2 December Sunday

First Sunday in Advent

Worship Service

10:30 am

"Calm and Bright: Sleep in Peace"

Hanging of the Greens

Caroling

2 December – after lunch

Anne and David Gehrenbeck-Shim will lead everyone who would like to go caroling to shut-ins and others unable to join us for this joyous season immediately after lunch.
Bring your own lunch. Carpooling recommended

Advent Bible Study

Monday December 2 @6:30 pm (includes dinner)

Tuesday December 3 @ 10:30 am & 6:30 PM

All are welcome.

Join in the Advent Bible Study, Adam Hamilton’s The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem

Journeying from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Adam Hamilton uses historical information, archaeological data, and a personal look at some of the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus.

“This book may be the greatest Christmas present of the year. Adam thoughtfully, movingly walks us through what really happened when God touched this planet. The richness of the full story will touch your life as well.” John Ortberg

Continuing Prayer Requests 

Louise R., Taj M., Bill B., Gail M.

Blankets for the Homeless in Waltham
At our last Monday serving night, I was approached by one of the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen workers helping with the 5 PM dinner we provided. She said there are several who sleep outside who need a blanket.

Please bring clean, new or lightly used blankets to church to be distributed to those in need.
Thank you, Debbi Miller

Dinner for Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen 

Monday December 10, 5:00 PM 

Our hungry brothers and sisters come to the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, held daily in the basement of Grace Vision (formerly Immanuel) UMC, at the corner of 545 Moody Street and Cherry Street in Waltham. They are so grateful that GOD and YOU care about them!

After worship on Sunday, please sign up on the two signup clipboards in the church parlor / Parish Hall to share Christ's love by playing YOUR part in this ministry. You can contribute one or more food items for our next serving day and/or assist with reheating or serving the meal. Our next serving day is Monday, December 10th at 5 pm (the second Monday of every month). As always, please keep in your prayers this ministry of love and everyone who it touches.

(5) Sloppy Joes, 4 lbs. from each contributor, prepared
(4) Hamburger Buns, 2 dozen from each contributor
(4) Potato Chips, 2 large bags
(2) Brownies or Cookies, each portion to serve 24
(2) Orange Juice and (3) Milk, 1 gallon each

Thank you again to all those who contributed to the November meal. 

United Methodist Student Day
Our United Methodist Student Day offering supports scholarships and student loans for qualified United Methodist applicants from diverse backgrounds at any accredited institution within the US.

Advent
Advent season starts next Sunday – Begin to prepare in your heart for the rebirth of Christ in your life.   For your personal & family study, the readings for next Sunday, December 2, are:

• Silent Night, vs. 1; 
• Luke 2:6, 
• Matthew 19:13-15 

Council On Aging (COA) Food Drive
Now that we have all stuffed ourselves at Thanksgiving dinner, let’s help stuff some others in our community, Our Church Council is sponsoring a canned goods and staple food drive for the Weston COA from December 9 thru December 23. We will have a container in the Narthex for the food.

Poinsettias

Starting next week, December 3, there will be poinsettia order forms in the church bulletin. We will need to have all our orders in by December 16. You can take your plants home after the Christmas Eve service.

Angel Tree

WUMC will be receiving the names of 30 children in need who are students at Whittemore Elementary School for our annual Angel Tree. We buy gifts for these youngsters who the school identifies for us. We get the name and age or grade of each child. All the children in a family are included in our angel list. The names will be available December 3 on the Christmas Tree in the Narthex.

From last year, remember:

• The average amount spent on each child is roughly $20. 
• Carole Kerr will volunteer to be your personal shopper if you wish. Please take an angel from the tree and give it to her with your money. 
• Please use the angel as the name tag on your wrapped gift. 
• The gifts need to be back under the Narthex Tree by Dec. 16 since we need to deliver them to the school on December 17 to allow these families to pick them up. 
• Each family will receive a basket of food which is given by an anonymous donor.

Upcoming Meetings / Events

25 November Sunday

United Methodist Student Day – Welcome students!

