December 'The Flame'

From the Heart of the Pastor

If I asked you to describe the Christmas season, I suspect that one of the first things you might mention is music. The music of the season seems almost inseparable from its meaning for many of us, and it is usually the music that we encounter first through radio and store soundtracks. And when we seek to share the Christmas Joy with others, we often utilize music in the form of carols and concerts.

But have you ever looked at just what story that music is telling? Different songs certainly tell a different story, often with very different meanings. “Jingle Bell Rock” tells of a very different Christmas than “Silent Night.” While there’s nothing wrong with singing either, it is important that we remember which one is telling the story of the Savior and which is just telling of family fun.

This year our Advent will be filled with songs. Each week the sermon will examine a popular song of the season to see how it teaches the Advent themes and Christmas story. Christmas Eve will examine just “What Child Is This?” And we will end with a complete telling of the story through hymns on December 28. We will also join together to sing songs and listen to Scripture on the 21st at the old Wyoming Chapel.

I pray that you will join us, that your season will be filled with music and joy, and that you will once again find meaning in the Advent season this year.

In Christ,

Pastor Michael Brown

UWF

As I sit here writing this article, looking out the window, most of the trees have lost their leaves, it looks colder outside, kind of cloudy, realizing December is a few days away. The last article for 2025.

The women have accomplished a lot this year. Now it’s time to finish out the year with the Annual Church Bazaar. Saturday, December 6^th, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

You can start the day out with Chad’s cinnamon rolls and a cup of coffee. Then you can take a leisurely stroll through the Country Store, where that special gift for a special someone might be hiding.

Is your calendar so full that you won’t have time to do your Christmas baking? Check out the Bakes Goods table. The Ladies have done the baking for you. In need of a Secret Santa gift? It’s in with the Craft items just waiting for you to take it home. Who knows, you might decide to keep it for yourself! The other opportunity available to find that special gift is the Silent Auction table. Plan to stay throughout the day or pop in and out to check your bidding. If you can’t stay, you will receive a phone call if you have the winning bid.

After you’ve finished your shopping, lunch will be ready for you. The meal deal is a Shredded beef or Shredded pork sandwich or hot dog, baked beans,  Macaroni and Cheese, (you can have one or the other if you don’t want both) Chips, and beverage for $8.00.   While you are enjoying your meal, music will fill the air with the Apple Core and Belles A Peeling. Music will also be provided by other musical groups.

This is a huge fund raiser for the Women. The proceeds are used for missions. You will be receiving a phone call to remind you of what you have volunteered to help with. If you haven’t signed up to help please just show up! We can always use help. We will set up the bazaar on Wednesday, December 3^rd (tables and decorate), on Thursday, December 4^th, we will finish decorating and set up the items for the different areas. If you have items for the Country Store please bring them on Thursday.  On Friday please have your items for the baked goods at the church by 11:00 AM so that they can be priced. The cookie boxes will be put together at 1:00 PM. If you have baked goods for the kitchen (pies) please mark it Kitchen.

The bazaar will end at 2:00 PM.

As you can see there is a lot of time and effort put into this event. Please prayerfully consider helping out in anyway you can. Thank you in advance.

Now if preparing for the bazaar isn’t enough to do, we have our meetings to attend, and wouldn’t you know they are being held in the midst of preparing for the bazaar.

Mary Martha circle will meet on Tuesday, December 2^nd at 7:15PM. Hostesses are Sheila Baur and Cheryl Hill. Sara Malone has the program. On Thursday, December 4^th Esther circle will meet at 9:00 AM to help set up the bazaar. A no host lunch will follow.

On Thursday, December 18^th at 1:30 PM the Unit meeting will be held at the Ambassador.

So now that I took up more than my fair share of the newsletter, I would like to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Sincerely;

Deb Orndorff

Operation Christmas Child—2025

Thank you to everyone who participated in Operation Christmas Child this year in any way.  A total of 245 shoeboxes were gathered at our Church.  Sixty-three of those boxes were from the Jaycees and 5 were from Nebraska City Physical Therapy.  They brought their boxes to our church to be blessed the same Sunday as our boxes were blessed.  The rest were donated by our church members.  This reflects evangelism outreach to 245 children--and their families.

It is estimated that for every one child who receives a shoebox and participates in The Greatest Journey discipleship course, 7 other people are impacted.  A total of $700 was received in monetary donations for shipping for Operation Christmas Child. 

Since 1993 Operation Christmas Child has delivered over 232 million shoe box gifts in over 170 nations and territories.  Each year Samaritan’s Purse partners with churches and ministries in these countries to tell boys and girls about Jesus through Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.  Each gift tells a child about Jesus, God’s Greatest Gift.  Their shoebox is the first gift many children have ever received

After receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift, children are invited to learn how to have a deeper relationship with Jesus through a 12-lesson discipleship course called The Greatest Journey.

 These are led by local church members and children who graduate from the program receive a certificate and a New Testament of their very own. 

Mary Stevenson

Holiday bazaar

The Country Store is a hot spot at the United Women of Faith Christmas Bazaar.  It features new and nearly new items for Christmas shopping.

Your donations to the Country Store can be brought to the church after Thanksgiving and can be put on the stage.  Volunteers to staff the Country Store are also being sought.  If this is a way you would like to participate in the Christmas Bazaar, please contact Lucille Sharp or Mary Stevenson.

All proceeds from the Bazaar will be donated to mission projects on the local, state, regional and international level.  One third of the proceeds are donated back to the First United Methodist Church.

Inclement Weather

It is that time of year where we might have weather that makes it unsafe to travel. With our new phone system, we have the ability to leave a message that will say the church is closed.

In addition to our phone system, notices will be put on Facebook as well as B103.