Advent devotional for November 30

A poem for Christingle

The orange of Christingle
the world reminds us of,
And how our God created us,
And on us sheds his love.
O sing about Christingle,
Your voices loud employ.
Your praises bring to God our King;
For Jesus and his joy.

The candle of Christingle,
With shining flame so bright;
Reminds us of our loving Lord
Who is the world’s true light.

The red band of Christingle
Which plainly we can see;
Reminds us of how Jesus Christ
was killed upon that tree.

The four sticks of Christingle,
With which the orb we spear,
Remind us how God cares for us,
thro’ the seasons of the year.

The whole of the Christingle,
It is a joy to see;
It shines to show how our Father God,
Loves even you and me

To learn more about the customs surrounding Christingle, please visit this link.

Advent devotional for November 29th

“The Dream of St. Joseph” by Rembrandt
1650-55, Oil on canvas, 105 x 83 cm

Advent Evening Hymn (8th Century)

Come, Sun and Savior, to embrace
Our gloomy world,its weary race,
As groom to bride, as bride to groom:
The wedding chamber, Mary's womb.
At your great Name, O Jesus, now
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
All things on earth with one accord,
Like those in heaven, shall call you Lord.
Come in your holy might, we pray,
Redeem us for eternal day;
Defend us while we dwell below,
From all assaults of our dread foe.

Advent Devotional for November 28th

   In this season of expectation we prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah into the bustle of our lives and the hard to find moments of solitude.   We prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah into our homes and situations along with friends and families.
   We prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah into our hearts, and those often hidden parts of our lives.
   We prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah for beneath the surface of your story is an inescapable fact You entered this world as vulnerable as any one of us in order to nail that vulnerability to the cross.
    Our fears, our insecurities and our sins all that can separate us from God exchanged by your Grace for Love.
    We cannot comprehend the reasoning only marvel that Salvation comes to us through a baby born in a stable, and reaches out to a world in need.

In this season of anticipation we prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah.

Wonderful Sunday in Iraan

Our time together was very warm despite the chilly start to the day.  The day began with our fourth Sunday breakfast potluck - we were filled with delicious food and lively fellowship!  Our first Sunday of Advent worship was made rich thanks to Kirke M. for leading the singing and Wanda C. for her serving as the lay reader. 

This afternoon, Pastor Charles led the residents of the McCamey Convalescent Center in worship and Dianna S. was on hand to share the ministry of visitation.

Joys: +Edd & Wanda C. had nineteen family members over the Thanksgiving holiday + Eddy C. is recovering from his surgery +Ronnie W. will be traveling next week to be with son, Bradley, who is moving soon to Austin.

Concerns: Rain +Those traveling during the holidays +The Abilene Christian U. crash victims and the A.C.U. community + 

Prayers for healing: Aaron B., Tommy Z.K.B., Ed C., Eddy C., Jacob C., Snooks C., Jonnie D., Greg H., Kash K., Billie M., Shane M., Pat M., Kathy P., Doug S., Eva S., Sue S., Alfred L.T., Colton W., Diane S., Tammy W., and the abuse victims at Penn State.

Continued Prayers: Our church - our schools - teachers, staff & students - Our country and our leaders - our military (and their families) - the unemployed - the homeless - victims of natural disasters - countries fighting for freedom.

First Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent:

Advent Prayer to Jesus

You are our eternal salvation,

The unfailing light of the world.

Light everlasting,

You are truly our redemption.

Grieving that the human race was perishing

through the tempter's power,

without leaving the heights

You came to the depths in Your loving kindness.

Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will,

You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost,

Restoring joy to the world.

Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ,

and so possess us as Your shining dwellings.

By Your first coming, make us righteous;

At Your second coming, set us free:

So that, when the world is filled with light

and You judge all things,

We may be clad in spotless robes

and follow in Your steps, O King,

Into the heavenly hall.