Worship Service

10:30 am

"I Can Only Imagine"

Healing Service

3:00 pm

Thought for your meditation

“I imagine: a church where all disciples have opportunities to experience and grow in God's love, and to serve in as many ways as they are led; a church that works for peace and justice for all of God's creation; a vibrant, enthusiastic church for the glory of God.”

Wendy Kipp

Small Group Study

Tuesday November 27

10:30 am & 6:30 PM

All are welcome.

“Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church” – Three Week Study November 13-27. We will continue to meet on Tuesdays at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm for November. See Pastor Pat to get a copy of the book ($12.00 each).

"There is a lot of concern about where the United Methodist Church stands when it comes to homosexuality, same-gender marriage, and the ordination of LGBTQ persons, and what will result from the upcoming General Conference in February. Living Faithfully, a small-group study was created especially for United Methodists, to guide discussions in a way that encourages openness, humility, a spirit of grace, and above all, love for fellow United Methodists who may disagree with you. Offering multiple lenses through which to consider different perspectives, the study is based on Scripture from start to finish."

Stewardship Moment

Special thanks to everyone who completed a pledge card last Sunday in support of the Weston United Methodist Church. Your generosity of your time, talents, prayers and resources will enable WUMC to continue to know Jesus Christ and to make Jesus Christ known.

Pledge forms are available for download on the church website www.westonunitedmethodist.org.

Advent Bible Study 

Tuesday December 3 

10:30 am & 6:30 PM 

All are welcome. 

Plan to take part in the Advent Bible Study, Adam Hamilton’s The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem – Mondays 6:30pm (includes dinner), and Tuesdays 10:30am, beginning December 3.

Journeying from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Adam Hamilton uses historical information, archaeological data, and a personal look at some of the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus.

“This book may be the greatest Christmas present of the year. Adam thoughtfully, movingly walks us through what really happened when God touched this planet. The richness of the full story will touch your life as well.” John Ortberg

Online Church Directory 

Please sign-in to our new Online Church Directory. Only those who are listed in the directory by email address will have access to our new online directory.

1. Go to InstantChurchDirectory.com. 
2. Click on the link: “First time signing in? Create a login now.” 
3. Enter your email address as it is listed in our printed directory. If you need to change it or add another one, please contact Pastor Pat at westonunitedmethodist@gmail.com. 
4. Create a password. The password must be 8 characters long, and contain at least two of the following special characters: capital letters, numbers or symbols. 
5. Retype the password to confirm it and click "Request Login." 
6. Check your inbox for an email from: service@instantchurchdirectory.com. 
7. To complete the sign-up process, you will need to verify your email address by clicking on the link sent to you in that email. 
8. Once you confirm your email, you may sign in at members.InstantChurchDirectory.com. 
9. Your email with the password you created will work on all the Instant Church Directory apps on any device: 
10. If there is no photo in the directory for you or your family, please send a family picture or head shot to the church by email for the new online directory: westonunitedmethodist@gmail.com. 
11. If you need a new photo, touch base with Cindy Boudreau or Richard Lee to have your picture taken at church. 

Need help signing in? Please see your directory Administrator, currently Pastor Pat) 

Continuing Prayer Requests

Louise R., Taj M., Bill B., Gail M.

Blankets for the Homeless in Waltham 

At our last Monday serving night, I was approached by one of the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen workers helping with the 5 PM dinner we provided. She said there are several who sleep outside who need a blanket.

Please bring clean, new or lightly used blankets to church to be distributed to those in need.

Thank you, Debbi Miller 

Church Safety 

Members of the Trustees, Church Council and the Outreach Committee recently had a general information session with the Weston Police Department. Weston’s Chief of Police Mike Goulden, Detective Sergeant Jeffrey Beohner, and School Resource Officer Kellie Connarton fielded questions and concerns regarding local crime, safe building evacuation and community outreach. The officers also provided information on ways for Weston United Methodist Church to be helpful in the community.

