| DECEMBER 2, 2015 ● WHILE GETTING LIT AT THE PARSONAGE |
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WHILE GETTING LIT AT THE PARSONAGE
One of the joys of the first year in a new church is figuring out the logistics of decorating for the Advent and Christmas seasons. It is our tradition that when my parents (and, most years, my uncle) come for Thanksgiving, they help us prepare the house for the holidays.
As my dad and I were out front Monday putting up the lights on the house, and I was up on the roof, it hit me that far from being holiday busy work, having to figure out how to decorate this new house could and probably should be a way of looking at how we prepare for these holidays from a spiritual perspective.
Precisely because we were in a new place we were forced to reconsider some of how we would take what we already had and get our house in order. Not only this, but we also had to get some new lights, etc., with a lot more work than usual.
On the other hand... (continued below) |
| | SPEAKING OF THE PARSONAGE
Erin and I are looking forward to having you all as our guests NEXT SATURDAY, December 12, as we open your house and our home for an evening of dessert and fellowship as a way of expressing our gratitude for all you have done for us over the past year.
This come-and-go time of celebration runs for 4:00-7:00...come one, come all...all that we ask for you to bring is a celebratory spirit keeping with this time of the year! We also have a very special gift for each household that comes... |
| | CELEBRATION OF CAROLS THIS SUNDAY - 5:00PM
Our choir and their seasonal guests have been hard at work over the past few weeks diligently preparing for one of the great holiday traditions of First United Methodist Church - our Celebration of Carols service. Please be sure to attend this event you don't want to miss, and take advantage of the nature of this service to invite your friends, family, and neighbors who do not have a church home to experience the message of the season through our music!
If you haven't already, follow this link to download our Advent 2015 calendar (PDF). |
| | | | THE DRAGONS ARE COMING (FOR SUPPER & AWARDS) MONDAY, DECEMBER 14
As you have seen and heard recently, we are honored to host the boys of our football team for their year-end awards banquet! THANK YOU to all of you who have generously stepped up to sponsor this evening or to help us in putting together this event.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO HELP!
We still are in need of volunteers to help us serve, as well as people to provide side dishes. Don't worry - the pressure is not on one person to do it all...this is an opportunity for us all to make an effort to make this a night the boys won't forget and look forward to again next year.
Please e-mail shannon@fumcderidder.org to volunteer or lamar@fumcderidder.org to be a sponsor. We cannot thank you enough for all of your support! |
| | (continued from above)
...as I took Anna Catherine out to look at the lights later that evening, it struck me that part of my holiday tradition now is teaching Anna all about our traditions and why these are important.
I wonder how much our holidays might take on a different flavor if we spent as much time sharing and reflecting upon the meaning of our traditions as we do carrying on these traditions.
Carry on, my friends, with the traditions of the season - they are truly fantastic! Let's make sure, though, that we always keep in mind the reason not just for the season, but for each of these traditions that are so near and dear to each of us.
Grace and Peace, Lamar |
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