“Have A Perfect Wonder-Filled Christmas: Mary’s Message for Us”

Rev. John Shaver

Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 9:00am and 10:30am

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Dear SDUMC Family,

Amid all the busyness that comes with this season, I hope you can find a little Peace in your days to stop and look at all the wonder-filled moments of the day (as we shared last Sunday). I hope you’ll pause and join us Sunday as we continue our series, Have a Perfect Wonder-filled Advent and Christmas. We who are in a mad rush this season, need to take some moments to be still, listen, and wait…

As I took time to pause, I watched our campus filled with Peace this week through: Centering Prayer on Monday, Students listening to mentors at Laubach Literacy, attendees waiting for words of hope during support groups (every day of the week), Trustees and friends working hard to dry out the office building after the rain, and hands open for Communion at Vespers.

So, if you’re feeling a bit hurried and moving at a rather quick pace…step back and be still, listen, wait… If you still need a little help, take another moment of prayer:

Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us, in the sacred hush of this prayerful moment, help us like Mary to treasure Your good news in our hearts. Slow us down and give us a renewed awe and sense of wonder as we ponder Your goodness. Thank You for the gift of this still moment and the peace You bring to our lives. Amen.

I look forward to stepping away from the busyness of the world and worshiping with you at 8 AM, 9 AM, or 10:30 AM on Sunday morning as we take a moment to step back and experience the hope and peace God brings into our lives. Join me as we step into the home of Elizabeth this week and hear the message of Mary.

This will be an exciting Sunday as we welcome friends from Nicaragua (Project Chacocente) & the Bosco family to light our Second Advent candle, the Children’s Choir singing, the display of Nativity scenes in Founders’ Hall, and our growing Alternative Gift Market begins this week!

Grace and Advent Peace,

John

P.S. Start praying about the gift of inviting someone to join you in worship this Advent! Invite a friend this Sunday. Share an invite of Hope through giving an alternative Christmas gift from our special missional market. Remind your friends that the amazing SDUMC Choir will bring us Messiah (Christmas Portions) at 7:00 pm on December 15th. …and look around for those who might be alone on Christmas Eve and bring them with you for worship at 5 PM, 7:30 PM, or 11 PM that evening.

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