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A New Year, A New Light: Following the Star
As the calendar turns to a new year, we find ourselves reflecting on the path behind us and anticipating the journey ahead. The New Year invites us to dream, to plan, to pray, and to resolve anew. It’s a season of fresh starts and hopeful beginnings, as we seek to walk more closely with God in our daily lives.
In the church calendar, this season of new beginnings is beautifully paired with Epiphany, the celebration of the wise men’s journey to find the Christ child. The story of the magi reminds us that the first step toward finding Jesus often begins with following the light. These wise travelers saw a star in the heavens and followed it faithfully, enduring a long and uncertain journey. Their persistence led them to the greatest gift the world has ever known: the presence of God in human form, Emmanuel—God with us.
As we enter this New Year, we are invited to do the same. What star will guide you in 2025? What light is God placing in your life to direct your steps? Like the wise men, we are called to seek Jesus with intentionality and devotion. Along the way, we may encounter unexpected challenges and detours, but the promise of Epiphany is this: when we earnestly seek Christ, we will find Him.
This year at Christ Methodist Church, we want to walk this journey together. Just as the magi traveled as a community, we are not meant to journey alone. Whether through worship, small groups, service opportunities, or fellowship events, our church is here to help you find and follow the light of Christ.
Epiphany also reminds us of the joy and generosity that comes from encountering Jesus. The wise men brought gifts fit for a king—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbols of their worship and surrender. As we begin 2025, how can we offer our own gifts to Jesus? Perhaps it is through acts of kindness, faithful service, or the daily gift of our time devoted to prayer and Scripture.
Let this New Year be a season of seeking, finding, and sharing the light of Christ. May we, like the wise men, be willing to follow God’s leading with courage and faith. And as we journey together, may we encounter the living Christ in ways that transform our hearts, our church, and our world.
In Christ,
Pastor Tony
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Worship Service, Sunday, January 5th @ 9:30am
We look forward to welcoming you to the first worship service of the New Year. What a great way to start the New Year as we renew our covenant as believers with the Wesleyan Covenant Service. We'll also be gathering around the Lord's Table as we celebrate Holy Communion. Pastor Tony will be sharing a marvelous message entitled "A New Year, a New Creation" based on II Corinthians 5:17-21.
Musical highlights for the day will include our Christ Methodist Chorale singing the beautiful "People Need the Lord" which has been recently arranged by Mary McDonald. Its beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics are so touching. Mark Wilson and Will Mooty will be sharing some beautiful music during Communion, and also Jacquie Cruz will be sharing the timeless "Bethlehem Morning" which reminds us of Christ's birth, His presence with us, and the promise that He will come again.
We hope to see you all on Sunday at Lee-Scott at 9:30 as we begin 2025 together as a family of faith!
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Start 2025 off on the right foot by recommitting your life and faith journey to God! On January 5th, we will have worship, and within that service will experience what John Wesley introduced in 1775 as a covenant service to the Methodist Societies. This renewal service was a time for the Methodists to gather annually in a time of self-examination, reflection, and dedication, wholly giving up themselves and renewing covenant with God. We will conclude the worship with the beautiful Wesley Covenant Prayer that challenges us to surrender our ways to God for His glory in the new year. | |
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Staff Addition - Welcome, Amanda Hinson!
The staff-parish relations committee is pleased to announce the hiring of Amanda Hinson as our Executive Administrator, effective January 6th. Amanda comes to us from St. James Methodist Church in Montgomery where she was a vital part of their staff for six years as the Executive Administrative Assistant to Pastors. The past three years she also worked as the Executive Assistant for the Alabama Emerald Coast Conference of the Global Methodist Church, in which she oversaw the financial processes and organized the first two annual conferences for more than 500 pastors and laity. Amanda lives in Auburn and has been married for nine years to her wonderful husband, Murray. They have four children - Taylor (26) and his wife Jordynn; Miller (21), Olivia (20) and Ansley (19). She enjoys being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Her greatest joy, however, comes from serving others. Amanda will be overseeing our administrative tasks for the pastoral and program staff and ministry areas.
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CMCA Confirmation Class Interest Meeting - Sunday, January 12 @ 10:45am
(LSA Cafeteria)
At CMCA, our Confirmation program will provide an opportunity for students to explore their Christian faith alongside other youth in a fun, relevant and engaging way. Our focus is on helping each young person learn about God’s unconditional love and amazing grace through experiencing Scripture, conversation, and serving alongside of each other while also learning about the history and traditions of the church. This year, we will offer this class to students in 6th-8th grades, and encourage students and parents to attend the interest meeting to learn more about this exciting spiritual growth opportunity. We plan to start confirmation in early February and conclude with a Confirmation Service on Sunday, April 27th. For more information or to volunteer to assist with this impactful ministry,
contact Pastor Tony (tony@christmethodistauburn.com).
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CMCA Winter Bible Studies | |
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Upcoming CMCA Events
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Worship and Communion (9:30am) and Sunday School (10:45am) - LSA
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Worship and Baptism (9:30am) and Sunday School (10:45am) - LSA
Confirmation Interest Meeting (10:45am) - LSA
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Women's Bible Study - Revelation (9:30am) - Greystone
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Women's Bible Study - Revelation (6pm) - Greystone
Thursday, January 15, 2025
Men's Bible Study (6:45am) - Auburn Chamber Building
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Worship (9:30am) and Sunday School (10:45am) - LSA
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Worship and Baptism (9:30am) and Sunday School (10:45am) - LSA
Women's Bible Study - Prayer (4pm) - Greystone
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Youth Upcoming Events
Sunday School - January 5th @ 10:45-11:10am (LSA Middle School building)
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Children's Music Ministries
We're thrilled that our children's choirs are up and running on Wednesdays. It's not too late for your children and grandchildren to join the fun.
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Cherub Choir (Ages 3 - Kindergarten) 3:45-4:15pm
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Children's Choir (1st - 6th Grades) 4:30-5:15pm
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Handchime Choir (Grades 4th - 6th) 5:15-6:00pm
All groups will continue to meet each Wednesday at Greystone.
Sign up today by sending an email to gary@christmethodistauburn.com
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As we give from the heart, we sow seeds into God's kingdom. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." Our giving will bring a harvest of blessings beyond what we can imagine. | |
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Congregational Care
As a caring community of believers, we commit the names listed below
for your prayers and expressions of love and care:
CMCA Family:
Jim Carroll, Gene and Rita Chandler, Luke Chastain, Melody Cruz, Pat Douglas, Emoree Claire Duff, Harry Gill, Sherry Guenther, Kay Guthrie, Donna Kelly, Bess Lord, Lynn Parker, Caleb Pipes, Ruth Register, Keith Ryland, Becky Speigner, John and Connie Staton, Sherwood and Betty Thomas, Rita Tuck, Mark Waldrip, Gary Webb, Bill Wilkinson, Ann Williams, and Kay Yeager
Extended Friends and Family:
Jessica Flurry Blalock, Nancy Flurry's granddaughter; Tim Boosinger; Max Bush, Craig and Lisa Leonard's grandson; Adam Cannon's (one of our New Birth helpers) brother; April Coulter; Hudson Early, Sandra Fisher's great-grandson; Tad Gidcomb, Ann Thompson's nephew; Matthew Hood; Justin Johndrow, Sean Canaan's cousin;Kitty Mayo, friend of Betty Mann; Elizabeth and Jason Moore, Butch Foster's daughter and son-in-law; Mary Frances Murray, Alicia Conn's mother; Lisa Norrell, friend of Janet Wilson; Stephanie and William Philpott, Gayla Seller's daughter and son-in-law; Dan Pope, Dannelle Fogal's father; Ray Porterfield, Nancy Flurry's son; Sandy Robinson, Wanda Ptomey's cousin; Richard and Joyce Stanyard, Larry Stanyard's father and mother; Brent Wilson, Craig and Lisa Leonard's friend; Christopher Wyatt, relative of Judith Gibson; Chuck Dupree and Martha Cauthen, friends of Beverly Webster and Sue Daniel
If you have additional prayer requests or other needs, please send to:
prayer@christmethodistauburn.com
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www.christmethodistauburn.com | | | | |
