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D‌ecember 4, 2‌024

Let every heart prepare Him room

Join Us For Worship

You are invited to join us each S‌unday morning for worship at 9 A‌M. We will be continuing the “Gift Exchange” sermon series.

S‌unday, D‌ecember 8

“Anxiety for Peace”

John 14:27  

In the midst of troubling times, Jesus holds out the gift of peace. The peace Jesus gives is one that we cannot find in other things in this world.

S‌unday, D‌ecember 15

“Sorrow for Joy”

Psalm 30  

When we experience sorrow, we can turn to God, trusting that joy will come again as a freely given gift.    

S‌unday, D‌ecember 22

“Fear for Love”

1 John 4:7-19  

Fear can lead us into hating the people that God created. But fear loses its power when we receive the gift of love. We are made complete in love.

Tuesday, D‌ecember 24  - 7 P‌M

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

“Darkness for Light”

Isaiah 9:2-7  

Christ gives us the gift of light in the darkest moments of our lives. His light will guide and lead us into abundant life.

S‌unday, D‌ecember 29

“Meaninglessness for Purpose”

Jeremiah 29:11

Through our lives, we sometimes feel lost, not knowing who we are and where we are heading. God finds us in these places and gives us the gift of purpose for our lives.

Be a Blessing,

Pastor Scott

Worship Services on YouTube

We record our worship services and post the videos on YouTube. Each Sun‌day, the recording of the 9 A‌M worship service will be available soon after the completion of the service.

You may use the below link to view the worship service videos on YouTube. Once on the DeBows UMC YouTube channel, please subscribe, so you will  receive future notifications when new live events or other videos are posted on the channel. Please remember to bookmark this link in your web browser.

Calendar of Events

S‌unday, D‌ecember 8

Second S‌unday of Advent

9‌ A‌‌M Worship Service

• Fellowship Time After Service

• RaiseRight Gift Card Orders Due

• Poinsettia Orders Due

M‌onday, D‌ecember 9

Food Pantry Open - 6 P‌M

--- By Appointment Only ---

Call 848-373-8844

Tuesday, D‌ecember 10

Bible Study - 10 A‌‌M

S‌aturday, D‌ecember 14

Christmas Music Fellowship

featuring Peter Jay

2‌:00-3‌:30 P‌M in Fellowship Hall

S‌unday, D‌ecember 15

Third S‌unday of Advent

9‌ A‌‌M Worship Service

Tuesday, D‌ecember 17

Bible Study - 10 A‌‌M

Band Practice - 6:‌‌30 P‌M

We‌dnesday, D‌ecember 18

Next Newsletter Published

S‌unday, D‌ecember 22

Fourth S‌unday of Advent

9‌ A‌‌M Worship Service

M‌onday, D‌ecember 23

Food Pantry Open - 6 P‌M

--- By Appointment Only ---

Call 848-373-8844

Tuesday, D‌ecember 24

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - 7 P‌M

We‌dnesday, D‌ecember 25

Merry Christmas

NOTE: Please check the church website and calendar frequently for the most up-to-date scheduling and activity information.

Fellowship Time

Next Fellowship Time

Su‌nday, D‌ecember 8

On the second Su‌nday of each month, we have Fellowship Time immediately after the 9 A‌M Worship Service. It will be in Fellowship Hall and is a time of light refreshments and conversation; a time to catch up with each other and welcome visitors. Please join us!

Fellowship Time is volunteer driven. There is a sign-up sheet outside of Fellowship Hall. Please use this sheet to indicate which Fellowship Time you would like to host. "Thank You" to those who have already volunteered. The next date that needs a volunteer host is F‌ebruary 9.

DeBows is hosting a special C‌hristmas themed music event featuring Peter Jay on Saturday, D‌ecember 14, 2‌:00 - 3‌:30 P‌M. Everyone is welcome to join us in Fellowship Hall for this free event as we enjoy the Sounds of the Season and light refreshments.

Tuesday Bible Study

WHEN:

Every T‌uesday at 10 A‌M in Fellowship Hall

CURRENT STUDY:

Book of 1 John

Please bring your own bible

For more information, contact: Anita at 848-373-9304 or Christine at 609-847-6421. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please note this is an "in person only" bible study. We look forward to seeing you as we gather for study & fellowship.

Worship Through Giving

We are thankful for your faithful support. It is only through your generous giving that we are able to maintain our ability to cover expenses and share God’s love via our church ministries. You may continue giving in-person during the S‌unday morning worship service, by sending your offering check directly to the church, or by using the church online giving feature found in the footer of the church website. If so inspired, you may make an online donation now by clicking HERE.

Please note: from S‌unday, D‌ecember 15 to S‌unday, D‌ecember 29 we will collect our “Christ Child Gift” Christmas offering to support the ministries of DeBows UMC. Christmas envelopes will be in the pews for this special offering.

Prayer Ministry

Please keep the following people in your prayers ...

• Jake (Deb Wankel’s great nephew) – PTL! - surgery on his foot was successful.

• Family of John Delany (close friend of Guy’s grandson) – at his passing.

• Family of Louise Dutcher (aunt of Anita’s son-in-law, Rich) – at her passing. Rich and Anita’s daughter, Linda, were her care givers. Please pray for all involved.

• Virginia Swagger ( Christine’s cousin) – in hospital with heart issues.

• Michael – (Deb Wankel’s son) – prayers that as one door has closed, another one will open soon.

• Theresa Slover – PTL! - recovering from thyroid surgery and radiation treatments AND her doctor says she is now cancer free.

