Advent & christmas, and looking ahead

I am really excited by several things happening at Marble Memorial United Methodist Church. The first two make sure to read about elsewhere in this newsletter: this is my first experience with the ‘Goodie Sale’ and what is happening as we implement our ‘ministry plan’. (If you were in worship Nov. 18th you heard an update including our new vision statement and core values – who we strive to be and how we strive to get there.)
Another thing I am excited about is Advent and Christmas! I have heard about what the building may look like when it is decorated, including new trees. Decorations are important and can help us grow closer to God during this time.
What I am really eager to begin is our Advent study and worship series. It is entitled ‘The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem.” This study and series will help us better understand the events that led to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem while we see more clearly its theological meaning and reflect on the meaning of these events for us.
Our worship series and study is based on the series by the Rev. Adam Hamilton with the following themes each week:

• Sunday, Dec. 2nd: Morning Worship and 6 p.m. study focusing on ‘Mary of Nazareth’. The study will be repeated Wednesday, Dec. 5th at 11 a.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 9th and Wednesday, Dec. 12th: same times looking at ‘Joseph of Bethlehem.’
• Sunday, Dec. 16th and Wednesday, Dec. 19th: same times looking at ‘Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth’
• Sunday, Dec. 23rd: Morning Worship and 6 p.m. focusing on ‘From Nazareth to Bethlehem.’ (Our Wednesday group will decide if/when they do this session.)

The studies are the same with one being at night and one during the day. Pick the one that fits your schedule or change every week. If you are interested but these times don’t work for you let me know and I will see what I can do.

Also available is a daily devotion. They are available now at the church. There are 28 devotions in the book that go with this series. It is suggested you begin on December 1st but whenever you start is good. There is a suggested donation of $9 per book but having one is more important than paying for it!
And … of course there is Christmas Eve! Services will be at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

See you Sunday! … Pastor Jackie Roe