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THIS WEEK
Mason United Methodist Church
A theologically progressive,
open, and affirming faith community.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.
December 22 – December 29, 2022
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The Reversal of All Things
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR.... | |
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Thursday, 12/22
1:00 - Living the Questions
6:30 - Christmas Choir Rehearsal has been cancelled
6:30 - Living the Questions
Friday, 12/23
7:00pm - Blue Christmas Service
Saturday, 12/24
7:00pm - Christmas Eve Worship
Sunday, 12/25
10:00 - Christmas Morning Worship
Monday, 12/26
Church office closed
Tuesday, 12/27
9:30 - Calling Group meets at the church
Wednesday, 12/28
12:30 - No Living the Questions – Pastor Susan out of town
5:30 - No Living the Questions – Pastor Susan out of town
Thursday, 12/22
1:00 - No Living the Questions – Pastor Susan out of town
6:30 - No Living the Questions – Pastor Susan out of town
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HOW WE WORSHIP................ |
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BLUE CHRISTMAS
Friday, December 23rd at 7:00
Faceook Live will be available.
I invite you to come and claim the truth of your feelings and know that it's okay. It's okay to not sing "hollies and jollies." It's okay to lock yourself behind doors, waiting for the lights and tinsel to
come down. It's okay to miss holiday parties. It's okay to not buy gifts. It's all okay.
If this is you, please come and give a name to pain. It's real. I also encourage you to invite others. You yourself may be excited about this time of year, but your friends or family members or neighbors or co-workers may not be so excited. There's a kindness in inviting someone to a Blue Christmas Service because it says to that person, "I feel your pain, and I affirm that it's real."
Come. Friday, December 23rd at 7:00. Put it on your calendar and invite someone who may be struggling. It may be the most important gift you offer this year.
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If you donated a Christmas poinsettia in honor or memory of someone, please notify the office with your name and the name of the dedicatee, so we can acknowledge you in the bulletin. | |
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Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th at 7:00
The Story of Christmas in Scripture and Song
Facebook Live will be available.
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"FEAR NOT: MORE JOY"
worship service
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"FEAR NOT: MORE JOY"
sermon only
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WEEK of December 18, 2022
In attendance:
47- adults
3 - leaders of worship
3 - Facebook Attendance
TOTAL: 53
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Your Generosity is Greatly Appreciated!
Click below to go directly to
Paypal on our website.
Paypal on Mason's Website
Earn all you can. Save all you can.
Give all you can. - John Wesley
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SERVICE IS LIVE ON FACEBOOK LIVE. JOIN US SUNDAYS AT 10:00
Be sure to make a comment so we can record your attendance. Here is a link to our Facebook page.
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HOW WE LEARN................ | |
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LIVING THE QUESTIONS -
Living the Questions will be on hiatus until
January 11th and 12th.
Click on the title for a copy of that week's reading:
Practicing Resurrection
AFTERNOON EVENING
Wed from 12:30 – 2:00pm. Wed. from 5:30 – 7:00pm
Thurs. from 1:00 – 2:30pm. Thurs. from 6:30 – 8:00pm
Join us anytime in person OR by ZOOM - (Click Here for ZOOM link)
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HOW WE SERVE................ | |
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BREAKING BREAD with OASIS QUEER YOUTH PROGRAM
Let's practice what we preach. It’s time to break bread with those that have been marginalized. Let's get out of our comfort zone, and build relationships with queer teens served by OASIS. Every month on the 2nd Thursday of the month, Mason will deliver food to their monthly support group. The Christmas Choir will have finished their rehearsals, so many more of you will be able to participate.
Syra Beth Puett has graciously offered to coordinate this ministry reaching out, nurturing, and building relationships with some of our queer youth in Tacoma. We are a Reconciling congregation, which is not just a name—it means we actually need to do the work of RECONCILING (to co-exist in harmony). These are the youth that may have been told by the world that they are in some way, "less than." Let's change that message, and affirm who they are and who they are becoming.
To truly engage in ministry, relationships need to be built. We encourage you to not only prepare dinner, but dine together, getting to know one another and showing love to one another.
Contact Syra Beth if you are willing to help.
syr07@nventure.com or 253-651-7869.
The next dinner we will provide is on Thursday, January 12th at 6:00 pm.
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MAUA METHODIST HOSPITAL in Maua, Kenya
Pastor Susan is going to Kenya on a mission trip with the Volunteers in Mission of the United Methodist Church. There is a need to raise money for the hospital in Maua Methodist Church, medical vaccinations, and building supplies. The information for the work and ministry that continues to happen thanks to teams from the Northwest is attached. Just click to open.
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A GIFT FOR YOUR GENEROSITY | | |
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Pastor Susan has been quilting gifts for those who donate to this ministry, and she is willing to create via custom order. Reach out to her with your questions and what you’d like her to quilt!
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THE HOSPITAL NEEDS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO DONATE:
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Single bed sheets – flat and fitted- white only (3’x6’). Wash if possible, then they can go as “used”.
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Scrubs for patients (S, M, L in light blue)
- Scrubs for theater staff – (M, L in dark blue or turquois–TOP PRIORITY)
- * Fetal scopes
- Light weight blankets, rubber pads for incubators mattresses
- * Stethoscopes
- Surgical Gloves (size 7-7.5)
- *Implant removal forceps
- BP machines (digital)
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How to send your support: CHECKS CAN BE MADE OUT TO:
First United Methodist Church of Portland
BE SURE TO NOTE THE CHECK IS FOR “KENYA VIM TEAM 2023”
AND MAILED TO:
FUMCPDX. c/o Paul and Kathleen Cosgrove
6211 Buena Vista Drive
Vancouver, WA 98661
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DON'T FORGET YOUR CHANGE FOR HEIFER INTERNATIONAL!
