Advent Events Continued

27^th Year Celebration of Advent Meditations

This is the 27^th year for the publication of this annual event in the life of Peoples United Methodist Church. Initially the project was the idea of Dan Quieor the husband of Meg who just completed a number of years in the ministry. Among others who coordinated the project was Dave Hodgkins, the husband of Wanda Stahl who has served the New England United Methodist Church Conferenceand is presently on the teaching staff of Boston University School of Theology. Ellen Dunn was the third editor and most recently it has been Art Tordoff. We hope that all who have read and contribute to this annual publication have found inspiration in its pages.

The 2013 Children’s Sunday School Christmas Pageant

While delayed a week because of inclement weather was almost delayed again because of weather, but the show was destined to go on. While members of families that may have been travelling from a distance couldn’t be present because of the weather, it appeared that all of the cast, the directors and immediate family members were present as well as a sizeable congregation.

As part of the regular Sunday Service on December 22, the Pageant followed the regular program that included a number of Christmas carols, the lighting of the Advent candles by the Marston family and the sermon given by Pastor Tom Frey. The lay speaker for the month of December has been Kelly Frey.

Pastor Tom’s sermon was based on the moral of the story, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”. As anyone who has read or seen the story one knows that while the people of Whoville were relatively poor, they were also happy. Eventually the Grinch was convinced that one’s riches are not the key to happiness and that doing for others with love is the way the Lord would have us be.

The Pageant included some 25 or more young folks and was led by 5 or 6 adults. There were angels and shepherds, as well as Mary and Joseph and the baby. Three wise men appeared as well as a little drummer boy. Some of the children were attired in animal costumes and some of the older children served as the narrating team. Music and the Christmas story were second only to the actors themselves.

Thanks to Debbie Cole also for her leadership in the musical realm in the regular part of the service as well as the pageant.

 

 

 

Christmas Eve service                        December 24, 2013

Twas the night before Christmas when Peoples was filled.

The Bell Choir prepared for an inspirational evening, by playing together

spiritual rills of the season.

There were families upon families, who came to be near,

Near to the Crèche, to a neighbor, and to the Spirit, that all could share.

The Advent Wreath this evening was fully lighted by the Small family featuring the candles of Hope, Peace Joy and of Love.

Then came the larger candle, the one in the middle. The candle of Jesus Christ for whose birth we await!

The Pastor was preaching on a Charlie Brown Christmas, complete with a video

that was truly a treat.

He also brought his friends, Harry and Humphrey, puppets neat.

Children in the audience came forward, sat rapt at the rail,

while adults too were drawn into the message bewailed.

As the celebration continued we sang the message from Luke

That we hear every year.

Yet the story never too old, tried and true we listen.

And we leave each other by singing a Silent Night and a Joy for this World.

Ring out the bells in various sizes and to each do we say

 Merry Christmas to all and God speed through life.