iIN-PERSON WORSHIP AND LIVE STREAMING

Belong. Believe. Be love.

December 3, 2023 @ 9:30 am

We Acknowledge Our Weariness

1st Sunday of Advent

Online Worship:

Click the link below to go to our channel, click "Subscribe," and click on the notifications bell to receive alerts when we post a video.

University UMC Irvine YouTube Channel

Bulletin (all words are on our worship video):

Worship Bulletin - December 3, 2023

Please have bread (or crackers) and juice (or wine) ready to partake in Holy Communion.

Donate online securely and easily with a one-time or recurring payment using your credit or debit card. Click the link below:

GIVE NOW

Weekly Advent Gatherings

Thursdays @ 3:30pm

Starting Nov 30th

Student Center

This Advent, our series "How Does a Weary World Rejoice" takes us on a journey of answers:

1) We acknowledge our weariness;

2) We find joy in connection;

3) We allow ourselves to be amazed;

4) We sing stories of hope. 

Join Pastor Cathie every Thursday at 3:30pm in the Student Center to still ourselves from the weariness of life and find inspiration and hope through spiritual practices. During the sessions, we will ground ourselves in Scripture, song, poetry, prayer, and art.

Sign up by either calling the church office, emailing marcel@uumcirvine.org, or on the patio after worship.

Advent Resources To Help A Weary World Rejoice!

In the final stanza of her poem, Rev. Sarah Speed emphasizes the importance of finding joy in both the mundane and the glorious.

How does a weary world rejoice?

I would guess

soul by soul

and day by day.

But if you ask me, 

I bet most of it counts.

Consider these spiritual practices for Advent to help us find joy in weariness:

Advent Gatherings with Pastor Cathie - Thursdays at 3:30 pm in the Student Center beginning THIS Thursday, Nov. 30th.

Daily Advent Calendar - daily prompts to cultivate joy in a weary world. (see below)

An Advent Devotional (online edition): https://online.flippingbook.com/view/136123036/24/

December Advent Calendar

CONCERN AMERICA CRAFT SALE COMING SOON!

On Sunday, December 3, 2023, artisan gifts from Concern America will be displayed at the University United Methodist Church for a Craft Sale featuring unique, quality handcrafts that provide us with the opportunity to purchase ethically.

This year, we have many new crafts

from Bangladesh, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Inspired by nature, these beautifully handcrafted textiles, ceramics, and wood products honor indigenous traditions.

When a Concern America product is purchased, we are providing a source of income to materially impoverished communities while allowing artisans to achieve financial stability through

gainful, safe, and dignified work.

Concern America, is an international development organization based in Santa Ana, CA. (714) 953-8575. You may view of selection of their crafts on their website:

www.concernamerica.org

Join us for an enjoyable winter experience filled with free food, fun activities like snow, and more!

To attend this event, we request you to RSVP beforehand by scanning the above QR code OR clicking HERE. Reservations are encouraged as they help us plan for food and other arrangements.

Hey there! Are you excited about the upcoming Christmas Choir Concert Reception?

 It's the perfect time to catch up with friends while enjoying yummy cookies and beverages. And guess what? You can bring your favorite cookies to share with everyone!

Don't forget to sign up at the Welcome Table. Let's spread some holiday cheer together!

~ Sue Watkins at 949 413-1999

47th Annual Christmas Concert

Get ready to experience the true essence of Christmas at the University United Methodist Chancel Choir's annual Christmas concert on December 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Celebrating its 47th year, this concert promises to take you on a journey from the sacred to the secular, with a delightful range of seasonal music that will lift your spirits and inspire your soul.

Be a part of our beloved tradition of singing along to your favorite carols and enjoy a special selection of songs that we're sure will bring a smile to your face. With several small ensembles and soloists adding their own unique touches to the performance, this concert is the perfect way to kick-start your holiday celebrations.

Get ready to experience the magic of Christmas like never before!

We'd love to have you at the concert! The tickets are priced at an affordable $20 for premium seating and $12 for general seating. You can easily get your tickets by purchasing them at the door or reserving them as "will-call" by calling Bob Bilanchone

at (949) 683-4386.



After the concert, we invite you to join us for some delicious refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there!

Childcare will be provided

Do You Need Offering Envelopes?

We are in the process of preparing envelopes for charitable donations in the year 2024. We kindly request that you inform us if you wish to discontinue receiving a box of envelopes or if you require any envelopes for your 2024 weekly contributions. Your prompt response will enable us to efficiently manage our resources and provide you with the best possible service. Thank you .

