December 18, 2024
Merry almost-Christmas, church family and friends!
Well, in the midst of the mad scramble that this season always is, this has been an absolutely wonderful week at your church. Crazy God moments absolutely everywhere. I know you’ve heard me say it, that our church is much bigger than the friends who come to worship on Sunday, but here is what I mean:
A member of our community who uses the Wolf Center asked me to pray and bless the home of a young man and his kids, who just moved into town. It became a wonderful, deeply meaningful conversation about God and hope and parenthood and redemption.
A couple of weeks ago, a young woman came in needing some help that we were thankfully able to give. Today, she joined us to make lunches for folks in need, and it was a wonderful day full of laughter and friendship and a very special kind of worship.
This afternoon was the Churchill Community Coalition’s quarterly meeting, and we got to give awards to very special people who were nominated Community Champions. While we were there I was able to connect with Cynthia Wassmuth from the Tribal Behavioral Health office, and discovered that 15 years ago she was instrumental in starting the United Methodist Church in Schurz! How amazing is that! So she and I and Betty and Bob Weiser will be getting together after Christmas to see what we can do to reinvigorate the ministry there.
When that meeting was over, we all were pondering what to do with all of the leftover food. We thought of a family in need that several of us know, I reached out to them, and they were SO surprised and blessed by it. Not only that, but the caterers who made the delicious meal were clearly very, very moved by it. Blessings in the giving, and in the receiving.
And THEN – friends, it has been a truly God-filled week! – I got a call from a woman looking for shelter after leaving an abusive relationship. She’s already been in touch with the amazing folks at Domestic Violence Intervention, but I called them anyway to get their advice and met the most WONDERFUL PERSON who works there. She brought by some blankets and clothing and other odds and ends that folks in need could use, and she and I had an amazing tearful conversation about God and healing and acceptance. She is clearly a passionate believer in Jesus, and has been longing to find a new church family after moving here some months ago. It was a conversation that was a Christmas gift for us both.
I am writing this with tears in my eyes, and I just can’t say it enough: God is at work through all the ministries we are doing. Hearts are being healed. Lives are being changed. Hope is being found. It’s such an incredible privilege to be a part of it.
I will be taking most of January off to rest and do some home projects, but I’ll be here for Claudia’s service and a couple other things. We have some awesome preachers and worship leaders lined up, including our very own Rev Gary Pope-Sears who will be here on January 5! Spread the word and give him and Sybella a really, really warm welcome. See you Sunday!
Pastor Dawn
Worship This Week
Advent 4: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
Worship begins at 9:00am every Sunday, in person. If you can’t be there, remember to find us on YouTube so that you can watch live from wherever you are, or join us on KVLV radio on AM980 every Sunday beginning at 9:30am. If you have ideas or questions, or if we can be in prayer for you in any way, please call the church at 775-423-4714, or call Pastor Dawn directly at 775-671-5553. We’d love to hear from you.
Wednesday Evening Prayer with Lectio Divina
Wednesday Evening Prayer is held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm on YouTube Live. Lectio Divina is an ancient, special way of reading and praying with Scripture. Most people who try it find it deeply meaningful. We’ll meet next on February 5. Hope you’ll join us.
News and Fun Stuff
Candlelight Christmas Eve Tuesday December 24
We’ve added a daytime service this year for folks who prefer driving in the daylight, for young families, and for anyone else who might like to come to worship before their dinnertime holiday celebrations. Each service will be similar: Christmas carols, telling the Christmas story directly from scripture, a special Christmas story rather than a sermon, and lighting candles and singing Silent Night at the end. The 11pm service will be a bit more meditative, and include a service of Holy Communion.
Lahontan Valley Choir Christmas Concert
If you missed them at the tree lighting or here at Epworth a couple of weeks ago, you can still catch them on Monday December 23 at 11am at the Senior Center! Come hear some fun and inspiring Christmas music to add to your Christmas season.
Messy Church THIS SUNDAY after Worship
It’s a special Advent lesson with art, silly games, great conversation, prayer and worship. It’s great for all ages, and definitely does not make a mess of any kind, it’s not that kind of “messy.” Join us at 10:30am in the Fireside Room, everyone welcome.
No Pizza with the Pastor in January
Pastor Dawn will be taking a little vacation time, so we’ll get together next on February 11. See you then!
Continuing Bible Studies in January
After Christmas and a little break, our Bible study groups will return. To suggest new Bible studies or to find out more, please call Kelly Frost via the church office at 775-423-4714. Join any class, any time!
· “Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets” by Andy Stanley, Mondays at 10:30am in the Good News Room
· “God Never Gives Up On Us” by Max Lucado, Sundays after worship in the Good News Room
· The Book of Acts, Sundays after worship in the Wolf Center, led by the author Jeanette Strong.
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