physically present with your loved ones or just virtually present, that your relationships will stay strong.
Love and blessings,
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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
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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.
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This week we have worked to make sure you have received a copy of our Year End Review. If you have not received it or would like to review it again please click here for another copy.
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Special Announcement About Weekend Worship
We ask that you take a moment to watch the
special announcement below.
We have prayerfully been watching the recent increase in the number of COVID cases in the tri-county area. Because of this increase and our great love for our congregation we have made the decision to not have in person services on Saturday, December 26 at 5pm and Sunday, December 27 at 9am and 10:30am.
Please join us online on Facebook, YouTube or our Website on either of those days or times. We will be gathering together remotely to worship with our brothers and sisters from the Florida Conference Campus Ministry. The services, led by our college students, the future of the UMC, will surely be a blessing to us all. Again, we do ask you to please watch the video for the full special announcement. Thank you.
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Christmas Eve Services will be held as scheduled. Both in-person and online.
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Get to Know: Jonathan Baker
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Jonathan is active in many volunteer activities. With his wife, Donna, he co-mentors at Wildwood Middle School, Co-Chairs the Mission/Outreach Ministry Team, Co-facilitates a small group, and
teaches Grow Night classes. Jonathan is also active with the Journeymen of Lake Deaton.
Jonathan spends 4-5 weeks yearly in the Congo as a former Global Ministry Missionary along with Donna. He serves as a speaker to help raise money for various projects for: fresh- water wells, education, nutrition, agriculture, pastoral school, medical centers, and children’s ministry.
He is a Coach/Consultant with several clergy and lay leadership at LD and other churches in various Annual Conferences. He has also built and finished chancel and chapel furniture, the prayer benches and helped with construction and installation of cabinets here at Lake Deaton. Jonathan sings in the Praise Team and Choir as well as being the incoming Co-Chair of Worship.
Jonathan’s hobbies include: Golf, woodworking, yard work, sailing, scuba-diving, and video production for various mission and ministries.
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Walk Away the Pounds with Leo
Do you want to jump-start your New Year’s
fitness goals? Join us on 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.
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A Holiday Yoga Practice!
Join us each Friday @ 9am on the Lake Deaton's Facebook page, or on YouTube
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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
Pray for Susan Ruiter’s nephew, Christian Busta, as he prepares to undergo a third brain surgery
Prayers of comfort and healing for Dwight Ingram as he recovers from COVID
Prayers of strength, comfort, and healing for Bill Hopkins
Prayers for healing for Kathy Schroeder
Prayers for healing for Dick Richards at Leesburg Regional Hospital
Ben and Gail Truax healing from COVID
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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
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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
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Discipleship & Connecting
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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!
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Coming Soon - Winter Grow
Mark your calendars now for Winter Grow, our special speaker series coming on Wednesday Nights in January! Our first speaker will be on January 13th.
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Save the Date
Virtual Mission Trip Coming on January 19, 20 & 21 from 8am to 9:30am each day. Visit Rwanda, India and Kenya from the comfort of Lake Deaton
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Men's Breakfast on Wednesday, December 30th will be ZOOM only.
The office and church building will be closed for the Christmas Holiday.
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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 please click here to register
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The office will be closing at 1pm on Thursday, December 24th. It will remain closed in observance of the Christmas holiday through New Years Day. We will reopen on Monday, January 4, 2021.
If you have a pastoral emergency please call the church office and choose the option to be connected to the on call minister.
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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.
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Worship
Sat. Dec 19, 5:00 pm - 44 Online, 43 In-Person, Total: 47
Sun. Dec20, 9:00 am - 173 Online, 77 In-Person, Total: 250
Sun. Dec 20, 10:30am - 72 Online, 57 In-Person, Total: 129
Sun. Blue Christmas - 3:30pm - 50 In-Person, Total: *50
Weekend Totals - 289 Online, 177 In-Person, All Total: *516
Please Make Sure You "Sign In" on the Connection Pad. Just click this link!
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Our church calendar is now LIVE on our website. Check it out by clicking here.
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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
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