Online Worship - 9:30 a.m.
The final Sunday of November is the beginning of the Advent Season and at this point we will begin Advent continuing our virtual worship experience. The Advent series for this year is The Gifts of Christmas. As much as I wish that I could promise you the gift of the return to what was once normal living pre-COVID I cannot do that. What I can do, and will do, is to remind you that even a worldwide pandemic cannot, and will not, diminish the gifts that God intended for us—gifts that are wrapped up in the all so familiar events leading up to, and including, Christmas.
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Tune in at 9:30 a.m. online this Sunday for worship and music!
Click the Worship Link below for sermons and more!
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YouTube Channel Tip - The Worship Videos become available at 9:30 a.m. on YouTube. If you log on and the videos still say "Private", try refreshing your computer browser. Thank you! |
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“At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” – Mark 15:33 (NLT)
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, separation anxiety disorder was diagnosed in about 200,000 Americans each year. During the past 9 months, I’m sure that all of us have experienced some feelings of anxiety due to the Coronavirus. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and it is going to be a much different day than many of us have ever experienced. For most, this great fall feast will be scaled back, or maybe not celebrated at all.
Over the past several weeks I’ve thought a lot about this anxiety, triggering memories of Thanksgiving, 1969. As a thirteen-year-old foster child, I became well acquainted that year with the grief and anxiety of being separated from family, friends, and neighbors. My foster family did their best to encourage me and love me during that time in my live. Even though I was not alone, I felt alone.
I may not have realized it at the time, but God was with me, just as he is with each and every-one of us today. He understands our loneliness because he has experienced it himself. Think of the times in his life here on earth where he felt alone; forty days in the wilderness; praying alone in a garden because his disciples could not stay awake; and later that night, he was arrested and thrown down into a cold, dark cistern to await his trial.
For one brief moment upon the cross, he felt alone, he felt abandoned. He subjected himself to these things because he knew that there would be times in our lives when he might be our only companion. That is why he promises to never leave us nor forsake us. As he was preparing to return to the Father, his parting words were, “be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:20b (NLT)
Whatever your Thanksgiving celebration looks like this year, remember that you are not alone. Christ is, and always will be with you. As a gesture of thanksgiving, I encourage you to put an extra place setting on your table and invite the Bread of Life to join you. Stay well, be safe, and be blessed this week.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Dave
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While November marks a celebration of thanksgiving in the U.S., finding time to thank God is part of our daily discipline as United Methodists. This video meditation features a shortened version of a prayer of thanksgiving.
A Thanksgiving Prayer
(by Rev. Linda McDermott, First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, Texas)
God who loves us, who deserves our gratitude for so much that is good,
We offer our prayers of thanksgiving to you:
For the beauty of the earth — bright orange leaves mixed with green, a gentle rain, a spider's delicate web.
For friends, for family, even acquaintances who offer us kindness, who bring us laughter, who hold us to a higher standard.
Lord of all that is good and nourishing to our well being, we give you thanks.
How we must try your patience with our pettiness!
All of life is a wonder. The very breath we take, the ability to rouse ourselves each new day, a single blade of grass that holds such miracles of symmetry, a tiny distant star whose real size boggles our minds.
We take our lives for granted — as if it were our right, and not our gift.
We take our days and our loves and our passions for granted — as if tomorrow will verify their importance and our present moments have other things to occupy us.
Gracious God, who lavishes goodness upon us even in some of our darkest moments, help us to see your goodness, remind us to have grateful hearts, give us receptive minds, and grant us ever-gracious ways of living in harmony with each other.
And in our gratitude, make us to be instruments of your peace.
Amen.
The images in the video meditation were taken by photographers from various United Methodist agencies and conferences.
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Commitment Cards - 2021 Stewardship Campaign
If you have not yet filled out your 2021 Commitment Card and mailed it in, please be sure to do that as soon as possible.
You can also EMAIL your pledge information in to Tavane Cammarn at [email protected]. Tavane can also answer any questions you might have about setting up your pledge. Her number is 513-633-6655.
Cards can be mailed to the church address at:
1927 West Kemper Road
Cincinnati, OH 45240
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JOHN WESLEY REACHING OUT
COINS FOR THE POOR
NOVEMBER
S.O.U.L. FOOD PANTRY
Thank you to all who have continued contributing to the Coins for the Poor Ministries. If you would like to support S.O.U.L. in November, send a check to JWUMC with S.O.U.L in the memo line. As we have reported, the pantry is still serving clients in a safe, socially distanced way and clients are very grateful.
Thanks to volunteers – While some regulars have needed to take a break because of the pandemic, we thank those who have been serving as regulars or volunteers – Darlene Cook, Mark and Donna Upton, Sheila Richey, and Sally Wessendorf. You make a difference!
Clothing Update - Coats: People are once again being allowed to go upstairs to shop the clothing area, which they very much appreciate. As of now, we are well supplied. However, coats are always needed. If you are coming to the church, you can leave them in the Missions Closet in a bag marked S.O.U.L. If you are not coming to church, contact Cheryl at 829-0936 or [email protected] to arrange a pick-up.
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BE AN “ANGEL” FOR SOMEONE AT CHRISTMAS TIME
Now in its 10th year, the Angel Wishes program will be assisting 38 families, including 138 people, from Tri-County S.O.U.L. Ministries who have applied for and been accepted into our Caring Center. These families have a strong Christian faith and are working to become more self-sufficient. We are asking you to make a cash donation to "Angel Wishes" so we can help these families with something significant. These are not your typical Christmas gifts; the wishes granted are very practical and necessary. During this difficult period, that may be more true than ever.
Here are a few "Angel Wishes" that have been granted in the past:
Duke bill
Dental work
Clothes for school
Car repairs
Car loan payment
Rent
Doctor bills
Tires
Computer for school
Water bill
Eye doctor
Home repairs
Any amount is welcome and helpful. Checks can be made payable to John Wesley with "Angel Wishes" in the memo line. If you choose to contribute, please get your checks to the church by Sunday, December 13.
While we don't give Christmas gifts to all of our S.O.U.L. clients, we provide food, cleaning and personal care items to all our clients all year long. Your generosity makes all of this possible!!
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DIFFERENT THIS YEAR
Because we can't predict from one week to another when we can gather at church...
And, because we don't want to ask you to go out and shop...
We will not be doing the shoe boxes for Hamilton Living Water children this year.
Instead, we are going to have treat bags assembled and delivered by one person. The boxes are waiting in my garage for next year!
Please pray for the children and families though. It is an especially tough year for them.
Carolyn Barber and your Mission Team
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Please hold the following people in your prayers:
Lisa Johnson
Nikki Griffin
Alison Kersting
Matt & Amy
Curt Hicks
Shirley Harvey
Joan Moser
Judy Fouse
Patrick Henebry
Judy Davis
Bea Overgaard
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Lance Clay
Olivia Lewis
Glen Meadows Nursing Home
Tracy, Jeff, and family
Nathan & Devon
Juli, Derek, Lucas & Elise
Brian Rinehart
Keith Frazier
Jack Cammarn
John & Patricia Gasiorowski
Diana Blank
Allen & Millie
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If you have a prayer request,
email us at:
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Have an announcement you want to share with the JWUMC Community?
Deadline for announcements is Wednesday at Noon.
Our purpose is to be a reaching, nurturing, sending community of committed followers of Jesus Christ.
Peace,
The JWUMC Staff
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