Please let me know via email at  anderson4962@sbcglobal.net. 

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Larry Anderson

Financial Secretary

Renewing Your 2024 Pledge Online

We are just over one-third of our 2024 pledge and gift goals. Thank you to all who have submitted your pledges and 2024 gifts via mail, e-mail, or in person. If you haven’t yet done so, you can pledge online by clicking the link below.

Abundant thanks to all!

Online Pledge For 2024

You can also access a copy of a pledge card for you to mail it to the church office at 18422 Culver Dr., Irvine, CA 92612

ATTN: Stewardship

DOWNLOADABLE PLEDGE CARD

Generosity Results from Nov. 19th Worship Service

I appreciate the generosity of grace given by God and by this faith community, as I am delayed in sharing these results from our worship Mentimeter from November 19th's service. 

Leading definitions of Generosity are Kindness, Giving, Sharing, and Love. (And Jesus makes an appropriate appearance!) 

Leading Treasures in Heaven include Peace, Love, Acceptance, and Eternal Life.   

As we journey into Advent, let us lead with Kindness, Giving, Sharing, Love, Peace, Acceptance, and, of course, Jesus!

~ Pastor Cathie Capp

What Happened at KidJam

November 26th?



We delved into the story of Jesus healing a blind man, and what made it even more special was that Pastor Cathie shared a beautiful narrative with the kids. After the storytelling session, the children had a great time playing with bubbles. It was a fantastic day of learning and fun!

Families Forward Reminder:

If you are taking part in the Holiday Giving Program (formerly known as Adopt-A-Family), we want to express our gratitude to you for:

- Carefully following all the instructions provided in the adoption information sheet.

- Returning all the items before the deadline of December 3rd or December 10th to the church.

We appreciate your generosity in giving to our families. Thank you very much!

~ Karen Rhoads

Be Love (Missions and Outreach) Zoom Meeting January 9, 2023

No Meeting in December

Topic: Be Love Ministries

Time: This is a recurring meeting:

Every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 - 8 pm (Zoom)

The Be Love (Missions and Outreach) Team will meet on every 2^nd Tuesday, from 7 – 8 pm, via Zoom (link below).

The meetings are open to anyone who is interested in learning about what is happening in Missions and Outreach (Be Love) at UUMC, or who has new ideas to share. You may join whenever you want; no commitment is needed.

If you are interested in contributing to the agenda, receiving the agenda before the meeting, or receiving a report after the meeting, please send your email address to me at joycestenberg2@gmail.com.

Otherwise, the meeting link will be in Constant Contact every week, or the week before each meeting, and the meeting report will be part of the Be Love Report for Visions and Strategies (which I will also send to you if you provide me with your email address).

The reason for these meetings is to have a venue for exchanging ideas, planning, reporting, and requesting assistance. Hopefully, this will be helpful to us as a congregation as we go about the work of being Jesus’s hands and feet in our community and world.

Feel free to join on any 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm (meetings should last no more than an hour). No need to RSVP. I will be on Zoom starting at 7 each 2nd Tuesday unless I post otherwise in Constant Contact.

Be Love!

Joyce Stenberg

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87658343074

Meeting ID: 876 5834 3074

A new class called "FIRST LIGHT - Jesus and the Kingdom of God" will begin on January 9th.

Les Redpath will lead the class, which is a DVD-based study of the historical Jesus and the Kingdom of God. It features prominent New Testament scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, who will present 12 topics in groups of three during 4 weekly 1.5 hour sessions. If desired, a fifth week can be added for further discussion.

The class will take place on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am in the Student Center. Sign-ups for the class will begin on December 31st.

~ Linda Dressler, Adult Education Chair

Sisters concluded their book club year with a lively discussion of Geraldine Brooks' novel "Horse". They highly recommend it.

Attached is the group's reading list for Jan-June 2024.

Please join us!

January 23 - Five Wishes of Mr. Murry McBride

by Joe Siple

February 27 - The Second Life of Mirielle West

by Amanda Skenandore

March 26 - The Wind Knows My Name

by Isabelle Allende

April 23- Go As a River

by Shelly Read

May 28 - Under the Bayou Moon

by Valerie Fraser Luesse

June 25 - Lady Tan’s Circle of Women

by Lisa See

Living Water, Not Living Coffee



Most of us need a morning boost to kickstart our day, and for many, that means a cup of coffee or a specialty beverage.

However, it's important to note that not all beverages are welcomed in our worshiping space.

