Spend Some Time With Jesus

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:38-42)

There is perhaps no better place to see how stressful the holiday season can become than the parking lot of a shopping mall on Black Friday. Some people, it seems, will run you over for a parking space. And the frantic shopping rush doesn’t let up until Christmas morning.

Even with the best of intentions, the Christmas season can all too easily dissolve into a hectic scramble to decorate the house, put up the tree, send Christmas cards, bake, shop, wrap presents, and attend various holiday gatherings. As we get ready to celebrate our Savior’s birth, we’ll need to be intentional if we are to avoid becoming “distracted by all the preparations.”

A recent survey conducted right after the holidays asked people to think back on the holidays and consider what they wish they had done differently.  It found that Parents with at least one child living at home were especially likely to regret how much they spent on gifts, not spending enough time reflecting on the spiritual significance of the holidays, and not giving enough money to charity. This highlights the unique anxiety parents feel during the holidays of wanting to make the season special for their kids while also wanting them to know that it’s not just about the gifts.

Let’s remember Jesus’ teaching that “only one thing is needed.” He never asked for a perfect feast to be prepared in his honor or for our houses to be decorated in Martha Stewart fashion. And he certainly didn’t encourage us to stress over finding the perfect gifts or to go into debt to pay for them. He asked only that we turn our attention to Him.

So, as we prepare for this holiday season be sure not to overlook the one thing that is truly needed: time with the One whose birth we celebrate.

Grace & Peace,

Bob Clark

Small Groups

Sunday School. Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Open to all youth pre-k through high school. Robin Stolarcyk is looking for volunteers to help. Please contact Robin if you can help or would like more information.

Christian Fellowship Class. Sunday mornings 9:00 AM. Room B6.  Please join us. Leader: Shirley Prentice.

Pastor’s Study & Prayer Group: Sunday mornings 11:30 AM, Room B6. Everyone is welcome to join.  Questions contact Pastor Bob (910) 260-0551 or 648-4326.  No Class 4th Sunday’s, join us for Pot Luck Luncheon in fellowship hall.

Unity Circle: Ladies Group, 2nd Monday of every month 11:00 AM. All ladies are invited to join. Contact Bev Hamm for more information.

Monday Evening Ladies Book Study Group: Monday evenings at 6:30 pm. In the Disciple Room (B4). Contact Karen MacKenzie for more information.

Rachel Circle: Ladies Group, 3rd Tuesday of every month 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM in the Frazer Room (B18). All ladies are invited to join. Contact Marita Root for more information.

Tuesday Women’s Group: Join us in Tuesday’s at 12:45, Disciple Room (B4).  A time of Bible Study, friendship, good food, & great conversation. Contact Carol Krizan or Pat Winters for more information.

Knitting for the Lord: Tuesday, evenings, 6:00 – 7:00 PM, Room B2. Contact Sue Alcott or Lynne Masland for more information.

WordGirls: Wednesdays, 9:15 – 11:15 a.m.  All ladies are welcome to join. Questions contact Amy O’Brien.

Choir. Thursdays 4:00 – 5:00 PM.  Everyone is welcome to join. Contact Carla Fako for more information.

Please contact the church office if you need contact information for the leaders at 648-4339. 

January Mission:  Please support RISE Domestic Shelter.  Their wish list includes:  sheets in all sizes, new pillows, lotions for sensitive skin, products for textured hair, diapers sizes 4 – 6, pull ups sizes 5 and 7, sippy cups, children’s coats, children’s boots, children’s winter clothing. Please drop them off at the church in the bin. Questions contact the church office at 648-4339.

25 days until Night to Shine sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation! Still seeking volunteers and special guests.  Is your paperwork in?  Mandatory training for all volunteers will be held on all January Sundays, 12 PM & Wednesday evenings in Jan. 7-8 PM in the Sanctuary. Questions will be answered and assignments will be given. Volunteers need to attend 1 session of training. Prom Boutique (January 18, 6PM-8PM and January 26,1 PM-3PM) Need volunteers to set up and work the event. See Gayle Peters or Donna James for more information; Making of corsages and boutonnieres (February 8 at 10 AM at the church)  See Dawn Worden for more information. Please pray for these special guests and volunteers and ask yourself- How can I help? Please get your application form from our forms & applications tab above on this website. Questions please contact the church office at 607-648-4339.

Rodney Lucas, our custodian, was hospitalized and is now residing in Susquehanna Nursing Home, currently for rehabilitation. Rodney will be retiring. As the Trustees and SPRC work diligently to find a new custodian, we are turning to you to ask for your volunteer help. At this time, we are only doing basic housekeeping in order to give our worshippers a clean, healthy environment. Can you help? Cleaning would include the bathrooms, minimal vacuuming of the sanctuary & corridors, & ensuring our Sunday School rooms are ready for Sunday morning. If you have a couple hours available during the week, please contact Vicky Kwartler at 648-3295, Tom James at 648-7934 or Hudda Aswad at 724-2568.

Audio & Video Volunteers are Needed: Training will be provided. Please contact the church office; 648-4339 or Mike Howard (contact the church office for Mike’s contact information)  if you would be able to help. 

Coffee Hour: Volunteers Needed! Nothing fancy just light refreshments & coffee needed. Sign up sheet by the refreshments. Thank you in advance for your help.

Coupons to Care: Our program has helped many families, individuals & organizations. Please save your coupons. Put them in Sharon Quackenbush or Karen Hojsik’s mailbox. Help feed our neighbors through food banks and emergency requests. Shoppers are needed. For more information please contact Sharon Quackenbush, Karen Hojsik or Joyce Neumann.

Trustees Project Board in the back of the Narthex for those of you that may want to sign up for projects or may wish to contribute to a project. Please contact Hudda Aswad if you have any questions. Thank you.

Request for Liturgists. If you are thinking about it, but feel you can’t do a whole month, don’t let that get in the way. We can always work around schedules. It really is a nice way to participate in the service and serve both the Lord and the congregation. Everything you need is provided each week. If you have email, Penny can email you the readings ahead of time, if you prefer. Talk to the other liturgists and get their perspective.  Please consider giving it a try!!  Thanks. Pam Wasley

Wi-Fi Access at Church: If you would like access to wireless at the church please contact Mike Howard at: cbfumc@hotmail.com. Thank you

Reminder: 1st United Methodist Church of Chenango Bridge / Maines GiveBack Program: For every twenty (20) dollars spent, God’s church receives $1.00. Obtain your application of a Maines membership card from the church secretary Monday – Thursday 8 AM – 1 PM or you may request it by email from the church office as well at chenbridgeumc@outlook.com or you may get one from our forms & applications tab above. Our Maines account is “Chenango Bridge UMC” in order to receive the proper credit.

Fund Raiser for First United Methodist Church of Chenango Bridge.     Present this advertistment (below) and 10% of all work done will be donated to the church. For all questions and appointments please contact Quality Steam Cleaning. (You may also find this coupon in the back of the church or contact the church office.