Unknown Author, 10th century

Advent begins tomorrow

The season of Advent begins tomorrow at the First UMC in Iraan!  Please come for the monthly breakfast potluck at 8:30 a.m., worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday school at 10:30 a.m.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Advent is a wonderful time to invite a neighbor to experience the fellowship that is First UMC - Let's come together and make the journey that is Advent one to remember.

Advent Sermon Series

   Virgin and Child with Sts Dominic and Catherine of Alexandria by Fra Angelico

 c. 1435, Tempera with gilding on wood, Pinacoteca, Vatican

Sunday (November 27th) marks the beginning of the season of Advent. Pastor Charles will be preaching a series of sermons leading up to Christmas Eve, "The songs of Advent" based on readings from the gospel according to Luke. The series begins with Mary and continues with Zechariah, John the Baptist, the Angels, and concludes on Christmas morning with Simeon.

 

The first Sunday of Advent is the song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55):

 

The Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord: And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour because He hath regarded the lowliness of His handmaid: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is His Name. And His mercy is from generation until generations, to them that fear Him. He hath showed might with His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the lowly. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy: As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. 



Prayer for Christ the King Sunday

Christ the King Sunday celebrates the all-embracing authority of Christ as King and Lord of the cosmos. It is celebrated on the final Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Sunday before Advent.  In 2011, the date falls on November 20th.

Prayer for Christ the King Sunday (from the Book of Common Prayer):

"Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in Your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under His most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

Prayers and more from today

JOYS
For glad hearts.
Visits with family and friends.
Friends who help to keep us straight.
Birthday celebrations:  Wanda M. and Burton L.
Beautiful anniversary candle shared with congregation.
Our church.
We think the Gospel Message we have to share is the Truth, Helpful, Inspired (inspiring), Necessary and Kind.  (THINK.)
Living in the Presence of God.

CONCERNS

Continued need for rain.
Healing Mercies for Eddy C., Wanda M., Colton, Kash K., Kathy P., Alfred Lee T., Eva S., Kirke M., Billie M., Shane M., Tommy Zale King B. and Jonnie D.
Travelling mercies.
Our schools.
Our youth.
Teachers/students.
Athletes/coaches.
The victims of the alleged abuse at Penn State.
All dealing with the consequences of abuse of all kinds.
Countries fighting for their freedom.
The homeless.
The unemployed.
Victims of natural disasters.
Unspoken requests.
Those grieving the death of loved ones.
Our military members and their families, serving around the world.

Prayer for November 13th

O God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as surpass our understanding:
Pour into our hearts such love towards you,
that we, loving you in all things and above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

- Book of Common Prayer

In honor of Veteran's Day

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

"In Flanders Fields"
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae (1872-1918)
Canadian Armed Forces

Catching up at the MCC

We had a good time this morning at the McCamey Convalescent Center during the weekly coffee & donuts gathering. Pastor Charles was on hand with other community members, sharing news of the day with the residents.

Scripture lesson for November 13th

This week's scripture lesson,1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, is an interesting account of what happens when believers pay attention to what Jesus said to do while he is away.

Lunch in Iraan

The Iraan Senior Center was "UMC Central" today with nine of our community on hand for lunch.  Jo & Burton, Lee & Dottie, Wanda M. and Evans were joined by Pastor Charles and Belinda to make a lively time.  We even got to visit with Snooks:  It was a great time in Iraan!

A letter from Callie Jo Allen

Dear Friends and family,

I would like to share some exciting news.  During Spring Break, March 9-18th, I will be traveling to Africa on a mission trip with thirty-five other students.  We will be based in a village in western Kenya, working through  Project Humanity's Echoes of Humanity Medical Project .  Project Humanity is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing medical care to a village where problems seem overwhelming and hopefully bring a meaningful change to their lives.  Our mission is to treat as many villagers as possible with diseases such as HIV, malaria, pneumonia, and leprosy as well as those with malnutrition and diarrhea. 

