Sunday January 8th is the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. We gather in worship and remember our baptism and the vows and covenant.
Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17
Rewatch worship here:
Worship Rewatch 1.8.2023 Baptism of the Lord
Worship Rewatch – Christmas & New Year’s
We were unable to meet on Christmas Eve due to the snow storm and some of our leaders being snowed in and unable to travel to the church. We were pleased to gather at Bethany on Christmas morning for brunch and carols and scripture. It was a joyous time to celebrate together. You can re-watch Christmas Day worship here.
On New Year’s Day the people of Clio: Bethany UMC travelled to our partner church, Otisville UMC for a combined worship service with Holy Communion. We had a bit of a technical issue so you’ll see 2 videos below. We also drew our Star Words! If you haven’t drawn a Star Word yet, stop by our office and choose one.
Part 2
Pastor Kayla shares her star word and some additional info about Star Words:
Further explanation:
The use of star words, also called “star gifts,” is a prayer practice connected to Epiphany and the new year that has been growing in popularity in Protestant churches for nearly a decade now. The idea is that a list of intention words, or guiding words, are written or printed on paper stars.
1. The Magi followed a star, which ultimately led them to Jesus. Therefore, we too use all the resources we have available to us—including creative prayer practices and intention words for the new year— to move closer to Jesus.
2. We trust that God uses multiple ways to guide us and speak to us. Star words are one such lens that might provide us a way to look for God in our midst, both actively and in hindsight.
3. We trust that it is often easy to miss God in our daily midst. Having an intention word to consider both in present days, as well as to reflect on at the end of the year, allows for us to see God in ways we may not have seen God before. This is the greatest gift.
4. We know that the most common prayer practice for many involves speaking to God as opposed to silence or contemplation. We believe that star words invite a new prayer rhythm of reflection and review that can be a powerful new way to connect with God.
5. By not looking or sorting through the star words at their selection, we practice the spiritual task of receiving. It is not we who are in control in this moment. Instead, we trust that God is present, and we let go of our desire to cultivate or control.
Start with what you know – how do you define the word? How do you already experience this word – is it negative, is it positive? What emotion does it evoke in you as you have received the word? As you think about how you experience this word in your life today, what do you notice?
What do you need to know? How is the word defined? What does scripture say? What do historic leaders have to say about this word? What is inspiring or challenging about this word to you?
How might God be calling you to stretch and grow through the lens of this word in 2023? Personal: family, friends, finances, spiritually, health and mental well-being, maybe God is calling you to something new in this season through the random-ness of the draw.
How might you be called to use this word to enlighten our journey together as a cooperative parish?
Share your star word & any reflections you have on it in the comments!
Christmas Eve At Home Dance Party & Worship!
Unfortunately, due to weather we have decided to cancel our Kid-Focused worship service scheduled for 5pm today. We took our plans for in-person worship and designed it for you to be able to worship at home with your kids today while we are snowed in! Follow along and play the videos and do the readings and dance & praise God together on this holy night!
Welcome Video from Pastor Kayla!
Opening Songs – Start out with some dancing to loosen up!
Call to Worship – Assign one person in the family as the leader or watch Pastor Kayla’s video. Click through the slide show and read together to begin your family worship time.
Carol Dance – Sing & Dance this fun carol!
The Christmas Story – Tell the Christmas Story in a fun way with kids.
The Christmas Story Interactive Click to Expand
Tell the Christmas Story in a fun way with kids. Assign each family member one (or more if you are a small family) of these roles in the image below and one person is the leader who reads through the story. Each time you hear the key phrase, use those phrases to make the story interactive.
When you hear “Shepherds” group one says “Yo, Sheep!”
When you hear “Sheep” group two says “Baaaa!”
When you hear “Night” group three sings: “Silent Night, Holy Night”
When you hear “Angel” group four sings: “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
When you hear “Good News” EVERYONE says “YES!” and does a fist pump!
When you hear “Great Joy” EVERYONE shouts for joy
When you hear “Baby” EVERYONE says “Ahhhhh”
Long ago in a country far away from this one, there were shepherds…
watching over their sheep…
by night.
Being good shepherds…
they protected their sheep,
made sure they had food to eat and water to drink, and gathered them together at night…
for protection. The shepherds…
were listening to the soft sounds of the sheep…
as they quieted down to go to sleep. The dark sky was full of shimmering stars that night.
And then…all sound stopped and an angel…
appeared to them. They were bathed in light, almost as if they glowed from within. The shepherds…
were frightened and so were the sheep.
The angel…
spoke to them. “Don’t be afraid. I have some good news…
to share. My good news…
will bring great joy…
to all people. The good news…
is this: this very day in David’s town, a baby…
was born. And this baby…
is your savior—Christ the Lord.”
The shepherds…
were amazed and so were the sheep.
What they thought was going to be like every other evening had turned into a holy night.
The angel…
told them to go into Bethlehem where they would find the baby.
Then the sky was filled with angels…
singing praises to God, proclaiming the good news…
with great joy…
then they were gone. The shepherds…
looked at each other and at the sheep.
They said, “We should go to Bethlehem and see the baby…,”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby…
lying in a manger. When the shepherds…
saw him, they told Mary and Joseph what the angel…
had told them about the baby.
And that they had come to see the good news…
for themselves so that they could share the great joy.
Everyone who heard what the shepherds…
said was amazed. Mary listened to all that was said and treasured it in her heart. The shepherds…
went back into the hills to their sheep…
singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen. It had been just as the angel…
had told them. They had knelt before the baby…
received the good news…
felt the great joy… and when they were finally settled down, turned to each other and proclaimed, “What a night!”
The Christmas Story – Hear the story a different way, through Scripture & the voice of Linus.
The Christmas Prayer – Pastor Kayla leads us through the Christmas Prayer
Carol Dance – Sing & Dance to these fun carols!
Closing – End your worship time by singing Silent Night, Holy Night by candlelight (or low light) and/or Happy Birthday Jesus!
Don’t be a stranger! Come & See us another time! Here’s some upcoming opportunities to connect.
Advent 4 ReWatch – We see God in Each Other
We continue our Advent series called “From Generation to Generation.” The stories, scriptures, and traditions of Christmas have been passed down to us throughout the generations. The Christmas story weaves us in – to remember how God has shown up in the past, to continue the work of collective liberation, and to behold the presence of God in flesh and bone.
Advent 3 ReWatch – We can choose a better way
We continue our Advent series called “From Generation to Generation.” The stories, scriptures, and traditions of Christmas have been passed down to us throughout the generations. The Christmas story weaves us in – to remember how God has shown up in the past, to continue the work of collective liberation, and to behold the presence of God in flesh and bone.
We see Joseph in a tough situation. As far as he knows, Mary broke their marriage contract. Instead of humiliating her thought, he chooses a better way. He chooses to stay and become an adoptive parent. He chose peace over violence, grace over condemnation. When have past generations chosen a better way for you? When have they not?
Are you looking forward to meeting Pastor Kayla? She's hosting Tea on Tuesdays at 10 and there are many opportunities to meet her. If you'd like to schedule a one-on-one, just call the church office to set up a time. Pastor Kayla is looking forward to getting to know the people of Clio and Otisville