Wesley United Methodist Church

Announcements

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  Snow Kids

  Friends, 

  On Sunday afternoon, I noticed two kids sliding down a hill into the ditch on one side of the highway. As I glanced, I could see the hands of one of them held high above their head with their mouth wide open as they made their rapid descent. It was a look of pure joy as the other boy was jumping up and down, cheering on his friend. As I sped past, I never got to see the landing. Did he crash before he reached the bottom? I will never know. Of course, a week ago that would not have occurred because the first snow did not arrive until Monday. With a blanket of snow, what we always knew was coming finally arrived, winter! The first snow and children sliding down a small hill remind me of many things. Putting on snow pants, mittens, woolen hats, and long underwear as we slid down the hill next to the family home and then headed inside to sip hot chocolate with marshmallows floating like bobbers on the top. I realize we live life day to day, but we also live life season to season.  After all, in the north woods the rhythm of our lives changes as we move from winter to spring to summer to fall and back to winter. Just like a well-worn hymn is only complete if each verse is sung, our lives find fulfillment in embracing each change of season. 

  Of course, the Church also has seasons. Sunday marked the First Sunday of Advent and the beginning of the liturgical year. The Church year is a liturgical map and it reminds me of the sailor who uses the stars as a guide while circumnavigating the globe. Just as the seasoned sailor is changed with each turn around the globe, my hope for all of us is that each time we return to Advent to begin anew, we have also been changed. Then, as we once again set sail, the transformation continues as we prepare our hearts and minds to not only memorialize his birth, but also, for the time when he will return again. 

  Sunday morning at Wesley UMC and Hill City UMC, it was the children who helped us begin anew. In Hibbing, they lit the Advent Wreath and placed wreaths on the doors of the church. In Hill City, they piled onto a trailer full of bales of hay to proclaim "Joy to the World" to anyone within earshot. My prayer this week is that we all can make time to embrace this new season of Advent just like the children. As we once again prepare to remember Christ's birth, but also hope for the glorious day when he will come again, may we live in the space between his birth and his second coming. This way, when the next Advent arrives, not only will our lives be changed but the world will be transformed as well. 

  https://youtu.be/5lwtbnU-1Tw?si=E1L4tzwDHWaXRIUU

  https://youtu.be/MaRnOsM-c60?si=DbzfXNg79IPi2bUI

  https://youtu.be/o2_7XUdAabM?si=VxLJ0Ki2PxmCT6KN

  1. Wesley Wednesday begins this Wednesday!

  2. Advent Prayer Service is Wednesday, December 4th. Meal at 5:30 service at 6:00pm. Dr. Kelley Jewett will be speaking!  Service in chapel.

  3. Kids Play and Bake sale this Sunday at 9:00am!  

  4. Join us for an afternoon of fun at Mr. Ed's Farm.