CONNECTION DECEMBER The Advent Question: Do you believe?

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2015 CONNECTION 13 WEST BOEHM S ROAD, WILLOW STREET, PA BOEHMSUMC.ORG The Advent Question: Do you believe? By Pastor Chris Eden A friend once asked me, Do you believe in the nativity story? I didn t know how to answer. It was a couple years after my baptism and before I had entered seminary. He asked casually while we were eating lunch. I remember that terrible feeling that happens when a question stumps you. Similar to having a word at the tip of your tongue except the word really, really matters. This friend, a non-christian, genuinely wanted to know if I believed in the stories of angels, shepherds, magi, a star, and a virgin birth. The whole thing. And all I could manage was a weak Well, sure, I m Christian. Every December that lunch comes to mind. How would I answer today? Would I bring up historical theories about cosmic events at the time? Would I point out that two gospels offer different, but complementary, accounts just as you would expect from an event like this? Would I bring up theological explanations for divine incarnation within Mary s womb? Or, would I answer the question he was really asking: What difference does the nativity story actually make in your life? Does the genealogy of Jesus revealing that God s plan for salvation was patiently worked out through real people and predicted centuries in advance affect how you regard God s desires for your life? Does the truth of a pregnant, unmarried young woman help you see the vulnerable around you differently? Do the choices of an adoptive father named Joseph, or the ones who refused his plea for hospitality, matter to you today? This year, let us remember that God s answer to humanity s deepest problem came as one who looks us right in the eye and says Who do you say that I am? Do angel songs, magi gifts, shepherd travels, or a miraculous cosmological phenomenon bring you to new understanding about the one asleep in a manger? Do you believe?

2 31 God doesn t just December 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 2nd Wk Advent Communion Noon: Finance Team Chapel Vespers 3 pm 13 3rd Wk Advent Christmas Luncheon 20 4th Wk Advent 7 Council 6 pm 1 Poinsettia Orders Due 2 Home 8 9 Home Home 21 Newsletter Deadline 22 Quiet Christmas 6:30 pm Boehm s Chapel 23 Home Home 3 6:30 Eden Home 10 6:30 Eden Home 17 6:30 Eden Home 24 6:30 pm Family Christmas Eve Service in the Sanctuary 11:00 pm Chapel Christmas Eve Service 4 Covenant Disciple Christmas at Hans Herr House 11 Covenant Disciple 18 Covenant Disciple work in mysterious ways He works in miraculous ways. Watch for a miracle in your life today am Prayer Shawl 1-7 pm Fellowship Hall Reserved 19 2 pm Fellowship Hall Reserved

3 God used ordinary families, with all their quirks and problems, to bring a life-giving blessing into the world. Join us as we trace the Advent story from family to family. Learn what holy family really looks like for us. When There Are Bad Apples on Your Tree Nov 29 Matthew 1:1-14 What to Expect When You're Awaiting Dec 6 Luke 1:5-24 Advent Vespers: The History of Carols Dec 6, 3:00 pm Boehm s Chapel ADVENT VESPERS When Family Becomes Impossible: Mary Dec 13 Luke 1:26-38 Christmas Luncheon after worship Blended Families: Joseph and Mary Dec 20 Matthew 1:18-24 Quiet Christmas Service at Boehm s Chapel Dec 22 6:30 pm at Boehm s Chapel Christmas Eve: He Changes Everything Dec 24 6:30 pm Family Candlelight Cookies and Hot Cocoa prior 11:00 pm Boehm s Chapel Candlelight Blood is Thicker Than Water: Escape Dec 27 Matthew 2: :30 pm Dec. 22

