This week's note from Rev. Carol Cook Moore

We are almost there.

 For some, that statement brings a bit of excitement, even anxiety. For others, it may be a relief. Between now and Christmas day, a lot will happen.  Some of it, perhaps most of it will not be tangible, touchable, occurrences. Even if all you do to observe this Christian season of Advent, is to pay attention to the scriptures, it’s a lot to take in. Mary and Joseph must go to Bethlehem because Quirinius, governor of Syria wants to count heads. To take a census.  I imagine Mary was not thrilled with that news. So, there they go, her ready to deliver a baby. What do you see when you think of this part of our Christmas narrative? We have a lovely story that we read and display in manger scenes.  But on that first Christmas, I see a good deal of uncertainty, danger, and risk.  

On December 21, we will experience the shortest day and the longest night of this year. For Mary, the night of Jesus’ birth may well have felt like the longest night, only to be succeeded by the night of his death.  Darkness can provide many useful things.  It can provide protection-for good or for ill. It provides a kind of calm.  Less people. Less activity. Even though nocturnal animals scurry about, the diurnal creatures settle down for rest.  The night is quieter. Those little nocturnal creatures tend to be quiet as they go about their waking hours.  I really think they do not want to be seen. And so, they need to not be heard. Darkness also provides a place for light to shine.  In this darkness, there will be light. There will be signs of what the writer of the gospel of John proclaims, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." (John 1:5). That is the promise we carry through these days between now and Christmas, and into the unknown future. It is God’s promise. It is fulfilled through the birth of Jesus. 

Wherever you go or stay, whatever is planned or cancelled, I invite you to look for the light, the sign of Emmanuel, God with us. And if you can, to carry light, Hold the light. Let the light enfold you. 

Come Lord Jesus! 

Carol 

A prayer for these days:

Wonderful. Counselor, Prince of Peace, Spirit who first walked

in the first garden:

Send us the joy that sings in the darkness, guiding us into

your holy embrace. 

Reveal to us with newborn eyes the beauty of your birth in human form. 

Remove from us the insignificant chatter and sparkle that cause us to not hear or see. 

You, oh Holy One, are among us. 

May we behold the presence that holds us, EACH ONE OF US.

In the silence, in the stillness, scoop us up into your lap of peace.

                                                                                                                         Ó 2024 Carol A. Cook Moore

Worship Series: What Shall We Bring?

Service for December 22, 2024

Rev. Carol Cook Moore

"Vulnerability and Love"

Luke 1:39-55

December 24, 2024 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Hurricane Ian Repairs in 2024 and the grant that paid for them are excluded

above. Offerings & other are 12% over our Plan and 10% over Last Year.

Summer Reserve Offerings are the main reason for the increase. Expenses are

essentially on Plan; they are more than Last Year due to filling open staff

positions and increased A/C maintenance.

 In celebration of Christmas and the new year, the church office will be closed from December 25 through January 1. We hope you have a wonderful season of rest, reflection, family, and celebration and thank you for your patience and support as we seek to provide opportunities for our staff to do the same. We look forward to sharing worship together on Sunday, December 29 during that period; and moving into a new year in the name of God. May grace and peace abound.

Poinsettias for Christmas

Among the seasonal things that we enjoy are poinsettia plants, and they will soon be a part of our Advent decorations in the sanctuary. If you are interested in purchasing a plant for display during Advent season in honor or memory of a loved one, please let us know. You can utilize the signup sheet in the back of the sanctuary, or put a note in the offering plate with the information of who it is for, along with $10 to cover the cost of the poinsettia.

Our weekly Spanish lessons will be taking a break over the holiday, resuming Tuesday, January 7 at 9:30 am (our new time). ¡Feliz Navidad!

Twenty-seven ladies from First UMC Bonita gathered at Outback Steakhouse to celebrate the Christmas holiday with good food and enjoy a time of fellowship on December 16.



Next regular meeting will be January 20, 2025. The group meets the third Monday of the month at 3pm in Fellowship Hall. All women are invited.

First UMC Book Club

During the busy holiday season, the First UMC Book Club gathered at the Royal Scoop on Dec. 4 to discuss The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. The premise of the book is that “Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with other books for the life you could have lived if you had made a different choice.” The ultimate question is: “Would any of these other lives truly be better?”  That’s what we tried to answer!

Of course, lunch and /or ice cream at the Royal Scoop are also a part of our reading experience. But next month the group will meet the second Wednesday of January (Jan. 8) since the first Wednesday is New Year’s Day. Same time, same place: the Royal Scoop at 1 p.m. This meeting will be a bit different. Since many will be busy with Christmas holiday events and travels, there might not be as much time to read a book club selection. Those attending are asked to bring a book of their own to exchange with another book lover. Each member will give a brief promo of her book before all will be able to choose a book to take home. So, that means don’t take a book you checked out from the library or one that you want to keep on your own shelf!



Reading is wonderful, and it is even better when you can share your thoughts and insights about the book. We don’t all have to love the same books – or even like them. But reading is always more fun as a sharing experience. Book clubs are about fellowship as well as reading. So happy reading and Merry Christmas, fellow bibliophiles!  

Breakfast with Santa

Tomorrow!!!

Volunteers 9am

"TOM AND PRINCESS' CORNER"

The places we go and the things we see!

This past Sunday, our sanctuary was alive with the sound of Christmas music that was pawsitively delightful! The concert was a fur-midable display of festive songs and even a delightful dance. It truly got our hearts purring and filled us with the Christmas spirit.

Speaking of the holiday cheer, today after prayer, we heard people will be busy filling up the rest of the Christmas stockings. We can't wait for tomorrow's Breakfast with Santa—sounds like it's going to be the cat's pajamas, or perhaps we should say, the cat's meow?

It’s a purr-fectly wonderful time of the year, and Princess and I are thrilled to see so many happy faces (and hopefully sneak a taste of breakfast goodies). We’ll be on the prowl, making sure to capture every whisker-twitch of joy for your reading pleasure.

Stay pawsitive and filled with the Chrismas spirit,

  

Tom and Princess 🐾

The Upper Room

The Upper Room magazine's mission is to provide a practical way to listen to scripture, connect with believers around the world, and spend time with God each day.

PRAYER & CARE

All information and last names will be kept confidential. Our list is updated weekly. If you need us to keep someone on the list, please send their name to prayer@fumcbonita.org.

Come Pray

Fridays at 9:30 am

Zoom and in the sanctuary

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Prayer Request cards are on the rack at the back of the Sanctuary.

Please help us to keep the list current, fill out a request for adding or taking off!

Altar Flowers



If you would like to honor family, friends, or loved ones for an anniversary, birthday, or memorial, contact the church office for details.

 Wednesdays from 1:00-4:00 our church participates with the Meals of Hope to feed over 150 families each week. Right now we have a desperate need for people to come and help out with the initial packing of fresh fruits and vegetables into bags, and then taking them to the cars as the clients come through.