Week of November 21
Last Week in Review
with Hopkins UMC
We finished our sermon series this week: God's Upside Down Kingdom!
This past Sunday we focused on on turning the world value of Conflict toward the Kingdom value of Compassion.
See below for the YouTube video of the service and pdf of the sermon! You can also download the bulletin.
This past Sunday we focused on on turning the world value of Conflict toward the Kingdom value of Compassion.
See below for the YouTube video of the service and pdf of the sermon! You can also download the bulletin.
Upcoming Worship
Services with
South Monterey & Hopkins UMCs
Sunday:
9:30am at South Monterey UMC
11am at Hopkins UMC
Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33
Download the Bulletin:
Upcoming Worship Schedule
SUNDAY - Nov 21 - Thanksgiving Sunday
South Monterey UMC at 9:30am, Hopkins UMC at 11am
SUNDAY - Nov 28 - First Sunday of Advent
South Monterey UMC at 9:30am, Hopkins UMC at 11am
Advent Kick-Off Decorating Party after church in HUM Hall
SUNDAY - Dec 5 - Second Sunday of Advent
South Monterey UMC at 9:30am, Hopkins UMC at 11am
SUNDAY - Dec 12 - Third Sunday of Advent
South Monterey UMC at 9:30am, Hopkins UMC at 11am
SUNDAY - Dec 19 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
Combined Worship at HUMC at 11am
On-the-spot Christmas Pageant
SUNDAY - Dec 26 - Sunday after Christmas
Combined Worship
South Monterey UMC at 9:30am, Hopkins UMC at 11am
Advent Series
First Sunday of Advent: Homesick
Second Sunday of Advent:
Laying the Foundation
Third Sunday of Advent: A Home for All
Fourth Sunday of Advent:
Seeking Sanctuary
Christmas Eve:
Invite Home
Sunday After Christmas: Chosen Home
Epiphany:
Home by Another Way
Series developed by A Sanctified Art
When something hits close to home, it affects us deeply. During the Advent and Christmas season, we journey through scriptures and rituals that are tender, heavy with emotion, and vulnerable. We carry the memories and truths of this season close to our hearts. Close to Home acknowledges the “already but not yet” tension of our faith: Emmanuel is with us, and yet, God’s promised day—our everlasting home—is not fully realized. It names our deep longing for God to come close to us.
The Advent and Christmas scriptures are rich with home metaphors and imagery. John the Baptist prophesies about the One who is to come, but reminds us that we are still wandering far from God’s promised day; his message hits close to home, especially for those experiencing inequity and oppression. After receiving the angel’s news, Mary retreats to Elizabeth’s home, seeking refuge and safety. Christ is born in the midst of a journey home, in a crowded dwelling space amidst livestock and shepherds alike. The Magi travel far from home to pay homage to Christ, and, having been warned in a dream, they avoid Herod by traveling home another way. In these scriptures, home is both physical and metaphorical, something we seek and something we are called to build. Ultimately, God is our home and resting place. God draws near and makes a home on earth—sacred ground is all around us.
Close to Home also names the pain many of us will carry into this season. The holidays can poke at our grief. Many will be missing loved ones lost to sickness and tragedy. The traumas of the pandemic will still be with us. Many will have lost homes—due to natural disasters, economic hardship, and unjust policies. Many do not feel safe in their own homes due to poor living conditions or harmful family dynamics. Many feel alone and isolated at home. Churches are discerning transitions with their physical buildings; many of our spiritual homes are changing.
This Advent, may we be comforted by the One who dwells intimately with us. May we expand safety and sanctuary for everyone wandering far from home. May we come home— wherever home is found—to live fully with joy, hope, and courage.
New Worship Service! Wednesday Evening Worship!
A lot of people spend weekends away from home during summer months, so it is the perfect time to add a mid-week worship option.
Every Wednesday Evening we are coming together for a more casual worship service in the Hopkins UMC sanctuary at 6:30pm. The service will focus around the same scripture, sermon, and prayers as Sunday morning, but will bring in some different music options. We also expect that the service will be a bit shorter than Sunday morning. For those who are unable to worship in person, we will share this service live over Zoom.