4 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS DJ Bridgman Audrey Goss Nancy Herr Nick Bridgman Scott Lingo Kathy Lesher Andrew Witmer Jesus Steve Shelly Abby Edwards If you would like to have your Birthday published in the Newsletter, and it is not printed in the B&W Church directory, please let the Secretary know to add it to the list. THE BREAD BOX But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 115:18 In the movie Pay It Forward, the concept of paying someone back for a good deed done was replaced with the idea of passing the blessing on to another person instead, creating an endless chain of giving to others what was given to you. The thought was that in time, people everywhere would look for ways to pay it forward and the world would become a better place. As Christians, we have the opportunity every day to pay it forward to those who are lost in this world by giving them a glimpse of Christ through our kindness. We were each given a gift when Jesus hung on the cross and died for our sins; and every time we demonstrate His love to SERVING IN DECEMBER LAY READER Dec 6 Jim McCullough Dec 13 Lori Blackiston Dec 20 Doris Moore Dec 27 Kathy Lesher USHER Frank Moore, Bonnie Moore, Fay Shultz, Margie Ferguson JUNIOR CHURCH Dec 6 Lisa Greybill Dec 13 Kirsten Ditzler Dec 20 Doris Moore Dec 27 Kirsten Ditzler ACOLYTE Lucia Eden NURSERY: Wednesday eve - Bonnie Moore, Lynne Kastor Dec 6 Bonnie Moore, Doris Moore Dec 13 Doris Moore, Regina Trout Dec 20 Lynne Kastor, Bonnie Moore Dec 27 Sharon McCullough, Doris Moore someone, we not only bless them, we also bless our Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us that when we stand before our Maker to account for our time on earth, what we have done for the least of these will be as if we did it unto God Himself. So, let s eagerly search for ways to bless those that God places in our path with the ultimate aim of glorifying our Heavenly Father. (PATHWAYS)

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6 GIVING THANKS LUMINA DROP IN THE BUCKET Donation for Lumina was $ HARVEST HOME Over 200 items and $30.00 delivered to Lampeter Food Bank. They were so appreciative and impressed with the large amount of donations from everyone at Boehm's. Do you remember the song? Thank you for giving to the Lord, I was a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave. HANS HERR HOUSE DEC 4, 7:40 PM There are several tickets available if you would like to join us the Christmas Tour at Hans Herr House. See Doris Moore. STEWARDSHIP REPORT 11/22 Needed for Budgeted Expenses 127, Received for Budget Expenses 103, Received Other: Trustees Use 3, Missions +$212 Anna Farrow 2, Memorial Gifts & Bequeaths 10, Pastor s Discretionary Fund 1, Yard Sale 3, Flowers/Bulletins/Envs. 1, Prayer Shawl Ministry Playground 6, Camp Scholarship Fund 1, BCS/gifts & reimbursements 38, Other Misc Receipts 1, TOTAL YEAR TO DATE 174, Cemetery Fund 4, WAYS TO SIGN UP As 2016 approaches, here is some information you might find helpful: To sponsor FLOWERS for the Altar There is a sign up sheet by the mailboxes. Cost Is $35 for 2 bouquets. Donation is placed in your offering envelop or the offering plate and marked Altar Flowers. You can take the flowers with you. To sponsor BULLETINS There is a sign up sheet on one of the bulletin boards. Cost is $35 per month. Donation is placed in your offering envelop or the offering plate, marked Bulletins. To volunteer as an USHER, see Rich Hackman. To volunteer as LAY READER (4 times a year) contact the church secretary. To volunteer to help in the Nursery contact Margie Ferguson. To help with MORNING REFRESHMENTS see D Ann Ressler. To reserve FELLOWSHIP HALL for an event, contact the church secretary. To volunteer in other ways, please contact the church Secretary and she can direct you to the correct contact. BOOK OF THE MONTH A favorite of many here at Boehm s is INNER GLOW, Meditations for December. Written by Virginia Meck Frey, it brings the reader to a quiet time of meditating pondering a time to enhance your walk with God every December. If not this book, then you are encouraged to find no make time during the busy Advent Season to be alone with our God and hear His message. Dec 22 may be a time for you to do that as well Quiet Christmas, held in the Chapel.

7 8:45 am Hymn Sing 9:15 am Sunday School, all ages 10:30 am Worship Facebook.com/BoehmsChurch West Boehm s Road Willow Street, PA Rev. Chris Eden, Pastor Office pastor.eden@boehmsumc.org Doris Moore, Secretary Office Mobile secretary@boehmsumc.org Scott Lingo, Minister of Music Phone: slingo@boehmsumc.org Staff/Parish Relations Chair Margie Ferguson Finance Chair Lori Blackiston Treasurer Doris Moore Finance Secretary Alice Peterson Lay Leader Shaun Ressler Congregation Care Chair Bonnie Moore Worship Chair D Ann Ressler Church Council Chair Kirsten Ditzler Trustee Chair Jason Ditzler S E E I N G G E N E R A T I O N S R A I S E D 13 WEST BOEHM S ROAD WILLOW STREET, PA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED