This Week's Enews & Livestream Links

Worship with us

Sunday, Dec. 4th, 10am

The Time is Coming

This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent!

Each week of Advent, we choose a theme for our focus in order to really explore what God coming to us in Jesus might mean. Last week, we heard about HOPE and this week's theme is LOVE. What does love have to do with Christmas? Everything! Come this week as we celebrate the love we find at Christmas.

Worshiping in person or online

(streaming to both YouTube AND Facebook).

SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah 11:1-10

The Peaceable Kingdom of God includes shoots growing from stumps, lions lying down with lambs, and a little child who leads them.

Matthew 3:1-12

This week we hear the prophet's voice calling us to help prepare the way of the Lord.

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Prayer

One whose love is forever, we give you thanks today for the love you show us in Jesus. Because of Jesus presence, we know that you are with us where we are. Your embrace of this flesh shows that you care about all parts of our lives, including where we hunger and when we rejoice. We pray that our love may reflect your love today. Help us to love you with all we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Through Christ we pray, amen.

Thank you!

Dear First UMC,

Thank you SO much for the kind card and recognition of us during Pastor Appreciation month. It was such a wonderful surprise for us, and I am truly grateful. Each week, one of my greatest joys is seeing you all and to gather us together in worship. To receive this appreciation and recognition is humbling and affirming of the gift that you are to us.

Thank you!

-Pastor Michael (and family)

December 3rd Jingle Bell Jubilee

On December 3rd, downtown Lombard will transform into a Christmas village with a parade, Santa Claus, and the lighting of a Christmas tree at 5:30pm. Starting around 5:45, our church will be open for the singing of Christmas Carols. Come and stop in as we prepare for the Christmas season together.

Acolyte Training, THIS SUNDAY

December 4

There will be a short information meeting for parents and children 5 and older who are interested in participating in worship as an acolyte. We will meet in the front of the sanctuary following the 10 service. Email Pam Lohman at [email protected]

Website Relaunched

Our website has relaunched. You can encourage a new visitor to our congregation to visit our website to learn more about us. You can also visit https://www.firstumclombard.org/what-s-happening to find this newsletter posted there each week!

Pledge Update

To date, we have received $153,479 in pledges for 2023. THANK YOU! This amount is nearly $20,000 above 2022. Your pledges allow us to continue the work of ministry at First UMC Lombard, and they allow us to be accountable for the work we do together. Thank you!

Christian Education Offerings:

Adults—8:30am on Sundays

How to Heal our Divides by Brian Allain.

This book contains short essays by some of the most well-known religious writers today. So far, we have discussed: Come this Sunday as we explore chapters 16, 22, 23, and 24.

Children—Deep Blue During Worship

Advent Opportunities

Advent Candle Lighters Wanted!

Could your "family" volunteer to help us light Advent candles during Advent? Families come in all sizes, so no matter how big your "family" is, we invite you to help us with this special part of worship each week. Email [email protected]

Advent Study

Each Wednesday during Advent, we will meet for a group book study at 7pm.

The Advent book we will use is entitled Mary Had a Baby and looks at how African American Spirituals have informed our celebration of Christmas.

This study combines our congregation with First Church UCC across the street. Join us!

Come and join us for this Advent Study Together. We will hold it by zoom. Please email [email protected] for a link.

Blue Christmas/ Longest Night Service

On Wednesday, December 21st, at 7pm, we will join a longest night service in conjunction with First Church of Lombard. Both Pastor Jill and Pastor Michael will lead this service. This contemplative service will give space for all of the emotions we can feel during the Christmas and Advent season.

Christmas Cantata - December 18th

First UMC will hold a Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 18th during worship. Come and join us for an inspiring morning of music and instruments as we celebrate Advent together!