Christmas cheer

Lisa and joey are ready to go!

On Sunday the Outreach Committee prepared bags of holiday treats for the employees of local business that are open on Christmas Eve/Day.  Tonight, Lisa and joey delivered treats to workers at Ole's, Lucky Lil's, Cenex, and The Living Center.  Tomorrow bags will be delivered to the hardware store on Main Street.

Thanks to joey and Lisa (Kathy C., and Belinda helped put the bags together) for helping to make those hard-working folk's night just a little bit brighter.

Christmas greetings from the World Methodist Council

The World Methodist Council, headquartered in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, sends greetings to the spiritual descendants of the Wesley's.  

Visit this link to hear this greeting.

Christmas greetings from UMCOR

From the Rev. Dr. J. Denise Honeycutt, leader of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) At our UMCOR Christmas luncheon, staff prepared favorite dishes from their various home countries to be shared. After the savory meal, the room filled with laughter as we exchanged gifts and then swapped them out. The simple $10 gifts were to be made or bought. Umbrellas, boxes of candy, a scarf were among the presents we gave each other. During this season of Christmas, as we gather with family and friends and as we worship together, we are reminded of God’s unexpected gift of Extravagant Love in the person of Jesus Christ. We are reminded that God continues to come near and to work for good in our broken world, and that God invites us to be a part of that work. Thank you for being a part of God’s healing presence in the world through UMCOR. Many of you have offered the gift of hope as you have journeyed with UMCOR through your giving this past year. Thank you for your solidarity, which enables us to be present in places like Haiti long after disaster strikes. As we head into 2015, not only will we mark five years of recovery work alongside the Haitian people; we also will begin to mark UMCOR’s 75th anniversary of service. Seventy-five years of offering hope and healing—thank you! May you joyfully receive the gift of God’s ever abiding presence this Christmas.

PRAYER: A CHRISTMAS PRAYER The Song of Mary Reference: Luke 1:46-55 God of hope and promise, God of love and joy, God of Sarah’s laughter and Mary’s song, the world waits with great anticipation and even greater hope for the birth of Jesus. Like Mary, we desire to praise You with our whole hearts, yet some days this season of watching and waiting is overwhelming. For the days when it feels like there is simply not enough time to prepare for the One who is to come, remind us of Your grace. And, when we grow impatient from our need to rush the season along, grant us Your mercy. Forgive us, O God, we pray. Grant us a new song when we wait with little patience and pray without fervor. Grant us a new song in the days of heavy nights with shallow praise. We give you our hearts to be fueled with humility. We give you our lives to be used for Your glory. We offer our bodies as vessels for Your service. We lay aside all animated images of Sweet Baby Jesus and embrace a real and holy, living divinity made flesh, in whom is manifested the birth of unconditional love, unwavering hope, and justice for all. May our journey to Bethlehem lead us closer to You and move us beyond our comfort zones into places of the Spirit’s nudging, which remind us, indeed, we are not alone. In all things grant us Your peace, we pray. Amen. Regina Henderson, Associate General Secretary, Justice and Relationships

Holiday greetings from Intermountain

Dear Intermountain Church Friends and Mission Partners,

Happy & Merry

Happy Hanukkah! What a blessing it is to have Janet Tatz, our very faithful and knowledgeable Jewish Educator at Intermountain. Whenever there is a Jewish child on campus that needs instruction and mentoring in their faith, Janet goes above and beyond to make sure that the spiritual and cultural needs of that child are met. Janet and Chaplain Chris work together on joint activities, like the observance of Hanukkah in chapel for all the children. On December 16th, the children learned about the holiday, enjoyed some traditional Hanukkah desserts, sang songs and played dreidel! Also known as The Festival of Lights, Chanukah is a joyous time to celebrate with family and friends.  To learn more, visit  Chaplain Chris's blog post on the Intermountain Ministry website. We wish you a very Merry Christmas! What a joyous time of year it is on campus! We are blessed by the generosity of so many people, there is no way to list them all, but... the congregation of Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Helena hosted wonderful Holiday Party for our children in residential care, their families, and many siblings.  Caring people from across the community provided an opportunity for our families to celebrate together. We are also grateful to the many individuals, churches and church groups who provided Christmas gifts for the children living in Providence Home and on the Helena campus.  Your gifts will help bring Christmas morning smiles and we are deeply appreciative. Blessings for a wonderful Christmas season! Carrie Reynolds Intermountain Church Relations (406)457-4811 carrier@intermountain.org

Christmas Truce of 1914

"Christmas truce" Memorial

Five months into World War I, the Christmas spirit took hold in the most unlikely of places—the bloody Western Front. In a series of spontaneous ceasefires, soldiers laid down their arms to sing carols, exchange gifts and even play soccer with the enemy.

On the centennial of the Christmas Truce of 1914, look back at the sudden outbreak of peace that brought a brief moment of cheer to a grim war.

Read more at this link.

Devotional for Christmas Eve

December 24th – Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve already! One of the most joyous days of the calendar year, and certainly of the Christian year. So much to rejoice over: the birth of our Savior, the faith of Mary and Joseph, the seeking of the shepherds and wise men, the gathering of family and loved ones. We too, are seekers. We too have been given the gift of Jesus.

I know that I have not been as good a steward of this gift as I could be; perhaps that is true of you, as well. I am thankful beyond words that this gift is not given only at Christmas, but every single day of the year – even every minute! The gift of Jesus comes wrapped in Grace, which to me means that I get this gift of love and mercy over and over, no matter how many times I need it. This gift means that I am His, and He is mine. Hallelujah!

"For unto us is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11. 

Nothing that we have placed under a tree or sent in the mail, or will unwrap for ourselves can match that timeless, limitless gift. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

I have had those verses memorized for so many years that I don’t remember not knowing them. They are my symbols of the gift that Mary brought forth in that stable so long ago. A gift that has new meaning every year, at Christmas and every day.

As you celebrate the birth of this precious Savior, my prayer for each of us is that we keep our eyes and hearts firmly on that gift of unending, unearned, grace-full love.

Julie Ludington

Hitch a ride with the UMM

Sleigh Ride - Benjamin Locco

Don't let the potential inclement weather keep you from worship on Christmas Eve (or any other time!).  Call the church @ 777=5443 by noon on the 24th and someone from the United Methodist Men (UMM) will be by to pick you up!