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Friends,
Several folk asked about the new Blue Altar and Pulpit cloths. So here is the response:
- The Christian year begins with the first Sunday of Advent and has two cycles.
- The Christmas Cycle which includes Advent-Christmas and Epiphany
- The Easter Cycle which includes Lent-Easter and Pentecost.
Each cycle has colors which represent various aspect of the season.
- Blue is used for Advent symbolizing the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
- White and Gold are used at Christmas and Easter symbolizing joy and festivity.
- Green represents Growth and is used after Epiphany and Pentecost.
- Purple is used during Lent to represent both royalty and penitence.
- Red symbolizes the color of fire to represent the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It may also be used during Holy Week to symbolize the blood of Christ. It may be used for civil observances such as Memorial Day and Thanksgiving.
In the early church many of the people could not read. The colors of the vestments and stained glass windows helped people know and remember their faith.
I hope they help us in our worship as we remember the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Marvin
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UNISON PRAYER - DECEMBER 1/2
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Forgive our impatience, God. Forgive our tendency to take things into our own hands as we look for swift, simple solutions to our problems. Teach us your slower, more gentle and sensitive approach, taking time as love is added to intelligence. Grant us patience. Help us trust you fully so we might wait expectantly and seriously for your gifts. As we light candles this Advent season, preparing our hearts for the birth of your son, may we never outgrow a childlike sense of wonder. May it overwhelm us with uncontained joy and excitement leaking out of our lives everywhere. Save us from being overwhelmed with all that must be done. Help us stay focused on Jesus, the reason for the season as we wait with hope, expecting something meaningful to happen. Amen.
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- Friday Coffee - December 7, 9:30 am, Lindsay Hall
- Cantata - Saturday, December 8, 4:00 pm, Sanctuary
- Cantata - Sunday, December 9, 8:15 am & 10:00 am, Sanctuary
- Blood Pressure Clinic - Sunday, December 9, 9:15 am, Parlor
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We have the OTOJoy hearing loop system in the Sanctuary! This means the sound comes directly from the person speaking through the microphone to a hearing device. As a result the sound is clearer and sharper then ever before.
On Tuesday, December 11, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm an audiologist will be present in the Sanctuary to:
- Assist those of you who have the T-coil system in their hearing device and set it up for your use.
- Assist those who would like to use their iPhone as a hearing device in the Sanctuary using the special earbuds we now have available.
- Assist those who have other devices and see about compatibility with the hearing loop.
Not all hearing devices have the T-coil for a hearing loop. If you are not sure, contact your audiologist.
A sign-up sheet with 15-minute time slots will be in the office or Lindsay Hall to reserve your time with the audiologist.
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| BLUE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE |
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas is just around the corner. If this has been a hard year for you, as it has for many, because of health issues, the death of a loved one, or financial problems among other things, it may be your heart is heavy and longing for some peace.
If so, you're invited to attend a
Blue Christmas
service, a service of
love
and
hope
on Wednesday, December 12, 4:00 pm in the Chapel. Come, acknowledge the challenges you face while reclaiming the promise of our faith that God is always with us.
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| HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA MEETING |
Join us Thursday, December 13, 12:45 pm, Room 1 for a presentation by Michele Michaels, the Hard of Hearing Program Manager, AZ Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, who will lead us through some scenarios where hearing is challenging. We will leave the meeting feeling empowered and more in control of our ability to hear, listen, comprehend, and communicate with others. Please join us for a lively and informative discussion!
If you, a family member, or a friend is challenged by hearing loss, please come and join us for education, sharing, and refreshments. All are welcome. You owe it to yourself! CART (real-time captioning) is provided and our meeting room is looped.
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| UMW HOSTS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON |
The annual Christmas Luncheon is Friday, December 14, at noon. Tickets are still available for this popular event which is open to all men and women who are SLUMC members, regular visitors and their guests.
RigaTony's will once again provide a delicious Italian meal, with entertainment by The Ambassadors from the Sun Lakes Chordaires.
Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased in the Church Office and on Saturday, December 8, in the Sanctuary before and after the 4:00 pm service; and in Lindsay Hall on Sunday, December 9, between services.
Purchase your tickets by noon, Tuesday, December 11!
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| UMOM CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE |
This season you can help provide shelter to a homeless child and his/her family while solving your holiday shopping woes.
Purchase UMOM New Day Center's Christmas gift cards for one day of meals ($15), one night of shelter ($50), one week of meals ($100), or one week of shelter ($360).
This is a way to honor your gift recipient and help UMOM's mission at the same time! The cards will be sold in Lindsay Hall between services on Sunday, December 9, and 16. Cards are also available for purchase in the church office until Christmas. Support Arizona's largest homeless shelter for families!
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Americans cherish the concept of liberty and the role that freedom plays in every aspect of our lives. The spirit of America lives within all of us, yet we often forget to thank the veterans that guarantee the freedoms we enjoy.
Our Church sponsors a unique and inexpensive tribute
to all veterans in Sun Lakes in the form of a handsomely engraved paving block placed in the Veterans Circle of Honor Memorial in front of the Church. Over four hundred veterans have already been so honored, but there is still room for more.
As a lasting Christmas gift, honor a veteran in your life with a block in the Memorial.
Order forms are available in the Church office - if you are unable to visit the office, forms will be mailed upon request.
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Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who contributed countless hours of baking cookies and making candy and goodies. Your generous contributions resulted in another successful fundraiser.
And thank you to all those elves who assisted Friday and Saturday mornings with the setup and sale. We couldn't do this without you! A special thanks to Bob Stevenson, Maintenance Supervisor, for all his hard work and continued support.
Within 30 minutes after the doors were opened, everything had been sold with proceeds exceeding $4,300 which, because of your efforts, will go directly to mission projects.
We continue to be in awe of the wonderful support provided by the congregation and the community. Because of you, Sun Lakes United Methodist Women continues to play a vital role in our local community as well as international missions.
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| 30TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY BOOK |
The Sun Lakes United Methodist Church 30th Year Anniversary book is available and ready for pick up!
Secure your copy from the church office or in Lindsay Hall this Sunday, December 9 between services.
You will be asked to confirm your home address, summer address (if applicable) land line number, email, and cell phone numbers for the updated membership directory.
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Thank you congregation members for the thoughtful prayers, calls, and cards. We appreciate the considerate office staff for their help with the program, the Sunshine Friends for the lovely luncheon and prayer shawl, and Pastor Marvin for his caring hospital visit, prayers, and guidance during this difficult time.
Your kindness means so much.
Susan Pearson and Family
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You are encouraged to pray for the churches and pastors of the East District of the Desert Southwest Conference. For prayer, the churches are divided by the months for the Appointment Year beginning July 2018.
For the month of December, please pray for:
- Orontes Project - Scottsdale
- North Scottsdale UMC, Scottsdale
- Journey UMF, Maricopa
- Grace UMC, Mesa
You may even send a word of encouragement to the churches for which you are praying.
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Charlie, our Church Mascot (Pastor Marvin's puppy) decided the Kids Christmas bags needed protection from the Grinch. For most of the early afternoon Charlie stood watch over the bags until it was time to go home for the day!
We in the office decided he was protecting that big black and white panda behind him. He really liked that panda!
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...to Pat Andersen, family and friends on the death of her husband, Lee Andersen on Friday, November 30. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 12, 1:30 pm in the Sanctuary with a reception to follow in Lindsay Hall.
...to Donna Terry Palfrey, family and friends on the death of her husband, Ron Palfrey on Sunday, November 18. A memorial service will be held at the National Cemetery Arizona, December 7 at 1:00 pm.
...to Jerry Poe, family and friends on the death of his wife, Carol Poe on Sunday, November 25. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 29, 10:00 am in the Sanctuary.
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The vision of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church is to be
a Beacon of HOPE
with Unconditional Love and Acceptance.
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