Ministry Updates – November 22, 2024

Coming Up at MUMC

November 24, 2024

9:15 AM Sunday Morning Adult Sunday School, WR

10:30 AM Children’s Sunday School, PG

10:30 AM Worship, S

11:30 AM Concert Series Mailing Party, WR

3:00 PM Pioneer Productions presents “Dinner with Friends”, FH

November 25, 2024

7:00 PM AA, YL

7:00 PM Caregivers Group, 1S

November 26, 2024

11:00 AM Property Team Meeting

November 28, 2024 

Thanksgiving – Office Closed

November 29, 2024 

Office Closed

10:00 AM Hanging of the Greens & Work Day, S

November 30, 2024

12:00 PM AA, YL

December 1, 2024

First Sunday of Advent

10:30 AM Children’s Sunday School, PG

10:30 AM Worship, S

11:30 AM ASP Interest Table, FH

Advent Worship 2024

Advent at MUMC begins DECEMBER 1

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings.

As the church calendar year comes to a close, a new church year begins with the season of Advent.

Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on. In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. But Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new.

Christ’s birth offered a beautiful new beginning for shepherds and Magi alike—all the while, King Herod tried to bring Christ’s story to an end. When we ourselves navigate seasons filled with endings and beginnings, we need reminders. We need words that can feel like steady ground, like a path for our feet to find as we step forward into the unknown.

This year our Advent services are filled with blessings, with the scriptures and reminders we need to hear again and again as we begin a new season. These reminders root us in the fundamental truths of our faith. Many of them are life lessons we teach to children—lessons that adults continue to learn and relearn. They may resemble the blessings we impart to loved ones during special ceremonies like weddings, graduations, or baptisms. And so, we invite you to move through this Advent season as if you are entering a sacred new chapter, holding fast to the reminders that will bolster you for the journey ahead.

As you journey through this season, may you find words for belovedness and hope. May you find words for beginning again. For no matter what you are facing, no matter what this new day brings, love is your beginning.

December 1 – ADVENT 1

YOU ARE A BLESSING

December 8 – ADVENT 2

WE CAN’T GO ALONE

December 15 – ADVENT 3

DO THE GOOD THAT IS YOURS TO DO

A Blessing of our Giving Intentions

December 22 – ADVENT 4

HOPE IS WORTH THE RISK

Children’s Pageant

December 29

DON’T FORGET TO LAUGH – Lessons & Laughter

January 5, 2025 – Epiphany

THE ROAD ISN’T STRAIGHT

Special Services

Tuesday, December 17 

ENDINGS & BEGINNINGS

Blue Christmas Service at 7pm

Tuesday, December 24 –

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:30pm

LOVE KNOWS YOUR NAME

Advent & Christmas – Save These Dates!

Saturday, December 7

UWF ADVENT Gathering

9am

Sunday, December 8

Parsonage Open House

1-3pm

Thursday, December 12

Christmas Singers Concert

12 Noon

Saturday, December 14

Cookies, Crafts, and Cocoa Family Event (Time TBD)

Thursday, December 19

Brown Bag Bible Study Christmas Potluck Dinner

6pm

Saturday, December 21

Tuba Christmas On the Green

3pm

Tuesday, December 17

Blue Christmas Service

7pm

Tuesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

7:30pm

Adult Sunday School Advent Study

On the Way to Bethlehem by Rob Fuquay

Dates: November 24, (no class December 1), December 8, December 15, December 22

Meets Sundays at 9:15am in the Wesley Room

On the Way to Bethlehem follows the long journey to Christmas. The story begins in Rome with a decree issued from the seat of worldly power for a census, setting into motion events leading to the birth of the Savior of the world in a town that represents the very opposite of worldly power, Bethlehem.

Author Rob Fuquay provides insight into the geographical and historical significance of Rome, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, along with the important characters through whom the Christmas drama unfolds. You will be drawn into those places in a way that helps you experience the spiritual truths each location holds. The reflection we give in these places prepares the heart and soul to experience wonder, awe, mystery, and joy.

Easter Sunday Services

6:30 AM Sunrise Service – Joshua’s Garden
We begin the day just as the women did so long ago—arriving at the tomb, only to find it empty. Join us in Joshua’s Garden as we sing, pray, and watch the sun rise through the forsythia, proclaiming the good news: He is risen!

10:30 AM Easter Worship – Sanctuary & Livestream
Celebrate the victory of Christ over death with joyful music, sacred word, and prayer that renews the soul.

Here’s what to expect:

  • Extended prelude with brass quintet and organ
  • Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus—all are invited to sing along!
  • Virtual Easter lily dedications supporting Nourish.NJ
  • A Flower Cross to help us beautify the day and capture Easter memories
  • Children’s activity bags to keep little hands engaged
  • Nursery care available for newborns to 3 years old

Let’s rejoice together in the promise of Resurrection and the power of Love that cannot be defeated.

Help us Spring into Giving to support Interfaith Food Pantry!

Throughout April, we will be collecting items that are urgently needed by IFP:

  • cereal
  • pasta
  • Tuna, salmon and other canned fish
  • rice
  • baby food stages 2 and 3
  • peanut butter 15 – 18 oz preferred
  • canned meals — ravioli, hash, stew, etc.

We have a goal to collect 3,000 lbs. of food this year. Through February, we have brought 1,249 lbs. of food to IFP – we are 42% of the way there!

Francis Osuji, one of our Seminary Interns, is coordinating a collection of essential items for Family Promise.

I am excited to share an update on my community outreach project in collaboration with Our Promise Resource Day Center in Morristown. This past week, I visited the center with Holly Dinneny to better understand the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness and to strengthen our efforts in providing both spiritual and material support. As part of this initiative, we invite our church community to contribute by donating essential items listed below. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. A tote box will be available at the church next to the Interfaith Food Pantry cart (in the Narthex). We will collect items through April 30.

Thank you for your compassion and for being a loving community.

Travel Size Personal Hygiene Items 

Shampoo, Lotion, Chapstick, Soap,  Razor,  Small Tissue Packets, Shave Cream, Hand wipes/or sanitizer, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Deodorant (men & women’s) 

Other Items (New) 

Men’s Hanes T-shirts Sizes L & XL
Women’s Underwear Sizes 6, 7, 8, XL
Men’s Boxers/Briefs Size M
Women’s T-Shirts all Sizes
Men’s Pants size 34/36 XL
Disposable Ponchos
Men’s Shirts Sizes L & 2XL
Small Flashlights or Headlamps
Men’s Shoes Sizes 9-12  

About Family Promise

Over the last 36 years, Family Promise of Morris County has grown from a small shelter program to a comprehensive service provider. Through sharing resources and partnerships with community organizations and houses of worship, we serve families and individuals experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity and ensure that those we have housed achieve long term stabilization. Our unique approach focuses on individualized case management which recognizes that folks need specialized support to meet them where they are in their journey to find and maintain safe permanent housing. 

Morristown UMC! You are in for an amazing treat on May 3 & 4! 

Crys Matthews, the Folk Alliance International Artist of the Year, will be performing in concert at MUMC on May 3, AND will be joining us for worship on May 4, Peace with Justice Sunday.

We’ve got all the scoop on Crys, how to purchase tickets, and a playlist of her music on our website.

 

 

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