A Note from Pastor Keith

Transcription

1 A Note from Pastor Keith Greetings Mt. Zion Church family! Deck the halls! It is December and truly one of the most wonderful times of the year. Not just because of the wonderful music, and pretty lights, or the lovely gifts. But because of the real reason for the season! Jesus Christ coming to earth as a part of God s plan to save us! I love celebrating the season with all of you at our beautiful church. This year Christmas falls on a Monday, which means that Christmas Eve is on a Sunday. We will be having two services on Christmas Eve. We will have our regular Sunday morning service at 10:15am as well as our Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 7:00pm. I would really like to encourage you all to come to both of these services. Christmas Eve at Mt. Zion is truly a beautiful time of fellowship together. After the service the Social committee will be providing some light refreshments in the fellowship hall. As we move into the advent season let us remember the real meaning of Christmas. Do not fall into the distractions of the season. We really celebrate because God sent His only son to this earth, to live a perfect life, teach us how to live, take our sin to the cross, and defeat death! That is why we celebrate Christmas! I leave you with a poem that I think depicts this perfectly! The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords Came to earth for you and me. The salvation I could not afford He paid for on Calvary. What could I ever give Him That would thank Him for His Son? I ll confess, and turn from my sin And live in the victory won! I often lose sight of Jesus, Because of Santa and Christmas trees. Jesus Christ is more than enough To grant me eternity. He s the Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, Prince of Peace, He s the Everlasting Father, And to think He came for me! He deserves no less than my all, Though it s easy to give Him less. Though born in a humble stall, God sent me His very best. - Aaron Hand, 2007 Merry Christmas! Pastor Keith 1

2 A Note from the Missions Committee CHRISTMAS JARS: It s the time of year for sharing the Spirit of Christmas! If you collected your loose change for a family in need this year please see Cosy Sweigart, Missions Committee chairperson. The Christmas Jars book is available to place with your gift. WELSH MTN. HOME GIFTS: There are approximately 50 residents at Welsh Mt. Home. We spread Holiday cheer by gifting a pouch full of goodies to those residents that would like to participate. The residents are in need of toiletries and a few fun items. For those of you that would like to participate, pouches will be provided and more details will follow. SHOEBOX RECYCLING: To date we have collected and sent in 115 boxes of shoes for those in need. Each box weighs approximately 40 pounds and we get $20 per 40 pounds of shoes sent. Please remember those in need by donating your shoes you no longer need! A Note from the Secretary Please contact Jen Reynolds (jenroyer@hotmail.com or ) for any of the following administrative needs: If you would like to be added to the Mt. Zion prayer chain or have a prayer request. If you are currently receiving a printed copy of the monthly newsletter but would like to receive your copy electronically via or would like to be added to either the postal mailing list or list. If any of your contact information (address, telephone number, address) has changed. If you have an article or information to submit for the next month s newsletter please see that Jen gets this information by the 15 th of month. A Note about Flowers 2

3 If you know of someone in the church that is in the hospital or has been recently admitted please contact Sonny Horton ( ) so a get well planter or flowers can be sent from their church family. The weekly chart for altar flower presentation is posted in the lobby. Please note that payment for the flowers is expected the week before the flowers are presented. There are envelopes provided and they are located on the table under the flower chart. Please write your name and date for the flowers on the outside of the envelope and place it in the box on the table under the flower chart. If payment is not received flowers will not be ordered. If you have any questions please contact Sonny Horton ( ). Keith Blackwell December 14 Raymond Hoover December 14 Beth Weidman December 27 Kristin Horton December 28 Noah Reynolds December 28 Tyler Shivery December 04 Peyton Flexer December 05 Robin Barnes December 09 Cosette Sweigart December 29 Linda Kenworthy December 30 Bob Shivery December 31 Happy Birthday to anyone we may have missed. If you would like to have your name and birthday included in the newsletter please contact Jen Reynolds (jenroyer@hotmail.com or ). Mt. Zion Servant Schedule Nursery Children s Church Offering Counters December 3 Elizabeth Pratt Shelly Trego Larry Perry Chandie Glenlast December 10 Joan Perez Jen Reynolds Ivan Kurtz Kim Pratt December 17 Kim Pratt Gerry Flexer Cindy Slider Ron Echoff 3

4 December 24 Teresa Diem Brian Sweigart Lilly Buckwalter Ivan Kurtz December 31 Stephanie Blackwell Teresa Diem Joan Perez Anne Chrobocinski December 21 December 24 December 25 December 31 December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Welsh Mtn. Home Bingo

5 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service 31 The food bank item of the month is toilet paper Mt. Zion UMC Core Values Jesus alone is Savior and Lord The Bible is our guide for belief and conduct Every believer is called to serve; church leaders equip others for serving Warm hospitality is given to all Members of Christ s Body are accountable to one another We depend on God s Spirit to guide and empower us Everyone is brought to a more deeply committed relationship with Jesus Everything is done in love Mt. Zion United Methodist Church 753 Mt. Zion Road, Narvon, PA mtzionum@frontiernet.net Keith Blackwell, Joe Liptock, Jen Reynolds, Emily Blackwell, Zach Buterbaugh, Tammy Eno, Elizabeth Pratt, Our Church Staff Pastor Music Director Secretary Custodian Youth Director Nursery Attendant Assistant Youth Leader 5