Announcements

WORSHIP AT WILMINGTON

Join us for an uplifting worship experience!
Exciting news: Our Worship Service hours are now at 10:30 AM!
Come join us as we come together for a truly uplifting and meaningful worship experience. We look forward to sharing this special time of inspiration and connection with you.

Coffee Hour Sign-Ups
Please sign up at signupgenius.com.
If you have any questions please direct them to Christine Nally at 978-423-9671.

Altar Flowers
Share with us special moments/people in your life by requesting flowers to enhance our weekly worship service. You can email or call the church office at wilmingtonumcoffice@gmail.com (978) 658-4519 to place an order. Altar flowers are $35.00 Dollars

Brews & Bible
You’re invited to experience spirituality in a very different way
RSVP to Peter.Hey.wumc@gmail.com
Tuesdays, December 5, 12, & 19 at 7:30 pm
Location: Tavern in the Square 100 District Ave Burlington, MA 01803zzz

SUNDAY MESSAGES

Join us in worship every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM and be inspired by Pastor Peter's insightful sermons at Wilmington United Methodist Church. Pastor Peter delivers engaging messages filled with wisdom, compassion, and relevance, guiding us through meaningful reflections on faith, community, and life's journey. Experience a welcoming community and find inspiration for your spiritual path in our Sunday services led by Pastor Peter.

Advent Sermons:

• December 3, The Shepherds
• December 10, The Angels
• December 17, The Wismen Special Music from our Youth and our choir
• December 24. Joseph (morning)
• December 24, Mary (evening)

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Christian Education for Adults
Join us on Sunday mornings, at 9:15, in the Octagon room, we are hosting a new adult Sunday School class.

For our first few sessions, we will be working through the book Unbinding the Gospel, and plan to incorporate a wide range of topics and formats moving forward.

Adult Sunday School/Faith Formation Class & Discussion
During our new Adult Sunday School/Faith Formation Class & Discussion, Ginny Hipple will lead us. Looking through the eyes of the participants in the arrival of the Messiah, she'll draw from Stephen Mitchell's book The First Christmas.

Plan to join us on Sunday mornings December 3, 10, and 17 from 9:15-10:15 am in the Octagon Room.

LIST OF EVENTS
❄ Holiday Opportunities

Tuesday, December 5th
11:00 am, Windsor Place Bible Study
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Troop 56 f ship hall
7:00 pm, Education Committee Zoom

Wednesday, December 6th
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm, Staff Meeting Zoom 7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous

Thursday, December 7th
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, G. Scouts Events (troop 76216) Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Chior (Rm 2-4/2-5) and Sanctuary 6:30 pm Gamblers Anonymous (Coffee Room 2-7)
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Trustees Meeting (RM 2-4/2-5)

Friday, December 8th
5:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Sons of Italy (Fellowship Hall)
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm, G. Scouts Troop 83443 (Coffee Room 2-7)
7:00 pm, Alcoholics Anonymous (Rooms 2-4/2-5)

Saturday, December 17th
❄ Children's Advent and Music Service, 10:30, Confirmation Class, 11:30

Saturday, December 24th
❄ Children's Advent and Music Service, 10:30
Confirmation Class, 11:30
❄ Children and family Christmas Eve service: 4:30 pm

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Christian Education Calendar
December, 10th
❄ Christmas Caroling. We will leave the church at 3:15, with our first stop being Windsor Place at 3:30.

December 17th
❄ Children's Advent and Music Service, 10:30
Confirmation Class, 11:30

2023 WUMC ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR
Virtual and In-Person at Wilmington United Methodist Church

Join us for in-person Sundays on December 10th, and 17th, from 10:00 AM to Noon. Alternatively, conveniently order online through our website and pick up at WUMC on December 10th and 17th.

Now is the time to focus on what truly matters. Prioritize meaning over materials by supporting transformative change and fulfilling essential needs.

For further details, reach out to wumcalternativegift@gmail.com. Your contribution is always valued, always cherished, and never overlooked.

ADVENT STUDIES

Our Lay Leaders, Denise Farnsworth, and Ginny Hipple, are facilitating 3 opportunities to prepare for Jesus' birth.

Sunday Mornings
December 10, & 17 from 9:15-10:15 AM in the Octagon Room. Using Stephen Mitchell's book The First Christmas we'll look at how eyewitnesses viewed Christ's arrival.

Monday Evenings
December 11 & 18 from 7-8:30 PM in the Coffee Room. Our traditional look at scripture, short stories, poems, and Christmas hymns with the theme of Angels, Shepherds, and A Star. A sign-up sheet and reading packets are available in the Narthex.

Friday Mornings
December 8 & 15 from 10-11 AM at the Tewksbury UMC. This will be a daytime option like the Monday evening study.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING

As most of you know, our Christian Education program plans monthly Service Sunday activities. For the last two years, the December Service Sunday has been an afternoon outing, and Christmas Caroling for our assisted living and homebound church members. This activity is also special because it is not exclusive to our young people! YOU ARE INVITED! It is a wonderful time to celebrate the season with all ages of our church family.

Join us on Sunday, December 10th. We will leave the church at 3:15, with our first stop being Windsor Place at 3:30. Join us as we spread some holiday cheer!

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE

As we approach the holiday season, it is important to acknowledge that this time is not always a joy-filled occasion for all people. Join us on Thursday, December 21 at 7:30 for our Longest Night service.

It will be a time of music, prayer, and reflection as we acknowledge the pain and darkness in our world, but turn our eyes to a brighter future.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Join us for a heartwarming and joy-filled Children and Family Christmas Eve Service at Wilmington United Methodist Church at 4:30 pm.

This special gathering is designed to embrace the spirit of the season, welcoming families and children of all ages to celebrate the wonder of Christmas together. Through enchanting music, engaging storytelling, and moments of reflection, we'll come together to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Join in the festive cheer and experience the joy of the holiday season as we share in this memorable service filled with love, hope, and togetherness at Wilmington United Methodist Church.

TRAILBLAZERS HIKING MINISTRY

Discover a New Dimension of Faith Exploration through WUMC's Trailblazers Hiking Ministry! Join us for invigorating outings that start with a brief, uplifting moment of inspiration lasting around 5 minutes, followed by engaging discussions lasting 10-15 minutes.

Our Trailblazers group usually gathers monthly for these inspiring adventures. For more information and specific event details, check out our Meetup.com page.

A MUSICAL MOMENT

Hi Friends!

This week's hymn is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

This hymn is ancient, not only in its text but also in its music. While the tune used today was not finalized until the 1800s, it is based on plainsong, which was used in the church during medieval times. The lack of strict rhythmic measures gives the tune a free-flowing style.

You can almost imagine the simple intervals echoing through a stone cathedral. The text developed without the chorus as a series of liturgical phrases used during Advent. Each stanza concentrates on a different biblical name for Christ, making this hymn a rich source for Christian meditation. Jesus is Emmanuel - "God with us"; Wisdom from on high; Desire of nations; Lord of might; Rod of Jesse; Dayspring; and Key of David. As we approach Christmas, let us take some time to think about the nature of the Christ whose coming we celebrate.

CONFIRMATION CLASS
We have some exciting plans in store for Confirmation Class this year! We are inviting all 7th and 8th graders to join in this exciting and important point in many young people's faith journey! Confirmation will be meeting on Sunday afternoons, on the first and third Sunday of each month. It will be a time of fun, food, and learning. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jamison Rudd.

Sewing Group

We will resume gathering on the last Saturday of the month from 9:00 a.m. till noon in Fellowship Hall. We are spread out, masks are optional. You don't sew? Not a problem; there is something for everyone - cutting dress patterns, ruffles, pockets, and bias tape.

Our projects include "Little Dresses for Africa" and other much-needed items for boys and girls living in Africa. We put together fleece tie blankets in the Fall. So. . . bring your machine OR scissors, but most importantly, your willingness to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Questions? Please call Betsy Peterson at (978) 657 - 0355 or email bpeter62@comcast.net.