To maintain a clean and welcoming environment for everyone, we kindly request that you enjoy your coffee and other drinks outside and only bring plain water inside the Sanctuary.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Prayer Wall

UUMC now has a prayer wall in our Sanctuary and is available for your prayer requests (private, to God only: gray slips of paper; and for pastoral consideration with the option to forward to prayer chain: ivory slips of paper). 

 Please feel free to utilize the wall before service, during the meditative music, or after service.

Or, you can contact Michael Demeure of UUMC for more detailed information:

Michael.demeure@hoag.org

520-977-9074

Greeters Needed For 2024



Thanks to everyone who signed up to be a greeter this year. Please sign up for 2024 dates to greet on Sunday mornings.

Please sign up with Paul Curtis at pjcurt66@yahoo.com

Thank you!

final 1st Qt

FLOWER DONATIONS FOR 2024

Remember or Honor a Loved One!

Express Your Gratitude!

I would like to express my gratitude to those who have already signed up for flower donations for the events scheduled in 2023.

It is my pleasure to remind you that you can celebrate and honor someone special by booking a date on the calendar. Please note that January and June have already been booked, so kindly contact me through email or phone or check the calendar after the church service for the availability of other dates.

Thank you, and have a great day.

Roxane Fowler, iwasuna@sbcglobal.net or 949.697.8088

UUMC MEMBERS IN ACTION

TRACKING VOLUNTEER HOURS



Being the Church is not something that just happens on Sunday mornings for about an hour, but it is a way of life. Discipleship is the journey of living not solely for self, but out of love for God and neighbor. As the many members of Christ's body, the Church, we are invited to be "all in," committing our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. 

The many hours we spend in service to God at the local church and throughout the community on an individual level is impressive; yet, our collective efforts reach even farther and reflect the true vitality of our Church.  

Beginning in 2022, we will be tracking volunteer hours done at church and in the community on a monthly basis. These hours will be reported to the Conference in our annual report, and we want to be able to celebrate the collective impact our church has in making the world a better place.  

Prizes will be offered at our Quarterly Conferences to individuals who have submitted their hours and guess closest to the number of hours of service given in total by our UUMC members!

Allow your work to be counted collectively by filling out our tracking sheet TODAY!

(Volunteer hours at church include those in the office, counting, ushering, greeting, singing, decorating, cleaning, painting, teaching, serving on committees, calling our members, etc. Volunteers hours in the community include all those given to organizations supporting needs or helping individuals in the community.)

Click on the link below and submit it once you have filled it out. Thank you!

UUMC Volunteer Hours Tracking Form - 2023 

Restorative Yoga @ UUMC (via Zoom)

This yoga class is a moving meditation. Each sequence aims to increase the flexibility of your muscles and widen the mobility of your joints. We use gentle stretches to open the body and breathing techniques to calm the mind. This class is great for all levels, no prior yoga experience is necessary. 

Tools you'll need a yoga mat and a chair. 

If you have any questions about the class; feel free to email Matt at mattmirshaf@gmail.com , he would be happy to answer. 

<3 TheYogaMatt

The $10 fee can be paid online, Matt will walk you through the process, it's painless!

Click to enter Zoom Yoga

Nov 30 - Dec 6

Happy Birthday to those celebrating birthdays this week. Wishing you a day filled with precious memories and a year filled with numerous reasons to be thankful.

We would also like to extend birthday greetings to any other December babies not on our list.

Mandy He (12/01), Hayden Yuen (12/02)

Ruth Bales (12/03)

If you would like to add your birthday (or a family member's), please email Marcel at marcel@uumcirvine.org.

Thank you!

Upcoming Week At UUMC

 https://uumcirvine.org/calendar

Please pray for healing and restoration for those in our UUMC family: Pat Kline and her Ohio Family, Bill Brougher, Jim Moyer, Suzanne Mason, Janet Kempke, Sue Watkins, Joan Littlefield, Linda Brougher, Roy Caffrey, Tammy Rice, Jun Eun Lee, Jung Ja Sung, Kyoko Nakahara. 

Please pray for friends and family of UUMC: Roxane Fowler’s friend’s grandson, Doug, and Susanne Mason’s friend, Lindsey Schubert, and Mick Patton.

We pray for those who grieve, Linda Mirshafiee, as her mother went on to eternal life. We extend our deepest sympathies to Linda and her family.

We pray for our homebound members, Muriel Dameron and Jan Taylor.

Please pray for our district churches: Jacumba (Michael Lodahl) and Julian: Community (Sylina Kidd).

Prayer requests may be sent to Mickey Chase: wmchase@cox.net).