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

                     Jesus, Name Above All Names                                                               TFWS #2071

                     Dona Nobis Pacem          sing in rounds…means ‘grant us peace’                  #376

                     Let There Be Peace on Earth                                                                 #431

Scripture                                                Luke 1:67 - 79                           Common English Bible

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 15^th.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services ~ Tuesday, December 24^th 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.