Christmas Eve is a time of pure beauty, joy, love, and celebration at Grace. Our Lifesong director, Michael Keltz, and our traditional music director, Chris Leysath, will pour their hearts into making the services meaningful for all. Rev. Ashley Buchanan will bring the message at the 2:00pm LifeSong Service and I will preach at the 5:00pm Traditional Service. The decorations in the sanctuary and in the Wesley Center are stunning. Lights, trees, and candles all make for a magical experience. I recall last year that Michael had rented a snow machine, and while we were singing at the end, children were dancing in the snow. Communion will be served at both services, and we will end the time with Silent Night, in the dark, with only the light of candles. But that is not the only light. The true light is Jesus Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. -John 1:1-5
Let us be people of the light, who reflect the unconditional, abundant love of God, who sent Jesus into the world to reveal His love. May we shine the light of Jesus into the dark places where there is suffering and sin. O come, o come, Emmanuel.
Hope, peace, joy and love to you all,
Cathy
"He Came, We Go" - Sunday, December 21, 2025
We are looking again at Luke 2, specifically focusing on the fact that the shepherds went out to share the good news (v. 17-18). Jesus came, and we go.
Prepare for worship by reading the following scripture passages: Isaiah 7:10-16 and Luke 2:8-18
Prayer Concerns as of Thursday, December 18, 2025
Click the image to register for the event.
Sunday Mornings with Youth & Parents
Starting this week, our Youth Ministry is trying a simple, conversation-focused gathering for middle and high school students
and their parents. Join us in the Wesley Center right after LifeSong (9:50AM) for coffee, tea, light refreshments, and a brief Scripture reading to spark meaningful conversation. A relaxed space to connect as we move toward Christmas!
God used each and every one of us (all 286 cast members and I don’t know how many others) to make this an incredible experience for the 4763 people who visited Bethlehem. We built it, we cast it, and they came.We are so very thankful for you and allowing God to use you to bring His message about Jesus’s birth to our community. There were so many people touched by your offering.
We will be meeting Saturday, December 20th at 8:00am to finish tearing down all the sets and putting everything away. We would love to have any and all help we can. We know it's the last Saturday before Christmas, but if you find that all your shopping, baking, etc. is done we have one more workday to tear down Bethlehem.
Your Adult Ministries Council will have copies of The Bible Year Devotional available for purchase after worship on Sundays. Stop by our The Bible Year table to learn more about this yearlong Bible reading series and to get your copy for $18.
Part of a group who would like to do The Bible Year together and need a Leader's Guide? Contact Amber Forrest (amber@gotgraceumc.org) to get your group's complimentary copy!
Revenues and Expenses through December 14, 2025
Month to date Revenues: $77,567.28
Month to date Expenses: $53,867.79
Net: $57,974.80
Year to date Revenues: $1,170,929.80
Year to date Expenses: $1,247,092.27
Net: ($76,162.47)
Stock and Crypto Donations
Giving stock and crypto is now available with the Engiven integration through our giving platform, Realm Connect. It's simple to donate! Navigate to our online giving form and select Stocks or Crytocurrency.
Help Us "Ketchup"
Help us 'ketchup' by the end of the year. Our year-to-date financials through the end of November are as follows:
Revenues: $1,170,929.80
Expenses: $1,247,092.27
Deficit: ($76,162.47)
The Finance Committee thanks you for your generosity and support this year, but we still have a long way to go to end the year without a deficit. The budget committee is meeting to identify areas for cost reductions for 2026. Please consider a Christmas gift to Grace UMC, to help our church fulfill its mission, "To Know Christ and Make His Love Known."
Our stewardship campaign is wrapping up. We have 139 pledges for a total of $868,452. If you have not yet turned in a pledge card, you can do so here.
Grace UMC's ministries offer spiritual nurture to those within our faith community and provide care to those in our larger worldwide community. Your giving empowers us to serve together for the transformation of the world.
