Professional Documents
Culture Documents
JD Landis
As usual, our Christmas schedules are all getting very busy at this time, but I would like
to encourage you to take time to be a part of our Christmas Concert on December 5th
for the food pantry, to come and hear our musicians perform a Cantata on Sunday, De-
cember 12, to see our Children’s program on Sunday, December 19, and, of course to
be a part of our Christmas Eve services on December 24th. Let me also
tell you about another wonderful opportunity to be renewed and re-
freshed in the Christmas Love Feast…..(please see pg. 3)
UMM Annual Christmas Tree Sale has Heifer Fill The Ark—Special Advent Giving
started! Opportunity: During Advent, we encourage each
Sale hours are M-F from 4p-7p of you to participate in Heifer International’s FILL
And Saturdays from 10a-7p THE ARK program, which encourages individuals
No Sunday Sales and families “an opportunity to learn about—and
Choose from Douglas Fir, Frasier Fir, offer a helping hand to—families around the
Or Scotch Pine world.” Your participation will support Heifer’s ef-
Prices range from $25-$45 fort to end hunger as well as care for the earth by
providing “appropriate livestock, training and re-
lated services to small-scale farmers and commu-
nities worldwide.”
Arks will be available on November 28th to all
Sunday School classes. (Extra arks will also be
available at the welcome center). Take your ark
home with you and begin your 4 week journey of
giving!
A couple tips:
• Make it a habit to give to your ark daily. Pray
Financial Peace University— A Dave for the recipients of these gifts and that our
Ramsey study will be held at Flushing UMC hearts be filled with generosity
beginning January 9th from6p-8p. Actual • Set a goal for your Sunday School class
classes will begin January 16th from 6p-8p. • Visit the Heifer table by the welcome center to
Approximate cost is $110.00. Class runs 13 learn about alternative gift giving and other
weeks. Call 810-659-5172 for info. ways to help!
•
Bring your filled arks to church Sunday,
December 19th!
Christmas Love Feast
December 15, 2010
6:30pm
This year we will celebrate the Old Moravian Love Feast at our Wednesday night
service, as we have for the past two years. Someone might ask, what is a love
feast? Why should we do this on an already busy holiday season? The Love feast
actually goes back to the New Testament recalling the fellowship meal Jesus had
with his disciples. The current feast we celebrate had its beginning with Ludwig
Von Zinzendorf in Germany, at a place called Hernhut, in 1727.
Zinzendorf was the leader that led the Moravians into a passion for revival and
world missions. It was through them that John Wesley found Jesus Christ as his
savior. We celebrate the feast in part because, without their influence, there
would be no Methodist Church or modern day Wesleyan revival. Some consider
the Moravians as the founders of the modern day prayer movement, with their
100 year 24 hour a day prayer watch.
As the years went by, many Moravians, Methodist, Mennonites, and Brethren
celebrated the Love Feast. They were often held in homes by candlelight. It had
as a focus a time of sharing, singing, showing love, and experiencing forgiveness
with one another. Many churches today celebrate it in the Advent or Christmas
Season with candle lighting and festive music. There is also a special bun and a
drink of coffee, cider, hot chocolate, tea, or water. Love Feasts have also been
part of Covenant Disciple Groups.
My first Love Feast was at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in 1979. Dr. Wil-
liam K. Quick, a North Carolina United Methodist who grew up in Moravian coun-
try, introduced it. Remarkably, I grew up in Moravian country as well, but knew
little of it. At its peak, Metro drew 1600 people to this Christmas Eve like service.
It became a city wide event with people coming together from all denominations.
In later years, persons were encouraged to dress in their native clothing.
On a smaller scale, we will gather for a similar time of sharing, singing, reading
the Scriptures and lighting candles. We will have participation from youth and
adults. There will be sharing, and the bun and cider. We invite you to come and
remember the gift of the Savior. To come show love for one another.
A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved
you—John 13:34. Come and be in the presence of Christ, of your church family
and friends, and remember the spiritual heritage we have been given.
Around The Congregation….
UMW Cookie Exchange Join us on Sunday, December 19th at
6pm in the sanctuary for our Annual Christ-
Need help with your holiday baking?? We mas Play -“The Nativity Story”.
have just the thing for you! Everyone 3 & up is encouraged to be a part of
the play! As is our tradition, yummy cookies &
Bring 2 dozen of your favorite cookies, and punch will be served following the play in Mur-
copies of your recipe on Saturday, December bach Hall.
11th @ 9:30 am in the Johnson Center!
Come enjoy the holiday fellowship!
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Ben Strauss 2 Gerald Lindenberg 17 Robert Museus 30
Suzette Mulnix 3 Joe Beckley 18 Hope Moreland 31
Mikaela VanHoven 4 Nancy McLaughlin 18 Alvis Whitten 31
Irma Elmore 5 Janet Peterson 18
Alexander Fortinberry 5 Donald Waddell 18
Weston Mitchell 5 Jaden Sepanak 19
Madeline Rourke 5 Ashley Parks 20
Tara Clark 6 Alli Weller 20
Lynn Harburn 7 Annette Beckwith 22
Andrew Burchett 9 Jonathon Smith 22
Becky McGraw 9 Carla McKay 23
Alex Poppen 9 John Witt 23
Zachary Forsythe 10 Deena Wolfgram 23
Dorothy Cattell 10 Paul Speck 24
Michele Bielby 11 Nicole Grant 25
Sherrie Strickland 11 Jennie Pyles 25
Thomas Gwillim 13 Abby Henry 26
Doris Beebe 14 Roberta Hatch 27
Elisa Hasse 14 Victoria Niles 27
Madeline Pfeiffer 14 Elaine Sharp 28
Margot Guindon 15 Marjorie Huff 29
Aaron Johnson 15 Brenda Sepanak 29
Eva Drlik 16 Geri Smith 29
Mary Whitten 16 Lucinda Brier 30
Susan Gaines 17 Jessica Mulnix 30
Swartz Creek United Methodist Church The Good Word
Box 268, Swartz Creek, MI 48473