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ejoy! weekly newsletter                                                    December 18/19, 2010 
In This Issue
In Worship
Men's Breakfast
Pageant Rehearsal
Service of the Longest Night
Christmas Eve Services
 Thought for the Day:

 

I'd like to  think that the wise men's lives, just like our lives, were changed after they met Jesus. The truth is we all go back "another way" after we've found the life-changing, life-saving power of Jesus Christ!

-Mike Ruffiin 

 

 

A Thrill of Hope: The Epiphany                                       Matthew 2.1-12

 

In our Book of Worship, is a service for the Chalk Blessing of Houses on Epiphany.  I have never participated in this tradition, nor have I known anyone who has.  When I traveled with a group from our congregation to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, we stayed in the village of Steinach, Austria. There, for the first time in my life, I was witness to this Epiphany tradition.  Above every door was the chalk blessing.  When you look at the numbers and letters can you figure it out?  The year 2010 begins and ends the blessing.  The letter C is for Casper, M is for Melchior and B is for Balthazar.  These are the legendary names given to each of the Wisemen.

This last weekend of Advent we will be looking at the Epiphany story.  It is a wonderful one.  It is truly the story of Christ being made known beyond the Jewish community to the world.  It is also a story of journey, of exploration and discovery.  There is great hope in the courage of the Wisemen who were willing to set out on a journey and be guided by this star they believed contained the truth of God in a new and wondrous way.  Their hope and courage model for us a way of journeying through our life as we seek to get close to the Christ child.

See you in worship this weekend.  Be sure to bring a friend.
Blessings,
Pastor Susan
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mensbreakfast2

 

Saturday December 18, 7:00 AM. Fellowship Hall

 

THE SATURDAY MEN'S MINISTRY meets next Saturday morning which is one week before Christmas Day and the opportune time to look into what we can learn from history regarding the Christmas Story in the Bible.  Plan to be there to learn and discuss.


Dr Richard (Rick)  Lundell of our church will lead the discussion beginning with a short talk having  the title: 
               
                  The Christmas Story: Facts, History and Function

He will begin with a close reading and the 'facts' of the Christmas story from the Gospels.  Rather than stop there, however, he will talk about why the Gospel-writers may have included this story -- and how this story functioned within the original Christian context as well as what it means to us today.

Rick completed a Ph. D. in 2001 at the University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign in Renaissance and Reformation European History.  He has taught several classes at out church on topics ranging from Disciple Bible Study to lectures on Reformation History to the historical aspects of Dan Brown's DaVinci Code as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls . Saturday will be another return by Rick to SMM.

The weather forecast has no snow for the next week - including next Saturday - which allows you up to join us and go back in history.   Questions will be welcomed and encouraged .

Please RSVP to Dick Steinmetz at rsteinmetz@wi.rr.com
Look forward to seeing you there.

 

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 3kings5:00 Christmas Eve Pageant Rehearsal

 

 

 

 Saturday, 9:30AM

Sanctuary   

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Sunday December 19 @ 3:00 PM, Chapel

  

 

The Service of the Longest Night is designed for those who have lost a cherished family member or friend or who have experienced any type of painful loss this past year (I.e. job loss, divorce, financial loss) and who may struggle to make it through this holiday season. 

 

The Service will be led by Jacquelyn Oliveira, certified grief counselor, and Richard Whitaker, director of adult and older adult ministries. The service will include prayers, readings, Scripture, music, and quiet reflection.

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ChristmasboyChristmas Eve Worship Services

Sermon:  The Child

Luke 2. 1-20

Dr. Susan Patterson-Sumwalt, preaching at noon, 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00pm


 

Be sure to invite a friend to one of our multiple services. How are they to know they are welcome to come if they are not invited? People are much more likely to attend a worship service if they are personally invited by a friend.

 

12 (Noon)   Service in the chapel - Sacrament of Holy Communion offered.  Organ and special music.

 

 3:00 pm     Service for Families with Young Children - This 45 minute service is especially designed for young children and their families.  The story of Christmas is told in drama.  Christmas carols are sung.  The 4  and 5 year old choir (K4/K5 MACC) will share special music.   The lighting of the candles is done with glow sticks.  Sanctuary

 

5:00 pm         Service for Families with Elementary-aged Children - This 50 minute service is led by our first through 5th grade choirs(MAAC).  The story of Jesus' birth is presented in through a pageant.  A special Christmas story is shared.  Christmas carols are sung.  A candlelighting service concludes this time of worship.  Pre-service music is offered by our children beginning at 4:45 pm.  Sanctuary

 

7:00 pm         Service led by our Middle and High School Youth - This hour service isupbeat and reflective as our youth (and some of our college students) leada service of music, scripture and prayer.  Candlelighting service concludes this worship service.  Pre-service music is offered by our Praise Team beginning at 6:30 pm.  Sanctuary

 

9:00 pm        Service led by our Chancel Choir - This hour service is filled with special music, the singing of Christmas carols, reading of scripture, sermon , prayer and candlelighting service.  Pre-service music begins at 8:30 pm.  Sanctuary

 

11:00 pm      Service led by String and Vocal Ensemble - This hour service is a reflective service with special music from a string and a vocal ensemble.  Thesinging of beloved Christmas carols, prayer, scripture and sermon culminate  with a candlelighting ceremony that ends with the ringing of the bells at midnight.  Pre-service music begins at 10:30 pm.  Sanctuary

 

Other Special Events on Christmas Eve

 

Birthday Party - A birthday party for Jesus will follow both the 3 and 5 pm worship services in the Jones Narthex.  Cupcakes and punch will be served.  The 2010 Christmas ornament will be given to all children in attendance at these two services.

Reception -  Following the noon, 7 and 9 pm services, cookies and punch will be served in the Jones Narthex.

 

Childcare - Children are welcome in all of the worship services.  However, if your children are more comfortable in a childcare situation, childcare will be provided during all of the worship services.

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