We have before us this Sunday, the announcement of the most important and wonderful event that ever happened in the world—the incarnation and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. There has never been better Good News proclaimed than what the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary that day. The world was spinning out of control embroiled in sin and had not heard God’s voice for some 400 years. Then, as if out of nowhere comes an angel to a young girl from a lowly family in a no where land to announce the greatest news ever heard by human ears… God has spoken to sinful humans—And His message is Jesus Christ, the coming Savior.
“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-33)
Mary questioned, yes, but responded to God’s call. “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) It was a point in which the Spirit of God began to do something in Mary that by all human expectations was thought impossible—The point in which Mary said YES and became a part of God’s saving work in this world. The story we tell at Christmas is the life-transforming story of the way the self-giving love of God invaded every corner of human existence, and it came through the most unlikely persons in the most unlikely places—and in the most unlikely ways.
Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as we begin our journey to Christmas and the Rev. Fred Mast brings a special message entitled, “Nothing Is Impossible with God”. Come and experience again this incredible and amazing story and the beauty of Christmas at SUMC. Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 a.m. featuring meaningful times of prayer, joyous music, and life messages that will help move you closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Our worship is upbeat and lively, and spirit filled. Immediately following worship, you are encouraged and invited to stay and join us in our Fellowship Hall for the friendliest and best fellowship time anywhere!
Get in the Christmas spirit—And join us as Emerson Theater Collaborative presents “Christmas Thieves’” A Small-Town Radio play by Greg Oliver Bodine on (Two Weekends) December 5-7 & 13-15 in our Fellowship Hall. Tickets are available for all showtimes and dates in the SUMC Church office (928)282-1780 or on-line http://bit.ly/ETCHolidayFun. Directed by Brienne Reeder & Produced by Camilla Ross.
As a special holiday gift to the music-lovers of Sedona, pianist Sandrine Erdely-Sayo will perform in our sanctuary at 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 8th. Sandrine is the co-founder and Artistic Director of the Piano on the Rocks International Festival. The fifth annual Festival will be hosted by SUMC in late April of 2020 – three days of incredible performances by internationally acclaimed pianists and vocalists. You might consider the December 8th performance the hors d’oevre before the feast! Come and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the holiday season!
At SUMC, we offer a number of book and bible studies: Wednesday’s our Men’s Bible Study at 9am; and Thursday’s our Women’s Bible Study at 9:45am. So many great missions, ministries and events happening at Sedona UMC—Visit our website at us on www.sedonaumc.org and “Like” us on Facebook. We would love to pray for you!—Prayer requests may be submitted online or by calling us at 928-282-1780. We are conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. All are welcome at Sedona UMC—Come and grow with us!