• Prayers for Anna May (Rose Mary’s sister) & Bessie Stout (Rose Mary’s aunt)

• Continued prayer for home-bound church members: Jean Iannacone; Dottie Weeks, Donna Ridge

Please note: Please let Pastor Scott know of any additions, removals, or status updates to this prayer list. Please place a completed prayer request card in the offering if you wish for the prayer request to appear in this list. Prayer requests will roll off the list after 4weeks unless updated or renewed.

*** Prayer Shawl Ministry

Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is a year-round mission activity. Shawls are made by members & friends of our congregation. The shawls are given to people in need of comfort and as a reminder that they are in our thoughts and prayers. The person receiving a shawl does not have to be a member of our church. We share our shawls just as we share our prayers.

If you are aware of anyone who would appreciate a shawl, please give the information to Anita Chichester or Pastor Scott. Click HERE for more information & instructions for making prayer shawls.

Food Pantry Ministry

Next distribution is D‌ecember 9

The DeBows Food Pantry is open on the 2nd & 4th Mon‌day each month, 6‌-8pm. DeBows uses an "Appointment Only" system to distribute the food. To make an appointment, call 848-373-8844.

Please note: participants need to call for an appointment by 5‌p‌m on the S‌aturday prior to the scheduled food pantry day. This gives the Food Pantry volunteers time to prepare the food for distribution. "Thank You" for your cooperation.

Please note: The Food Pantry Ministry serves up to 46 families (~135 people) every two weeks. We are extremely appreciative of the volunteers that make our Food Pantry possible and we welcome anyone interested in getting involved. Please contact Pastor Scott if you need further information or would like to explore ways to help with the Food Pantry ministry.

RaiseRight Gift Cards

A DeBows UMC Fundraiser

You have another opportunity to order Gift Cards from RaiseRight for the holiday season. You purchase the gift cards at face value and the church will realize a percentage profit based on the posted rebate rate for each card.

Order by D‌ecember 8

• We will place the second RaiseRight Gift Card order on D‌ecember 8.

• All orders must be placed by S‌unday, D‌ecember 8.

• Gift cards will be available for pick-up on S‌unday, D‌ecember 15.

All orders must be given to Sue Hayward. A check made out to "DeBows UMC" must be submitted with each order form to cover the full amount of the order.

A complete list of available gift cards (over 1000 retailers) & order forms is available in the church narthex and are also available for download using the below links.

Please note: while you can purchase Shoprite or Stop & Shop grocery cards from RaiseRight, the church realizes a higher percentage rebate if the church purchases them directly from Shoprite or Stop & Shop. See Sue if you want to purchase Shoprite or Stop & Shop cards.

For more information or to place orders, you may contact Sue at 609-631-4306 or via email.

Grocery Shopping Cards

Every S‌unday, you have the opportunity to purchase grocery store shopping cards for either ShopRite or Stop & Shop. This is a convenient way to pay for the food you buy at the grocery store and at the same time support the ministries of DeBows UMC. The church makes 5% of all shopping cards sold. You may see Sue Hayward to purchase the shopping cards.

Music Ministry

Please note: More information about the DeBows music ministry can be viewed HERE. Modification or cancellation of specific dates will be communicated by Grayce via email. Please check email for any cancellations before coming out for rehearsal.

DeBows in Mission

Let us not become weary of doing good. ~ Galatians 6:9

DeBows is committed to extending God’s love beyond our own sanctuary and to meet the needs of our neighbors. While our flagship mission, the Food Pantry, happens every month, other outreach activities happen at various times during the year.  

Below are the results of recent mission activities.

*** Thanksgiving Food Pantry Distribution

On M‌‌onday, N‌‌ovember 25, in addition to our normal food pantry operation, meal kits containing the makings for a complete T‌‌hanksgiving dinner were distributed to over 100 families in our community. Many people contributed to this special mission activity; those who donated items needed to build the meal kits, our ever faithful food pantry team, volunteers from the congregation, and the Daisy Girl Scout Troop and their parents.

“THANK YOU” to all involved.

Prepared meal kits awaiting distribution

*** Holiday Gift Drive

Each y‌ear at this time, DeBows supports The Children's Home Society of New Jersey by buying gifts for at risk children. These gifts may be the only ones these children will receive for the holidays. This year, members of the congregation bought gifts for 8 children. The gifts were blessed during the D‌ecember 1 worship service. Pastor Scott will deliver the gifts to the Children's Home Society. Thank you to everyone who helped us share God’s love during this season of giving.

As always, your faithful support of our church ministries is greatly appreciated. —- THANK YOU

For the most up-to-date information concerning church activities, event schedules, general church information, or to view recent newsletters, you may visit the church website anytime at www.debowsumc.org.

If you are reading this newsletter from the church website, and would like to receive it directly in your email, we encourage you to subscribe now. Just visit the church website and use the subscription form in the bottom right-hand corner of the homepage.

Along with receiving the normal newsletter, special emails will be sent out once in a while for prayer requests, event cancellations, or other time-sensitive news. All church communication emails are based on the newsletter subscription list.

As always, your feed back to our newsletter is welcome and appreciated. You may reply to the newsletter email or use the "Contact Us" page on the church website to provide your input.

The next newsletter will be published on
W‌ednesday, D‌ecember 18

Rev. Scott Clifton, Pastor
pastor@debowsumc.org
or 732-928-4475

If you need to speak to Pastor Scott, please contact him directly using the above information. You may connect with DeBows UMC online using the following links.