{"id":16729,"date":"2017-11-28T15:12:20","date_gmt":"2017-11-28T19:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=16729"},"modified":"2018-01-02T11:45:19","modified_gmt":"2018-01-02T15:45:19","slug":"pumc-to-welcome-the-christ-in-2017-december-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=16729","title":{"rendered":"PUMC to Welcome the Christ in 2017 (December, 2017)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Christmas<\/a>The season of Advent is a gift from God. It’s a special time of the year when families, friends, and churches across dominations join together to celebrate the incarnation… the wonder that somehow God became human and walked this earth in the Person of Jesus.<\/span><\/address>\n
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\u00a0And yet, sometimes we get so bogged down in the parties, shopping and “things we have to do” that we miss the wonder.<\/span><\/address>\n
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And so this year we offer an opportunity to Slow Down. Plug into the activities that will help you connect with God in this season of Wonder.<\/span><\/address>\n
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We’re all busy; even at PUMC we will be busy with a lot of activities this Advent Season. We offer different activities because God speaks to each of us in a way meant just for us. But slowing down doesn’t mean dropping out. Slow down and look for Christ! Our events are places where you might find Christ. Not everything is tuned for everyone. Pray and consider where God may be leading you to spend your precious time this season.<\/span><\/address>\n
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The “Drop Down” boxes below are like gifts. Open the ones which seem to have your name on it. Dig in and enjoy the wonder of seeing Jesus this Christmas season.<\/span><\/address>\n
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What’s your favorite part of the Christmas Season?\u00a0
\n Scroll\u00a0 down to the end of this article and vote in our poll!<\/span><\/strong><\/address>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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There are Four Weeks in the Advent Season, and then the first Sunday after Christmas begins the Epiphany season.<\/span><\/p>\n
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  1. Week 1: Sunday Dec. 3 through Saturday Dec. 9<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Week 2: Sunday Dec. 10 through Saturday Dec. 16<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Week 3: Sunday Dec. 17 through Saturday Dec. 23<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Week 4: Sunday Dec. 24 through Christmas Day<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Get Ready!<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Yes, there’s a lot of shopping to do.\u00a0 Cards are waiting to be written and mailed.\u00a0 And those lights need to be hung outside.\u00a0 There’s a lot to do in order to be ready for Christmas.\"\"<\/p>\n

    But these are “things” that you need to do in order to celebrate Christmas.\u00a0 But, what are you doing to open yourself up to soaking in as much of the spiritual meaning of this season that you can?\u00a0 In addition to participating in all of the activities, it’s wise to prepare yourself with worship, prayer, and Bible readings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    One way to do that (other than to attend our Sunday worship services), is to follow an Advent Devotional.\u00a0 Several local churches have put together a devotional guide to help you keep in touch spiritually.\u00a0 For more information on the Advent Devotions, Click Here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    You can also access each week’s readings from this post.\u00a0 Above each week’s schedule is a button which will open a PDF of that week’s devotions.<\/p>\n

    To learn more about the events scheduled for each of the four weeks in Advent, open the “drop down” gifts below.<\/p>\n

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    ===== WEEK 1 =====<\/span><\/h3>\n

    (Sunday 12\/3 through Saturday 12\/9)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\nDevotions<\/span><\/span><\/a>\n

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    SUNDAY 12\/3: WORSHIP SERVICES<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    During our 9:30 and 11:00 worship services on this first Sunday in Advent, we will light the first candle in our Advent Wreath: The candle of Hope<\/span><\/strong> (which reminds us that “Advent is a time to wait upon the Lord with faithful endurance”). \u00a0 During both services, we will celebrate Holy Communion.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    TUESDAY 12\/5: BIBLE STUDY<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    Pastor Jim will use the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” to conduct a Bible Study in the Potter’s Hand room (7:00 PM).\u00a0 There will be no 9:30 class this week.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    THURSDAY 12\/7: OUR FATHER'S HOUSE PAGEANT<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    The kids from our preschool<\/a> (Our Father’s House) will present their Christmas Pageant in the sanctuary at 10:00. All are welcome! Come out to enjoy the innocent enthusiasm of our 2-4 year olds.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    FRIDAY 12\/8: BLAST ALL-NIGHTER<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    Our Youth Group will combine with Aldine UMC and Woodstown Baptist for epic all-nighter! It will run from Friday 6PM through Saturday 8AM. The all-nighter will take us to Skyzone in Delaware, Woodlanes Bowling Alley in Woodstown, and then to Gloucester County Young Life\u2019s Barn for a time of worship and the message.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

