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Advent: Recognizing the Way | |
Monday, December 16, 2024 | | |
Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by following Jesus, thriving in community, and healing the world. |
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Friends,
In my message yesterday, I explored the crowd's question to John the Baptist, "What should we do?" in light of the turning point we are at as a denomination, as a country, as a community of faith, and as individuals. I think it is important that we slow down at these moments of turning to reflect, to prioritize, and to prepare for the new direction before us. Doing this will help us to bear fruit in new ways for a new day.
In worship, we briefly introduced the Church Council-commissioned Good Futures Task Force which includes Elba Aulich, Thom King, Kathleen Mirtoni, and Dave Sechrist. This task force, using the program Good Futures Accelerator, will lead First Church in a discernment process -- a "What should we do?" process -- as we consider the challenges and opportunities before First Church. This requires us to do some reflection on where we have been, some prioritization on what is most important to who we are as a congregation, and some preparation for the new world around us. This discernment will help us bring our finances, our building/property, and our ministries into missional harmony for this new season in the life of First Church.
I ask that you keep this task force in your prayers and keep an eye out for opportunities for the congregation at-large to participate in answering the question, "What should we do?"
What a gift it is to turn into a new direction and what a greater gift it is to do that in community.
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Celebrate Christmas with First Church Roseville
Join us as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24. We hope that you will invite your family, friends, and neighbors to welcome with us the Christ Child anew. This year we are offering two services:
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Family-Friendly Service for All Ages at 4:30 p.m. in Heritage Chapel | This interactive service will including singing carols, cookies and cocoa, the retelling of the Nativity story, and Holy Communion. We'll go forth by singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.
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Traditional Candlelight Service at 9:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary | This service will include Lessons & Carols, Special Music, a Message from the Pastor, and Holy Communion. We will go forth with the light of Christ, singing "Silent Night."
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Help Needed for Christmas Eve
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For our Family-Friendly Service for All Ages, we will need batches of cookies, ideally homemade. If you would like to contribute, please reach out to Pastor Angel.
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We also need Worship Assistants (ushers, readers, greeters) for both services. If you would like to participate, please reach out to Pastor Angel and let him know which service you plan on attending and he will get you plugged in.
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This Week @ First Church | Mon., 12/16-Sun., 12/22 | | |
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MONDAY:
- Church Office Hours - 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
- Helping Hands Monday Meal - Noon.
WEDNESDAY:
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Church Office Hours - 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
- Evening Prayer Service - 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.
THURSDAY:
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Holy Grounds Lectionary Study - 8:00 a.m., Fig Tree Coffee (217 Vernon St.)
- Spanish Language Class - 9:30 a.m., Meeting Room.
SUNDAY (Advent IV):
- Worship with Sanctuary Choir - 10:15 a.m., Sanctuary. Fellowship and Refreshments to follow in Backman Hall.
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December 2024 Birthdays!
12/16, Grace Downing
12/20, Chris Handley
12/22, Gary Brewer
12/27, Ray Davis
12/29, Chase Witherow
12/30, Larry Koncewicz
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Looking Ahead & Parish Updates | | |
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Holy Grounds Lectionary Study: Join us Thursdays, 8:00 a.m., at Fig Tree Coffee (217 Vernon Street). Bring your Bible and join the conversation!
Children's Church on Winter Break: Please note that Children's Church will not meet on Sunday, December 22. Families are encouraged to attend the 4:30 p.m. Family-Friendly Christmas Eve Service.
A Special Thank You to Our 'Fun at First Church' Volunteers: Thank you to all who lent a hand on Friday's Holiday Celebration with 'Fun at First Church' Community Resource Festival. From event planning, to serving the tamal meal, to clean up, and to even being Santa Claus, First Church was present to celebrate the season with our neighbors and partners.
“Sock it to ‘em” Socks & Jackets Collection: Help us keep our community warm this winter. We are accepting donations of new socks and new/gently used jackets to give out during our Monday Meal. Bring them to worship or during the week. if you have any questions, please see Kathleen or Pastor.
Christmas Eve Services with First Church Roseville: This Christmas we are offering two services on Tuesday, December 24, to celebrate the Christ Child.
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Family-Friendly Service for All Ages - 4:30 p.m., Heritage Chapel.
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Traditional Candlelight Service - 9:00 p.m., Sanctuary.
Prayer Service and Lectionary Study will be on Winter Break the last two weeks of December.
Pastor's Book Club will be on Winter Break thru January. Our next book will be announced in the New Year. Stay tuned!
Inquirers' Class Scheduled for Sunday, January 12: Are you interested in learning more about First Church Roseville and The United Methodist Church? Pastor Angel is organizing a class for those who are curious about who we are as a community and maybe who are discerning formal membership. Please reach out to Pastor Angel if you are interested. Time is TBD.
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Assisting Us in Worship - Sunday, Dec. 22 | | |
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Liturgist: Rin Berkley
Coffee Hour: Linda Trigubetz and Kathleen Mirtoni
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Connect with Our Pastor: Rev. Angel Rivero
Pastor Angel is available by appointment Sunday through Thursday. You may schedule an appointment with him by email, phone, or through the Church Office. He is also in the Church Office on Mondays from 9:00 am to Noon for possible "drop-in". Please note that he is typically unavailable on Fridays and Saturdays for his personal / sabbath time (unless otherwise noted).
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First United Methodist Church of Roseville is a part of the Great Northern District of the California-Nevada Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Rev. Blake Busick, Superintendent, Great Northern District
Bishop Sandra Olewine, Resident Bishop, California-Nevada Conference
"Following Jesus. Thriving in Community. Healing the World."
"To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
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