THE WOODLANDS UMC
DECEMBER 2018 EDITION
POINT A MESSAGE FROM
CLIFF RITTER
PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
COME LET US ADORE HIM THIS ADVENT SEASON A SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS 2018 On December 2 at 5:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. you will have the opportunity to participate in a century-old worship service presented by a select group of singers. Nine alternating ‘lessons and carols’ provide a liturgy that parallels the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. A pre-musical concert of harp will begin fifteen minutes prior to each service. The service takes place in the Robb Chapel and no ticket is needed for this event.
CHRISTMAS MUSICAL 2018 Christmas Musical presented by the Chancel Choir, Sanctuary Orchestra and Drama Team. The musical will be presented Saturday evening, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. and again Sunday evening, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Sanctuary. You will have the opportunity to share the biblical story of Christmas in song, drama and narration. You will find your heart full of joy as you find the peace and hope of the season. A ticket is needed for this event. Tickets range from $5 to $15. Tickets are available at Connection Point and during the week in the church office.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE WOODLANDS UMC SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY Church offices will be closed December 25 and 26.
Is it too early to pray for snow? As a native Houstonian, the dream of snow during the holidays is an aspirational goal at best. I ventured as far north as Dallas for a season, but the cold weather brought mostly ice storms while we were there. That didn’t deter my children from crafting ice statues on the patio table. There were a few times that we had enough snow to make snow angels in the brown grass covering our lawn. We always longed for a Bing Crosby kind of Christmas. Well, a pastor can still dream, right? I’m guessing Joseph and Mary never had to worry about snow drifts or ice patches complicating their journey to that Little Town of Bethlehem. ‘Tis the season for us to remember the time when Jesus took the form of a little child, came into the world in the most humble of circumstances, and changed the destiny of humanity forever. His Advent was just a small gift for all of us on Christmas Day, and a miraculous gift for the world. I absolutely love the hymns of the Season. I find that the more obscure stanza in each hymn reveals a surprising depth of meaning for our souls. For example, the third stanza from O Little Town of Bethlehem says: How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. I pray that you will receive the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ in this season to come. I believe God desires a transformational relationship with each of us. If you have such a relationship already, then be a gift from heaven to someone you love. Share the joy of our faith, about a baby who was born on Christmas Day, and about a Savior who promises to come again. Merry Christmas!