Happy New Year

1/12/2021

Things Don't Always Go According to Plan

Woody Allen once said, if you want to hear God laugh, make plans. 2020 proved his point, but when our plans are thwarted, it's best to take a deep breath, say a prayer, and go Back to the Basics. Pastor Emily just returned from some rest and renewal and is eager to welcome you all back to the church this Sunday for a hybrid online and in-person worship service! That's right - if you are unwell or prefer to stay safer at home, there is a link below. But for those ready and able to return to worship in our sanctuary: WELCOME BACK!! Please remember your masks. We'll be taking a look this month at Jesus's earliest years to learn life lessons that will help us chart a course to JOY in 2021.

Sunday, January 10th
10:30AM Worship
Warm-up (for kids) begins at 10:15AM

Click HERE to make a financial donation

If you missed last Sunday's Epiphany worship service, you can still catch it online! Just in time to chart a New Year's course.

From Pastor Emily
"My family and I are grateful for your cards, gifts, and Christmas greetings. It was tough to be away, especially during the first Christmas Eve Walk! But each moment that you thought of us, each prayer and show of support that you offered, filled my heart and recharges my energy for another exciting year together. Being your Pastor is the greatest gift of all. May God continue to bless and keep us."

Successful Christmas Eve Walk

Thank you so much to everyone who volunteered to help set up, clean up, and welcome our neighbors. Pictured here (with thanks to photographer Meg Persavich) are team leader Warren Wilson, with elves Cristina Caplinger, Rodger and Cathy Bell, Debbie and Tracy Bates, and Katie and Julie Cogburn. Many others, including John Lee who prepared the milk jug luminaries, worked hard to help light up Walnut Street for this first-ever ecumenical event! The weather held out, and we served 200 cups of hot apple cider to those who braved the chilly night for what we hope will become a new tradition. Although we hope to return to in-person worship for Christmas Eve 2021, we plan to find the perfect time to join together again with Bethel Lutheran, St. Albans, and First Christian to welcome our community into our beautiful churches.

Prayer Vigil for Peace
In response to the events that unfolded in our nation's capital this week, several local area United Methodist churches are joining for an informal prayer vigil this Sunday at 1:00PM on Zoom. Click here to join. All are welcome for guided, silent, and spontaneous prayer.

Missions Updates:

A Mission Blast email for January was delivered to your inboxes today. Please contact the church office if you didn't receive it! You can also find the monthly Mission Blast newsletters on our website. Click here

Upcoming Events on the Calendar
Women's Bible Study Thursday 01/07 at 5:30 P.M.
Finance Committee Meeting Tuesday 01/12 at 5:30 P.M.
Leadership Council Tuesday 01/12 at 7:00 P.M .
Virtual Fellowship Sunday 01/10 11:30 A.M. (renewed link w/code)

Prayers
The violence and needed peace in our Capitol; Jessica's niece Cassie and newborn son Riggs; Bell's and Hinde's grandson Aiden; Marilyn Shouse's daughter Jennifer, son-in-law Mike, and grandson Kylie; Vera's treatments; Terri's shoulder surgery recovery; Rob's cataract surgeries; Julie Cogburn's father laid to rest this week; Sgt. Lizzie Pryzgoda's planned return to Windsor this month from active military duty.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday to Jan Caplinger (12/31), Wilma Swanson (1/3), Todd Shimp (1/6), Mel Whipple (1/10).
Happy Anniversary to Anne and Dan van Arsdall (16 years on 1/1), and Karen and Monte Savage (33 years on 1/4)! Congratulations! Those are the only January anniversaries we know of - are we missing yours? Please send your special dates to us