First United Methodist Church Phone (732) 531-1150 103 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 Fax (732) 531-2638

OakhurstUMC@optonline.net http://oakhurst.umcchurches.org

The Cornerstone The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:22-23

Volume LXVIII Number 52 December 23, 2020

December 27, 2020

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Glory to the newborn king!

DECEMBER PRAYER GARDEN FOCUS

For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given. In the midst of a troubled world we give thanks for

the peace He brings to the hearts of all who believe.

David Miller, Arbor Terrace Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls Anne Edelson, The Atria, Tinton Falls Darlene Herberg, The Willows, Holmdel At Home: Jean Gillette, Virginia Haydu, Lois Landis, Sandy Elias, Pam Lynch

January 3, 2020

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK What is God calling you to do in 2021?

Handikna Godebo, our World Vision Child from Ethiopia, is sponsored for the month of December by Helen McDonough.

MONTHLY COMMUNION OFFERING The December Communion Offering benefits

the John D. Blair Scholarship Fund.

WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS

December 27-January 2 Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40

SANCTUARY PRAYER TIME

Monday Mornings 9:30-11:30 a.m.

JUST FOR FUN! NAME THAT HYMN! How well do you know the words to some of our

beloved hymns? Following is a snippet of text from a well-known hymn. Can you name it? Google if you must, but try on your own first!

“…Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet

the morrow.” Last week’s answer:

“There’s a Song in the Air”

At 9:30 Sunday mornings, Pastor Shawn, Gary and others lead our worship services.

Every morning, Monday through Saturday, Pastor Shawn posts an uplifting moment of inspiration.

On Wednesdays, Gary offers special music. This week, enjoy his rendition of “Joy to the World.”

Direct links to our Church's Facebook page and YouTube channel can be found on the homepage of our website.

Thank you! All months for sponsorship of our World Vision

child have been covered!

Please note that the Dec. 24th devotion in our Advent Booklet was written by Barbara Gruezke.

Her name was inadvertently omitted.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES:

5:00 PM: PARKING LOT GATHERING

Let’s join together for a brief parking-lot Christmas Eve service. In the safety of your car, you will tune into an FM station to hear and participate in a simple service. We will sing a bit, pray a bit, hear the Christmas story, and be blessed by the sight of lights and the smiles on each other’s faces.

Rain or shine!

7:00 PM: ONLINE SERVICE Tune in to our Facebook page or YouTube channel to participate in a service of music and message. Join with your church family, and invite others to join as well, as our time together in online worship connects us across the miles.

OFFERING ENVELOPES Please be sure to stop by the church during office hours to pick up your new offering envelopes for 2021. Please do so by December 31. Thank you.

December 24 & 25

December 2020 Interfaith Neighbors Community Update 2020 has been a year like no other. Devastating for some, frightening for others, challenging for everyone. Financial struggles, health complications and personal loss experienced by too many. Government-imposed lockdowns, political controversies and widespread demands for social justice and societal change, all of which added stress in our daily lives...Through it all, we witnessed incredible generosity, courage, and steadfastness on the part of so many who came to the aid of those in need! Here at Interfaith Neighbors, our dedicated staff and intrepid volunteers worked tirelessly to assist our struggling neighbors with a special focus on those most impacted by the health pandemic. In addition to serving over 175 "traditional" client families, our Rental & Mortgage Assistance team administered our COVID-19 Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, helping another 200 families who experienced lost income as a result of the pandemic. Our Meals on Wheels team performed magnificently, not missing a single day of deliveries, while delivering over 300,000 meals to homebound seniors. The Kula Urban Farm distributed 4,700 pounds of produce to area churches, pantries, residents, and meal programs for families struggling to put food on their tables. And, our workforce development programs pivoted nimbly to respond to new workplace realities to ensure we continue to help people prepare for and enter new career pathways. We are astounded and humbled by the outpouring of support we received this year from volunteers and donors. In times like these, our mission of assisting those in need feels more important than ever. You make our work possible --- we simply can't accomplish what we do without you. May you and your families be blessed with good health and cheer this holiday season.

PRAYER GARDEN BRICK ORDER FOR EASTER, 2021

If you would like to purchase a personalized brick for the Prayer Garden, please complete the form below on or before February 1, 2021. Questions can be forwarded

to Gayle Fitzmaier at gaylefitzmaier@yahoo.com. $100 Engraved Brick along the Prayer Garden Pathway

If you wish, you can request that up to three lines be engraved. Please fill out the following form for your gift to be in honor or in memory of someone or a group.

ALL LETTERS WILL BE CAPITALS.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Line 1(20 characters maximum, counting spaces and punctuation)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Line 2(20 characters maximum, counting spaces and punctuation)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Line 3(20 characters maximum, counting spaces and punctuation)

Please fill out information about the donor:

_______________________________

Your name or your group’s name

__________________________________________________________________________ Home address AND Email address

_____________________________________

Town State Zip code

_____________________________________ Phone number

Make your check payable to First United Methodist Church: Oakhurst. Memo line marked “Prayer Garden.”

Place check with this form in Box 14, or mail to the church at 103 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst NJ 07755 rev 11/24/20

First United Methodist Church

103 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, New Jersey (732-531-1150)

Oakhurst.umcchurches.org

https://www.facebook.com/FUMCOakhurst/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKAx2pJqLM17unqH4ijR72A

December 24, 2020

Christmas Eve

CALL TO WORSHIP

LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE: The Peace Light from Bethlehem

ANTHEM “Did the Stars Hold Their Breath” George Fitzmaier, Barbara Gruezke, Leonard Gruezke, Barbara MacPherson, Joy More, Carol Steinat

RESPONSIVE PRAYER

Come, God-with-us:

who braves our rejections and hurt, to show your love and acceptance.

Come, God-under-us:

who cradles us in arms that never grow weary;

whose lap has room enough for all.

Come, God-beside-us:

who steadies us when we falter, who lifts us up when we fall.

Come, God-behind-us:

who picks up all the faded dreams we drop along the way,

weaving them into your story of hope.

Come, God-with-us:

who whispers in our ears that we – each and every one of us -

are your beloved children.

O come, O come, Emmanuel: and we will rejoice forever.

SCRIPTURE READING Luke 2:1-20

REFLECTION “Ponder”

HYMN “Silent Night” Jack Coleman, Barbara MacPherson, Cathy Stopyra, John Tocci

BENEDICTION “This is All It Takes” by C. Lawrie

A CLOSING GLIMPSE OF BEAUTY

First United Methodist Church

103 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, New Jersey (732-531-1150)

Oakhurst.umcchurches.org

https://www.facebook.com/FUMCOakhurst/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKAx2pJqLM17unqH4ijR72A

December 27, 2020

The First Sunday after Christmas Day

If you have a candle available,

please be prepared to light it at the start of worship.

CALL TO WORSHIP by C. Sine

The light of God has come into our world

to proclaim God’s justice and love.

Come and see!

Christ our companion has redeemed

our world, drawing us into a loving family

from every tribe and family and culture.

Come and follow!

The Spirit has equipped us for service:

to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, and

to bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth.

Go and tell!

MORNING PRAYER

SCRIPTURE READING John 1:1-14

Arlene Stoll

POEM “The Verb Became Flesh”

by Rachel Hackenberg

ANTHEM “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”

Rob Crowther, Mike Haider, Kiera McKee

MESSAGE “So Weird”

by Mary Luti

BENEDICTION

A CLOSING GLIMPSE OF BEAUTY