November 22, 2020
Last night we had our Charge conference (meeting to set the business and leadership for the upcoming year) and had a called Ad Board meeting to discuss our plan for worship for the upcoming weeks. Since the last Ad Board meeting where we decided we hoped to get back inside for Advent, we have received a couple of new pieces of guidance from leadership. Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health released a new wave of restrictions on public gathering spaces and new recommendations. With that, our Bishop also released a statement giving guidance to the United Methodist churches of Michigan on what we should do for the Advent and Christmas season.
Highlights:
"Today, I am asking you in the strongest way possible to refrain from in-person indoor worship for the Advent and Christmas seasons."
"Remember, the Christmas story is about a God who arrives in surprising places and in surprising ways. When there is no room in the inn, a manger will have to do. When being together inside is not safe, good news of great joy still arrives."
If you would rather read the Bishop's statement you can read it here. I strongly recommend reading it as the Bishop's words have brought me some needed peace and comfort as we have had to have some tough discussions.
Taking the Bishop and Governor's recommendations seriously, the Ad Boards of Hopkins and South Monterey have come to the tough decision to remain virtual through the end of December. This means that Advent through Christmas will be held on Zoom. This is disappointing for all of us. I know how much we would all love to be back to normal inside worshiping like we are used to. Zoom worship is not the same and does not spark the same joy and comfort, but we are working to bring some joy, cheer, and advent feelings to you at home and during our Zoom services. We will try some new things and find Christ's peace in new and important ways during this year of ongoing upheaval.
Some of the ways that we are staying connected and alive as a church during this time include:
- Advent-at-home packets
- DIY Advent Wreaths
- Ongoing Advent Calendar on the church Facebook
- Different ways to have Blue Christmas and Christmas Eve services (more details soon)
I know we are all exhausted with this year and all that it has brought with it. That said, I hope we can all find some ways to bring Advent and Christmas cheer into our lives in new ways. How can we connect with each other and still make the holidays special even though we cannot gather together? How can we come together as a church family like never before during this time? COVID has brought us a lot of losses, but we can still find and create joy. Perhaps we need that Christmas joy more than ever this year. Come, Holy Spirit, come and help us make that happen.
As we will remain on Zoom for the next few weeks please let Pastor Kelsey know if you need any help figuring out the technology. We would love to have you with us on Sunday morning whenever you can. It feels more like home the more of us that are together.
Announcements for Nov. 22, 2020
Thanksgiving Worship
With Nov 22 being the Sunday before Thanksgiving, worship will be Thanksgiving themed! We will spend some extra time sharing what we are thankful (especially important in a year like this to remember those things!) and will have a special children's time in which they will get to share with us their thanksgiving crafts that got sent home.
Advent starts November 29 this year. As we look ahead to Advent, we know that things are going to feel a little bit different this year, but worship and advent are not cancelled! We are working on new and creative ways to celebrate Advent as a church family. Even though we are Zoom, we will still be lighting advent candles together. Find below a sign-up to do the advent readings yourself or as a family! (You just have to be live on Zoom on Sunday morning to read them through Zoom)
One of the ways we will celebrate Advent together as a church family is by celebrating Advent at home the same way! We have "Advent-at-home" packets for every family, young and old! The packets include a daily advent calendar of short family activities and a weekly devotion to do together. For families with kids there will be a few more low-stress kid-friendly activities.
The packets will be at the church for pick up on next Monday or Tuesday by calling Pastor Kelsey to bring one out to you from the office. Any that we don't have to send would be appreciated savings on postage, but no worries if you cannot make it out. We will mail (or deliver) all the rest next Wednesday to make it in time to start Advent.
One of the ways we will celebrate Advent together as a church family is by celebrating Advent at home the same way! We have "Advent-at-home" packets for every family, young and old! The packets include a daily advent calendar of short family activities and a weekly devotion to do together. For families with kids there will be a few more low-stress kid-friendly activities.
The packets will be at the church for pick up on next Monday or Tuesday by calling Pastor Kelsey to bring one out to you from the office. Any that we don't have to send would be appreciated savings on postage, but no worries if you cannot make it out. We will mail (or deliver) all the rest next Wednesday to make it in time to start Advent.
