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Sunday December 11, 2022

Join us for worship on Sunday at 10 AM!

Worship This Week:

Music Celebration Sunday
featuring the gifts of our music ensembles

"First" Sermon Series, Part 3:
"The First Noel"
Colossians 1:15-20, Philippians 2:5-11
 

This month, the Power of One offering will benefit
the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter. 

 

What's happening this weekend...

Luminaria Night: Saturday December 10

Join us this Saturday as we help light up our community on Luminaria Night! Luminaria Night is a beautiful Bethlehem tradition in which we when we line neighborhoods and streets with luminaria (white paper bags with lit candles). All luminaria proceeds benefit New Bethany Ministries in Bethlehem. We'll be setting up luminaria here at the church on Saturday December 10 at 4 PM -- please join us! For more information, contact our church's "block captain," Deb Silliman

Luminaria Rain Date: December 17, 2022

Holiday Dinner & a Movie

Enjoy a family-friendly night at the church on Saturday December 10! Bring a favorite holiday dish to share at our potluck dinner at 5 PM (Fellowship Hall), followed by a church movie night at 6 PM (Sanctuary). We'll be showing Disney's Noelle -- the story of Santa's own daughter, and how she finds her way in the "family business!" Come for the dinner, the movie, or both.
If you are planning to bring a dish for the potluck, please sign up here to let us know what you'll be bringing. Beverages will be provided. 

Wrap Gifts for "Mammy's Angels"

Come help wrap the gifts from the Mammy's Angels Giving Tree on Sunday December 11, 2-6 PM. You don't have to stay the whole time -- any help is appreciated! We will also organize food bags for families in need, and will be making gift bags for the Sixth Street Shelter and Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital. Please click here to review the available slots or sign up. Thank you!

Wesley Youth Group

Join us for our upcoming Youth Group gatherings:
 

Sunday December 11, 6-8 PM

Wacky Christmas
Sunday December 18, 6:30-8:30 PM  


Both gatherings will take place in Fellowship Hall. Come join us for a time of fun, fellowship, building our faith... and of course, food! Please email Brian (Wesley's Minister to Youth) with any questions, and to let us know you will be there!

Wesley's Youth Group is open to all youth from 6th through 12th grade. 

Due This Week: Poinsettia Orders and Food Donations

Don't forget -- orders for poinsettias and donations for the holiday dinner food drive are both due this Sunday, December 11! Scroll down to the original announcements below for more information.

What's new in this edition of the Weekly E-news...

Photo Sessions -- This Sunday!

For many of us, our holiday traditions include posing for a photo in front of our beautiful poinsettia tree. This year, we'll help make those photos happen! On Sunday December 11 after worship, two of our Wesley Church photographers will be available in the atrium to take photos in front of the poinsettia tree. The images will be returned to you by Christmas, free of charge. No sign-ups needed! Just meet our photographers in the atrium after worship this Sunday. 

Giving Tree Dinner

Come join our Giving Tree families for a evening of dinner, crafts and Santa. Our annual dinner will take place on Saturday December 17, 5-7 PM. This year, we have over 70 families who requested help... and because of gracious people like you, we were able to help brighten their Christmas! (If you would like your picture taken with Santa, we just ask that you wait until our registered families are have finished their photos.) Thank you for all you do! If you would like to join us for the Giving Tree Dinner, please RSVP by email

From the Church Library:

If you have young children at home—or visiting—this holiday season, why not borrow some of the beautiful picture books found in our church library? A quiet storytime is just the ticket during the hectic days ahead.

And, don’t forget that we have books for adults and children available for purchase on the book table in the atrium.

What's coming up...

Meals for BES

This year, our church will once again be supporting the work of the Bethlehem Emergency Shelter (BES) -- and you can help make it happen! Once each month, we provide hot meals, monitor the shower schedule, and offer a loving presence to the guests of the shelter. We will be serving our next meal on Monday December 19. We'll be at the shelter from 4 PM to 9 PM, but shorter shifts are available to fit your schedule. To get involved, please contact our coordinator Becky Hess.

Quiet Christmas

For many, the holiday season is a joyful time... but for others -- particularly those who have experienced significant loss or difficulty in the past year -- the holiday season can be overwhelming or even painful. In response, we offer a "Quiet Christmas" service (also called Blue Christmas or Service of the Longest Night) as an opportunity to experience Christmas worship while finding healing, wholeness, and peace. This year, we are teaming up with our neighbors at Epworth United Methodist Church and Light of Christ Lutheran Church to offer this meaningful worship experience.

This year's Quiet Christmas service will take place on Wednesday December 21 at 7 PM at Light of Christ Lutheran Church (2020 Worthington Ave, Bethlehem). Consider attending yourself, or bringing someone you love who is struggling this season.

