Wesley United Methodist Church

Announcements

• Visions of Christmas Past

  Friends,

  Sunday evening, I was looking for some Christmas candles. Having no luck, I looked in the attic and found a box labeled "Christmas Stuff." I took the box off the shelf and brought it downstairs. Opening the box, three items immediately caught my attention: a tall Christmas Candle, a Christmas Tree Pin, and a family Christmas Card. The Christmas Candle was wrapped in saran wrap. It had never been used and was bent over from age. I can relate to that! I suspect my mother could not bear the thought of lighting it. I took the candle out of the box and put it into a silver candle holder. This year, it will shine brightly!  The family Christmas Card had a picture of me and some of my siblings. We are dressed in snowsuits, wool hats, mittens, and skates. We were all smiling and of course, my mouth was wide open. Some things never change. The Christmas Tree Pin was painted gold and covered in glass jewels. It was beautiful nonetheless! I put the items on the dining room table as memories of past Christmases flooded into my head. The Christmas Candle reminded me of my mom.  Each time we would come to the table, she would say, "Would somebody please light the candles."  The Christmas Card reminded me of my dad. Each year, he patiently waited for us to sit still long enough so he could snap the perfect photo. The Christmas Tree Pin is probably my favorite discovery! I remember my mom, my grandmother, and my Aunt Mary. wearing them at Christmas. As a small boy, I was certain they were real diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

  I put the items on top of the buffet. Although they have no monetary value, they are priceless to me. Humble and long forgotten, today they have the power to touch my heart and fill me with joy. Sunday, in both Hill City and Hibbing, folks gathered around the Advent Wreath and lit two candles, one for hope and one for peace. The Advent Wreath, just like the items from the box labeled "Christmas Stuff," is also a humble reminder of Christ's birth in manger but also reminds us to prepare for when Christ will come again.

  This morning, on my journey between Hibbing and Hill City I reflected on these words, "May the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:15)  I admit, for just a second, I questioned where hope, joy, or peace might come from. Afterall, the world today seems so broken. However, I quickly snapped out of it because I found hope and peace when we lit the Advent Wreath. I felt joy when I opened a box and found a Christmas Candle, Card, and Pin. My prayer is that we look for hope, joy, and peace in the forgotten places of our lives knowing that when we find them, we will also find Christ. With that in mind, "Let us welcome each other, in the same way that Christ welcomed us." (Romans 15:7)

  Come, Lord Jesus, Come

   

  https://youtu.be/4EacjgdJGX4?si=l7mvDwJWu3XowHLa

  https://youtu.be/WEvkhUOM-BY?si=3-7Ukbh6qc34oH_y

  https://youtu.be/o2_7XUdAabM?si=0FGHZKhALuHZWIRE

   

  Wesley UMC:  

  1. Wesley Wednesday will put on their Christmas play at 5pm on Wednesday, December 10th.  All Are Welcome!

   2.. Advent Evening Prayer Service takes place on Thursday, December 11 at 5pm.  We will have prayer at 5pm, soup supper to follow! We will be with our friends at St. James Episcopal and First Lutheran Church. Please bring a canned vegetable or a box of Au Gratin potatoes to add to our Christmas Dinner Bag for the Caring Corner on December 23rd.

  3. "Breakfast with Santa" takes place on Saturday, 9 am to 11am. Children can share their holiday wishes with Santa, and the entire family can enjoy breakfast!

   3. Our Family Christmas Eve Service will take place on Wednesday, December 24 at 4pm.  All are welcome!