A Word from our Pastor…
I am grateful for each and every one of you that takes a few minutes each week to tune in to the Voice of Clinton Methodist Church. Thank you for caring enough to engage with us in this forum.
Thanksgiving week is upon us! We kicked things off with a wonderful combined worship service and potluck meal this past Sunday. We had nearly 300 in worship. Praise the Lord! The church has been a hive of activity ever since getting our campus ready to welcome in the Advent season. Everyone is hard at work planning worship services, putting up Christmas decorations, and publishing this newsletter so we can unplug completely on Thursday and be present with our families. I want to encourage you to do the same. Work hard these early days this week so you can really appreciate your family this holiday season.
The Protagonist Advent series gets rolling this Sunday in worship. The message is titled “Stepping into the Story.” Our scripture passage will be Isaiah 64:1-4. Hint: The sermons will all be based on passages from the prophet Isaiah during this series. The daily reader starts Sunday as well. If you still need a book, you can pick one up on Sunday before or after worship or in the church office first thing on Monday morning. Furthermore, stay tuned to our church’s Facebook page for weekly videos from our staff and church members sharing their reflections from the daily reader.
Finally, we are bringing back a CMC tradition this year – Hanging of the Greens. This is a special worship service with carols and lessons expounding upon the meaning behind our church’s Christmas decorations. Did you know that our decorations help us understand the deeper significance of Jesus and his story? This service will feature lots of special music, scripture readings by our youth, and decorating. Following the service, there will be a fellowship time in the Worship Center with lots of holiday snacks and ornament crafts for kids and families. This will kick start our holiday season the right way – appreciating our church family and centering ourselves on the Protagonist of our story – Jesus.
Advent is a journey of preparation that takes us right up to our Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight services. I hope your expectancy grows brighter over these coming weeks for the coming of our Savior – who was, who is, and who is coming again!
BTW: I want to give a shout out to all who have volunteered this week bringing the spirit of Christmas to our campus. A special thank you goes to Becky Robinson, Jacque Tharp, and their team of decorators. Also, thanks to Sarah Beth Rowland, Lorraine Gilbert, Mike Norcom, and their teams as well. You guys are amazing volunteers! I am so grateful for you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jimmy