All of us have seen the devastation and horrible loss in the news.
The South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church is immediately responding to the weekend tornado outbreak that left a deadly trail in six Midwest states. There are multiple ways you can help.
1. You can give online to the South Georgia UMC Conference. 100% of the donations will be sent to the Tennessee-Kentucky Conference. Click here to give online.
2. You can also give through a donation to St. Paul UMC, earmarked “Tornado relief”. St. Paul will then send the money to the Administrative Services Office.
3. Or you can mail money directly earmarked for Conference Advance Special #6798 to Administrative Services, PO Box 7227, Macon, GA 31209.
4. You may also give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) through this link (US Disaster Response and Recovery #901670). UMCOR will be on the ground and will be assisting devastated areas.
Finally, please keep those who experienced loss or trauma from the storms in your prayers. Suffering after a storm is unimaginable, especially during Advent and Christmas.
Join us THIS WEDNESDAY for a wonderful Christmas Feast at Family Night Supper!! Starting at 6pm, we will have turkey AND ham, plus all of the scrumptious sides that make a southern feast complete! ALSO, it’s a night of joining together in song!. We’ll have Wayne Martz leading us with favorite Christmas carols!
Full Menu: Turkey, Dressing, Baked Ham, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Turnip Greens, Cornbread, Rolls, Super Salad Bar, Desserts #familynightsupper #WednesdayNightSupper #christmascarols #Christmas2021 @stpaulkids @spycolga
This Week’s Service: Sunday, December 12, 2021 Third Sunday of Advent | Lessons & Carols Presentation
The Prelude: “He Is Born” (The Handbell Choir) by R. Mallory The Opening Hymn: “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” The Lighting of the Advent Wreath by Jeff & Mary Lovett Beck Family The Pastoral Prayer with The Lord’s Prayer by Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Offertory Prayer The Offertory: “In the Bleak Midwinter” (The Handbell Choir) by A. L. Page The Doxology The Welcome & Announcements by Rev. Dr. Shane Green The Processional Carol: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by arr. D. Forrest The First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11 The Carol: “Like a Shepherd” by C. Nygard The Second Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 The Carol: “Bring Us Peace” by C. Courtney The Third Lesson: Luke 2:1, 3-7 The Carol: “Away in a Manger” The Carol: “Hear the Joyful News” by J. S. Bach The Fourth Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11 The Carol: “Three Kings of Orient” by J. Rutter The Fifth Lesson: Luke 2:8-19 The Carol: “Angels From the Realms of Glory” by D. Forrest The Sixth Lesson: 1 John 4:7-11 The Carol: “Joy to the World” by J. Rutter The Flame Goes Before Us into the World The Benediction The Postlude: “From Heaven Above” Gordon Young
This Week’s Service:
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Third Sunday of Advent | Lessons & Carols Presentation
The Chiming of the Hour
The Cross and Flame Come to the Altar
The Prelude: “He Is Born” (The Handbell Choir) by R. Mallory
The Opening Hymn: “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
The Lighting of the Advent Wreath by Jeff & Mary Lovett Beck Family
The Pastoral Prayer with The Lord’s Prayer by Rev. Dr. Shane Green
The Offertory Prayer
The Offertory: “In the Bleak Midwinter” (The Handbell Choir) by A. L. Page
The Doxology
The Welcome & Announcements by Rev. Dr. Shane Green
The Processional Carol: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by arr. D. Forrest
The First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
The Carol: “Like a Shepherd” by C. Nygard
The Second Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The Carol: “Bring Us Peace” by C. Courtney
The Third Lesson: Luke 2:1, 3-7
The Carol: “Away in a Manger”
The Carol: “Hear the Joyful News” by J. S. Bach
The Fourth Lesson: Matthew 2:1-11
The Carol: “Three Kings of Orient” by J. Rutter
The Fifth Lesson: Luke 2:8-19
The Carol: “Angels From the Realms of Glory” by D. Forrest
The Sixth Lesson: 1 John 4:7-11
The Carol: “Joy to the World” by J. Rutter
The Flame Goes Before Us into the World
The Benediction
The Postlude: “From Heaven Above” Gordon Young
Advent has always been a favorite time of the year for many people because it indicates that Christmas is right around the corner. However, it can be a very stressful time of the year due to the increase of events tied to the season. In addition, there are supply chain shortages, trials & verdicts, new Covid variants, high death rates, joblessness, workers who are over-worked, violence, crime, the widening gap between the haves and have nots, congressional struggles, gas prices, inflation, China, and I’m sure there are a few other things on the docket according to the latest news headlines. In any season those news events would be enough but are intensified due to the hectic season.
The best response to any societal malaise is gratitude. Gratitude is a light to any darkness. Anchored in grace, gratitude is other-directed. Even those outside of the Church have witnessed the benefits of gratitude. The gurus on this topic are two professors: Robert Edmunds (University of California) and Michael McCullough (University of Miami). They asked people to keep a Gratitude Journal for at least a month. Here is what they found from their studies:
Those who kept the journal experienced: Enhanced Well-Being where people experienced a better quality of life. Deeper Relationships where the bonds of friendship were strengthened, and they felt more loved and cared for by others. Greater Happiness where they felt more joy, comfort, and harmony. They had less pain and more energy. Better Self Control where they reacted in anger less because they felt more at peace. Spiritual Growth where their faith matured.
Followers of Christ shouldn’t be surprised by their findings. Christians are people of grace that find expression in gratitude. If you find yourself in a place where you have forgotten the power of grace, begin your Gratitude Journal today.
This Week’s Readings: * Monday – John 12 | John 13 | John 14 * Tuesday – John 15 | John 16 | John 17 | John 18 * Wednesday- John 19 | John 20 | John 21 *Thursday – 1 John 1 | 1 John 2 | 1 John 3 | 1 John 4 | 1 John 5 * Friday- 2 John 1-13 | 3 John 1-15
Please Pray for: • An end to the Covid Crisis. • Our children as they cope with world issues. • All ministry events inside and outside the walls of St. Paul. • Families in crisis. • Loved ones battling illness. • Those seeking to find their way. • The St. Paul Church family. • The United Methodist Church family. • Our leaders, our country, and our world.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6
We will be celebrating a VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY this Sunday, December 12, during Sunday School!! We will be having a “Happy Birthday Jesus Party!” Parents, plan to have your children in room 152 at 10am on Sunday. We can’t wait to celebrate the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS’ BIRTH!
