Hello Church,
This coming Sunday will be the last one before all the Christmas decorations come down. We’re celebrating Epiphany, or the coming of the Wise Men. In so many ways this provides a good point of closure for the Christmas season for us. Just as in the story, it feels like it comes so long after all the main events, but it is a reminder for us that Jesus’ story continues, even after everyone else thinks that things have been finished.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t say something about the New Year though. One of the folks that I follow puts out an annual list of advice for the new year. Its made up of things that she gets sent. I thought this years was pretty good, so I thought I’d share it with you.
Forget the Beach Bod. Try These Soul Resolutions Instead.
One last thing. I will be around all week, but will be in a zoom class all day starting tomorrow. You’re more than welcome to contact me, but I may not be able to respond super quickly. I will get back to you though!
Parting Shot
Its always a nice time early in the morning to see the front of the church. Take a look at the end of this email to see what I’m talking about.
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Have a great week!
Peace,
Pastor John
Important Announcements
Watch for new sign-ups for Communion and other things coming out on Sunday!
Above is a playlist for the videos that I used last week in worship. Check them out! They do a great job of telling the story of Christmas. You can find the lyrics for the videos by clicking on the link below.
Going On This Week
Note: no choir or band this week!
Community Calendars
Marceline School Calendar
My Country 99.1 Community Calendar
Worship Links
Youtube Services, Messages
Worship Music Lists: YouTube, Spotifiy
Send a note or a message to these folks!
Get caught up!
You can always get caught up on sermons if you’re behind. We try to have them posted on Monday morning, so check back if it hasn’t been posted yet.
Prayer & Devotions
The Hours
Prayer Guide - PDF (book format), Online Format
Morning | Evening | Night Prayers
Daily Devotions
Seedbed Devotions, YMI
The Upper Room, Our Daily Bread
GPS Guide from Church of the Resurrection
Daily Meditations from the Center for Action & Contemplation
Other Resources
Bible Project great Bible Study resource for really engaging the Bible
Five Day Bible Reading - Read through the Bible in a year
YouVersion Online Bible
Prayer List
Groups: Church: Denomination, Conference, Area UMC's, Area Churches
Schools: Students, Teachers, Administrators, Employees, Parents
Community: Food Pantry, Ministries in Linn County, Ministerial Alliance
Government: Leaders, Local, County, State, National
Situations: Pandemic, Racism, Economic Disparity, Mental Health, Natural Disasters
College Students: Raven Goodpaster, Colby Sims, Emma Sheerman, Brook Teeter, Brianna Teeter, Carter Vandeloecht, Liam Whittington, Jayden Newman, Enzo Anthony, Sam Gillman, Will Heller
Individuals: John Smith Family, Rollie Smith, Leland Dorrell, Cecil Mott, Ruth Terrell, Francis Mordecai, Greg and Norma Prange, Liam Mosier, Susan’s friend with cancer, Estella Cupp, Junior Logue, Crystal’s friend Hannah, Gene Taylor, Richard Terrell, Marla Stubbs, Kyle & Carol Lake, Erica Pamplin, Pat Watkins, Vivian Dunn, Kim Corbin, Shirley Oliver, Jeff Linebaugh, Dorothy Downing, Jake Jacobs, Ron Klingsmith, Wayne Sisson, Mark & Linda Ewigman, Goldie Cupp, Tony Tucker, Angie Builder, Bob & Pat Magee, Zoe Tolliver, Dan Brooks, Ruth Farris
Pioneer: Mabel Worley, Marylin Mears
Military Service: Patric Munson, Nick Cain, LTC John Casey Welch, Tyler Nanneman, Jeffrey Tucker, Kelly Tucker, Brandon Wellman, Heath Floray, Steve Graves, Michael Pyrtle, William Leukenotte, Kerry Lowrey
Parting Shot
On Sunday mornings I try to get to the church fairly early. Its always pretty quiet when I do. This time of year I get greeted with this view. The lights are on and things just look good.