• Worship in the sanctuary at 8:30 & 11am on Sundays
• Sunday School for all ages at 9:45am
• Livestream Worship at 11am on YouTube

http://bit.ly/3k7Z3Eu

This Sunday’s worship will be a contemporary, multigenerational musical experience featuring the Chancel Choir, the Band, and the Children’s Choir. During the Sunday School hour (between services), there will be a reception recognizing the contributions from our music staff and volunteers and honoring Aynsley’s work as praise band leader at SLFUMC prior to her departure at the end of this year.

Please bring well wishes and cards to share with Aynsley.

Greetings Dear Friends, 

How are you doing? While there are still a lot of extra challenges in my personal life. I do not feel quite as weary this week. Why? Because I am trying to be open to the joy around me; I am finding ways to connect with others; and I am letting music speak to my soul with a new playlist each day. I appreciate each one of you who has called, hugged, texted, sent food, taken on tasks, and visited Damon or Johnny. You have impacted my life in powerful ways and I give thanks.

I have many gifts in my life today that I lifted up to God with gratitude. Here are a few: 

• Today there are puffy clouds and a sunny blue sky in the middle of December,
• Damon continues to heal well after surgery, 
• My brother Johnny has been moved to a local rehabilitation facility near our home, 
• I will get to see my youngest daughter in two weeks, 
• The music staff and groups are working hard on the Cantata for this Sunday, 
• 3 out of 4 of our children and their families will gather this weekend to celebrate Christmas, 
• I work with the best staff I have ever been blessed with at a church: Kendi, Jen, Aynsley, Molly, David, Janis, and Lindy 
• Amazing lay people keep coming forward to share their talents and financial gifts so that God’s message can be multiplied in life changing ways,  
• My health is in a good place
• A precious group showed up last week and raked up the leaves in our front yard (Lynn P., Mark H., Doreen H., and Dan N.)
• The Angel Tree is packed with gifts that you have lovingly wrapped and I have prayed over them, asking God to touch each recipient in special ways as they give and receive these gifts, 
• AND the city of South Lyon gave our church a gift this week!!! 14 of us gathered at City Hall (Ken K., Lynn K., Joe G., Jessica M., David A., Kim A., Cathy A., Rebecca L., Robin F., Damon M., Jim L., Doreen H., and Sharon S.) and we were given a Proclamation for the 190 years of ministry in South Lyon. It was such an honor to receive this on your behalf and all of those that have come before us. Now to see how God uses us to lay the foundation for the next 190 years!

The best gift of the season is what we are about to celebrate: the birth of the

New Born King….JESUS. Yes, we even celebrate when we feel weary. Each of us knows someone who needs to experience the hope of Christmas this year. I challenge each of you to reach out to someone who needs the hope, love, joy, and peace that the birth of Christ offers.

There are three specific ways you can share it:

• Invite someone to join you for worship as we sing carols, hear the Christmas story, share communion, and pass candlelight while we sing Silent Night. We will celebrate on Christmas Eve with worship at 9:45 am, 4:00 pm, and 10:00 pm. We have room for all. We will even be live streaming the 9:45 am and 4:00 pm service. If you are planning to worship online and would like to pick up communion for your family, please stop by during office hours. 

• Share our Christmas Eve worship information on your social media pages.

• Volunteer to serve at a Christmas Eve service and help welcome our guests

Love and Peace, Rev. Mary

MEMORIAL TREE DEDICATIONS

Consider contributing to the lighting of the Memorial Tree in honor or in memory of a loved one using the link below by Dec 18th.

Tributes will be acknowledged in the Christmas Eve bulletin.

PUB THEOLOGY

We are gathering at Third Monk Brewing on Wednesday, December 13th, @ 7:30 pm

This week we will discuss Keeping Christ in Christmas, Spiritual vs Religious, and the Limits of Free Speech... and anything else that is on your heart. Please come and join us for a cold beer (…or pop) and a lively conversation.

Our last meeting at Third Monk will be Wednesday December 20th. We thank Jeff for his hospitality and wish him all the best in his Next Big Adventure. If you can, please find time to stop in and wish him well. Pub Theology will move to The Corner Social starting the 2nd week of January.

LET’S GET MOVING!

We would like to resume the Walking Club in January of 2024. We will need some people to act as hosts for the club. Walking would be on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3:30 - 5PM. If you can help as a host or have questions on the role of the host, please contact Lindy Juergens at the church officel.

ESTIMATE OF GIVING CARDS

During November, we thought about how our church has helped us to explore and grow our spirituality, deepened our faith and centered us in the ever-changing world. Estimate of Giving cards for 2024 were collected and blessed on Nov. 19th. If you were unable to submit your Estimate of Giving card at that time, you may still submit it in the offering plate on Sundays or send it to the Administrator of Generosity, Lindy Juergens, at the church address. Also, cards are available to print or submit electronically at the Estimate of Giving page of our website. Click here to access the Estimate of Giving page.

SCRIPTURE READERS NEEDED

We’re on the lookout for scripture readers! If you would be willing to read scripture in worship, please sign-up here and note your preferred service time. Thank you!

VOLUNTEER NURSERY HELP NEEDED 

Dear Church Family, I am Bobbie Bushey and I have volunteered to be the nursery coordinator. I did this because I want our families and little ones to feel welcome and I know all of you want this also. I also volunteered because I know our church family is

always willing to lend a helping hand, so we will have many volunteers.

We are asking for volunteers to enjoy the company of our little ones for both

church services. We have many wonderful men and women in our church family who would be fantastic volunteers in the nursery. Please take some time in prayer and listen to

God to hear if he is nudging you to volunteer. We would like to have two

volunteers for each Sunday.

You can sign up below so you can play with our little ones when it is convenient

for you. We need volunteers starting now. If you are willing to volunteer, please send me your name, telephone number and email address. We would like to develop a list of volunteers. Please call me or email me or talk to me at church with any questions you may have. I am looking forward to a great year in the nursery.

Blessings,

Bobbie

Jesus said to his disciples, “Let the. children come to Me, and do not forbid them;

for of such is he kingdom of God. Mark 10:14

And he took them (the children) in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed

them. Mark 10:16

We are currently in desperate need for volunteers on Sunday mornings in the nursery in September. If you are willing, please sign up to help using this link:

MISSION OF THE MONTH

December’s Mission of the Month is The Angel Tree fund. The Angel Tree fund gives The Mission Outreach Team the ability to provide other needs to our families that aren’t what we would traditionally consider “gifts” during the holidays. Please prayerfully consider donating to the December Mission of the Month.

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

Where is God when tragedy and suffering strike? When the ground shakes, and a poor nation's economy is destroyed; when the waters rise, washing away a community's hopes and dreams; when a child suffers neglect and abuse; when violence tears apart nations, where is God? If God is all powerful, and if each one of us is a beloved child of God, then how can God allow tragedy and suffering to mar his creation?

In Why?, best-selling author Adam Hamilton brings fresh insight to the age-old question of how to understand the will of God. Rejecting simplistic answers and unexamined assumptions, he lays out core ideas for comprehending God's plan for the world, including:

God will not take away our free will, even when we use it to grieve him.

God will never abandon us, especially in the midst of our suffering.

While God is not the author of suffering, God will bring blessing out of tragedy.

Join this 4 week Sunday School class to explore these questions and more. Contact David Ascher with any questions. All are welcome, but we are especially hoping to connect adults who are not currently in a Sunday School class.

Give us a try!

Meeting dates are tentatively scheduled for January 7, 14, 28, and February 4th during the Sunday School hour. We will meet in room 110.

Please complete this form if you are interested in joining us.

NEW SEEKERS STUDY

Beginning January 21, the Seekers adult Sunday School Class will study

In Signs and Wonders: A Beginner’s Guide to the Miracles of Jesus, by Amy-Jill Levine who explores selected miracles of Jesus in historical and theological context. For each miracle, she discusses not only how past witnesses would have understood the events, but also how today’s readers can draw meaning from Jesus’s words and actions.

FREE BOOKS ON THE BOOK CART

During December, visit the book cart in the parlor and choose from a collection of children and adult Christmas themed (or other) books. Take one home or pick one up for a friend! Additional books will be added to the cart periodically. Enjoy!

FROM THE STAFF PARISH RELATIONS TEAM

On behalf of the SPRT, I would like to share a message of joy from the blessings of talent we have experienced and of sadness due to an impending departure. It is with regret that I inform you that Aynsley Fant, Band Leader, has given notice of resignation effective December 29. In her words, “I am very grateful for my years of service with Rev. Mary, David Bassin and all the staff, the volunteer music team and the entire congregation. I have realized it is best for me and my family, at this time, to be in a church non-serving role closer to home.”

I also had the privilege of serving as chairman of SPRT when we interviewed and hired Aynsley. She has served our congregation for almost seven years, and you know what an amazing voice she has. SPRT member, Cathy Altenberger, was also part of the team that interviewed Aynsley in 2017. She had saved a quote from Aynsley which I will share. "It is my greatest joy to use my gifts to serve and invite people from all walks of life into an engaging, powerful, and prayerful offering of worship to the Lord.”

Indeed, Aynsley has done this for SLFUMC. I know that you will all join me in thanking her and celebrating her service. We will be honoring her at a reception Sunday morning, December 17. Please bring well wishes and cards then to share with Aynsley.

Contemporary music and worship are an important part of our ministry, therefore, SPRT will be working with the Band and staff to ensure the priority and success of this worship experience. During 2024 we will look to fill the Band Leader position. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Mary or me.

Thank you! - Robin Fanning, Chairman SPRT

TALENT AUCION 2024 FEB 3

Save the Date for the 2024 Talent Auction: Surf & Sand in Auction Land!

If you have a talent to share, please sign up using the link below.

·       Use our giving app on your phone, VancoMobile

·       Use Text-To-Give on your phone, send #oper or #mom to 844-418-2873

·       Dropoff a check in our drop -box at door #4 at the church

·       Mail a check to SLFUMC, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI 48178

·       Explore other options on the Giving page of our website by clicking here here

Please be aware that we will never ask for your financial, account, or payment information by email. If there is a question, you will be contacted by phone or in person by a staff member.

Staff members will never ask for gift cards or financial help by email.

BUILDING USE REQUEST

Yes! The church has space available for your group or event! Spaces fill up quickly and there is an approval process, so please allow as much time as possible between your request and the date of your meeting or event to ensure that we can

accommodate your needs.

Office Hours

• Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am - 1pm
• Wed 10am - 3pm
• Fri closed

Check out our website or our live calendar

for more information about our church or any of these programs!

Do you prefer a printed copy of our Midweek Messenger? Hard copies are available in the tote outside the main doors to the church and on the kiosk.