Poinsettia Update

Just a friendly reminder. We'll hold the poinsettias that were donated in memory or honor of loved ones at the church until Thursday, after that, any that haven't been picked up will be taken to assisted living, care homes, etc.

Pilates Tomorrow, Yoga Tuesday

Pilates will be held tomorrow at 9:30 am and Yoga will be held on Tuesday at 6:15 pm.

Sickness

Sickness has engulfed the Collins family, thus the lack of posts.

Worship at 8:10 and 10:50 Today

We will be having both worship services today. If you tried to call in, I apologize, but it would appear that we have lost the main phone line. If you still need to reach us try 251-5257. If you think that maybe, just maybe you should stay in for the sake of safety, I would encourage you to do so. Bring a shovel if you have one.

Newsletter Up

The latest edition of the Parish Visitor (the church newsletter) is up on the newsletter page of our website: www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org/Newsletter.html

A Blessing from the Upper Room

During this busy week before Christmas, I was particularly blessed by today's devotional from The Upper Room. You can find it online here.

Link: http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=12&day=20&year=2007

No Wednesday Gathering Until After the New Year

There will be no Wednesday Gatherings until January 2, 2007.

Christmas Basket Packing

We will be putting together 25 Christmas Baskets this Tuesday evening starting at 6:30. Everyone who wants to come and help is welcome and food items (or cash) can be contributed up until the last Basket is filled.

Volunteer Case-Manager Training Postponed

Because of inclement weather across the state the Volunteer Case-Manager training that was scheduled for today has been postponed. It will be rescheduled after the first of the new year.

No Wednesday Gathering Tonight

There will be no Wednesday gathering tonight due to expect re-freezing.

No Yoga Tonight

Our instructor, April "Crotchety Old Doc" Foreman, is ill.

Volunteer Case-Manager Training

I've put a post up on bricktownblog.com regarding Case-Manager Training. Please check it out.

Link: http://www.bricktownblog.com/?p=23

Case Management Training Rescheduled

Case Management Training (in our fellowship hall) has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 13, 2007 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Church Office Closed monday

The church office will be closed tomorrow (Monday, December 10, 2007). Pilates has also been canceled.

Church Conference Postponed

The 2007 Church Conference has been postponed until next Sunday (December 16). The SPRC will meet at 5:30 pm with the Church Conference proper at 6:30 pm.

Worship Cancelled Today

Because of the ice, both worship services and the church conference have been canceled. There will also be no youth group.

The Real St. Nicholas

Again, via Sojourners. I agree with the first comment that the Real St. Nicholas is far more compelling than the legend.

Link to The Real St. Nicholas
http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2007/12/happy-st-nicholas-day-by-abaye.html

Birthday Calendar Addition

An addition to the Birthday Calendar:
Braedon Smith, December 15th.

Voice of the Day - Blaise Pascal

A word of warning, via Sojourners:

People never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.

—Blaise Pascal

Taize Service Tommorrow

Tomorrow's Wednesday Gathering will be a Taize service.

Why No Pink Candle in the Advent Wreath?

Why don't we have a pink candle in the Advent wreath? Why would we use a pink candle in the Advent wreath? Ken Collins (no relation) has a good explanation in his Worship Glossary.

"Rose [Optional] Rose (that is, a shade of pink) was sometimes used on the third Sunday in Advent, to signify joy."
"The use of the color rose has a strange origin. Long ago, the pope had the custom of giving someone a rose on the fourth Sunday in Lent. This led the Roman Catholic clergy to wear rose-colored vestments on that Sunday. The effect was to give some relief the solemnity of Lent, so this was a very popular custom. Originally—before shopping malls—Advent was a solemn fast in preparation for Christmas, so the custom was extended to the third Sunday in Advent to liven it up a little bit, too. Somewhere in there the third candle of the Advent wreath turned pink. Meanwhile, Advent is no longer solemn and the pope no longer has the custom of giving out roses. It is kind of odd to think that a Methodist would put a pink candle in a Lutheran Advent wreath because the pope used to have the custom of giving out roses, but sometimes we’re a little more ecumenical than we realize!"
"In the Catholic Church, rose is an alternative color for the fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday) and the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)."

Copyright ©1995-2007 by the Rev. Kenneth W. Collins. Reprinted with permission.

And from the United Methodist Book of Worship (pretty much the final word on all things liturgical in the United Methodist Church):

"Some traditions us the color rose on the Third Sunday of Advent and for this reason use three purple candles and one rose candle. United Methodists, however, encourage purple for the whole season of Advent and therefore us four purple candles."

For the above reasons we use four purple candles in the advent wreath.