Holiday Worship Schedule

Join us for worship on Christmas Eve (Saturday December 24) and Christmas Day (Sunday December 25)! We will offer a variety of worship experiences: 
 

Saturday December 24, 10 AM

"Let Every Heart Grow Three Sizes! A Grinch-Themed Worship Experience" 
(includes communion and candlelight)
 

Saturday December 24, 6 PM & 8 PM

"O Come, All Ye..."
(includes candlelight)
 

Sunday December 25, 10 AM

"The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Holiday Challenge"

Cookies for Santa

Santa loves his cookies, and kids love to leave them out with a cold glass of milk (along with the snacks for the reindeer, of course)! We’d like to offer a little help to families as we all prepare for the Big Man’s arrival on December 24. Cookies will be available to take home after our Christmas Eve worship services.

Bakers and helpers are needed! Click here to sign up. Please drop off all cookie donations by Thursday December 22 at 1:30 PM. For more information, please email Deb Silliman.  

Giving Trees

The Giving Trees are back in the Wesley Church atrium! Through our giving trees, we support the work of area organizations that provide gifts and treats to children & youth, struggling families, and lonely seniors. To donate, take a tag from one of the trees, purchase the item(s) indicated, and return your donation to the church. For more information on our giving trees, please contact Debbie Ace

Christmas Food Drive

Thank you to all who donated to the Thanksgiving Food Drive! It's now time to start collecting for Christmas.

The Christmas Food Drive benefits families in the community who have registered through Mammy's Angels. Each of these families are facing some sort of hardship -- whether it be financial hardship, illness, homelessness, a disability, or going through cancer treatment. Please donate your food drive items by placing them in the bin outside the church or the box inside the church by December 11. Please drop off any gift card donations in the church office during office hours (Monday through Thursday, 9:30 - 1:30). For more information, please contact Mammy's Angels.To view a list of needed items or to sign up, click here

Poinsettia Orders

It's time to order our poinsettia plants for the Sanctuary! You will be able to place your order in person using the order form in your bulletin, or you can place your poinsettia order online.

You have the choice of either taking your plant home with you after the service or donating it to the Congregational Care Team to be delivered to individuals in our congregation. Either way, the poinsettia(s) that you purchase will help brighten our sanctuary through Christmas!

The price per plant is $10. As in other years, you may also make a donation to UMCOR in honor or memory of your loved ones. All orders are due by Sunday December 11

From the Finance Team:

Can you believe Christmas is coming already?

This season reminds us to center on our Christian calling as disciples of Jesus, putting all that we have to use for God's good purposes. As the Finance Team, we want to update you on how we are acting as stewards of your gifts. 

The Finance Team recently approved the draft 2023 Budget. Wayne Muffley (Church Treasurer) will present it to the Church Council on December 11. 

As we analyzed our giving, we noticed that giving trends fell off in September and October. The Finance Team discussed the fact that we are now about $25,000 behind in giving in 2021. Pastor Candy is praying for a rebound in November and for great generosity in December. Let's catch up and move ahead of last year! 

We continue to receive pledge cards, and we are grateful for that. Pledge cards are imporant, but many of us who normally pledge have not done so yet this year. We invite you to please complete and submit your pledge. Cards are available for you. 

In the spirit of generosity and commitment, 
Christmas blessings to you, 
The Finance Team
 

Have something to add to e-news?

To include your ministry update or appeal in an upcoming edition of the Wesley Church e-news, please send the announcement to Pastor Candy

Our Staff


Candy LaBar, Lead Pastor
Susan Matacavage,
Church Administrator
Brian Graybeal,
Minister to Youth
Deb Silliman,
Director of Children's Ministries
Becky Graybeal,
Director of Music
Chris Perfetti,
Director of Bell and Chime Choirs
Keranie Whipple,
Childcare Coordinator
Debbie Ace, Housekeeper
Betty Killo, Housekeeper/Data Entry

Popular website links:

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Eastern PA Conference News

COVID Update


Masking will remain optional at Wesley Church.
In order to help you make an informed decision about your own mitigation practices, the church will share our county's updated risk category and corresponding CDC guidelines in each edition of our weekly enews. For more information, visit cdc.gov.

Northampton County is currently in the "medium risk" category.
CDC guidelines include:
  • If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions
  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
  • Get tested if you have symptoms

Ongoing Reminders

  • Pastoral Care: If you have a pastoral care need, please contact the church office or email Pastor Candy. 
  • Prayer Shawl Ministry: Put your love of craft to some holy use! To get involved, contact Karen Rose at 610-657-5440, or by email
  • Altar Flowers: Mark a special occasion by providing altar flowers in worship! To sign up, email Susan Matacavage. Each bouquet costs $40. 
  • Amazon Smile: Support Wesley Church by using AmazonSmile -- for each Amazon purchase you make, a donation is made to our church. Visit smile.amazon.com for more details. 
  • WCOF Wawa Coupons: Support our preschool by purchasing Wawa coupons! Each coupon costs $4, can be redeemed for a Wawa Shorti hoagie (valued at $4.79-5.59), and includes a $1 donation to Wesley Circle of Friends Preschool. It's a win-win fundraiser! To order gift cards, or for more information, contact Susan Matacavage
  • Vanco Mobile: Download Vanco Mobile (formerly Give+) for more information on making a one-time or recurring financial gift. 
  • Birthday Cards: Our prayer team is seeking to send birthday cards to senior adults in our congregation. To be included, email Susan Matacavage (susan@wesleychurch.com) with your name and birth date. 
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