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    ===== WEEK 2 =====<\/span><\/h3>\n

    (Sunday 12\/10 through Saturday 12\/16)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nDevotions<\/span><\/a>\n

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    SUNDAY 12\/10: WORSHIP SERVICES<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    During our 9:30 and 11:00 worship services on this second Sunday in Advent, we will light the 2nd candle in our Advent Wreath: The candle of Love<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 (which reminds us that “Advent is a time to watch for God’s presence”).\n Our Preschool will present their pageant “The True Meaning of Christmas” during the 11:00 service.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    SUNDAY 12\/10: COOKIE WALK<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    The United Methodist Women will hold a “cookie walk” in between the two services (10:30 to 11:00).\u00a0 Purchase a container and fell it up with an assortment of great cookies!<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    SUNDAY 12\/10: GLOUCESTER COUNTY CHILDREN'S CHOIR<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    At 4:00 PM the Gloucester County Children’s Choir will present their winter concert in our sanctuary.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    TUESDAY 12\/12: BIBLE STUDY<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    Pastor Jim will conduct a Bible Study in the Potter’s Hand room (9:30 AM and 7:00 PM).\u00a0 The study will use clips from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” to make life applications.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    SATURDAY 12\/16: WRAPPING<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    From 2-5 PM our Youth Group (BLAST) will wrap your gifts for you!\u00a0 Donations will be accepted to benefit their upcoming retreat to Keswick. \u00a0 If you’re not finished shopping for this afternoon’s wrapping, you’ll get a second chance on Friday 12\/22.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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    BLAST will go to Keswick to attend the MidWinter Advance<\/span><\/a> (annual youth retreat) on February 16-18, 2018. <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    SATURDAY 12\/16: NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME SINGERS<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    At 5:15 The “Not Ready for Prime Time Singers<\/a>” will meet for dinner and then visit our shut ins. Celebrate the arrival of Christ by sharing with those who are often forgotten.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

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    ===== WEEK 3 =====<\/span><\/h3>\n

    (Sunday 12\/17 through Saturday 12\/23)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nDevotions<\/span><\/a>\n

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    SUNDAY 12\/17: WORSHIP SERVICES<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    During our 9:30 and 11:00 worship services on this third Sunday in Advent, we will light the 3rd candle in our Advent Wreath: Joy<\/span><\/strong> (which reminds us that “Advent is a time to prepare for the Lord in Heart, Soul, and Mind.”) \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    SUNDAY 12\/17: WHITE GIFT <\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    During our 9:30 worship service, we’ll re-create the manger scene in the front of the altar in the Sanctuary.\u00a0 “Shepherds” will usher our Sunday School classes to the altar to present their “white gift” boxes to the “Christ Child.”\u00a0 These gifts will support local missions.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    SUNDAY 12\/17: CANTATA<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    At 4:15 our choirs<\/a> will will be joined by choirs from the community to present the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 More Info<\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    TUESDAY 12\/19: BIBLE STUDY<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    Pastor Jim will conduct a Bible Study in the Potter’s Hand room (9:30 AM and 7:00 PM).<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    THURSDAY 12\/21: BLUE CHRISTMAS<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    At 7:00 PM a “Longest Night” service will be held in the chapel for those who find Christmas difficult after losing a loved one.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
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    FRIDAY 12\/22: WRAPPING<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    From 4-7 PM our Youth Group (BLAST) will wrap your gifts for you!\u00a0 Donations will be accepted to benefit their upcoming retreat to Keswick.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

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    ===== WEEK 4 =====<\/span><\/h3>\n

    (Sunday 12\/24 and\u00a0 Monday 12\/25)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nDevotions<\/span><\/a>\n

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    SUNDAY 12\/24 (AM): WORSHIP SERVICE (10:15 only)<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    There will only be one service on this morning of Christmas Eve; it will be at 10:15 AM<\/span>.\u00a0 During this service we’ll light the 4th candle in our Advent Wreath: Peace\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong>(which reminds us that the One we’re waiting for is the Messiah, the Prince of Peace).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span> \n <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    During the morning service, Rev. Jim Hughes will present one of his special musical dramatizations!\u00a0 For more on Jim Hughes, read about his presentation this summer at the Pitman Camp Meeting:\u00a0 Jim Hughes<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

    This evening, we will hold two Christmas Eve services (open the below drop down box).<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n

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    SUNDAY 12\/24 (PM): CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
    We will hold two worship services on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n