Advent/Christmas Season

[GUMC Guam United Methodist Church]

Season of Advent

 

Friends and Family:

 

You might be interested to know about the following information regarding church activities during this

season when we want to get closer to our friends and family---and closer to God.

 

Youth Caroling On Tonight.  Young people and their adult cohorts will be visiting houses to do sing Christmas carols.

      Friday night, 4th Decemher.

Prison Ministry.  Under the leadership of John and Debbie Wise, our church choir is going to sing at the penitentiary

      December 18.  Thanks to Karen Carpenter and Joel Dizon for the talents and commitment they share with our choir

      members as they minister to us with their muisical talents within and beyond the confines of our church building.

 

"The Purpose of Christmas."   The author of Purpose Driven Church (of course!), Pastor Rick Warren, will lead us during

      Friday Study Fellowship (7:00 p.m.) and Sunday School at 8:30 a.m. using his DVD material and

      study guide.  There will be  two more study sessions left.  Come and check out for yourself.

 

Christmas Watch. As has been done in previous years, there will be Simbang Gabi, Christmas Watch, each evening

      at 6:30 p.m. beginning December 16 culminating on the 24th..  With declining interest in tradition

      (including Thanksgiving and Fourth of July), religiously speaking,  the crowd could be smaller.  And this will be

      happening during working days.  However, for some, traditions don't die easily.  They remember their faith nurtured

      and sustained them even (especially) during hard times by attending church, Sunday School, special services such as Simbang Gabi.

      For some, this might be a new experience---nightly services!

 

Christmas Institue.  For the first time our young people will be attending the Christmas Intitute.  It is going to be held

      in the Philippines (and mainland, too!).  From December 26 to 30, this youth event will feature worship, Bible study,

     small group activities catering to needs of Christian youth.  We have nine youth and adults signed

     up already. Pray and support them when you can as new experience for our youth is made possible beyond the limited

     opportunities they have here. Rina Pelayo is coordinating this event. 

 

Christmas Eve Service.  Reminder that our Christmas Eve Service will be at 7:00 p.m.  Last year, people brought some

     light refresments to share after the service as a way to greet and visit with each better before we go to our own

     individual private parties.
 

Covenant Service.  Some churches call it new year's eve service.  United Methodists historically call it, Covenant Renewal

     Service.  We come together as a body of Christ to renew our faithfulness to God and to one another as we face the

    new year dedicated to mission and ministry.  It will be a candelight service at 8:00 p.m.

Come to church!  Enjoy the spiritual message Christmas brings.  Some members of our church dedicated some of their time to

decorate our sanctuary and set the right mood for this month.   It is for us all to enjoy, see!

 

In Christ, the Reason for the Season!

 

Pastor Fred

 

Guam United Methodist Church