Today at GUMC

The Candle of Joy (the pink one) is lit

Nancy & Roy B. light the Advent candles

Shelley G. is today's reader

Renea H. offers beautiful music during worship

It was a frigid start to our morning, but the warmth of our fellowship made all the difference as we came together for worship on the Third Sunday of Advent.

JOYS

+The church family thanks God for the gift of Dale S.’ birthday this coming week.

+Gloria S. thanks God for the joy of 15 family members arriving today to celebrate Christmas together.

+Mike and Cheryl R.’s grandson Carson is in worship with us today: Yay!

+Belinda A. thanks the church family for their continued donations to the “noisy bucket” campaign of the United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women). Last month’s collection was $60.28. Praise be to God for a church family who donates money for mission work locally and all around the world.

+Pastor Charles thanks God for a church family who demonstrates beautiful expressions of love and concern during the “Passing of the Peace” during worship each Sunday. Also, he is thankful that this congregation sings the “Gloria Patri” each Sunday, a testament to the sacredness of the Christian faith.

+Belinda A. thanks God for the wonderful United Women in Faith Christmas party and readers’ theater melodrama at the Albert Lea Pizza Ranch restaurant last Wednesday. A good time was had by all.

+Belinda A. thanks God for Sid T. who delivered her phone and eyeglasses to her worksite, after she left them at the Pizza Ranch.

+The congregation praises God for Shelley G.’s continued prayer shawl ministry. She brought seven completed shawls to worship today for a blessing.

+Shelley G. invites the church family to take prayer shawls to people they know who would benefit from having them – “anyone in need of a hug.” She asked that a picture of each shawl be taken and shared with her, along with the name of the person who received it.

+Belinda A. thanks God for the joy-filled activity of assembling goodies plates for dear members and friends of the church, after last Sunday’s administrative board meeting.

+Bob S. it was a joy to deliver the goodies plates.

+The congregation is thankful for Shelley G.’s service as Scripture reader this morning.

+The congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved organist, Renae H.!

CONCERNS
+Bob S. invites the congregation to join him in praying for his friend Calvin R. who is battling health challenges.

+Sandy D. asks the church family to join her in praying for her friend Sarah S. who is dealing with serious medical challenges.

+Shelley G. asks for prayers for her dear friend Diane in Wells; her son Levi died last week.

+Cheryl R. asks for prayers for the family and friends of Steve P. who died recently.

+Cheryl R. invites the congregation to pray for nephew’s wife Nikki who is dealing with a medical challenge.

+The congregation is invited to pray for Patty R.’s husband Craig who is undergoing more medical testing.

+Korla S. asks for prayers for Bill P., a dear friend dealing with serious medical challenges, and Bill’s wife, too.

+Nancy B. invites the congregation to join her in praying for those impacted by the shootings at Stewartville High School, Brown University, and at a synagogue in Australia.

+Sandy D. invites the church family to join her in continuing to pray for her nephew Jay who has returned home after a hospital stay. He will be recovering the next four to five weeks.

+Kraig S. invites the congregation to pray for Karnella S. who fell again and is recovering at St. John’s Lutheran Community.