Dear Friends,
Fun…Heart-warming…positive! It was better than those cheesy scenes in a holiday made-for-TV movie. I’m talking about our first Christmas Caroling event at the tree farm. Sixteen church members, including 3 children, sang carols on Sunday evening at the tree tent. There was a steady stream of people and everyone flashed a smile at our melodies. One woman in particular was touched by nostalgia and our gift of song. She talked about growing up in upstate New York and how every year Christmas carolers would visit her grandmother’s house. They would stand on the front porch listening, sometimes joining in. She had never seen that in Miami, she said. “It’s so beautiful.”
Of course, I want to thank those who came to sing but also invite you to join us! Besides singers we need people to make and serve drinks like coffee, cider, cocoa. By offering this hospitality, we hope to have a chance to interact and mingle with some of the customers like this one woman. God’s Love warms their hearts; it’s up to us to make a personal connection and to make a stranger into a friend. Here are the remaining dates:
Sunday, 12/13, 5:30-7pm (caroling & coffee)
Wednesday, 12/16, 6:45-7pm (caroling only)
Saturday, 12/19, 5:30-7pm (caroling & coffee)
Speaking of making new friends, I’d like to introduce our new Administrative Assistant, Katie Tananta who starts in the office this week. Katie has an Associates Degree in Business Administration and is working toward her four year degree at FIU. She grew up in Homestead and met her husband, Einsten, in Peru while on a mission trip. They are now starting a Hispanic mission church at First UMC Homestead. She will be coming to worship on Sunday, 12/20, to meet the congregation. Please help her feel welcome. During December, office hours will remain Monday through Friday 10am-2pm.
Peace on Earth! Goodwill toward All!
~Pastor Amber
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*A “Blue Christmas” prayer service will be offered on Thursday, December 17th at 7pm. This is a brief and thoughtful service for those who have lost ones and are seeking solace during the holidays. Feel free to pass the word and invite others who may be interested in such a service.
*We are looking for some family-friendly furnishings for parents to use during worship. Please keep your eye out for gently-used changing tables (2) for the restrooms and rockers/gliders for the back of the sanctuary. Items may come from thift stores or families who have outgrown them, and can be donated or purchased by the church if reasonably priced.
