Sundays
Join us for Coffee & Fellowship before and after Sunday worship. And you are invited to sign up to set out coffee and whatever else. See Pastor Jeff if you have questions.
Youth Education – 10 a.m. Classes PreK-Kindergarten, 1st-3rd, 4th-6th, and 7th-12th grade. Masks required. Will not meet on 11/28
Bible Study/ Adult Education: Sundays, 10 a.m. 6 weeks on Ezra-Nehemiah. Will not meet on 11/28.
Nursery: help create a safe and comfortable place for families during worship- volunteer to be in the nursery! We need two people (unrelated) each Sunday to provide the space starting after the 2nd hymn until the last.
To read Scripture during worship sign up on foyer the Table.
Advent Begins November 28th. Advent is a time of anticipation of celebrating the coming of Jesus Christ. So in the count-down, so there will be a chance to lead the Advent wreath readings. They are a part of our ‘Call to Worship’ and may be led by one or many.
Thanksgiving Tree- You are invited to add to the thanksgiving tree with whatever brings you joy or are grateful for. In the hallway in the Hall you’ll find pens to help add your leaf. Challenge: add one each Sunday.
Community Thanksgiving Eve Service at the Middleburgh United Methodist Church, 7 p.m. (11/24).
(Pastor Jeff will be away the afternoon of the 23rd-morning of the 25th).
Annual Meeting! December 5th after worship. Come to hear about a recap of the year and the hopes for the new one to come! We’ll enjoy a light lunch together and hear from areas of our life together, vote on new Consistory member and consider a budget. (everyone welcome, regardless of membership status).
2021 Consistory
Elders: Sarah Bramer, Jonathan Meredith, Mary Lou Ryan
Deacons: Allison Coons, Leslie Hooper
Trace Anteman and Kathy Jenkins have needed to resign from their remaining terms as deacons due for health reasons. We thank them for their service. They have been great catalysts for our congregation and leadership for change around mission work. They’ll continue to participate as they can in the life of our congregation and we look forward to a time
News from Operation Christmas Child
Karobo’s Story
Karobo is a young man who grew up in Lesotho, one of the world’s poorest countries. His story tells us about the great impact an OCC shoebox had on his life. “I still carry a brown comb in my pocket that I received in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift when I was 11. It’s more than just a practical help, it reassures me of God’s faithfulness every time I look at it. It is a reminder that God knows my needs, even the little things—and that brings me joy.”
Karobo experienced heartbreaking loss early in life. His father died when Karobo was only 5. Then his mother left him in the care of his grandmother. As a young boy, Karobo helped his grandmother by hunting for food and tending to the garden and chickens. He walked four miles each way to fetch and carry well water.
Karobo experienced more heartbreak when his grandmother died. He went to live with an uncle in the city where his missed his country life. A year later, Karobo’s mother died taking away the hope that she would one day return for him.
Karobo describes receiving his shoebox at an outreach event at a church as “the beginning of me reopening my heart that I had protected so long from loss and heartache and entrusting it to Christ.” Karobo was astonished to learn that everything in the shoebox was for him! Receiving a gift packed by a stranger filled Karobo with hope and a desire to know more about God.
In Karobo’s words, “Today, I have eternal life in Jesus Christ—because of His love for me. After all the things that God has seen me through, I’ve had a lot of people tell me I am lucky—but I say I am chosen. They say it’s a coincidence, and I say it’s a blessing. That’s the difference between the one who has seen the light of God and one who has not.”
Giving with Gratitude
$22 was collected in October to go toward the $9 donation requested for each shoebox to be used for shipping and ministry costs. Thank you for GIVING WITH GRATITUDE!
Praise God for His Provision!
OCC fund raising has gone so well this year we will be able to sponsor some children to be enrolled in The Greatest Journey course.
2021 Collection Week
There are opportunities for volunteers to serve at the drop-off site we host for collection week, Nov. 15-22. Snacks for volunteers and donors are also needed. Please see Mary Lou if you can give some of your time to receive shoeboxes and pack them in shipping cartons or provide some goodies.
Thank you for supporting Operation Christmas Child
with your prayers, resources, and talents!
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