This weekly newsletter from Woodinville Community United Methodist Church (WCUMC) provides information about upcoming church events and services for the week of December 22nd, 2013. It summarizes the 4th Sunday of Advent sermon focusing on Joseph's obedience to God regarding Mary's pregnancy. It also advertises upcoming Christmas Eve and holiday services as well as youth and senior group activities. Financial information is included.

1. Weekly News from WCUMC12/22/2013
4th Sunday of Advent 2013
“Responding To Jesus Coming
To Our Lives”
Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother
was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant
by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he
didn't want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement
quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared
to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, don't be afraid to take
Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the
Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins." Now all of this took
place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be
fulfilled: Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,
And they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emmanuel means "God with us.")

2. When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and
took Mary as his wife. But he didn't have sexual relations with her until
she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus.
Hurt and confused, Joseph chose to react with compassion towards
Mary.
When he realized that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, Joseph was
faithful and obedient . . . He did exactly what God expected from him…
he brought Mary home to be his wife!
Romans 1:2-7
God promised this good news about his Son ahead of time through his
prophets in the holy scriptures. His Son was descended from David. He
was publicly identified as God's Son with power through his resurrection
from the dead, which was based on the Spirit of holiness. This Son is
Jesus Christ our Lord. It is through Jesus that we have received God's
grace and our appointment to be apostles through Jesus. This was to
bring all Gentiles to faithful obedience for his name's sake. You who are
called by Jesus Christ are also included among these Gentiles. To those
in Rome who are dearly loved by God and called to be God's people.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Paul was speaking to Christians throughout time . . . that we are among
those called by Jesus Christ, that we are dearly loved by God, and He
has
called us to be His very own people…
We are called to listen to God and to do what He says, even in
circumstances that don’t make any sense to us!
When God speaks to me and asks me to obey . . . What am I going to do?
Questions for Personal or Group Reflection:
(From Matthew 1:18-25)
1. If you had been Mary when she found out she was pregnant, what
would have been your first thoughts and reactions?
2. If you had been Joseph, what would have been the first thing to
come to your mind on finding out Mary was pregnant?
3. What would you say to family and friends? To God?
4. What is the most striking thing to you in this story of Jesus’
conception?
5. What does the name “Emmanuel” mean to you?
6. Think of the times that you have experienced Jesus as “Emmanuel”
in your life. Explain how it has happened.
7. What do you learn about Joseph’s faith in this passage? How does
that apply to your daily life?

3. Christmas Eve message: “The Light That Brings Life”, Luke 2:1-20
Dec 29th— “A Service of Lessons and Carols”
THIS WEEK AT WCUMC
Sunday - 12/22


Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room
Young Families Group, 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Memorial Room
Monday - 12/23


No Talk Time
No Men of Integrity
Tuesday - 12/24

Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 PM, Sanctuary
Wednesday - 12/25

Christmas Day - Office Closed
Thursday - 12/26
Friday - 12/27

Crossfire/Youth Late Night Out at Wild Waves, 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Saturday - 12/28

Men's Group Study, 7:30 AM. Celebration Hall
Sunday - 12/29


No Adult Sunday School Classes today
Nursery Care is available in the Children’s Wing during worship
10:30 AM Worship Service

4. 
Evening Prayer, 5:30 PM, Prayer Room
Christmas Celebrations at WCUMC
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Tuesday, December 24
7:00 PM

5. Say goodbye to Denise Caldwell.
After today's service, we showed our appreciation to Denise Caldwell for
her five years of dedicated service as our Church Administrative
Assistant. Denise will be leaving her position at the end of 2013. Thank
you Denise for your dedication, your sense of humor, and your Christian
spirit!
Outdoor Adventure - Skagit River Eagle
Float Trip
Saturday, Jan 4

6. Enjoy a beautiful float down the Skagit River with hot chocolate and
views of dozens of bald eagles. Meet at the Church at 8:00 AM or a
Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport at 10:00 AM. The cost is $8.00
per person. All ages 5 - Adult are welcome. Under 5 speak with the
Clemences at 425-486-0762. Sign up in foyer.
Attention All Youth - 5th - 12th Graders
Jan. 10 - 12 - Winter Retreat at Great Wolf Lodge,
$140.00
Join us for an amazing weekend of fun, adventure, and focus on
Christ. We will have a jam packed weekend with time for water slides,
games, ans worship with a dynamic speaker and an awesome band. We
will leave the church at 4:00 PM on Friday, January 10 and return on
Sunday, January 12 by 6:00 PM. Scholarships are available. Contact Kim
for details at crossfirelife@gmail.com or 425-483-5252.
Prime Timers
Friday, January 10 6:00 PM

7. Join us for a fun evening of Bunco. this is a fast, fun dice game played
in groups but all together at the same time. It requires no talent, just
luck. The table groups keep changing and should be fun for all. Just
come with a willing spirit and you will do just fine
Entrees will be provided. Sign up for side dishes in the foyer.
Wednesday Women's Bible Study
Join us for a "Bringing the Bible to Life" study of Galatians. This study
illuminates both the historical meaning of the biblical text and its
contemporary significance for today's reader. Study begins on January 8
at 10:00 AM. Contact Evelyn Carlson for more information at 425-4835252.

8. Financial Snapshot
General Fund
Income, week ended 12/15/13
Income, weekly average, year-to-date
Expenses, weekly average, year-to-date
Weekly average, budgeted expenses
Faith Promise
Total Faith Promises pledged
Faith Promise beginning balance
Received as of 12/1/13
Disbursed as of12/1/13
$ 8,775
$ 9,782
$ 9,614
$ 10,413
$ 90,560
$ 12,439
$ 112,589
$ 9,613
Prayer Chain Requests
Prayer Chain requests call Barbara Clark 425-483-3885. After 6:00 PM
call Mary Harvey at 425-827-2883 or call the church at 425-483-5252
during office hours.
We hope to see you in church this Sunday and God Bless.
Have a great week!
This newsletter is published by Woodinville Community United Methodist Church for our
members, friends and all who love Jesus. Our vision is "To Share the Transforming Love of
Jesus Christ Across the Street and Around the World". If you are looking for a church home
with loving, devoted followers of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we invite you to attend our Sunday
Worship Service at 10:30 each Sunday. We are located at 17110 140th Ave NE, Woodinville,
WA 98072. Learn more at www.wcumc.org.