Blue Christmas Service
2020 has been a tough year for all. We have all lost something or someone and we know the holidays will be different than usual too. That means that Christmas might bring up some feelings that are not just joy and cheer. And that's okay! All the loss and stress have a lot of us experiencing forms of grief. The holidays especially can stir up feelings of nostalgia and grief as we miss the people or traditions that made Christmas special. We will recognize these complicated feelings around the holidays as a community with a short Blue Christmas service on December 1 at 7:00pm on Zoom. Same Zoom link as usual!
Food Pantry Donation Needs
Thank you so much for your faithful donations!
The needs right now are: Instant Potatoes, Canned Soup (any kind), Canned Pasta, Canned Fruit, Tuna, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Ketchup, Mustard, and Baking Mixes (brownies, cake mix and frosting). Toothpaste. Drop off Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm. Bring them to church or contact Mitzi or Pastor Linda about a drop off time.
The needs right now are: Instant Potatoes, Canned Soup (any kind), Canned Pasta, Canned Fruit, Tuna, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Ketchup, Mustard, and Baking Mixes (brownies, cake mix and frosting). Toothpaste. Drop off Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 7pm. Bring them to church or contact Mitzi or Pastor Linda about a drop off time.
Food Pantry Christmas Basket Time!
What comes right after Thanksgiving? Christmas! The Food Pantry will be starting to collect items for the Christmas Baskets very soon. The list is included in the attached bulletin. You can bring your Christmas donations to church anytime between now and Sunday, December 13th.
Upcoming Event Dates
Nov 29 - Start of Advent, Zoom Worship at 10am
Dec 1 - Blue Christmas Service on Zoom at 7pm-7:30pm
Dec 13 - Food Pantry Christmas Basket Donations Due
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve, Stay tuned for official details
Dec 27 - Post-Christmas Pajama Party Worship at 10am on Zoom
Sign-Up to Do Advent Readings during Worship!
Be present on Zoom during worship and do the readings for one of the Sundays of Advent. You can do it all yourself, do it as a family, or pair up with someone else calling in from home.Pastor Kelsey will have an Advent Wreath and will do the actual lighting of the candles part. All we need is your voice! You don't even have to have video on Zoom to do it.
Sun Nov 29- First Sunday of Advent, Hope
Sun Dec 6- Second Sunday of Advent, Peace
Sun Dec 13- Third Sunday or Advent, Joy
Sun Dec 20- Fourth Sunday of Advent, Love
Worship This Sunday
Morning Worship with South Monterey & Hopkins UMCs on Zoom
Bulletins attached below or mailed to you
Focus Scripture: Matthew 25:31- 46
Download the Bulletin for Sunday below:
The bulletin includes song lyrics along with the usual things
Every week's bulletin is uploaded to the church website. If you ever have trouble finding it, they will always be posted there on Wednesdays.
Upcoming Worship Schedule
SUNDAY - Nov 22 - Worship on Zoom at 10am
Thanksgiving Worship--Special Children's Time planned!
SUNDAY - Nov 29 - Start of Advent! Worship on Zoom at 10am
TUESDAY - Dec 1 - Blue Christmas Service on Zoom at 7pm-7:30pm
SUNDAY - Dec 6 - 2nd Sunday of Advent! Worship on Zoom at 10am
SUNDAY - Dec 13 - 3rd Sunday of Advent! Worship on Zoom at 10am
SUNDAY - Dec 20 - 4th Sunday of Advent! Worship on Zoom at 10am
THURSDAY - Dec 24 - Christmas Eve! Stay tuned for plan.
SUNDAY - Dec 27 - Post-Christmas Pajama Party Worship on Zoom at 10am
Bulletin Delivery!
If you didn't receive a physical copy of the Bulletin in the mail this week, but you would like one going forward, let us know using the survey below or giving the office a call so we can add you to the Bulletin Mailing List. Thanks!
Would you like a paper copy of the Bulletin mailed to you?
Yes please!
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No thanks, digital sent through the Flocknote is fine
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I would like a direct email with the bulletin
- View Details
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Joining Worship on a Smartphone
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Joining Worship from Any Phone
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