Loving and Learning in Lodi December 8 2019
Some of us know that I went on a week-long,
silent retreat this fall. The flow of the week was daily meals together,
worship and communion together, and an hour a day with a Spiritual Director.
The rest of each day was ours to determine. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I took
a walk. Sometimes, late at night, I’d watch a favorite movie! And…sometimes I
even went shopping in the nearby downtown of Milford, Ohio. I loved it! I loved
the silence and the time I had to ponder!
Sunday, we’ll look at Zechariah and his wife,
Elizabeth. They were older and couldn’t have children. As Zechariah serves in
the temple, he is visited by an angel who tells him that Elizabeth will become
pregnant. He questions it, and the angel says, because of his questioning the
news, Zechariah will be unable to talk until all the angel told him comes to
pass!
Throughout Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Zechariah is
unable to speak! When the time comes to name the baby after he is born,
Zechariah is finally able to speak again! His words are this week’s focus as we
look at Zechariah’s Song. What would you say if you hadn’t spoken a word
for almost a year?!?
See you Sunday!
Pastor Diane
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Liturgist: Pat
McLoda Greeter/s: Charlie
and Peggie Brown
Hymns: It Came Upon A
Midnight Clear verses 1, 3 & 4 #218
Dona Nobis Pacem sing in rounds…means ‘grant us peace’ #376
Let There Be Peace on Earth #431
John’s
father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,
“Bless
the Lord God of Israel because he has come to help and has delivered his
people.
He
has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house,
just
as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.
He
has brought salvation from our enemies and from the power of all those who hate
us.
He
has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
and
remembered his holy covenant,
the
solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham.
He
has granted that we would be rescued from the power of our enemies
so
that we could serve him without fear,
in
holiness and righteousness in God’s eyes, for as long as we live.
You,
child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
for
you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
You
will tell his people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.
Because
of our God’s deep compassion, the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
to
give light to those who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to
guide us on the path of peace.”
Leader: The word of God
for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God.
THE CHURCH IN ACTION
Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings 6:30 – 8:00pm as we prepare
for the cantata. Join us!
Come and be a part of Winter Wonderland in Lodi this Saturday from
4-7pm at the church! We’ll have a live nativity, crafters, Christmas music, nativity
displays and food!
Trustees meet after church this Sunday.
Pick up your Advent Devotional at church this Sunday in Fellowship
Hall.
Tuesday, December 10 at
7pm ~ Blue Christmas Service…a time when we can,
with others, acknowledge the “blue” feelings we have at Christmas time, the
losses behind them, and offer them to God. In this service, we’ll share in some
quiet music, hopeful words, light candles in memory of our loved ones, and find
a place to simply be ourselves in the emotional struggles of the season.
You can place your order for poinsettias “In honor of” or “In
Memory of” on Sunday in Fellowship Hall. The cost is $10 each. Colette Laughlin will
help you with your order. Proceeds will go towards her mission trip to Mexico,
December 25, 2019 – January 1, 2020. Also, a form is
included at the end of this email for you to use if you are unable to be in
church. Make any checks payable to ‘Lodi UMC’ and note that it is for
‘poinsettias.’ You can mail your order form to the church. Poinsettias can be
taken home Christmas Eve.
Our Christmas Giving
Tree this year will focus on helping four families have an extra special
Christmas this year. Take a tear off tag from the poster board in Fellowship Hall with an item to buy for a
member of the four families we are helping celebrate Christmas. Wrap the
present, put a tag on it telling us what is in the present and put them under
the Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary by Sunday, December 15th.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services ~ Tuesday,
December 24th at 7:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.
Please save your plastic caps & lids for a “buddy bench” at
Sylvia Anderson’s great nephew, Braden’s school.
