CONNECTIONS
UPUMC
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 11pm, December 24.
• Christmas Morning Lessons and Carols, Rev. Dick Burden, 10am, December 25.
• No children’s Sunday School on December 25 or January 1.
• No Supper and Movie on Wednesday, December 27.
• New Year’s Day Food and Games, Sunday, January 1, Noon, Errol Stephenson Hall.
• Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, January 8.

THE LARGER CHURCH
• Metro District Leadership Event, Saturday, January 21, 9am-3pm, Portland First UMC, 1838 SW Jefferson.

THE COMMUNITY
• Portsmouth Neighborhood Association Forum, Tuesday, January 3, 7pm, Columbia Cottage.

FUTURE EVENTS, FOR YOUR CALENDAR
WEEKLY AT UPUMC
• Choir practices Sundays at 9:30am, Tuesdays at 6:00pm, Sanctuary.
• Men’s Group, Tuesdays, 10am, Narthex.
• Alcoholics Anonymous, Narthex, Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm, weekly.
• Morrison Child and Family Center, Wednesdays, 4-6, weekly.
• Supper and Movie, Joan of Arcadia episodes, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, weekly.
• Overeaters Anonymous, Wednesdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm.

THE NURSERY IS STAFFED DURING WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN SCHOOL AGE. SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE INVITED INTO THE SANCTUARY UNTIL THE PASSING OF THE PEACE; THEN THEY GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL.

SERVICE OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN IRAQ
On Jan. 22, 2006, a Service of Prayer for Peace with Iraq, the first of five interfaith peace services, will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Avenue, Portland. The service is scheduled for 4 p m. Sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and a number of peace fellowship groups in the Metro Area. For information, contact Augustana Lutheran at 503-288-6174 or EMO at 503-221-1054.

CARING ENOUGH TO INVITE
“Studies indicate that 80% of unchurched Americans say that no one has ever invited them to church. We may think we have invited them because we have signs outside our churches, we have ads in the yellow pages, and we may even send flyers around the community. But unchurched people say that no one has cared enough to invite them personally. Over half of those unchurched Americans say that if someone ever did invite them, then they would probably go to church.� – Bishop Michael J. Coyner, Indiana Area, United Methodist Church.

JEANNE ON MEDICAL LEAVE
As most of you know, I injured my knee at church in August. I’ve been through a long process of physical therapy and orthopedic examinations, leading to the decision that I will be having surgery on Tuesday, December 27. The surgery will involve a long period of post-surgical rehabilitation, so I will not be able to serve as a church pastor during that time. The Staff Parish Relations Committee, which functions as the church personnel committee, has asked me to promise that I won’t return to regular work until I have been cleared to drive, work, and do steps. I will honor that promise.

I will not be preaching, attending meetings, participating in neighborhood activities or doing anything else that would cause pain. I hope to be able to attend worship and some Wednesday nights, using the church wheel chair for mobility and avoiding all stairs. I may continue to edit UP-words if I can do it from home. I will continue to stay in touch and care about what is going on for people, but I won’t be making appointments to meet people for consultation. My biggest job will to do every thing I can, including rest, to help my knee to heal well and effectively. I thank you all very much for your understanding and prayers.—Jeanne

CAROL

If you would bring the Messiah,
tell every father
that his child is God’s answer
to the cry of the oppressed,
convince every mother
that she has borne God’s hope
for a wounded world.

Carry precious gifts
to the immigrant’s cradle.
Let the babies of the poor
hear angels rejoice at their birth.
Proclaim the nativity of Justice:
let Christ be born every year.

Jeanne G. Knepper


WHY DID HE COME?
His answer, in his own words:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim
release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
(Luke 4:18-19)
As we rejoice this Christmas at the coming of the Christ Child, may we also reflect on God's gentle reminder:
There are still poor.
There are still captives.
There are still blind.
There are still oppressed.
And for millions, no year of the Lord's favor has come to forgive the crushing burden of debt and poverty.
Exult with us as we celebrate the Child in the manger, who came that we might have abundant life.
And pray with us as we remember how much there is still to do.
Warmest blessings to you at Christmas.
Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar
General Secretary
National Council of Churches USA
NEW ADDRESSES

Ilene Smith: 35335 Oakwood Drive; St. Helens OR 97051. Cell phone:503-679-1909.
Jason Winkler, e-address:

A GREAT NEW YEAR’S DAY: WORSHIP, A MEAL, SNACKS, GAMES AND GOOD CONVERSATION, HERE ON JANUARY 1.

Show (0) - Add comments: