A Christmas Eve Springboard
/Dear Friends in Christ,
Christmas Eve was glorious!
Celebration Hall and the Bridge were full all day long.
At 3:00 pm in the Bridge, we had to set up extra chairs to handle the extra people. During the children’s time at the 3:00 pm service, the front of the worship area was crowded with children. At this service, we collected and blessed over 90 teddy bears for children in trauma situations. Thank you Stonebridge Church for your generosity and caring spirit for those who struggle during this season.
We were blessed by the Spirit and the spectacular music throughout the day. Each service was a testimony to the faith of the Stonebridge Church family. Thanks to all our servant volunteers for their hard work and dedication that made Stonebridge UMC a place where everyone felt welcomed and inspired.
For the day, the combined worship attendance was 958. Wow!
As I write this email, my prayer today is that these remarkable Christmas Eve services will be a springboard for the spirit of Christ to bless our ministries in 2024. There is so much yet to be done for those who need a community of faith where they can grow in their faith and join hands to serve the spirit of Christ in this world.
Join the year-end giving push
There are only a few days left in 2023. So far in December, we have had a tremendous response to our year-end giving needs. Thank you for what you are doing to make Stonebridge UMC strong. We are still about $75,000 short of where we need to be. Please prayerfully consider making a year-end donation to Stonebridge UMC and its ministries. 2024 is going to be an exciting year as we restart many of the ministries that were casualties of COVID-19. It is going to be an exciting year as we do more for our Senior members, children, and teens.
Sunday Worship – One service, 11:00 am in the Robertson Activity Center – Pancakes at 10:30 am
This Sunday, December 31, we will finish 2023 in worship with a Wesley Covenant service. This service will be a time of rededicating ourselves to the work of Christ. We are calling this Sunday Pancakes and Pajamas. There will be a free breakfast at 10:30 a.m. in The Bridge (Robertson Activity Center). Then worship will begin at 11:00 a.m. I believe you will enjoy this time together and find the service to be meaningful and Spirit-filled.
This Sunday, come prepared to offer to God your life and prayers for the coming year. As your pastor, here are a few of the prayers that I will be offering...
Lord, God Almighty, may we see each Sunday as an opportunity to take the name of Jesus outside the walls of Stonebridge UMC to our neighbors.
Through your Spirit, make 2024 a year of creating new strategies for reaching people for Christ. Of every age, of every stage, and of every background.
May we so glow with the presence of Christ that Stonebridge UMC will be known as a place where people can grow in their faith. Lord God, raise up teachers, mentors, servants, and those willing to share their faith in word and service.
May we continue to grow in our efforts to reach the community and help those less fortunate.
And most important Lord God Almighty… may we grow our worship and prayer ministries into a power source for all those who walk through the doors of Stonebridge UMC.
See you Sunday. Invite someone to worship. It’s going to be fun!!
Pastor John Allen