30 December Sunday
Worship Service
10:30 am
"Calm and Bright: Is Born"
Thought for the Week
“Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally.
The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.”
L.R. Knost
Upcoming
Monday, Dec. 31
Family Game Night, and Watch Night Service
Family game night and Watch Night Service: Bring games you would like to share with others (board games, card games, etc.) for a 5:00 p.m. potluck and game time. Then at 7:00 p.m. (if we use 7:00 p.m.: which is midnight in London, when John Wesley would have observed his Watch night service), we will join together in a traditional Watch Night service.
John Wesley believed that Methodists, and all Christians should reaffirm their covenant with God annually, so he created a service in which an individual renews his/her covenant with God.
In 1755 Wesley held his first covenant service, and he published this service in a pamphlet in 1780.
The covenant hymn, "Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine," was written for this service by his brother, Charles Wesley. The service is included in The Book of Worship under the title "An Order of Worship for Such as Would Enter Into or Renew Their Covenant with God."
This covenant service is often used in United Methodism as a Watch Night Service on New Year's Eve, and sometimes on New Year's Day or on the first Sunday in January.
Coffee Hosts Needed for January
Please sign up to host our fellowship time after church
Learning Opportunities
Saturday January 26 and Saturday February 9, 2019.
Registration Due: Friday, January 11.
At Weston UMC's annual Charge Conference on December 10, our District Superintendent Rene Perez spoke with us about the United Methodist Church's 2019 Special Session of General Conference coming up on February 26-29, 2019. In preparation for that important event, three learning opportunities are coming up:
Justice in Every Day Life – Takes an in-depth look at the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church - the church's attempt to speak on contemporary issues with which we are confronted today, and delves deeper into existing issues surrounding matters of faith and practice. Covers topics such as the Natural World, Social Community, Economic Community, Political Community, Biblical Foundations of the Social Principles, and Teaching the Social Principles, as well as the draft of the recommended changes to be voted at General Conference in 2020.
Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution – Based on the book “The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation”, and led by its author Thomas Porter from Boston University together with one of our conferences three lay delegates to General Conference, Bonnie Marden. “The work of conflict transformation is about a way of life and the transformation of our culture to a culture of justpeace.” Part I explores how we can, as Gandhi stated, be the change we want to see in this world. Part II explores engaging others, and three important movements in peacebuilding: appreciative inquiry, interest-based mediation, and restorative justice.
Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course – Helps individuals discern and respond to God’s particular call on their lives. Encourages each person to recognize and employ his or her spiritual gifts for the church to become what God intended it to be. Invites participants to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in discipleship. Offers guidelines for optimal communication in leadership and presents numerous types of ministries in which lay servants may assume roles.
For the registration form and details, see the bulletin board in the church narthex or Bob Hout or click the link above “Winter 2019 Lay Servant Ministry Courses” halfway down this webpage:
https://www.neumc.org/layspeakingcoursescma
Special Outreach
Through UMCOR (The United Methodist Commission on Relief), United Methodist church families across the U.S. and the world are connected together and reaching out in compassion to people impacted by disasters including the earthquakes and tsunami in Indonesia:
https://www.umcor.org/umcor/resources/news-stories/2018/december-/call-for-prayer-for-indonesia
https://www.umcor.org/umcor/resources/news-stories/2018/august/umcor-responds-to-current-disasters-around-the-world
Let us be in prayer and loving solidarity with the people of Indonesia and the Christian community there, including the Methodist Church of Indonesia, in the wake of a December 23 tsunami that caused hundreds of deaths and injuries, notably on the islands of Java and Sumatra. The surprising, destructive wall of water is thought to have been caused by an eruption of the Anal Krakatau volcano. Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief has reached out to partners there and have initially received a request for prayer for the families of those killed, injured and still missing.
UMCOR is fortunate to consistently work with many partners in Indonesia. We are currently coordinating with partners on the ground to address immediate needs of vulnerable people affected by the earthquakes and tsunami. We have been in contact with Methodist Church leadership to support assessment, initial relief work and further evaluation and prioritization of needs as we reach recovery phases.
To contribute online and support ongoing relief efforts:
Click on "International Disaster Response Advance #982450" at: https://www.umcor.org/Search-for-Projects/Search-for-Projects
