December 4, 2025

Church News

Upcoming Events

Dec 7th - Cookies4Life - Rodda Hall 11:15 am
Dec 13th - Blue Christmas Service 3:30 pm
Dec 14th - Advent Gathering at the Parsonage 4:30-6:00 pm
Dec 17th Christmas Flower Donations and Special Giving form due in the office

Journey with us from Advent to Christmas! Click here

Prayers from November 30th

For those living with AIDS.
For those who have lost loved ones to AIDS.
For all those who recognize World AIDS Day on December 1.
Of healing and concern for Frank F. as he recovers in rehab from a back issue.
For Audrey N. as she moves to be closer to family - NC
Of healing for Marge A. who is having shoulder surgery on Monday - NC
Of healing for Meg M. as she recovers from more surgery this December - NC
Of healing for Barbara B. as she recovers steadily - NC
Prayers of gratitude for the 4th and 5th wells dug and sponsored by Steve Davis in Zambia.
For healing for Barbara Bennett after a fall.
For healing for Frank Fillimon with lower back pain.
For Barbara Plambeck who entered Life Eternal. Bless Dick and family.
For Andy Anderson who entered Life Eternal. Bless Lissa and family.

Altar Flowers

In loving memory of my father

A.K. Bennett,

and of my brother

John H. Bennett.

Barbara Bennett

Christmas Poinsettia Order Forms

are available!

Donations this year will be given to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa

The beautiful poinsettia display at Christmas time has always been the hallmark of the Advent Celebration. If you wish to participate you can:

pick up an order form from outside the Church Office.
download one HERE and print it at home.
or if you don't have a printer, you can email your order details to the church office at csmith@chathamumc.org

Orders must be received in the office by

Wednesday, December 17^th

Advent Study Group

This Sunday, our Advent Study Group listens to the voice of John the Baptist who used baptism as an alternative ritual in an alternative place – a temple wasn’t necessary for cleansing. Was this also a message from God, that a new way of life was coming? And how do we view repentance? And sin?

Come join us after worship at 11:15 am in the Asbury Room as we examine another voice in “Voices of Advent” by Matthew Skinner.

You're Invited

Advent Small Groups

As we seek to draw closer to God and to one another during the season of Advent, Small Groups will meet weekly for about one hour.

Sundays, November 30, December 7, 14, and 21^st at 11:15 am, facilitated by Ron Yarger (ryarger@optonline.net)
Mondays December 1, 8, 15, and 22^nd at 7:00 pm facilitated by Pastor Sharon Yarger (scyarger@optonline.net)

Both groups will meet in “hybrid” format: in person in the Asbury Room as well as via Zoom.

The Sunday group will be using Voices of Advent by Matthew Skinner.

This study examines Advent through the voices of Jesus, John the Baptist, Mary, Zechariah, and the Angels and Prophets. The book examines the scriptures to consider how they lead us to reflect on God, set our priorities, and celebrate Christmas at the end of Advent (from the Preface). Voices of Advent is available in paperback and e-book formats on Amazon.

The Monday group will be using the resource Living Well Through Advent 2025: Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind.

The booklet offers daily devotional readings and generosity-inspiring questions that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Christmas.

Living Well is available as an e-book on Amazon, and in digital and print formats at LivingCompass.org. All are free or at a very low cost. Free print copies will also be available in the church office beginning Sunday November 23

For more information or to receive the Zoom invitation

contact Ron or Sharon at the above email addresses.

CUMC’s second Sunday of Advent service at 10:00 am will include The Covenant Choir singing Thomas Keesecker’s Again We Find Our Way. Join us!

The first program of music of 2026 in CUMC’s sanctuary will be Music For The New Year on Monday evening of January 5th at 7:00 pm with Merynda Adams, harp, and Elizabeth “Poppy” Song, violin. All are invited to this gentle recital in candlelight hosted by the Suburban Music Study Club. Audience members may light a candle of hope.