Officer Connarton will meet again with the Trustees to evaluate building security, exterior lighting and measures to be taken in an emergency. CPR training will likely be offered to those interest in congregation in the future.

Upcoming 

Wednesday, November 28 

6:30pm – SPRC Meeting 

Sunday December 2 

First Sunday of Advent 

Hanging of the Greens at 10:30am service 

Caroling 

Bring your own lunch, and we’ll head out after we eat

18 November Sunday 

Worship Service 

10:30 am 

"Living Thankful Lives" 

Thanksgiving / Pledge Sunday

Stewardship Lunch after Worship 

All are invited 

Please bring your favorite dessert to share 

Thought for your meditation 

A certain rabbi and his people had been through horrible, cruel experiences, and he said "sometimes I don't have words to be able to pray. I don't know what to say or how to say it. In those times, I pray the alphabet and trust God to rearrange the letters."

New Small Group Study 

Tuesday November 20 

10:30 am & 6:30 PM 

All are welcome. 

“Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church” – Three Week Study November 13-27. We will continue to meet on Tuesdays at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm for November. See Pastor Pat to get a copy of the book ($12.00 each).

"There is a lot of concern about where the United Methodist Church stands when it comes to homosexuality, same-gender marriage, and the ordination of LGBTQ persons, and what will result from the upcoming General Conference in February. Living Faithfully, a small-group study was created especially for United Methodists, to guide discussions in a way that encourages openness, humility, a spirit of grace, and above all, love for fellow United Methodists who may disagree with you. Offering multiple lenses through which to consider different perspectives, the study is based on Scripture from start to finish."

Online Directory Photo 

Please send a family picture or head shot to the church by email for the online directory being developed. A 150 dpi JPG format file is preferred.

westonunitedmethodist@gmail.com

If you need a new photo, touch base with Cindy Boudreau or Richard Lee to have your picture taken at church.

Continuing Prayer Requests 

Jason Duane, Louise R., Taj M., Bill B., Gail M. 

Stewardship Moment 

Good morning. I wasn’t exactly sure how to approach a stewardship conversation this morning. I wasn’t really thinking that there is much that I could say to try and convince you all to “dig a little deeper” this year. So instead, I thought I would tell you a story about something that I experienced this past week.

This story actually started about 50 years ago. Back in Michigan, my best friend, Ann, grew up across the street from me. Her brother Mike, her dad and mom, Bob and Martha have all been lifelong friends and neighbors to my family. Birthday parties, family vacations, a chat at the kitchen table – our families pretty much grew up together.

Almost 20 years ago, Martha passed away unexpectedly in her sleep. Of course by that time, their kids were grown and married and living far away - and Bob struggled. There were about 5 years where he dealt loneliness, depression and alcoholism before he decided to move to Minneapolis to be near his son and his grandchildren.

It still wasn’t easy but gradually things improved and Bob found a new normal – he found support, and connections, and contentment in his new community and with his family.

So now we fast forward to this past weekend. I flew to Minneapolis to meet up with my parents, my sister, and her family to attend my nephew’s college hockey debut. It was a quick trip for all of us. Out on Friday afternoon, back on Sunday morning. A lot flying and a lot of driving – from the airport to the hotel. From the hotel to the college and back. To an away game on Saturday. Just a lot of activity and shuffling around.

We had hoped to meet with Bob and his son Mike while we were in the area but they lived quite a bit further away than we had first realized. We ended up being short a car as one person had to leave early. Bob doesn’t drive. The weather was bad. They were busy, we were busy. It just wasn’t going to be convenient to get together. We all had other things going on and decided it just wasn’t going to work this time. But we would visit Minneapolis again – maybe for a game next winter. He would be back in Michigan this summer. We would catch up next time.

So on Wednesday afternoon I got a phone call from my friend Ann. She told me that her father Bob passed away early that morning. We blew it --- and we immediately regretted it. We had an opportunity and we didn’t take advantage of it. We didn’t make it a priority. We didn’t give that relationship the value that it deserved. Our actions didn’t reflect our feelings and now that connection is gone.

