Dear Friends,

Depending on when you celebrate Christmas, only 17 days left. How exciting is that? There are so many events happening at WUMC to share the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas. This coming Sunday Cheri Leifert will be playing a jazzy Christmas piano before service and during the coffee hour. We enjoyed Justin Nelson and Darby Dachroeden the previous Sundays. Thank you Todd for making these arrangements.

I want to offer a special thanks to our Café Crew led by Ruth Shelton. It has been a wonderful display of pastries and home-baked goods. A lot of effort has gone into preparing, displaying and serving so thank you all for your good work. It has made for a wonderful and tasty time for socializing.

First Step Back Home will have its Christmas distribution on Saturday. 120 families will receive Christmas gifts, home goods, and donated food to make their homes jolly for Christmas. This is what our church is so good at, sharing our facility for the good of the community. Paul and Lana Kruse appreciate that we share our space for this special event.

I hope you are planning on attending the Gateway Ringers handbell concert Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Our Rolling Tones handbell ensemble was fantastic last Sunday.

The staff of WUMC is offering their very best for the entire congregation’s worship and learning experience. If you are interested in contributing toward a Staff Christmas gift, our practice is to equally divide cash contributions. Individual gifts to staff members are not shared. Any gift in cash should be given to Judy Hill, our Office Manager who will distribute the funds following the Christmas holiday. Thank you from our staff members.

We are halfway through the season of Advent. This week our theme is “Joy”. Our reading comes from Luke 1:46-55. It is known as the Magnificat when Mary sings a most lovely song of praise and wonder to the God of Creation. I look forward to sharing a message of Joy as we remember the events of Mary’s visit with Elizabeth and hearing the proclamation offered by God.

I’ll look for you on Sunday, Pastor Mark