CRFUMC Email Blast December 14, 2022

This Sunday, December 18

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Peace

Sermon Series: “The Colors of Christmas”

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Join us for Worship this Sunday, December 18 for 9 am Modern Service or 10:45 Traditional Service.

Wearing your name tag is always appreciated.

Communion will be served between services in the church library.

Both services are live-streamed. To find our live stream go to linktr.ee/castlerockfumc and click on either the YouTube or Facebook option.

Castle Rock Orchestra’s December 18th Concert at 3 pm.

Men’s Luncheon at 11:30 tomorrow, December 15th, at Pegasus. Please contact Larry Pratt at lkpratt45@yahoo.com to make your reservation.

The deadline for the January newsletter is December 23 and will be published on January 4.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s Giving Tree.

S.O.C.K. Volunteers are needed to provide and prepare meals for our Tuesday afternoon SOCK program (Serving Our Community Kids). Sign up at the Welcome Center.

The Toy Shop in the church entrance is a key part of our children’s ADVENTure into Advent. Throughout the season, children will be playing an “I Spy” game involving the Toy Shop and a book titled I Got the Christmas Spirit. The book’s focus on the joys of the holiday season will be celebrated at the 4 pm Family Christmas. Be sure to encourage your children and grandchildren to join in the fun. Prizes will be awarded!

Rev. Sarah’s text for the Contemporary Studies Group Advent Study is The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God's Voice in Advent, by Susan Robb. This four-week Advent study explores the four angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds and how these four angelic appearances hold meaning for listeners both then and now.

In Person Sessions: Mondays, November 28 through December 19; 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Zoom Sessions: Fridays, December 2 through December 23; 6:30pm to 8:30pm

The Church Photo Directory is live at this time.

To view the directory online, go to members.InstantChurchDirectory.com and follow the prompts under “Sign In” to “Create a login now.” Please remember, you must confirm your email address before you can sign in. There is also a free mobile app available for download at the Apple® App store in iTunes®, Google Play™ store and the Amazon Fire App Store. Simply search for “Instant Church Directory” to get the download. You will need to use your email address as listed in our directory to create a log-in the first time you use the directory online and via the mobile app. We will have print copies available by December 18th. We can still add you if you missed the picture dates. Just let Pastor Matt know. For questions or changes, please email Pastor Matt at matt.franks@fumccr.org

Save these dates:

· December 15: Men’s ; luncheon at Pegasus

· December 18: Castle Rock Orchestra “An Animated Christmas” concert 3 pm

· December 21: Blue Christmas Service at 6:30 pm

· December 24: Christmas Eve Services at 4, 6, and 11.

· December 25 & January 1: one service at 10 am

November-December Upper Room and copies of the December Newsletter are available at the Welcome Center.

Want to become more familiar with #beUMC ?

Take a look at the video from the UMC website. https://fb.watch/g4gUdP6ioh/

Please contact the church office for links to these Zooms:

· Stephen Ministry Supervision meets the second and fourth Thursdays at 6:30 pm on Zoom

· Rev. Sarah’s Contemporary Discussion Group, Zoom Sessions: Fridays, December 2 through December 23; 6:30pm to 8:30pm

· Coffee Time with Rev. Sarah every at Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

Reminder: Social Media Have Been Updated to help us be easier to find and connect with.

All the links in one place: https://linktr.ee/castlerockfumc

Website: www.fumccr.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/castlerockfumc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castlerock_fumc/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/

PRESCRIPTION FOR A BLUE CHRISTMAS: HOPE

Written by Joe Gschwendtner

The winter solstice, or first day of winter is also the longest night of the year. Many churches recognize it in an Advent service or “Blue Christmas.”

For some, Christmastide is not for merrymaking, but rather great sadness. They have lost a loved one, a close friend, are ill, deeply in debt or beaten down by life itself. While the whole world seems to be laughing, they cry inside, estranged from joy with indescribable grief or loneliness. Recent mass shootings have only exacerbated this for all. Statistics tell us that loneliness has become an epidemic.

Hurting people need our help. They are in a silent crisis, needing to see beyond the veil of darkness that masks their sunlight. As Pastor Franks has noted, ours is a God of hope, and we are in his plan.

Let’s use December to take the time and attention to walk alongside those who we know are hurting. It is anything but easy, even painful, but God has called us to this. Jesus ministry changed many a hopeless life. We can too, just as he did. After all, this is the season….

In Our Prayers:

Patty Clausen, Jan and Bud Richter, Cynthia and Tom Johnson, Tracy Beaman, Sean Mendez, Marva Hay (mother of Josh Hay), Geno Sanchez (friend of the Sorahs), Sarah McAneny, Betty Grant, the family of Ann Corson, the family of Shirley Spencer, Jeri and Guy Groves, Maria sister of Vince Molieri

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of Love and Peace will be with you. -- 2 Corinthians 13:1

Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structure. -- John F. Kennedy