After the shock had faded, I began to see the similarity of this situation to what could possibly happen in our church. What if we don’t accept the opportunities that are offered here at Weston United Methodist Church? Are we making this church – both its missions and spiritual offerings - a priority? Do we place value on the relationships and the connections we find here? Do our actions reflect how we feel about this place and these friends? Or are we too busy? Is it too inconvenient? Do we have other things to do? Or do we just say “We’ll be there next time”?. Because if that’s the case, we could wake up one day and find that it’s gone.

Now I realize that in a way, I am preaching to the choir – because you are here! But you also probably know that there are things that need to be fixed. We don’t have to have all of the answers right now - We just have to be willing to take a step. A small step in the right direction is all that is being asked. Whether that step for you is one of finances, or of time in service, or of prayer – I ask you to consider the value you place on this church and its work in this community. If you believe in WUMC’s purpose then let your actions truly reflect your priorities. This is your opportunity - don’t miss it.

I found a quote on Facebook that struck me so I will share it in closing:

Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. 

Do justly, now. 

Love mercy, now. 

Walk humbly, now. 

You are not obligated to complete the work, 

But neither are you free to abandon it. 

Thank you, Jennifer Hall 11 November 2018 

Blankets for the Homeless in Waltham 

On Monday night, I was approached by one of the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen workers helping with the 5 PM dinner we provided. She said there are several who sleep outside who need a blanket.

Please bring clean, new or lightly used blankets to church to be distributed to those in need.

Thank you, Debbi Miller

Thought for the Week

Pastor Pat

A certain rabbi and his people had been through horrible , cruel experiences, and he said "sometimes I don't have words to be able to pray. I don't know what to say or how to say it. In those times, I pray the alphabet and trust God to rearrange the letters."

11 November Sunday 

Worship Service

10:30 am

“Do You Dare to Be Generous”

New Small Group Study 

Starting Tuesday November 13 

10:30 am & 6:30 PM 

All are welcome. 

“Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church” – Three Week Study November 13-27. We will continue to meet on Tuesdays at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm for November. See Pastor Pat to get a copy of the book ($12.00 each). Read chapter 1 for November 13th.

"There is a lot of concern about where the United Methodist Church stands when it comes to homosexuality, same-gender marriage, and the ordination of LGBTQ persons, and what will result from the upcoming General Conference in February. Living Faithfully, a small-group study was created especially for United Methodists, to guide discussions in a way that encourages openness, humility, a spirit of grace, and above all, love for fellow United Methodists who may disagree with you. Offering multiple lenses through which to consider different perspectives, the study is based on Scripture from start to finish.

Dinner for Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen 

Monday November 12, 5:00 PM 

Our hungry brothers and sisters come to the Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, held daily in the basement of Grace Vision (formerly Immanuel) UMC, at the corner of 545 Moody Street and Cherry Street in Waltham. They are so grateful that GOD and YOU care about them!

After worship on Sunday, please sign up on the two signup clipboards in the church parlor / Parish Hall to share Christ's love by playing YOUR part in this ministry. You can contribute one or more food items for our next serving day and/or assist with reheating or serving the meal. Our next serving day is Monday, November 12th at 5 pm (the second Monday of every month). As always, please keep in your prayers this ministry of love and everyone who it touches.

(5) Sloppy Joes, 4 lbs. from each contributor, prepared
(4) Hamburger Buns, 2 dozen from each contributor
(4) Potato Chips, 2 large bags
(2) Brownies or Cookies, each portion to serve 24
(2) Orange Juice and (3) Milk, 1 gallon each

Thank you again to all those who contributed to the October meal.

Thought for your meditation: 

“God works on us in all sorts of ways. But above all, God works on us through each other. People are mirrors, or ‘carriers’ of Christ to other people. Usually it is those who know God that bring God to others. That is why the church, the whole body of Christians showing God to one another, is so important."

C.S. Lewis (edited)