Childcare will be provided in the basement of the church.
This is a great option to invite people, outside of our church family, to try out! Let’s spread the word!
We will bring a little Thanksgiving into worship the Sunday before the holiday this year, November 21. We will have a special craft for kids to make during worship and will focus worship around thanksgiving in the church.
Advent is the time leading up to Christmas during which the church remembers and prepares for the coming of Christ. If you want to learn a bit more, check out this article from discipleship ministries.
We will be celebrating the beginning of Advent with an Advent Kick-Off Decorating party in HUM Hall after church on Sunday. We will spend some time prepping our hall for the season with snacks, fellowship, and a "gingerbread" house centerpiece competition!
Later in the season, December 19th, we will have a family Christmas party after church on Sunday. We will have a potluck style meal, and games and crafts for kids. During worship that morning we will share in a on-the-spot pageant to remind us of the Christmas story.
Christmas comes on a Saturday this year, so we know our usual Christmas gathering on Sunday morning should be a little more relaxed. Join us for worship that morning for a Lessons and Carols style service (sing those favorite Christmas hymns you didn't get enough of throughout the season!) OR take home a worship packet to use at home with your family.
Mentoring at Hopkins Elementary
The mentor planning meeting was held on Tuesday, October 12th. If you missed it and want to be a mentor, please talk to Alys. In the past there have always been more potential mentees than there have been mentors. You could make a real difference in someone’s life!
Senior Meals
Seniors meals is back! Every Mon., Wed., & Fri. at noon in HUM Hall.. Suggested donation: $2.50. Join together with our community for food and fellowship. How nice it is to be together in the hall again!
Please come and invite your friends. If they don't get more people coming, they will shut down this site.
Upcoming Event Dates
Nov 21 - Thanksgiving Sunday
Nov 28 - First Sunday of Advent, Advent Kick-off Decorating Party after church in HUM Hall
Dec. 6 - Community Christmas Concert @ 6:30, Hopkins Community Church
Dec 19 - Combined Worship at HUMC
On-the-spot Christmas Pageant during service
Family Christmas Party & Potluck in HUM Hall after church
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve
Dec 26 - Combined Worship
Lessons & Carols service & take-home worship
Updated COVID Policies
(As of 10/18/21)
We have shifted our policies a bit to allow for more personal choice and comfort. Thank you for continuing to do what you can to keep each other safe!
1) While inside the church building, we are recommending all people to wear masks, but not requiring
-- Wearing masks allows to us protect the most vulnerable among us, including unvaccinated children.
2) Please socially distance from other people/groups while sitting in the pews by sitting every other pew.
-- According to the CDC, a true exposure to someone who has COVID is being within 6ft of them for a total of 15 min. Socially distancing limits the chance of exposure.
3) We will be running air purifiers in the nursery and Sunday School spaces in the basement.
4) We will continue to have bulletins, offering, and anything else for you to pick up at the welcome table.
How to Join Zoom
If you've never used Zoom before and want to participate on your desktop or laptop, simply click the join link below, and you will be prompted to download and install a quick software package. The software is safe and helps ensure that your connection is as stable and reliable as possible. You can download and install Zoom at any time before the gathering begins. You should not need to create an account to do so. See the 60-second video above for additional instructions.
OR go to hopkinsumchurch.org/zoom
Joining Worship on a Smartphone
Download the Zoom mobile apps (iOS, Google Play) and click the join link above after installation has finished. Or, join worship by using the instructions below
Joining Worship from Any Phone
Call (312) 626-6799.
Enter meeting ID 768 555 3158 followed by #
If asked for a participant ID, just enter # again.
If asked for a password, enter 2697937323 followed by #.
In the event that you encounter a busy signal, try these alternative phone numbers:
1-646-558-8656 or 1-301-715-8592.
The Meeting ID, password, and joining process will be exactly the same.