In order to go, we are asked to raise $3000.  Some of this money will be used to provide medical supplies and care for the villagers.  If you wish to contribute, you can either send the donation to me or go to the website below.  Any financial help will be greatly appreciated, but if do not wish to contribute, I ask that you remember me in your prayers.  I will be graduating in May 2012 and feel like this experience will help prepare me as I begin my nursing career.  I am so excited that God has given me this opportunity and I ask again for your prayers.

Thanks for your support,
Callie Jo Allen

www.projecthumanity.com
(please pit my name on the line for donation intended for.)

Today's Church Conference

Blessings abounded today at the First UMC in Iraan! Our fellowship time was a tasty gathering with a wonderful assortment of muffins, pecan rolls and more... provided by James & Deanna Jordan. It is such a blessing to be able to gather together like this each week!

The flowers on the communion table were shared by Kirke McKenzie in honor of his mother's 90th birthday. Edd and Wanda Carpenter shared their special 25th-wedding-anniversary candle (from 37 years ago).

The worship service began with a communion liturgy and remembering those who have died during the past year. Among the First UMC members, Lewis Blackburn was remembered as having joined that great cloud of witnesses. Others who were remembered today include Karen Wimberly, Terry Wimberly, David Smith, and Effie Oneta (Moore) Hicks.

The past year's successes and favorite memories were shared, and the congregation is looking forward to the future that God has in store! Praise be to God!!!

If you'd like a copy of the pastor's report to the church conference, please send a request to this address.

Joys and Concerns, November 6th

JOYS

Today is All Saints' Sunday -- for all the saints.

Today's church conference, celebrating the life of the church.

We're still alive.

Visits with family and friends.

Cooler weather.

Parsonage pecans... the crop is being harvested.

Good retreat last week.

Children in church.
Beautiful floral bouquet for Kirke M.'s mother's 90th birthday celebration on communion table.

Beautiful anniversary candle shared with congregation.

CONCERNS

Continued need for rain.

Those experiencing aftermath of earthquakes all around the world, e.g., Oklahoma, San Diego, USA, Japan and Turkey.

Those grieving the death of loved ones.

Our military members and their families, serving around the world.

Prayer for All Saints Sunday

God of constant mercy, who sent your Son to save us: remind us of your goodness, increase your grace within us, that our thankfulness may grow, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- source unknown

Prayer requests

Kirke M. is in need of our prayers as he deals with a respiratory infection.  Lois Ann M. is asking for prayers for her mother, Eva S. (she lives in Monahans) who fell eight days ago, suffering numerous injuries.

McCamey Convalescent Center today

Pastor Charles visited with the residents of the McCamey Convalescent Center this morning as part of the weekly "coffee & donuts" gathering.

Friendly reminder

We'll gather at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday (November 6th) for our fellowship time (James & Deanna are bringing some goodies to share).  At 9:30 a.m., we'll gather for communion and then celebrate the life of the church with our church conference.  At 10:30 a.m., James will be leading the adult class in Paul's espistle to the Romans.

Bishop Dorff has asked for each congregation to provide comments regarding two questions.  Please come with some thoughts about:

1) What is the First UMC in Iraan doing to reach out to our Hispanic neighbors?

2) What is the First UMC in Iraan doing to create a "culture of growth" in the congregation?

Prayer for All Saints Day



Albrecht Dürer - The Landauer Altarpiece (1511)

How shining and splendid are your gifts, O Lord which you give us for our eternal well-being.  Your glory shines radiantly in your saints, O God in the honour and noble victory of the martyrs. 

The white-robed company follow you, bright with their abundant faith; They scorned the wicked words of those with this world’s power. 

For you they sustained fierce beatings, chains, and torments, they were drained by cruel punishments. They bore their holy witness to you who were grounded deep within their hearts; they were sustained by patience and constancy.

Endowed with your everlasting grace, may we rejoice forever with the martyrs in our bright fatherland. O Christ, in your goodness, grant to us the gracious heavenly realms of eternal life.  Amen.

-10th century, author unknown