The children are collecting change on Sunday mornings to buy an animal from Heifer International for Christmas. Whatever amount they collect at the end of the season will be used by the foundation to purchase a chicken, goat, cow, or other livestock animal for an impoverished family. Don't forget to look in your couch cushions for extra quarters. Every dime counts!
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H.U.G.S. Tree
This holiday season, we are accepting donations of hats, underwear, gloves, and socks in the foyer. Donations of warm clothes can quite literally save a life when temperatures drop—especially as an increasing number of our neighbors and their families face evictions, houselessness, and sweeps of encampments this winter. If you are able, please be generous in donating items to this ministry.
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BLESSING BAGS FOR UNHOUSED PEOPLE
This is an Outreach Ministry that we can all participate in.
Good news: Lynn Stetson and Gail Simpson will be sharing the coordinator role to get this ministry going. We will put out a bin or box so we can collect the following supplies for our houseless and impoverished neighbors:
socks, protein bars, tissues, hand sanitizer, bottled water, feminine hygiene products, dog food, gallon zip lock bags, deodorant, first aid supplies, hand/foot warmers, and any other essentials that people might need.
When we have our supplies, we will regularly hold an assembly line to fill the bags for all of us to take and keep in our cars. STAY TUNED!
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Congregational Care Opportunity
Dorothy is without transportation for the next few months, but she would love to continue coming to church services in person. She will need a carpool with enough trunk space to bring her walker along. If you are able to help out by offering her a ride, please call her son Bob at 360-481-4269.
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BEGINNING JANUARY -
NEW RETIREES FELLOWSHIP TIME
Early in the new year, I hope we can begin scheduling monthly gatherings of retirees for fellowship and the reinforcement of our connections in and with Mason Church. Covid has effected our fellowship greatly, and it's time to re-connect again. If you are interested in helping to put together a program that will clearly define our mission and purpose and assist in getting the fellowship into operation, please call me or email me.
Sincerely,
Doug Nelson
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UNITED WOMEN OF FAITH (former UMW)
Meeting 1/10 from 11:00 - 1:00
in the Conference Room
United Women of Faith support each other, at home, in our communities, as well as around the world. Our name has changed over the 153 years, but our legacy of hope for women and children is still the same mission. All who identify as women are welcome, no matter your faith, to come for fellowship on Jan. 10th at 11 AM. Maybe you have a friend who you would like to bring with you. Contact Carol Sprague at 719-406-1126 for any questions.
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Sign up to Host Sunday Fellowship
Just another way to serve God—Hospitality.
Hospitality is a recurring theme in Scripture, and we are called to gather, break bread, and build relationships. If you are willing to assist in the planning and implementation of Sunday Fellowship, contact Sandy Roszman, as she is the coordinator of this ministry.
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A Musical Update from Emma
Dear Mason Church,
I’m excited to give you an update on all the musical events we have coming up in the next several weeks. There are Mason UMC events, as well as concerts by groups we’re hosting. Mark your calendars and join us for a season of music and joy!
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Saturday 12/24 – On Christmas Eve, the service at 7:00pm will feature performances by our Christmas Choir. We’ve been working hard all month to prepare this program, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Sunday 12/25 – On Christmas Day, we will have a special performance by our Bell
Choir.
I’m looking forward to all these events, and I hope to see you there!
Best,
Emma
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HOW WE LEAD................
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BISHOP ELAINE'S FAREWELL ADDRESS | |
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LET'S MAKE IT EVEN EASIER
FOR YOU TO GIVE
We are now capable of accepting your offering with your debit
or credit card. Just ask Brian Nelson or Pastor Susan, or contact the church office. We want to make life easy for you, and simplifying the process of contributing to our church family is one way to do so. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
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HOW WE PRAY................ | |
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VISIT THE SICK
Betty Serjeant is in a care facility, and she would love a visit or a card from you. Let's let her know that she is missed and that she matters. The address is:
Heartwood Extended Care
1649 E. 72nd Street
Tacoma, WA 98404-5402
Please take some time and let her know you care.
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PRAYER IS IMPORTANT TO US
BECAUSE WE ARE A FAITH FAMILY.
Families share what's happening in our lives, and since we are a church family, we too can share our joys and concerns with one another.
Joys:
We wish a blessed Hanukkah to our Jewish siblings.
Lynn Stetson celebrates that Jack survived a risky spinal surgery, and the surgeon is pleased with the results!
Joyce Schuetz celebrates that Son, for whom we have been praying, is responding well to cancer treatment.
Concerns:
Brian Nelson asks for prayers for the family of his 90-year-old Aunt Joan Carlson, who passed away peacefully in Muscatine, IA, 2 weeks ago.
Alice Newkirk shares a concern for her sister, Michele Bond, who has both COVID and the flu.
Margaret Nelson prays for a friend whose husband passed away last Sunday.
In the wake of surgery, Lynn Stetson asks that you continue to pray for Jack’s pain management and recovery.
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OTHER STUFF................
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PASTOR'S OFFICE HOURS set aside for you.
Sunday from 11:00 - 1:00
Tuesday from 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday from 4:30 - 6:30
The church office will still be operating regular hours:
Tuesday - Friday from 9:00am - 2:00pm.
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PASS THIS ON
Share What's Happening Here.
It's all Good!
Want to be a part of reviving Mason? Want to fill the sanctuary with folks who wish to live a meaningful life? There's one little thing you can do to help make that happen. It only takes seconds. Forward this newsletter to two people this week. Don't fear judgment. We're all judged no matter what we do; just do it. Just spread the Word without words.
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EARN ALL YOU CAN.
SAVE ALL YOU CAN.
GIVE ALL YOU CAN.
Please continue to make contributions
to the church as you are able.
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